How to Get to & around Wutaishan (Mount Wutai)

Location: Wuweizhuang Village, Hongdao Town, Dingxiang County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province 山西省忻州市定襄县宏道镇无畏庄村

Transportation: about 110 km (2 hours’ driving) from Taihuai Town, Mount Wutai; about 40 km (1 hour’s driving) from Xinzhou City; about 100 km (1.5 hours’ driving) from Yanmen Pass.

▶ Xinzhou Wutaishan Airport: Location and Transportation

Optional Choice: Fly to Taiyuan + Taiyuan to Wutaishan by Bus

Tourists preferring an air travel can fly to Taiyuan first, because Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (IATA: TYN) operates much more flights between Taiyuan and Beijing (about 1.5 hours), Shanghai (about 2.5 hours), Guangzhou (about 3 hours), Chengdu (about 2 hours), Guilin (about 2.5 hours), Nanjing and most major tourist cities in China. From Taiyuan, you can take direct bus to Mount Wutai for about 3.5 hours to 4 hours.

Temple Zone of Taihuai Town is the core scenic area of Mount Wutai. You can easily walk to visit some famous and top temples around, such as Wuye Temple, Tayuan Temple, Xiantong Temple, Dailupding Temple, Pusading Temple, etc. There are also several local buses running among the tourist center, landmark hotels and main temples (such as Dailuoding Temple, Pusading Templ and so on).

Tips: 1.) The bus ticket is very cheap, usually CNY 2 per person. Better prepare some cash. 2) The bus runs between 06:30 and 20:00 during April to October and between 07:00 and 18:00 from November to next March. 3.) If a traffic jam occurs, it will take quite a long time to wait for the bus. 4.) Temples need tickets (CNY 10 at most).

2.Taihuai Town to Five Terraces on Mount Wutai

Private cars are not allowed to drive upward to the terraces on Mount Wutai. For regular tourists who want to make the Da Chaotai (Big Kora) and visit all five terraces, you can take tourist bus commuting between Taihuai Town and the terraces. You can buy ticket to some terraces separately or get a thorough ticket for all five terraces. The buses depart from bus stop near the Dailuoding Cablecar Ticket Office between 07:00 to 19:00.

Tourist Bus Ticket Price:

Thorough Ticket: CNY 350 / To East Terrace: CNY 60 / To North Terrace: CNY 70

To Central Terrace: CNY 80 / To West Terrace: CNY 80 / To South Terrace: CNY 60

3.Taihuai Town to Foguang Temple & Nanchan Temple

Foguang Temple, famous for the third oldest preserved timber structure in China and precious architectures, sculptures, murals and inscriptions, is located about 50 km outhwest of Mount Wutai, costing at least 1 hour’s driving.

Nanchan Temple has China’s oldest existing wooden structure and rare Buddhist sculptures of ancient Tang Dynasty. It lies about 90 km from Mount Wutai, for nearly 2 hours’ driving; and around 50 km from Foguang Temple with 1 hour’s driving.

Public transportation is time-wasting and complicated with several transfers, so you’re suggested taking charted bus/private car to get there.

4.Three Ways to Visit Dailuoding Temple

1. By Cable Car: Taking a cable car (about 10 minutes) to visit Dailuoding Temple is a special experience, which can save you time and energy. It’s highly recommended for the old and children. After several minutes’ riding, you need to walk a little way to Dailuoding Temple. Beware that the cable car is non-enclosed and you may line up for 1 hour in peak season.

One-way Ticket: CNY 50 (April-October), CNY 40 (November-Next March)

Round-trip Ticket: CNY 85 (April-October), CNY 70 (November-Next March)

2. By Hiking: Climbing 1,080 steps all the way up is considered a devout pilgrimage to Manjusri Bodhisattva. You feel exhausted but it’s quite meaningful to see pilgrims kowtowing on the so-called “Wisdom Road”, and enjoy panoramic view of the layered temples down the hill. Sing-way hiking takes about half an hour to 1 hour.

3. By Riding a Horse: Riding a horse on a gentle and wider road is another option. It leaves near Jinjie Temple and detours with a farther distance. One-way charges CNY 50 and round-trip riding takes CNY 100 per person.

A classic Mount Wutai tour usually starts from Taihuai Town, the tourist center of the entire scenic area, then takes a day to visit the most important temples of Mount Wutai, such as Xiantong Temple, Pusa Ding Temple, Tayuan Temple, etc. which are conveniently located around Taihuai Town. If you are Buddhists, you can take the Xiao Chaotai (Small Kora) to Dailuo Ding Temple if you are short on time, or go to the high-altitude Five Terraces to worship Manjusri Bodhisattvas on the five peaks of Mount Wutai - East Terrace, North Terrace, Central Terrace, West Terrace and South Terrace, which usually costs two full days. If you prefer a hiking tour, you can find some amazing high plateau hiking trails among the Five Terraces. Below are most recommended Mount Wutai tours:

☛ 3 Days Mount Wutai Trekking Tour
☛ 3 Days Mount Wutai Buddhism Tour from Taiyuan

Mount Wutai is usually visited with other famous destinations in Shanxi Province, such as Pingyao Ancient City and Wang’s Family Compound in Pingyao, Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple in Datong, Jinci Temple in Taiyuan and Hukou Waterfall in southern Shanxi. Below are the most recommended Shanxi tours:

☛ 5 Days Datong & Wutaishan Discovery Tour
☛ 6 Days Essence of Shanxi Tour

If your time allows, it’s strongly recommended to visit Mount Wutai with other sacred Buddhist sites in China, such as Mount Emei, Mount Putuo, Shaolin Temple, etc. If you want to explore more Chinese culture, you can also extend your tour to Xian, Beijing, Luoyang, Chengdu, etc. Below are some recommended China tours for you:

☛ 8 Days Ancient Beijing & Shanxi Culture Tour