Panshan Mountain in Tianjin is a renowned 5A-level scenic spot in China. It is a famous mountain in the Beijing-Tianjin region, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage. It is a must-visit attraction for those traveling to Tianjin. What’s the best way to explore Panshan Mountain in a single day? Find out in the following guide.
1. Tour Routes
Route 1: Enter through the West Gate → Ascend to Tiancheng Temple → Pagoda Forest → Wansong Temple, descend by cable car; or take the cable car up, visit Wansong Temple → Shenniu Fudi → Tiancheng Temple and descend from there.
Along the way, you can admire scenic spots such as Yuan Baoshi → Shuxia → Welcoming Pine and Big Stone Bridge → Woyun Lou → Thousand-Year-Old Ginkgo Tree → Qianlong’s Imperial Stele → Tiancheng Temple → Huancui Pavilion → Shenniu Fudi → Pagoda Forest → Wansong Temple, making it a popular choice for tourists.
Route 2: From the entrance → Tiancheng Temple to Wansong Temple (you can also take the Panshan Passenger Cable Car directly to Wansong Temple from the archway), then hike up to Yunzhao Temple and Guanyue Peak (or take the Yun Song Cable Car from Wansong Temple to Yunzhao Temple) and descend.
Along the way, you can enjoy the majestic views of the five peaks → the three panoramas of Panshan, admire the strange rocks and ancient pines, and explore legends and historical anecdotes.
2. Travel Guide
After checking tickets at the entrance, take the sightseeing bus on the right. There are two types of sightseeing buses in the scenic area: one is a minibus, and the other is a nine-seater medium-sized bus, not the common and imagined electric cars. If you take the sightseeing bus, you’ll ascend the mountain from the back. Along the way, you’ll encounter many farmhouses. Since I haven’t stayed in any, I won’t elaborate much on them. The mountain road is truly winding. When you reach a different day, there will be staff to check your tickets. After the ticket check, the first section of the electric car ride ends at Shangfang Temple. This is also the starting point of the first scenic spot. Follow the banner instructions and visit the “Panshan Great God of Wealth”. The Great God of Wealth is naturally formed and requires your imagination to see. I personally found it somewhat interesting. Besides the Great God of Wealth, there are some pavilions where you can offer incense. I recommend visiting them, after all, it’s the Great God of Wealth…
After visiting the Great God of Wealth, continue on the sightseeing bus, which will take you to the Guanyue Peak cable car. I heard that during peak seasons, the queue is long, so avoid going during statutory holidays. This cable car is not very long and the speed is not fast.
After getting off the cable car, you need to climb a short distance to reach the highest peak: Guanyue Peak. We reached the peak at 11:46 am, a time of great excitement. There are vendors selling things at the highest point, and prices are a bit expensive, so it’s recommended to bring your own snacks. There is a bell inside the pavilion at the highest peak, and you have to pay to ring it. The wind is a bit strong at the top, and with the May breeze, my friend and I happily enjoyed our bread and biscuits on the summit. Across from Guanyue Peak is the Dingguang Buddha Relic Pagoda. As you can see from the picture, the pagoda is not accessible.
After exploring the summit, we began our descent. Along the way down, you’ll pass by the South Heaven Gate. In the center of the pavilion at the South Heaven Gate, there are several paintings. Tourists passing by said that people have died under this gate, and these paintings are used to suppress them. Whether it’s true or not, I don’t know.
After a brief exploration, we took the Yun Song Cable Car. We opted for it to save time for visiting the remaining attractions. You can choose whether to take the cable car based on your own schedule. I feel this cable car is the most worthwhile. It runs slowly, offering a panoramic view of lush greenery. However, if it’s windy, the cable car will sway significantly, so be mentally prepared.
After getting off the Yun Song Cable Car, it’s best to walk the rest of the way. The hike down takes about 40 minutes. Along the way, you can admire Yuan Baoshi, Shuxia, Welcoming Pine, Luohan Sculpture Garden, Shenniu Fudi, Pagoda Forest, and other scenic spots. Experience them firsthand. I’m not posting any pictures to tempt you. When we were descending, we saw a large group of people heading up the mountain. I couldn’t help but feel a little smug, because climbing up is a bit tiring. There are local vendors selling things along this section, and water is cheaper than on the mountain, so if you need water, buy it here. Here’s a picture of me from the back, just for the sake of joining the fun. I want to marry her, her back is so captivating.
I personally think my approach to exploring is the most effortless and time-saving. We descended around 3:00 pm. There’s a post office at the foot of the mountain where you can mail postcards, and there’s also a commemorative coin vending machine. Friends can choose based on their preferences.
If you have ample time, you can watch the Panshan Mountain Grand Show in the evening. I heard it’s great, with over 350 actors performing, accompanied by light, sound, and electrical effects, creating a grand spectacle. I unfortunately had to head back to the city, so I missed it. You need to exchange your ticket for a show ticket for the Panshan Mountain Grand Show. The price is 50 yuan extra on weekdays, 80 yuan on Saturdays, and 100 yuan during holidays and peak seasons. You can plan your time accordingly. The show starts at 7:30 pm.
It is said that Emperor Qianlong visited Panshan Mountain 32 times, and exclaimed, “If I had known about Panshan Mountain, I wouldn’t have gone south to the Yangtze River.” I personally think Panshan Mountain is a place you might regret visiting, but you might also regret not visiting. The above content is based on my personal experience. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a message or send me a private message. If you find it useful, remember to give me a thumbs up, because I’m the intelligent, cute, and eternally 18-year-old, fun-loving sister. Finally, here’s a flower and a hug for you! Have a great time!
3. Scenic Area Introduction
Panshan Mountain Scenic Area in Tianjin is located 15 kilometers northwest of Jixian County, covering an area of 106 square kilometers. Historically, it was known as the “First Mountain in East Jizhou”, renowned throughout China and the world, and is listed as one of the fifteen most famous scenic spots in China. Panshan Mountain’s ancient names include Wuzhong, Xuwu, Sizheng, and Panlong. Legend has it that during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Tian Chou, a famous scholar from Wuzhong, refused the Emperor Xian’s appointment and retreated here, hence the name Tian Panshan Mountain, later shortened to Panshan.
The scenic area is a tourist destination where natural landscapes and historical sites coexist, and Buddhist temples and imperial gardens complement each other. Throughout history, numerous emperors, generals, scholars, and poets have traveled here. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited Panshan Mountain 32 times, leaving behind 1366 poems praising the mountain and uttering the famous phrase “If I had known about Panshan Mountain, I wouldn’t have gone south to the Yangtze River.”
Religious culture is a prominent aspect of Panshan Mountain’s culture, especially the 72 temples built during the Qing Dynasty. It is said that Emperor Qianlong’s body double became a monk here, leading to a flourishing period for Buddhism in Panshan Mountain, making it a significant Buddhist holy land in East Jizhou and even the whole country. It gained the title of “Eastern Wutaishan Mountain”. While many buildings have been destroyed by wars and disrepair over time, some ancient structures in Panshan Mountain have been restored and rebuilt, once again becoming breathtaking attractions for the world to admire.
Panshan Mountain Scenic Area Ticket Prices: http://www.k1u.com/trip/64932.html
Panshan Mountain Scenic Area Transportation Routes: http://www.k1u.com/trip/48613.html
Panshan Mountain Scenic Area Nearby Food Recommendations: http://www.k1u.com/meishi/116017.html
Panshan Mountain Scenic Area Nearby Accommodations: http://www.k1u.com/trip/116015.html
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