The mountain's signature pinnacle
Red Cloud Golden Peak, also called the New Golden Peak, is Fanjingshan's most famous lone pinnacle. It soars straight into the sky, and its wonder is "one peak, two tops": the Golden Knife Gorge splits the rock from summit to mid-height into two halves, with only a sliver of gorge to climb, the two tops joined by a flying bridge — thrilling in the extreme.
How you climb it
- Up by iron chain and narrow stone steps — steep, and in places only one person wide;
- The top splits into two platforms, each with a shrine, linked by a bridge;
- You climb with hands and feet; when it is busy, queue and give way — do not force your way past.
The twin shrines and the cloud
Shrines have stood on the summit since ancient times, a high symbol of Fanjingshan's Buddhist culture. From the top, cloud sometimes pours in waterfalls and sometimes rings you with a halo, and the views open wide; in good weather the surrounding peaks spread out below.
Climbing tips
- If you fear heights or have heart, blood-pressure or similar conditions, or are with children or elders, judge your limits — view from afar rather than climbing;
- Wear non-slip shoes and keep your hands free; carry belongings in a pack to avoid dropping them;
- In rain, snow, strong wind or ice the route is slippery and dangerous — do not force it, and follow on-site notices;
- Do not cross barriers or enter closed areas, and follow on-site guidance while queuing.
