West Gate and East Gate: Two Different Hiking Routes
Fanjingshan has two entrances, the East Gate (Jiangkou direction) and the West Gate (Yinjiang direction), and the ways of climbing differ noticeably. The East Gate is mainly served by sightseeing buses and a cableway, which can be combined flexibly to save time and effort, suiting most visitors; the West Gate has no cableway and requires hiking the entire way, with thousands of steps, and a one-way ascent usually takes 4–6 hours, better suited to hikers with plenty of stamina.
Choosing to hike the full route from the West Gate means devoting most of a day to the trail. The route is dominated by primeval forest and wild mountain scenery, and compared with going up and down by cableway, the views are more pristine. This more remote entrance sees relatively dispersed crowds, but precisely for this reason, round-trip transport and timing should be confirmed even more carefully before setting out.
Ten-Thousand-Step Cloud Ladder: High-Altitude Stone Steps in the Core Scenic Area
Whichever gate you enter by, after reaching the core scenic area you still have to walk a stretch of climbing steps. From the upper cableway station or along the trail up to the Golden Summit area, the steps are numerous and known as the "Ten-Thousand-Step Cloud Ladder." The steps mostly follow the mountain's contours and are steep in places; though neatly laid, they still test stamina and endurance considerably.
There are several practical approaches to pacing yourself: ensure sleep and eat moderately before climbing, avoiding an empty or overly full stomach; keep an even, slow pace and drink water in small amounts frequently, which is less tiring than rushing; use handrails on steep steps and move sideways slowly, and take extra care to protect your knees when descending; at the same time, allow ample time for the round trip and for queuing, to avoid travelling at night.
Gear, Weather and Safety Points
- Footwear: slip-resistant hiking shoes or sneakers that enclose the foot; slow down on wet, slippery spots and hold the railings.
- Clothing: a quick-dry base layer plus a warm mid layer and a windproof outer layer, as temperatures vary greatly at the summit; carry a raincoat.
- Other: trekking poles, rain gear, sun protection, drinking water and high-energy snacks.
- Descending: keep your centre of gravity low and take small, slow steps; on narrow paths do not walk side by side or push ahead.
- Weather: during thunderstorms, strong winds or heavy fog, steps are slippery and visibility is low; do not linger on ridges, under large trees or in open areas, follow on-site guidance and adjust your itinerary if necessary.
- Emergencies: travel with companions and stay in contact, carry water and common medicines; if you feel short of breath, dizzy or otherwise unwell, stop and rest at once, and seek help from on-site staff if serious; descend before dark.
Those with underlying conditions such as heart or blood pressure problems should especially assess their own condition before climbing; there is no need to insist on reaching the summit—rest or turn back promptly when feeling strained.
After Reaching the Top: Mushroom Rock and Summit Tips
After arriving in the core scenic area, Mushroom Rock is a landmark worth a special visit. It stands more than ten metres tall and is made of sandstone and slate, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom with its centre of gravity high up; the top is nearly square and the base a narrower rectangle, so it looks as if it might topple at any moment, yet it has stood on the summit for thousands of years. Around it are other strangely shaped stone forest sights such as Eagle Rock, Ten Thousand Scrolls and General's Head.
Mushroom Rock is located in the Old Golden Summit area of the core scenic area and can be visited after reaching the core scenic area by cableway or on foot. Early morning and late afternoon light is soft, and the atmosphere is best when the sea of clouds rolls over; watch your footing when taking photos, as the summit is windy and the ground uneven—do not cross railings or enter closed areas for a shot, and as crowds concentrate in peak season, visiting off-peak and yielding to others is advised. Summit weather is changeable with large day-night temperature differences, so check the day's weather and cableway operation before going and bring warm clothing and rain gear; in thunderstorms, strong winds and similar weather, some areas may close temporarily, so follow on-site notices.