Mount Qian Shan, Liaoning, China

5Jaya M 5:00 PM Jun 11, 2013

Trek through mountains and temples
A beautiful national park set in the Qian Shan mountains, just outside of Anshan. You can spend a full day trekking and exploring the mountain trails and Buddhist and Taoist temples dotted throughout the park. It's one of the most peaceful places I've been in China, great to see unspoiled forests, and rolling peaks covered with greenery as far as the eye can see. There roads and wooden walkways through the main route, with some smaller paths throughout. There are no cars allowed in the national park, but they do have small open shuttle buses that take you along the main route if you don't want to walk too much, and cable cars to take you up to a few points (all can be reached by walking) - you'll still have to climb stairs to visit most of the temples and main attractions in the park though! I've just been for a second time, and highly recommend a visit to this beautiful national park. Best to go on a clear day so that you can take advantage of the great views from some of the peaks. The most recent time I went, a woman in one of the Taoist temples recommended that we focus on Wuliang Taoist Temple and the Giant Buddha peak, both of which have stunning views of the surrounding scenery as well as beautiful temples - if you're pressed for time, these two must sees are a good place to start. I've spent 5-6 hours exploring both times I've been, and would recommend at least this much time, although you could easily spend a full day. There are some snacks and water and soft drinks available for purchase at a lot of points, but I'd recommend taking food with you if you want more than a snack. We paid 80RMB per person for entry. It takes about half an hour by cab (and about 30RMB) and there are buses from town as well, across the road from the main railway station.

5andydownunder 5:00 PM May 31, 2012

Be fit 1st
Get a tour guide, I got one at the entrance that spoke some English and this was very helpful to take me a good way, got a shuttle bus, chairlift ride etc and of course explain what i am seeing. This is a special place with Buddhist and Taoist temples that are still occupied. Treat this place with repect. I visited in May so it was humid but not tropical. One spot was a tight squeeze so lay off the beer and pizza's or you'll be stuck, I think the 500 steps leading to it sorts that out. Overall there were well over 1000 steps/stairs and some is quite unstable and small footholds. Not for the frail. There are plenty of areas that are OK for general easy access but the nice stuff is a hike. Take 1 litre of water, camera and dress as per weather. You'll be out for easy 2 hours and up high so could get wndy. I was sweating a lot but it was warm. If cooler you'd need a hoody or something.