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Dujiangyan · 60km northwest

Mount Qingcheng: pick one mountain, not both

The birthplace of one strand of Taoism, and a forest hike that has nothing to do with temples. They are two separate entrances, two separate tickets, and one day is not enough for both.

Front Mountain
CNY 80 · temples and pavilions
Back Mountain
CNY 20 · forest hiking
Hours
08:00–17:30, last entry 16:30
Getting there
Intercity rail from Xipu to Qingchengshan, then bus 101

Prices and hours checked 21 October 2026Trip.com — Mount Qingcheng ticketing and transport notes

Two mountains wearing one name

Front Mountain is the cultural side: a steep, shaded path climbing past Taoist temples, with a lake, a ferry and a cable car. It is where the incense is, where the tour groups go, and where Qingcheng's claim as a birthplace of Taoism actually lives. Three to four hours covers it at a walk.

Back Mountain is the other thing entirely: a longer, harder forest route with waterfalls, fewer people and no Taoist marketing. Five to six hours if you do the full loop. It is not a gentler version of the front — it is a hike.

Prices for each side

Front Mountain admission
CNY 80, students CNY 40
Front Mountain cable car
CNY 35 one way, CNY 60 return
Yuecheng Lake ferry (front)
CNY 5
Back Mountain admission
CNY 20, students CNY 10
Back Mountain cable cars
CNY 30 (Jinli) and CNY 45 (Baiyun) one way
Hours
08:00–17:30, last entry 16:30
Train
Chengdu Xipu → Qingchengshan, 25–30 min, about CNY 10
Station to gate
Bus 101 to the Front Mountain gate, CNY 2

Checked 21 October 2026. Cable cars and ferries close earlier than the gates, so a late arrival means walking. Tickets can be bought in advance through the scenic area's official WeChat account.

Which one, honestly

  • 01

    Choose Front Mountain if…

    You want temples, tea houses and a view with a cable car to fall back on. It is the version of Qingcheng that appears in every guidebook, and it earns that.

  • 02

    Choose Back Mountain if…

    You want to walk for six hours in forest and see almost nobody. Bring proper shoes, water and a rain layer; the paths are wet stone for long stretches.

  • 03

    Choose neither if…

    You only have one free day. Dujiangyan, thirty minutes earlier on the same rail line, is more distinctive than either side of this mountain.

Doing it with Dujiangyan

A joint ticket covering Dujiangyan and Qingcheng's Front Mountain costs CNY 160 and is valid for two days, which is the sensible way to do both without racing. The rail line serves Qingchengshan and Lidui Park in that order from Chengdu, so an overnight in Dujiangyan town works better than two separate day trips.

Questions people actually ask

Should you visit the Front or Back Mountain at Qingcheng?

Front Mountain for Taoist temples, cable cars and a three to four hour visit. Back Mountain for a five to six hour forest hike with waterfalls and few people.

How much does Mount Qingcheng cost?

CNY 80 for Front Mountain (CNY 40 students) and CNY 20 for Back Mountain (CNY 10 students). Cable cars and the lake ferry are extra.

How do you get to Mount Qingcheng from Chengdu?

Intercity train from Xipu station to Qingchengshan, 25–30 minutes for about CNY 10, then bus 101 to the Front Mountain gate for CNY 2.

Can you do Qingcheng and Dujiangyan in one day?

You can, but the joint ticket is valid two days for a reason. One full day each, or one day plus a night in Dujiangyan, is the better plan.