Mount Wutai Hiking Routes & Precautions for Winter Travel

Hiking in winter is essential, but we need to plan our routes and pay attention to precautions before embarking on our journey. Today, we will discuss the hiking routes and precautions for Mount Wutai, emphasizing that safety is paramount in any outdoor activity.

Many Buddhist devotees dream of making a pilgrimage to Mount Wutai, and the most devout often choose to complete their pilgrimage by hiking or even prostrating themselves on the ground every step of the way.

1. Overview of Hiking Routes

Hiking in Mount Wutai, also known as the “Great Five Pilgrimages” or the “Five Platforms Connection,” offers established routes. The trekking paths mainly consist of wild trails, firebreaks, dirt roads, stone paths, and alpine meadows, with no particularly challenging sections.

There are two classic trekking routes: the forward route and the reverse route.

The forward route is a more challenging route, covering approximately 70 kilometers and accumulating about 3800 meters of elevation gain. It is a circular route.

Route: Hongmenyan – Nanlianggou – Huyin Gou – Nantai – Shiziwo – Xitai – Zhongtai – Beitai – Hongmenyan – Dongtai – Hongmenyan

The reverse route is the most classic and popular. Compared to the forward route, the reverse route omits the section from Dongtai to Nantai via Nanlianggou and Huyin Gou. It is approximately 50 kilometers long with about 2000 meters of elevation gain.

Route: Hongmenyan – Dongtai – Hongmenyan – Beitai – Zaoyuchi – Zhongtai – Xitai – Jixiangsi – Shiziwo – Jingesi – Shanmen – Qixiangzhan – Nantai – Fomudong – Taihuai Town

2. Detailed Itinerary for Forward Route

D1: Hongmenyan – Dongtai – Nanlianggou – Huyin Gou – Fomudong – Nantai

D2: Nantai – Shiziwo – Xitai – Zhongtai – Beitai – Hongmenyan – Dongtai – Hongmenyan

If you find the itinerary too rushed, you can divide it into three days:

D1: Hongmenyan – Dongtai – Nanlianggou – Huyin Gou – Fomudong

D2: Fomudong – Nantai – Shiziwo

D3: Shiziwo – Xitai – Zhongtai – Beitai – Hongmenyan – Dongtai – Hongmenyan

3. Detailed Itinerary for Reverse Route

D1: Hongmenyan – Dongtai – Hongmenyan – Beitai – Zhongtai – Xitai – Shiziwo

D2: Shiziwo – Jingesi – Nantai – Fomudong – Fomudong Parking Lot – Taihuai Town

4. Precautions for Winter Travel in Mount Wutai

Weather Changes

The Mount Wutai hiking routes can be traversed throughout the year, but there is a significant temperature difference between day and night.

Summer is characterized by high temperatures, thunderstorms, fog, low cloud cover, and high humidity. You will need rain gear such as a waterproof jacket and pants.

Winter is marked by low temperatures and the possibility of snow-covered mountains, increasing the difficulty of trekking. Some hikers use it as a training ground for high-altitude mountaineering.

Spring and autumn are relatively comfortable seasons, but due to the high altitude, the mountain climate is unpredictable. Rain, snow, hail, and fog are common occurrences, requiring more advanced equipment for trekking.

Fog can easily lead to getting lost, so it is crucial to study the route beforehand, mark the trail, and ensure your phone battery is fully charged during the trek.

Dangers of Winter Mount Wutai

Extreme Cold in Winter

The lowest temperature recorded at the highest peak, Yedoufeng, in winter was -45℃. Even the lower-altitude Taihuai Town temple complex can be chilling, with a climate comparable to the Greater Khingan Range in northernmost China. Don’t underestimate the cold, even if you’re from northern China.

Perils in Winter Mount Wutai

Snow can fall in Mount Wutai at any time in winter. Don’t be fooled by the beauty of the snow. Once you find yourself in a snowy white wilderness with no phone signal, getting lost, frostbite, and even freezing to death are real risks.

Winter Mount Wutai Tests Human Limits

Winter in Mount Wutai not only brings biting winds and extremely low temperatures but also makes the transportation of supplies like vegetables challenging. Restaurants may have higher prices, and temples or guesthouses might offer poorer accommodation. You might have to stay in a resident’s room in a mountain temple. You’ll need to know how to maintain a stove and how to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

5. Preparations for Winter Travel in Mount Wutai

Understand Road Conditions

Check the road conditions from your departure point to Mount Wutai, especially local road conditions in Mount Wutai. Be aware of snow conditions after snowfall. In winter, snow in high-altitude areas of Mount Wutai can be difficult to melt. Unfamiliarity with road conditions can lead to unexpected risks.

Understand Transportation

Many buses to Mount Wutai stop operating in winter. The road conditions from the Mount Wutai train station to Taihuai Town must be taken seriously. The route from Taihuai Town to temples is also crucial. You must have a clear understanding before embarking on your journey. Otherwise, your pilgrimage may be obstructed or unsuccessful.

Understand Temples

Are the temples in Mount Wutai, especially the more remote ones, manned during winter due to climate conditions? Can you adapt to the temple accommodation?

Abandon Impulsiveness

Some people impulsively embark on their pilgrimage without any preparation, only to get lost, suffer frostbite, or become stranded. When faced with problems, they call 110, mobilizing a large team of people for rescue, leading to significant human and financial losses for the country. This creates bad karma for themselves.

Encourage Rationality

When you absolutely must go to Mount Wutai, consult with a reputable institution or reliable individuals for advice, planning, and reception. Otherwise, your lack of information or misinformation can lead to undesirable consequences that you will later regret.