24-Hour Immortal Cultivation at Sanqing Mountain: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to the Immortal World
“When the sea of clouds surges beneath my feet and the giant rock emerges like a divine beast piercing the sky—at this moment, I finally understand why Sanqing Mountain is called the ‘Number One Immortal Peak in Jiangnan’!”
At 5 a.m., wrapped in a sleeping bag, I crawled out of the Yutai tent. Looking up, the sky was full of stars; looking down, the sea of clouds was rolling. A companion suddenly whispered, “Look! The ‘Giant Python’ is about to fly!” Following his finger, I saw the granite pillar piercing the clouds in the morning light, truly resembling a giant python ready to strike, with even the scale-like rock textures clearly visible. This 24-hour Sanqing Mountain trek—from the 3 p.m. cable car ride to the next day’s cliff sunrise, from the fairyland of “Sunshine Coast” to the thrill of the “West Coast”—completely overturned my perception of “mountain climbing”—turns out, beautiful scenery can really make you forget fatigue!
🚡 Route Planning | The “Immortal Adventure Loop” Even Beginners Can Master
“Climb in the afternoon to watch the sunset, get up early the next day to chase the sunrise—effort-saving and breathtaking”
We chose the classic route via the Waishuangxi Cableway, perfectly balancing stamina and scenery, suitable for couples, families, and light outdoor enthusiasts:
📍 Day 1: Big Trekking Loop (5-6 hours)
• 15:00 Take the cable car from Waishuangxi Cableway Station (ticket 125 RMB/person, 10 minutes direct to Rishang Mountain Villa).
• 15:30-17:00 Rishang Mountain Villa → Giant Python Emerges (passing by shape-like stones such as “Immortal Old Man Drying Boots” and “Penguin Offering Peach,” with many photo spots).
• 17:00-18:30 Giant Python Emerges → Sunshine Coast (Key highlight! 1.5 km high-altitude plank road, walking on it when the sea of clouds surges feels like being on the set of “Chinese Paladin.” At sunset, golden light spills over the clouds, perfect for stunning photos straight from your phone).
• 18:30-19:30 Sunshine Coast → Yutai (40-minute hike passing sights like “Jade Maiden Laughing,” ending at Yutai Tent Camp, 150 RMB per tent including sleeping bags).
📍 Day 2: Sunrise Return Route (3 hours)
• 5:30 Watch the sunrise at Yutai (arrive 20 minutes early to secure a spot; as the east brightens, the sea of clouds turns pinkish-purple).
• 6:30-8:00 Yutai → Goddess Peak (passing the “One Line Sky” stone steps; the Goddess Peak shrouded in morning mist looks even more mysterious).
• 8:00-9:30 Goddess Peak → Waishuangxi Cableway (descending via the West Coast plank road, easier and with stunning views).
🗻 Must-Visit Spots | Sanqing Mountain’s “Immortal Circle of Friends”
“Missing these spots is like not coming at all!”
Sanqing Mountain’s strange peaks and rocks all seem enchanted by immortals. These four “top” spots must be captured on camera:
1. Giant Python Emerges 🐍
• Location: Mid-section of the Nanqingyuan Loop, 1-hour walk from Waishuangxi Cableway.
• Highlights: A 128-meter granite pillar, flat on top like a python’s head, tapering at the bottom like its body. On sunny days, sunlight casts shadows on the rock that look like glowing python scales.
• Photo Tips: Shoot from the “Immortal Old Man Drying Boots” direction with a wide-angle lens to capture the entire pillar. On foggy days, use 0.5x slow shutter speed to create a flowing effect.
2. Eastern Goddess 👸
• Location: East side of Nanqingyuan Loop, 20-minute walk from Giant Python Emerges.
• Highlights: A 1180-meter-high shape-like rock resembling a goddess wearing a phoenix crown. When shrouded in mist, it looks like she’s draped in a thin veil, known among hikers as “Sanqing Mountain’s Number One Love Stone.”
• Hidden Tip: From the viewing platform below Goddess Peak, use a telephoto lens to capture the “Goddess and Giant Python gazing at each other,” full of storytelling.
3. Sunshine Coast ☀️
• Location: Between Yujing Peak and Sanqing Palace, a 3600-meter-long high-altitude plank road.
• Highlights: On sunny days, the sea of clouds rolls beneath your feet, and sunlight penetrating the clouds creates a “Tyndall effect,” like stepping into the Heavenly Palace of “Journey to the West.” After rain, a “Buddha’s Light” may appear, with about a 15% chance.
• Outfit Suggestion: Wear bright-colored jackets (red is best) to contrast with the gray-white rock walls for more striking photos.
4. West Coast Plank Road 🌉
• Location: Western Sanqing Mountain, from the Pine Forest to Sanqing Palace, 4 km long.
• Highlights: Built on a cliff at 1600 meters altitude, with a bottomless valley beneath and endless peak forests ahead. Walking here is thrilling and exciting, rated by China National Geographic as “China’s Most Beautiful High-Altitude Plank Road.”
• Safety Tips: Walk close to the inner side and hold the railing firmly; avoid on windy days as the plank road may sway.
🏕️ Accommodation Guide | Sleeping in the Sea of Clouds for an Immortal Experience
“150 RMB to stay in a fairyland, more unforgettable than a hotel”
Sanqing Mountain offers three types of accommodation to choose from based on your needs:
• Yutai Tent (Recommended ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐):
• Price: 150 RMB per tent (includes sleeping bag and moisture-proof mat), fits 2 people.
• Advantages: Step out and see the sunrise, unobstructed starry sky at night, awakened by birdsong in the morning.
• ⚠️ Note: Night temperatures are low (5-10°C), bring warm clothes; no washroom, use facilities at Rishang Mountain Villa.
• Rishang Mountain Villa (Recommended ⭐⭐⭐⭐):
• Price: 400-600 RMB/night (standard room), includes breakfast.
• Advantages: Located at the cableway entrance, convenient walking to all spots, restaurant serves “Sanqing Mountain Wild Vegetable Stew.”
• Mountain Hotels (Recommended ⭐⭐⭐):
• Price: 800-1200 RMB/night (e.g., Goddess Hotel), newer facilities but higher price.
• Suitable for: Families with elderly/children or travelers seeking comfort.
🍜 Taste of Sanqing | Mountain Wild Flavors to Fill You Up
“20 RMB to try all specialties, tastier than city restaurants”
After hiking, the mountain snacks healed my hunger:
• Must-Try List:
• Sanqing Mountain Wild Vegetable Stew: bracken, purslane, shiitake mushrooms stewed with native chicken, 35 RMB/serving, broth so fresh it’s amazing.
• Stone Ear Mushroom Stewed Egg: wild stone ear mushrooms picked on cliffs with native eggs, 15 RMB/serving, smooth and delicious.
• Qingming Cake: green rice cake made with mugwort juice, filled with dried bamboo shoots and tofu, 3 RMB each, best eaten hot.
• Hidden Treat: Buy a bottle of “Sanqing Mountain Honey” (25 RMB) at Rishang Mountain Villa, pair with your own bread, sweet to the heart.
💡 Blogger’s Ramble:
The magic of Sanqing Mountain lies in turning “mountain climbing” into an “immortal cultivation journey”—the energy saved by the cable car is all used to widen your eyes and enjoy the scenery; night talks in the tent feel closer to the stars than any hotel; even sore legs become badges of conquering the immortal peak.
“Suitable for beginners and advanced players” is no exaggeration. Our group of nine (including two 60-year-olds) easily completed the whole route, yet the “Giant Python Emerges” and “Sunshine Coast” kept the photographers shooting until their phones died. If you also crave a trip that’s “light on adventure, heavy on impact,” Sanqing Mountain will tell you: the most beautiful scenery isn’t in your social media grid, but in that boundless sea of clouds you gasp at when you reach the summit.