Kongtong Mountain in Pingliang | The Ultimate Guide

🔔Introduction: Kongtong Mountain is located in the Kongtong District of Pingliang City, with the main peak at an altitude of 2123 meters. It has been known as "the number one mountain of Taoism in China" since ancient times. ---- 📷Tour Guide: There are three ways to go up the mountain: 1⃣️ Sightseeing bus; 2⃣️ Cable car; 3⃣️ Hiking. 🌈The sightseeing bus has two routes: 1⃣️ Tourist Center - Zhongtai (32 yuan); 2⃣️ Tourist Center - Xiangshan Temple (48 yuan); 🌈The cable car runs from the Tourist Center to Zhongtai and back (one-way 50 yuan); 🌈Hiking entrances are at the East Gate, South Gate, and West Gate. 🌟It is recommended to take the sightseeing bus to the highest point, Xiangshan Temple, and then walk to Zhongtai. This way, the whole journey is downhill. Finally, take the sightseeing bus or cable car back to the Tourist Center. You can visit the following attractions in this order: 1⃣️ Take the sightseeing bus from the Tourist Center for about 40 minutes to reach the highest point, Xiangshan Temple, at an altitude of 2123 meters; 2⃣️ After getting off the bus, Xiangshan Temple is nearby. Descend the steps for about 20 minutes to reach Huangcheng; 3⃣️ Huangcheng, also known as "Taihe Palace", has a plaque with "Extremely Steep" hanging on the main gate, with bell and drum towers on both sides, and eight large halls, which are the most important Taoist buildings on Kongtong Mountain; 4⃣️ Pass through the Three Religions Cave, the Hall of Twelve Marshals, and the Needle Grinding View to reach Lanyun Pavilion, where you can overlook the entire Zhongtai; 5⃣️ Next is the most dangerous part of Kongtong Mountain, the Sky Ladder, with steps at an angle of sixty to seventy degrees. Remember to hold onto the iron chains for safety, and you will pass by the place where the Yellow Emperor sought the Tao; 6⃣️ After descending, you will reach Chaotian Gate, with a plaque bearing the three characters "Kongtong Mountain"; 7⃣️ Not far from there is Zhongtai, where you can find the Pagoda Courtyard and the Falun Zen Temple. The chanting and bell sounds in the temple echo softly in the clouds, making any hasty visitor involuntarily soften their gaze and breathe more gently; 8⃣️ Take the sightseeing bus or cable car back to the Tourist Center; 9⃣️ Kongtong Ancient Town is right next to the Tourist Center, where you can dine. Be sure to try the sugar oil cakes from Yangjiabao, with their crispy crust and sweet filling. 🌟To summarize the tour route: Tourist Center ➡️ (by sightseeing bus) Xiangshan Temple ➡️ Huangcheng ➡️ Three Religions Cave ➡️ Hall of Twelve Marshals ➡️ Needle Grinding View ➡️ Lanyun Pavilion ➡️ Sky Ladder ➡️ Yellow Emperor's Tao Seeking ➡️ Chaotian Gate ➡️ Zhongtai ➡️ Pagoda Courtyard ➡️ Falun Zen Temple ➡️ (by sightseeing bus or cable car) Tourist Center ➡️ Kongtong Ancient Town. ---- 📍Address: Kongtong Town, Kongtong District, Pingliang City. ---- 🚗Transportation: Take bus No. 9 or 13, get off at Kongtong Ancient Town station. ---- 🕙Opening Hours: 6:00-18:00 (entry stops at 16:30). ---- 💰Ticket Price: 110 yuan; Cable car one-way 50 yuan; Sightseeing bus to Zhongtai 32 yuan, to Xiangshan Temple 48 yuan.