Wudan shan, a renowned taoism location and world heritage site. Its history can be traced back to year 1416 and earlier. Historical buildings still exist on top of the mountain, including a very narrow staircase to walk up to the peak.
There was a very old temple at the peak, its roof top is made with “gold” (materials covered with gold color), known as golden rooftop.
Whether you like hiking or enjoy exploring historical site, Wudan mountain is one of your bucket list. Here, I will show all the details (transport and schedule summary at the bottom) you may need to travel to Wudan including staying overnight, meals, and things you can actually skip along the way.
Note: I went to this place for quite some time ago, things might be slightly different on top, but I found the transport is still the same, and much faster to arrive at the destination.
Summary of my trip to and from HK to Wudan
Travel period: December
HK -> Shen Zhen -> Guan Zhou South -> Wuhan -> Wudan -> Shiyan -> Guan Zhou South -> Shen Zhen -> HK
I went to Wudan when the high speed rail was just developed in China not long ago. It was my first (stepping stone) that started my self-tour. The first high-speed rail route in Guangdong province started at Guan Zhou South and ends at Wuhan last time. Nowadays, you can skip Guan Zhou South station and go directly from Shen Zhen.
(Day 1) Wuhan
Yellow Crane Tower (黃鶴樓). An iconic building in Wuhan, date back to year 223 (~1800 years ago). A place that you should visit if you decide to stay for a night.
Took a cab to the train station and purchase train ticket to Wudan station. The train took me around 5 – 6 hours if I remembered correctly to reach Wudan shan station as high speed rail trains were not available at other provinces at that time. (It is shortened to around 2-3 hours now with high-speed trains)
(Day 2) Wudan shan station
Arriving at around 7 something pm. We took one night stay at the nearby hostel. RMB100 a room for three beds. Heater was on but still can feel the cold outside.
We started our journey after breakfast at the hostel and took a private vehicle to the entrance of Wudan mountain. You can request the hostel to help you get a private vehicle to fetch you there.
Note: If you decide to go hiking to the peak, it’s advised to prepare food and drinks here.
(Day 3) Wudan mountain
You do not need to pre-purchase ticket to enter Wudan mountain. Simply get the ticket at the entrance and take around 1 hour bus ride to top. There is a station need to drop by and you can walk around. Temples along the way required to pay for another entrance fees. I advise skipping those temples as those are not the main attractions.
Unless it is a peak period, you will surely get a hostel room for the night. Meals can be ordered at the hostel as well. It normally cost around RMB100 – RMB150 / room, and peak season should be more expensive.
One important thing to note is hot shower comes from electric heater. You cannot take a long hot bath time.
(The Karate Kid) film scenes
Drop your baggage at the hostel, and you can look around at the area. One of the most famous attractions is the “praying” beyond the slope. They called it “Dragon head praying” (literally translate from Chinese). It was rumored that those succeeded in incense offering over there, what they pray for can easily come true.
The snow scenery is fabulous at the mountain. You possibly can’t see any sunset at this height. If you want to look at sun rise, you need to sleep early after dinner and wake up earliest at 1am to start preparing going up. (common duration to hike up is about 5 hours. My own estimate can be 3 – 4 hours.)
*You can get all 3 meals at your hostel. IF you are not keen to spicy food, you may request to skip the spice added to it. The locals add spice to the food they cook most of the time.
(Day 4) Wudan mountain – return
Hiking up might be difficult to some people. Cable car is available going up to the top of the mountain. But I insist to go hiking with my parents with all the luggage on me. It took us about 5 hours to complete the journey.
Strongly advise to prepare food and drinks before hiking up.
Following the road to climb up, there is a food store at the first part of the route. I advise to take an early lunch over there before starting climbing.
We are near to the closing time of the cable car (which is around 4-5pm) and manage to take it to get down and went over to Shiyan to get a train back to Shen Zhen. Hence, I suggest you to stay one more night as you need time to get to the nearest train station.
(Day 4) Back to Shen Zhen -> HK
You possibly seldom get this type of train anymore in China.
Summary Transport from Hong Kong to Wudan:
Day 1: High speed rail (Shen Zhen / Shen Zhen North) to Wuhan
(There is no direct train from Shen Zhen to Wudan, suggest to stay one night at Wuhan depending on your schedule. Or go directly to Wudan stay one night at the entrance.)
Day 2: High speed rail Wuhan to Wudan, take a taxi or private vehicle (or Didi app) to Wudan mountain.
First purchase ticket at Wudan entrance then take a bus to go up. and it’s gonna to take at least an hour.
I suggest staying one night at the Wudan mountain entrance if you reach the entrance after 4.30pm. Multiple hostels are available around the entrance. Normally cost around RMB90 – RMB110
Day 3: At least one night staying on top of Wudan mountain. Multiple hostels available cost between RMB100 – RMB120. Advise to stay two nights and leave in the next morning to avoid tight time schedule.
It is not possible to look sunrise at the peak unless you go hiking in the middle of the night or decided to camp on top.
Day 4 – 5: Leaving Wudan. If you did not pre-purchase return ticket online, I will advise you to go Shiyan (十堰) city. Take a private vehicle (or Didi app) to the station. You get more train arrangement back to Wuhan then back to SZ / HK.
Total Time Spent: At least 4+1 days for better trip enjoyment.
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Getting a short trip only? Check out the 2 days 1 night trip here to GZ Qingyuan.
Want to feel what is like in the wild grass area? Inner Mongolia trip might be an option for you. (Chinese language only)
