A complete guide to the Shenxianju hiking route

As a national 5A-level scenic spot, Shenxianju is famous for its volcanic rhyolite landforms, suspended plank roads and internet-famous landscapes. The hiking routes cover a variety of options from "lazy and painless" to "in-depth exploration". You can choose according to your needs if you like it [CoolGuy] --- 1. Lazy-friendly route: Easy loop from south to north [Clap] Route highlights: The entire route is a flat trail with no need to climb mountains, suitable for families, the elderly and leisure tourists. - Itinerary: Enter the park through the South Gate → Take the Nantian Cableway up the mountain → Buddha’s Shadow and Lotus Melody (take photos in the misty lotus pond) → Guanyin Peak → Pantao Garden → Ruyi Bridge (a popular spiral bridge) → Nantianding Glass Observation Deck → Take the cableway down the mountain → Exit through the South Gate. - Duration: About 2-3 hours, covering all the core attractions. - Features: Nantian Cableway + escalator go directly to the top of the mountain, Buddha Shadow and Lotus Rhythm spray smoke regularly, and the background of clouds and mist is like a fairyland; the hollow design of Ruyi Bridge is stimulating, and the glass observation deck overlooks the thousand-meter cliff. - Fees: Tickets are 99 yuan (off-season discount), cable car tickets are 120 yuan (up and down), and the South Skytop Glass Platform is charged an additional 99 yuan. --- 2. Classic crossing route: Panoramic check-in from south to north [GoForIt] Route highlights: It connects the core landscapes of the North and South Gates and is suitable for tourists with moderate physical strength who seek in-depth experience. - Itinerary: Enter the park through the South Gate → Take the Nantian Cableway up the mountain → Buddha’s Shadow and Lotus Melody → Guanyin Peak → Nantian Bridge (suspension bridge) → Lotus Terrace (the best point to overlook Guanyin Peak) → Wolong Bridge → Yuanmeng Bridge (double-span suspension bridge) → Take the Beihai Cableway down the mountain → Exit through the North Gate. - Duration: about 5-6 hours, covering 80% of the attractions. - Features: Cross the iconic bridges such as Nantian Bridge and Yuanmeng Bridge. The vertical steps of Qingyun Ladder will challenge your adrenaline (be careful). There are dense supply points along the way, and no weight is required. - Tips: It takes 2 kilometers to walk from the north gate to the cable car. It is recommended to take the 10 yuan sightseeing bus. --- 3. Parent-child interactive route: North Gate rock climbing + ridge exploration [Yeah] Route highlights: Combining fun activities with nature education, suitable for families with children. - Itinerary: Enter the park through the North Gate → Experience jungle climbing and via ferrata (children’s program) → Take the Beihai Cableway up the mountain → Ruyi Bridge → Pantao Garden → Buddha’s Shadow and Lotus Rhythm → Exit through the South Gate. - Features: The rock climbing area at the north gate helps children develop their courage. The gentle trail at the top of the mountain is safe and labor-saving. You may occasionally encounter wild animals such as squirrels along the way. - Fees: Rock climbing costs about 50 yuan per time, and the cable car fee is the same as the regular route. --- 4. Sportsman Route: Ridgeline Challenge [Chin] Route highlights: Avoid the conventional routes in the scenic area and explore undeveloped ridges, suitable for outdoor enthusiasts. - Itinerary: Shangren Village, Danzhu Township → Tianzhu Rock (200-meter vertical rock wall) → Guankeng Ridge (narrow cliff road) → Bixi Rock → Dakengtou Village. - Duration: About 6-7 hours, guided tour required. - Features: Cross the primeval forest and overlook the panoramic view of Shenxianju. You can have a picnic on the way (such as braised pork ribs and rice cake soup). At the end, you can buy persimmon cakes and dried sweet potatoes from the villagers. - Equipment: non-slip hiking shoes, gloves, rope assistance, some sections require the use of hands and feet. --- 5. Photography Check-in Route: Sunset Sea of ​​Clouds Limited Edition Route highlights: Capture the magical moment when the dusk and clouds interweave at Shenxianju. - Recommended time: Arrive at the South Zenith before 15:00 on a sunny afternoon in winter. - Seats: 1. Buddha's Shadow and Lotus Rhythm: Take silhouette photos when surrounded by smoke. 2. Nantian Bridge: With Guanyin Peak as the background, take a photo with your hands clasped together in prayer. 3. Ruyi Bridge: The spiral bridge and the sunset are in the same frame, and the drone perspective is even more shocking. - Tips: The temperature on the top of the mountain is low, so you need to bring a windproof jacket; clouds in the afternoon can easily block the sunset, so it is recommended to check the real-time weather. --- Practical information summary [StarEyes] 1. Transportation: - Drive to the South Gate or North Gate parking lot (the South Gate has better facilities). - It takes about 5 hours by car from Shanghai/Hangzhou. You can join a group and charter a car (such as the Fun Traveler itinerary including tickets + transportation). 2. Seasonal recommendations: - Spring (March-May): Flowers bloom in the mountains and the temperature is moderate. - Winter (December-February): Frost and sea of ​​clouds, few people and clear scenery. 3. Equipment recommendations: trekking poles, sun hat, light backpack, and non-slip shoes in winter. 4. Pitfall avoidance guide: - The scenic area battery car (5 yuan/person) is only 400 meters away, so it is recommended to walk. - If you do not need photography, you can skip the South Roof Glass Platform and save 99 yuan. --- Summary: The charm of the Shenxianju hiking route lies in its "sweet and salty" style. You can easily check in at the popular bridge, or explore the wild routes. It is recommended to choose a route based on your physical strength and interests, giving priority to experiencing iconic landscapes such as the Buddha's Shadow and Lotus Melody and Ruyi Bridge, and pairing them with local specialties such as bayberry wine and dried sweet potatoes to experience the poetry and wildness of the "immortal's residence".