Mount Mingtang Scenic Area is located in Hetu Town, Yuexi County, Anqing City, Anhui Province. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, a national forest park, and a core park of the Dabie Mountain National Geopark. The scenic area belongs to the Dabie Mountain system and gets its name from Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty who set up a Mingtang (imperial worship hall) here to worship heaven. The main peak stands at 1,563 meters above sea level. The total area of the scenic area is 54.2 square kilometers, with a core tourist area of 13.7 square kilometers. Featuring uniquely-shaped pines, grotesque rocks, seas of clouds, waterfalls, canyons and primeval forests, the scenic area boasts magnificent, fantastic, steep, serene and beautiful natural landscapes, integrating ancient Wan culture, Zen culture and revolutionary culture. It is a comprehensive mountain-type scenic spot in the Dabie Mountain area integrating ecological sightseeing, leisure vacation, outdoor sports and cultural experience. Modern tourist facilities such as a high-altitude glass walkway, a high-altitude suspension bridge and a sightseeing cableway are built in the area. The glass walkway is 130 meters long, the suspension bridge 198 meters long, and the cableway 1,380 meters long, making it a well-known scenic spot with complete facilities and unique landscapes in southwestern Anhui.
History and Culture
Mount Mingtang has a profound historical heritage. Its name originated in the Western Han Dynasty, when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty climbed this mountain during his southern tour and established a Mingtang to worship heaven and earth. The name has been passed down ever since, serving as an important carrier of ancient Wan culture in the Dabie Mountains. As one of the core mountains of the ancient Wan State, Mount Mingtang carries the nature worship and sacrificial culture of the ancestors in southwestern Anhui, with many ancient sacrificial sites and historical legends preserved.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Mount Mingtang was an important religious site in southwestern Anhui, where Buddhism and Taoism blended and developed. Ancient temples and Taoist abbeys were built among the mountains with continuous incense, forming a unique religious and cultural landscape. Some existing religious architectural ruins witness the cultural prosperity in history.
In modern times, Mount Mingtang was an important part of the revolutionary base in the Dabie Mountains. Revolutionary armed forces such as the 28th Red Army carried out guerrilla struggles here, leaving rich revolutionary cultural relics and stories. It has become an important base for inheriting the revolutionary spirit and conducting patriotism education.
Main Attractions
Main Peak Scenic Area
The Main Peak Scenic Area is the core of Mount Mingtang. The main peak, at 1,563 meters above sea level, is the second highest peak in the Dabie Mountains. From the summit, visitors can overlook the scenery of three counties across Anhui and Hubei provinces. The area is dotted with numerous fantastic peaks such as Tianzi Peak, Shennv Peak and Shengmu Peak, featuring uniquely shaped rocks and scattered pine trees, often shrouded in clouds and mist. It is the best spot to view the sea of clouds, sunrise and sunset, as well as the essence of the natural landscape of the scenic area.
High-Altitude Glass Walkway
Built on the steep cliffs of the main peak, the high-altitude glass walkway of Mount Mingtang is 130 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, with a vertical height of 116 meters. Made of fully transparent tempered glass, walking on it offers a thrilling experience of hanging on a sheer cliff, while providing panoramic views of mountain canyons, forests and fantastic peaks. It is an iconic popular tourist facility of the scenic area.
High-Altitude Suspension Bridge
Connecting the two main peaks of Mount Mingtang, the high-altitude suspension bridge is 198 meters long and 2 meters wide, with a vertical height of 108 meters, spanning across the canyon. The bridge shakes slightly when walking, combining challenge and sightseeing value. It serves as an important passage linking core attractions and an excellent location for taking panoramic photos of the mountains.
Hulu River Canyon Area
The Hulu River Canyon Area stretches 3.5 kilometers, featuring canyons, waterfalls, streams and pools as its main landscapes. Lush with vegetation and clear water, the canyon is home to many waterscapes including Hulu Pool, Baizhang Waterfall and Xiannv Waterfall, with extremely high negative oxygen ion content. It is an ideal place for ecological leisure and summer cooling.
Qingsong Ridge Scenic Area
Characterized by a large area of primitive Huangshan pine forests, Qingsong Ridge Scenic Area has a forest coverage rate of over 98%. The ancient pines take various shapes, and the gentle forest trails are comfortable for tourists of all ages. Viewing platforms are set up in the area, allowing visitors to overlook the mountains and experience the tranquility and beauty of the primitive forests of the Dabie Mountains.
Yueliang Canyon Scenic Area
Yueliang Canyon Scenic Area is deep and narrow, with a total length of 2.8 kilometers. It mainly features strange rocks, quiet pools and streams. The canyon enjoys a cool climate with running water all year round, retaining a pristine natural landscape. It is an excellent attraction for hiking, exploration and close contact with nature.
Tour Routes
Visitor Center → Lower Station of Sightseeing Cableway → Upper Station of Cableway → Qingsong Ridge Scenic Area → High-Altitude Glass Walkway → High-Altitude Suspension Bridge → Main Peak Scenic Area → Yueliang Canyon Scenic Area → Hulu River Canyon Area → Scenic Area Exit
Essential Short Route: Visitor Center → Hulu River Canyon Area → Qingsong Ridge Scenic Area → High-Altitude Glass Walkway → High-Altitude Suspension Bridge → Main Peak Scenic Area → Descend via Sightseeing Cableway → Scenic Area Exit
Travel Tips
- Recommended visiting time: 4–6 hours for the full route, 3 hours for the essential short route. Tourists can choose according to their physical strength.
- Wear non-slip sports shoes and light clothing for mountain climbing, and bring a small amount of drinking water and snacks.
- The best time to view the sea of clouds is 6:00–9:00 in the early morning. The best sunrise viewing time is 5:30–6:30 in spring and 5:00–5:30 in summer.
- Tourists with the elderly and children should prioritize gentle sections such as Qingsong Ridge and Hulu River Canyon to reduce climbing intensity.
- October to November in autumn is the best visiting season, with red leaves covering the mountains and pleasant weather.
- Travel light when visiting the glass walkway and suspension bridge, avoid carrying heavy items for a better experience.
Notes
- Flammable, explosive items, controlled knives and other dangerous goods are prohibited from entering the scenic area. Outdoor smoking and fire making are forbidden.
- The glass walkway and high-altitude suspension bridge have a limited number of visitors per time. Please queue up and pass in order. Chasing, fighting and shaking the bridge deck are prohibited.
- Mountain weather is changeable. Please check the weather forecast in advance. Climbing to the summit is prohibited in thunderstorm weather. Stay away from cliffs and big trees.
- Catching or picking wild animals and plants in the scenic area is prohibited to protect the ecological environment.
- Some steps on mountain climbing roads are steep. The elderly and children must be accompanied at all times. Do not go to undeveloped areas.
- Observe the operation regulations of facilities such as the sightseeing cableway and glass walkway, and follow the guidance of staff.
- Mobile phone signal is weak in some areas of the scenic area. Please travel in groups to avoid getting lost alone.
Transportation
- Self-driving: From Hefei, take the Guangguang Expressway → Yuexi Interchange → National Highway 318 → Hetu Town → Mount Mingtang Scenic Area, about 180 kilometers. From Wuhan, take the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway → Yuexi → Mount Mingtang Scenic Area, about 220 kilometers.
- Public transport: Take a high-speed train to Yuexi Station, then transfer to the tourist shuttle bus from Yuexi to Mount Mingtang Scenic Area. Shuttle buses depart at 7:30, 9:00, 13:00 and 15:00, with a journey of about 40 minutes.
- Scenic area parking lot: A large free parking lot is available, accommodating 500 small vehicles and 50 large tourist buses.
Opening Hours
Peak season (March 1 – November 30): 7:30–17:30, last entry at 16:00. Off-season (December 1 – February 28 of the next year): 8:00–17:00, last entry at 15:30. The operating hours of facilities including the sightseeing cableway and glass walkway are consistent with the scenic area. Opening hours may be adjusted temporarily due to severe weather, subject to on-site announcements of the scenic area.
Tickets
Ticket: 160 yuan per person (including round-trip shuttle bus, glass walkway and glass bridge). For the latest updates, search the official WeChat service account "安徽明堂山".
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.