Jingting Mountain, located 5 kilometers north of Xuancheng city center, has a main peak with an elevation of 317 meters. Many literary figures such as Xie Tiao and Li Bai have left numerous poetic works about it, with Li Bai’s ‘We never tire of looking at each other, only Jingting Mountain’ being the most famous. Visitors from afar come to follow the footsteps of Li Bai; locals prefer to hike, enjoying the fresh air brought by vast tea gardens and bamboo forests, and the view from the mountain top overlooking the landscape below is also excellent.
Buses stop near the east gate square of Jingting Mountain (parking lot) on Zhaoting North Road, close to Shuyangjiang Avenue. The square features two archways and a statue of Li Bai, which is 2 kilometers away from the official mountain climbing steps, but the scenery along the way is worth stopping for.Passing by Jingting Lake next to the east gate square and traveling 200 meters north on the smooth road, one can see the twin pagodas of Guangjiao Temple. The ancient temple no longer exists, leaving only a pair of slightly leaning brick pagodas, which are the landmarks of Jingting Mountain, built in the 3rd year of the Shaosheng period of the Northern Song Dynasty (1096 AD). Continuing north, the roadsides are filled with tea gardens and chestnut trees. Upon reaching Jingting Square, one has arrived at the official mountain climbing entrance.
Jingting Mountain has many branching paths, all with signs. The section from Jingting Square to Taibai Duzhuo Building is concentrated with scenic spots, and it takes about 30 to 50 minutes to climb up. Ascending the steps, one first encounters the ancient Zhaoting Archway, which was originally built in the Ming Dynasty and renovated in the second year of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1852 AD). Its name might have some connection with the original name of Jingting Mountain, Zhaoting Mountain. Further up, the lush and lovely bamboo forests stand beside the mountain path, and one can successively see Huanggu Spring (Acacia Spring), the statue and epitaph of Princess Yuzhen. If interested, one can learn about the love legend of the princess and Li Bai online in advance.
After passing the Green Snow Tea House, there is a fork in the road; turn left to Cuiyuan Temple, or turn right to Taibai Duzhuo Building. Both paths will converge not far ahead, and most tourists turn back down the mountain after reaching Taibai Duzhuo Building. If one continues to climb northwest for another hour, they can reach the main peak, Yifeng; if climbing northeast from Taibai Duzhuo Building for an hour, one can reach Jingfeng, the second-highest peak, which has a river-viewing pavilion.
Jingting Mountain is not crowded on ordinary days, but it is crowded during holidays. To avoid the crowds and take a different path, it is highly recommended to visit after snow in winter. The entire mountain is quiet, and shouting into the empty mountain causes the snow on the bamboo leaves to rustle down, which is quite interesting. The ancient Zhaoting Tea House below the ancient Zhaoting Archway offers paid catering services. After dining, one can enjoy a pot of Jingting Green Snow tea in the open-air tea seat surrounded by bamboo forests, which is very pleasant.
Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:00 to 16:30.
Preferential policies: For the elderly: Elderly people aged 65 and above (including 65) can enter for free with their ID cards or senior citizen cards. Elderly people aged 60 or above but under 65 can enjoy half-price tickets with their ID cards or senior citizen cards. For children: Children with a height of 130cm (including 130cm) or below can enter for free. Minors with a height above 130cm and under 18 years old can enjoy half-price tickets. For the disabled: Disabled people can enter for free with their ID cards and disability certificates. For military personnel: Active-duty military personnel, disabled military personnel, and military retirees can enter for free with valid certificates. For families of martyrs: Families of martyrs can enter for free with the preferential certificate for families of martyrs. For journalists: Journalists can enter for free with their press cards. For religious people: Professional religious people with valid certificates can enter for free. For local residents of Xuancheng City: Residents of Xuancheng City (including all counties, cities, and districts under its jurisdiction) can enter for free with their ID cards. For those on minimum living allowances: People on minimum living allowances in urban and rural areas can enjoy half-price tickets with valid certificates issued by civil affairs departments and their ID cards. For students: Full-time school students can enjoy half-price tickets with their ID cards and student ID cards. Service facilities: Parking lot: [Jingting Mountain Scenic Area Parking Lot]. Reference price: ¥10/time. Address: Parking lot of Jingting Mountain Scenic Area, Xuanzhou District, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province. Parking spaces: 100. Free within 60 minutes (including 60 minutes). For more than 60 minutes but not exceeding 24 hours: ¥10/time for vehicles with less than 7 seats (excluding 7 seats), ¥20/time for vehicles with 7 to 15 seats (excluding 15 seats), and ¥50/time for vehicles with more than 15 seats.
