Mind-blowing! Mount Sanqing winter hike, 19.4km, I was on my knees the moment the fog cleared! Who understands, you guys! Hiking Mount Sanqing today, I was left speechless by its beauty!
Mind-blowing! Mount Sanqing winter hike, 19.4km, I was on my knees the moment the fog cleared!
Who understands, you guys! Hiking Mount Sanqing today, I was left speechless by its beauty! Winter Mount Sanqing truly holds surprises, from the ten-meter visibility in the dense fog to the blue sky, sea of clouds, and snow-capped mountains appearing together after the fog cleared. This 19.4km grand loop, even walking for 9 hours, was worth every tear! Mind-blowing! Mount Sanqing winter hike, 19.4km, I was on my knees the moment the fog cleared!
Who understands, you guys! Hiking Mount Sanqing today, I was left speechless by its beauty! Winter Mount Sanqing truly holds surprises, from the ten-meter visibility in the dense fog to the blue sky, sea of clouds, and snow-capped mountains appearing together after the fog cleared. This 19.4km grand loop, even walking for 9 hours, was worth every tear!
📍Location: Mount Sanqing, Shangrao, Jiangxi (Entrance fee 120 RMB, incredible value for money!)
🗓️Date: January 2, 2026
Route: Waishuangxi hiking up and down the mountain → Counter-clockwise grand loop
Difficulty: Moderate (All stairs, be careful on icy/snowy sections)
My complete hiking record, as exciting as opening a blind box!
Stayed at a hotel at the foot of Waishuangxi the night before, and set off at 6 AM! After all, it gets light late in winter, so an early start helps avoid crowds and lets you catch the stunning moment when the fog clears.
✅ 6:30 AM: Officially started climbing
It was all stairs, with thick snow underfoot. The air was crisp and fresh; one breath and I felt completely invigorated! Although it was still dark, following the light of my headlamp upwards gave me a thrill of adventure. Reached the Waishuangxi cable car terminal easily in 1.5 hours (the cable car only opens at 7:30 AM, so we hikers were way ahead!)
✅ 8:00 AM: Started the counter-clockwise grand loop
Was immediately deterred by the dense fog! Visibility was less than ten meters, everything around was a vast expanse of white, and I could barely see the stairs ahead. We could only follow the signs blindly. My companions were feeling down and wanted to turn back. But! The ice-covered boardwalks and rime ice were absolutely stunning. Thick icicles hung from the branches like crystals, and the hazy beauty was also very touching~
✅ 10:40 AM: A miracle appeared! The fog cleared!
Just as we were about to give up, the sun suddenly broke through the clouds, and the dense fog slowly dissipated like a curtain being drawn! The moment the blue sky appeared, I screamed out loud! Clouds rolled over the mountain ridges, and thin mist clung like gauze between the strangely shaped peaks. The distant snow-capped mountains sparkled in the sunlight. This wasn't the human world; it was clearly a fairyland!
✅ Surprises kept coming along the way
The sea of clouds surged at Yangguan Coast, the Giant Python Peak was faintly visible in the mist, the red walls of Sanqing Palace were covered in white snow, and below the suspended boardwalks of the West Coast was a bottomless abyss (even more spectacular in the snow!). When the sun shone down, the snow-capped mountains, sea of clouds, rime ice, and peak forests appeared together in one frame. Every shot looked like a wallpaper. The fatigue from hiking was instantly cured—this is the joy of hiking!
✅ 2:40 PM: Hiked down the mountain
Returned the same way from the Waishuangxi cable car station. Perhaps it was the boost from the beautiful scenery, but the descent only took 55 minutes! We reached the foot of the mountain at 3:35 PM, completing the entire 9-hour, 19.4km journey perfectly!
Super practical hiking tips, a must-read for beginners!
1. 👟 Non-slip shoes are crucial for safety!
The stairs on Mount Sanqing in winter are all icy and snowy; regular sports shoes won't cut it! You must wear non-slip hiking boots, and it's best to bring your own crampons (they are also sold in the scenic area for 10-20 RMB a pair). Especially when descending, crampons can save your life!
2. 🚠 Cable car vs. hiking, choosing correctly is important!
Mount Sanqing has 3 cable cars: Gangshou Cable Car, Jinsha Cable Car, and Waishuangxi Cable Car. If you want to take a cable car up and down, you can choose any. But! Only Waishuangxi has a hiking route for ascending and descending, so hikers, don't go to the wrong place!
3. 🗺️ Loop options, pick as needed!
- Small loop: 2-3 hours, relaxed and leisurely, suitable for seniors and children
- Medium loop: 4-6 hours, good scenery, best value for money
- Grand loop: 7-9 hours, most comprehensive scenery, suitable for hiking enthusiasts
I took the counter-clockwise grand loop, which covers all the core attractions. Recommended for those with good stamina!
4. ⛰️ Yujing Peak reservation guide!
Yujing Peak is the highest peak of Mount Sanqing, with excellent views, but reservations are required in advance! You can reserve on the "Sanqingshan Tourism" official WeChat account. Staff will check reservation information at the entrance. Ascending and descending takes about 2 hours. If you have enough time, definitely go!
5. 🎒 Essential gear checklist!
- Warm clothing: Down jacket, shell jacket, hat, scarf, gloves (windy at the summit, temperature is 10℃ or more lower than at the foot of the mountain)
- Equipment: Headlamp (essential for early starts), trekking poles (saves energy, prevents slipping), power bank (taking photos drains battery quickly), thermos (a hot drink is super comforting)
- Food: Energy bars, chocolate, bread (few convenience stores in the scenic area, bringing your own is more convenient)
6. 📸 Photography tips!
10:40 AM - 12:00 PM after the fog clears is the golden hour for photography. The sunlight is soft, and the sea of clouds is at its densest. Wearing bright clothes (red, yellow) looks great against the white snow and blue sky. When photographing the sea of clouds, you can squat on the stairs and use the peak forests as a background to capture stunning shots!
This Mount Sanqing hike was truly like a blind box experience with nature, from confusion to surprise, every step was filled with unknown joy. If you also love to measure scenery with your feet, winter Mount Sanqing is definitely worth a visit!