National park · China
Mount Heng (Hunan)衡山
Buy a ticket at the Grand Temple (¥60 May–Oct, ¥40 Nov–Apr) and take the cable car to Zhurong Peak for a 2‑hour summit; for a full‑day trek (≈20 km (12 mi)) hire a guide and budget ¥500‑¥800 for transport and guide.Buy a ticket at the Grand Temple (¥60 May–Oct, ¥40 Nov–Apr) and take the cable car to Zhurong Peak for a 2‑hour summit; for a full‑day trek (≈12 mi (20 km)) hire a guide and budget ¥500‑¥800 for transport and guide.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- The mountain range runs about 150 km from Hengyang to Changsha; the scenic area covers roughly 150 km² (check).
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount Heng (衡山), also known as Nányuè (南岳, south peak), is one of China's Five Sacred Mountains, sacred to Taoists and Buddhists. The park centres on Zhurong Peak (1,300 m), reached by cable car or a full‑day trek. The Grand Temple at the base is a large complex with Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian halls. The mountain is a popular day‑trip from Changsha or Hengyang.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1982National Scenic and Historic Interest Area.
- UNESCO World HeritageNot inscribed; part of the tentative list for the Five Sacred Mountains (check).
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 1982
The mountain range runs about 150 km from Hengyang to Changsha; the scenic area covers roughly 150 km² (check).
Why go
- One of China's Five Sacred Mountains, with historic Taoist and Buddhist temples.
- Four main attractions – Zhurong Peak, Water Curtain Cave, Fangguang Temple and Sutra Hall – are reachable by cable car or foot.
- The summit gives a 360° view over the Hunan hills and, on clear days, the Xiang River valley.
- The Grand Temple (Nanyue Damiao) outside the gate is a large complex with Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian halls.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanSnowy, trails icy
- FebCool, fewer crowds
- MarMild, flowers start
- AprClear skies, comfortable temps
- MayWarm, low rain
- JunWarm, occasional showers
- JulHot, but trails open
- AugHot, occasional rain
- SepCooler, clear
- OctAutumn colours, dry
- NovCool, low crowd
- DecSnow possible
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common forest birds (e.g., warblers, thrushes)Mar–Sep · Check local guides for seasonal sightings. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Hengyang city
Bus from Zhongxin or Linghu stations (¥7–13 (≈ US$1–2)) to Nanyue bus terminal; taxi alternative ¥100 (≈ US$14)‑150 (45 min).
45 min‑1 h
From Changsha
High‑speed train to Hengshan West (≈30 min, ¥65) then shuttle bus to Nanyue terminal (¥15 (≈ US$3)).
1‑1.5 h
Open the page →
From Hengyang airport
Shuttle bus at 9:30 am to Nanyue terminal (¥15 (≈ US$3)).Shuttle bus at 9:30 AM am to Nanyue terminal (¥15 (≈ US$3)).
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Temple (main gate) | Ticket office, visitor centre, start of cable‑car line. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Cable‑car station | Lift to Southern Heaven Gate, then trail to Zhurong Peak. | Ticket required. |
| Zhurong Peak area | Summit, Ming‑dynasty temple, viewpoint. | Open; guide required for off‑trail routes. |
Sketch map
- 1Hengyang city · Town≈27.230, 112.730Nearest major city, approx. 50 km (31 mi) north.Nearest major city, approx. 31 mi (50 km) north.Map ↗
- 2Grand Temple (main gate) · Gate≈27.249, 112.728Ticket office and entrance.Map ↗
- 3Zhurong Peak · Viewpoint≈27.297, 112.689Highest point, 1300 m.Map ↗
- 4Nanyue bus terminal · Ranger station≈27.239, 112.729Main bus hub for park access.Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for major facilities; exact positions may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Grand Temple gate) | CNY 40–60 (≈ US$6–9) | person | ¥40 Nov–Apr, ¥60 May–Oct |
| Cable car (one way) | CNY 45 (≈ US$7) | person | 2026 estimate; round‑trip ¥80 (check) |
| Shuttle bus (within park) | CNY 20–30 (≈ US$3–5) | person | 2026 estimate; includes multiple stops (check) |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Cable‑car ride permit or guide
Long trek (≈20 km) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥40–60≈ US$6–9
- CN¥45≈ US$7
- CN¥20–30≈ US$3–5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the cable‑car route.
- Camping
- Not allowed in the forest; stay in guesthouses or homestays.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires.
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission (check).check
- Ticket validation
- Transport tickets must be shown to bus attendants at each stop.
Where to stay
Near the park
Guesthouses in Nanyue town
Simple rooms, often family‑run; basic amenities.
In the park
Summit‑area huts (e.g., Dawn Mountain Hut)
Higher price, limited water; book in advance.
Safety
Steep steps and occasional rockfall on Zhurong Peak trail medium
Getting lost on the long west‑side trek high
Winter snow/ice medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate and cable‑car station reachable by car with short walks.
- Summit trail involves many stairs; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Buy food and souvenirs from village shops to support locals.
- Avoid unofficial ‘langur tours’; respect protected wildlife zones.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Heng?
Entry at the Grand Temple gate is ¥60 from May to October and ¥40 from November to April; cable‑car tickets are sold there as well.
What are the best hikes in Mount Heng?
For a quick summit take the cable‑car to Zhurong Peak (2–3 h). For a full‑day experience hike the west‑side trail (≈20 km, 8–10 h) with a guide.
When is the best time to visit Mount Heng?
April, May, September and October offer clear weather and comfortable temperatures; winter can be snowy and summer hot.
Do I need a guide for the long trek?
Yes – the park requires a licensed guide for any route beyond the cable‑car line.
Is camping allowed in the park?
No. Overnight stays are only in guesthouses or homestays; some guesthouses rent tents on their roofs.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Mount Heng (Hunan)
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