Chengdu Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area is located at No. 55 Tianshui Road, Sanjiao Community, Tiantaishan Town, Qionglai City, Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It serves as a peripheral protection area for the World Natural Heritage—Sichuan Giant Panda Habitat, and is also a National Forest Park, a National Key Scenic Area, and a 5A-level National Tourist Attraction. The scenic area covers a total area of 192 square kilometers, with its main peak, Yuxiao Peak, reaching an altitude of 1,812 meters. Featuring distinct characteristics, it is a rare box-shaped synclinal mountain in China, with richly varied Danxia landforms. The mountain presents a U-shape, forming three-tiered platforms from low to high. It belongs to the subtropical monsoon climate zone, with cool summers, mild winters, moderate temperatures, and abundant rainfall. There are three main rivers within the area: Jinlong River, Wenjing River, and Baimo River. The biological diversity is rich, with 2,573 species of vascular plants belonging to 876 genera and 182 families, and more than 50 species of national rare and protected animals.
History and Culture
In ancient times, Tiantai Mountain was the habitat of the ancient "Qiong" tribe. During the Kaiming Period of the Bashu region, Bie Ling, the king of the ancient Shu Kingdom, performed "climbing to offer sacrifices to heaven" here. In the Han Dynasty, Taoists carved caves in the mountains and built altars for worship. During the Two Jin and Southern-Northern Dynasties, Buddhist monks such as "Fotu Cheng" and "Puda Sheye" traveled here and founded Tiantai Buddhist Temple. In the Sui and Tang Dynasties, during the early Tang Dynasty, Yuan Tiangang, the magistrate of Huojing County, revered Taoism and was favored by Emperor Ming of Tang, making Taoism the dominant force on Tiantai Mountain. Later, Buddhism flourished and took the leading position. In the Northern Song Dynasty, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism "merged into one", with as many as 108 Taoist temples, Buddhist temples, and official buildings. The "Monk Street" was constructed, forming a large religious mountain city. Due to conflicts among the three religions, the local government established a "Monk Yamen" in the temple forest. From the late Song Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty, the religious influence on Tiantai Mountain gradually declined. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, a troop of Zhang Xianzhong massacred all monks on the mountain, destroying all temples and palaces. In the Qing Dynasty, Buddhists and Taoists attempted to restore the sites, but the scale was far smaller than before. During the Republic of China, bandits and wars raged, almost ending pilgrimages to the mountain. During the "Cultural Revolution", religious culture suffered severe damage. After the reform and opening up, tourism has flourished, with some temples restored and the official building landscape of the "Monk Yamen" also repaired.
Main Attractions
Waterfall & Rainbow Scenic Area
Attractions include the Mountain Gate, Yongle Temple, Changhong Waterfall, Xiangshuitan Waterfall (the First Waterfall in Western Sichuan), the Danxia wonder Shenfeng Grotto, and the Ming Dynasty Guanyin Bridge. The Mountain Gate is 50 meters tall in total, with the inscription "Tiantai Mountain" by Mr. He Yinghui. Built with local red sandstone, it features a unique design. The Changhong Waterfall cascades like a silver chain, and when sunlight shines obliquely, a rainbow spans the valley. The Xiangshuitan Waterfall has a strong current, falling in 8 tiers with a deafening roar.
Elegant Pool & Ancient Relics Scenic Area
Spanning from Denglean to Zhengtian Terrace, main attractions include Denglean, Silver Summit, Tianfeng Gorge (One-Line Sky), Inverted Boot Rock, Small Mill, Drunken Stone Forest, Monk Yamen, Flower Stone Forest, Flower Stone Sea, Three Bends, Little Jiuzhai, and camellias. The ancient Tang Dynasty pilgrimage road in this area is covered with moss, and a Tang Dynasty Buddha statue stands by the path.
Yingguang Haoyue Scenic Area
From Zhengtian Terrace to Yuxiao Peak, key attractions include Leiyin Temple, the 18-Li Fragrant Grass Gully (a mountain water-play area), Xiushui Sanyun (Three Rhymes of Beautiful Water), Qintai Stone, Liuyue Beach, Xiangcao Diexi (Fragrant Grass Cascade), Yuedong Feishui (Moon Cave Waterfall), Panlong Waterfall, Yuxiao Peak, and Monk Tombs.
Local Cuisine
Milk Soup Noodles
A local specialty, this noodle dish features a rich, milky-white soup made by long-simmering fresh pork bones, trotters, and other ingredients. The noodles are chewy, paired with seasonings like scallions and coriander, offering a delicious and nutritious taste.
Bobo Chicken
Various meat and vegetable ingredients are skewered on bamboo sticks, cooked in a carefully prepared soup, and soaked in a sauce mixed with chicken soup, chili oil, sesame, and other seasonings. The chicken is tender, vegetables are refreshing, and the flavor is spicy, savory, and highly appetizing.
Aged Smoked Pork
Cured using traditional techniques, sun-dried, and smoked for a long time, this pork features firm texture, clear muscle lines, and a bright red color, emitting a unique smoky aroma. Whether steamed directly or stir-fried with vegetables, it offers a distinctive flavor.
Tickets
Adult ticket: 55 RMB/person.
For the latest updates or online booking, search the official WeChat public account "成都天台山旅游景区".
Opening Hours
Summer: 08:30–18:00; Winter & Spring: 09:00–17:00; Autumn: 08:30–18:00. Walking trails open from 09:00–17:00. Subject to the scenic area's announcements.
Tour Routes
Visitor Center → Xiaojiawan → Denglean: After visiting the mountain gate stele, follow the stone path through Changhong Waterfall, Xiangshuitan Waterfall, Tree-Hugging Rock, and Zushi Bridge to Denglean. Denglean → Small Mill: Pass by the Tang Dynasty Buddha. Small Mill → Zhengtian Terrace: Pass through Flower Stone Sea, Flower Stone Forest, Monk Yamen, Ten-Mile Tree-lined Path, and Three Bends Camellia Corridor. Zhengtian Terrace Area → Panlong Waterfall: Pass through Leiyin Temple, Millennium Chinese Yew, High-altitude Fir Forest Walkway, Butterfly Beach, Bailong Ferry, and Xiushui Sanyun. Total one-way mileage: approximately 15 km.
Transportation
- Self-driving: From Chengdu, take Chengwenqiong Expressway and Qiongmingsu Expressway, exit at Jiaguan, then follow Tiantai Mountain Tourist Ring Road to the scenic area.
- Public transport: Direct buses from Chengdu Xinnanmen Station and Chadianzi Station to Qionglai. After arriving at Qionglai Passenger Transport Center, transfer to the tourist shuttle bus to Tiantai Mountain.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Changhong Waterfall: When water is abundant, it cascades like a silver chain over green cliffs, with rainbows spanning the valley in oblique sunlight, creating a magnificent view.
- Xiangshuitan Waterfall: Known as the First Waterfall in Western Sichuan, it falls in 8 tiers with a thunderous roar, showcasing majestic momentum.
- 18-Li Fragrant Grass Gully: An ideal mountain water-play spot with gurgling streams and lush vegetation on both banks, full of rustic charm.
- Monk Yamen: A historical and cultural relic witnessing the past religious prosperity and integration of three religions on Tiantai Mountain.
Tour Tips
- Choose a suitable tour route based on your physical strength and time to avoid overfatigue.
- Bring an extra set of clothes for summer visits to change after water activities.
- To watch fireflies, go to designated areas at night in summer, keep quiet, and avoid using strong lights.
- Wear comfortable sports or hiking shoes for easy walking in the scenic area.
Notes
- Open fires are prohibited. No smoking, inflammable or explosive items, or pets allowed in the scenic area.
- Paths are mostly water-crossing surfaces, prone to moss and slippery. Elderly, children, pregnant women, and other special groups should be accompanied by family members.
- Do not pick plants, litter, vandalize, or damage animals/plants. Maintain ecological protection and civilized tourism.
- Pay attention to safety, follow warning signs, and do not enter closed areas during the tour.
- Wear straw sandals, wading shoes, or other non-slip footwear when entering Fragrant Grass Gully, and follow staff guidance.
- Avoid playing in riverbanks, channels, flood control areas, etc. Camping and overnight stays are prohibited.
- Large temperature differences between day and night in summer, with changeable weather. Bring a light jacket or extra clothes and check the weather forecast regularly.