If you're planning a trip to Sichuan, Mount Qingcheng Front Mountain (Qingcheng Shan) (青城前山) is one of the best day trips from Chengdu (成都). As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the birthplaces of Taoism, Mount Qingcheng (青城山) is famous for its lush forests, ancient temples, peaceful walking trails, and breathtaking mountain scenery.
This guide follows a practical 3-hour 15-minute self-guided itinerary, making it ideal for travellers visiting after exploring the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (都江堰).
Getting to Mount Qingcheng Front Mountain (青城前山) from Dujiangyan (都江堰)
After spending the morning at the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (都江堰), we departed after lunch from Dujiangyan Lidui Park (都江堰-离堆公园) entrance and boarded Bus No. 101 to Mount Qingcheng (青城山).
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| Waiting for Bus 101 at Dujiangyan Lidui Park bus station |
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The journey is straightforward and inexpensive, making public transport the best option for independent travellers.
Upon arrival at the visitor centre, we took the electric buggy to the scenic area entrance, saving both time and energy before beginning the mountain hike.
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| Entrance ticket (front) to Mount Qingcheng |
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| Map of the scenic area at rear of the entrance ticket |
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| Tickets for the electric buggy and cable car rides |
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| Rear view of the electric buggy and cable car rides tickets |
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| Electric Buggy |
Yuecheng Lake (月城湖) and Buyun Cableway (步云索道)
After entering the scenic area, the pleasant walk around Yuecheng Lake (月城湖) offers beautiful reflections of the surrounding forest-covered mountains.
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| Arch gate that marks the proper entry to the scenic area |
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| Walking towards the Jianfu Palace |
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| Tablet of Mount Qingcheng |
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| Pleasant stroll the through green surrounding |
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| Mount Qingcheng - A Natural Oxygen Bar |
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| Yuecheng Lake |
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| Boardwalk around Yuecheng Lake |
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| Sightseeing boat ride on Yuecheng Lake |
From there, we continued to the Buyun Cableway (步云索道), where a cable car ride quickly lifts visitors high into the mountain. Taking the cable car is highly recommended if you're short on time, as it skips one of the longest uphill sections while still allowing plenty of hiking around the main attractions.
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| Buyun Cable Car Station |
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| Queue for the cable car ride |
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| Cable car ride across the lush green hill side |
Ciyun Pavilion (慈云阁)
After disembarking from the cable car, the first major stop was Ciyun Pavilion (慈云阁).
Surrounded by towering trees and fresh mountain air, the pavilion provides the first panoramic views over the valleys below and offers a peaceful introduction to Mount Qingcheng's (青城山) tranquil atmosphere.
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| Ciyun Pavilion |
Shangqing Palace (上清宫)
Continuing uphill, we reached Shangqing Palace (上清宫), one of the most significant Taoist temples on Mount Qingcheng (青城山).
Dating back over a thousand years, the temple is an important place of worship and remains active today. Visitors can admire traditional Chinese architecture, ancient courtyards, incense-filled halls, and the serene surroundings that perfectly reflect Taoist philosophy of harmony with nature.
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| Shangqing Palace |
Laojun Pavilion (老君阁) – The Highest Point
The final climb brought us to Laojun Pavilion (老君阁), the highest point on the Front Mountain route.
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| Enroute to Laojun Pavilion |
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| Introduction board on Taoism and Mount Qingcheng |
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| Glimpse of the Laojun Pavilion |
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| Misty forest near the summit |
The rewarding panoramic views stretch across endless green mountain ridges, making this one of the best photo spots on Mount Qingcheng (青城山). Despite the number of visitors, the summit still retains a peaceful atmosphere thanks to the surrounding forests.
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| Introduction of Laojun Pavilion |
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| Towering Laojun Pavilion |
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| Main entrance and prayer hall of Laojun Pavilion |
Descending Through Historic Taoist Sites
Instead of returning the same way, we descended along another scenic trail.
The first stop was Chaoyang Temple (朝阳洞), followed by the picturesque Pen Canyon (掷笔槽), where shaded walking paths and flowing streams create a refreshing break from the climb.
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| Descending the mountain trail |
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| Steep vertical rock wall |
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| Introduction to Chaoyang Cave |
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| Chaoyang Temple |
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| Introduction to Pen Canyon |
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| Stairway near the Pen Canyon |
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| Walking through the quiet and misty forest |
The trail then continued to the fascinating Tianshi Celestial Cave (天师洞), one of Mount Qingcheng's (青城山) oldest Taoist sites. Nearby, the Five Heavenly Caves (五洞天) showcase unique rock formations and centuries-old religious heritage.
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| Introduction to Tianshi Cave |
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| Gateway to Five Heavenly Cave |
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| Tianshi Cave Temple |
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| Tianshi Cave Temple |
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| Entry to Five Heavenly Caves |
These sections are generally less crowded, allowing visitors to appreciate the mountain's natural beauty and rich history at a slower pace.
Natural Painting (天然图画) Scenic Area
Before returning to the entrance, we reached the famous Natural Painting (Ziran Tu Hua) (天然图画) scenic area.
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| Introduction to Natural Painting |
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| Nearby temple |
This viewpoint perfectly captures the beauty of Mount Qingcheng (青城山), with layers of emerald forests, ancient pavilions, and misty mountain peaks creating a landscape that truly resembles a traditional Chinese painting.
It is one of the most photographed locations on the Front Mountain trail and an excellent place to pause before completing the hike.
Returning to Chengdu (成都)
After completing the circular route, we took the electric buggy back to the visitor centre car park.
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| On the electric buggy back to visitor centre car park |
The entire hike, including sightseeing and cable car, took approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes, making it an excellent half-day adventure.
From the visitor centre, we boarded Bus No. 101 to Qingchengshan Railway Station (青城山站), where we caught the high-speed train back to Chengdu (成都), ending a memorable day exploring two of Sichuan's most famous UNESCO World Heritage attractions.
Tips for Visiting Mount Qingcheng Front Mountain
- Visit after touring Dujiangyan (都江堰) for a perfect full-day itinerary.- Take the Buyun Cableway (步云索道) to save time and energy.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as there are many stone steps.
- Bring water, especially during warmer months.
- Allow around 3 to 4 hours to comfortably complete the Front Mountain route.
- Finish before evening to easily catch the high-speed train back to Chengdu (成都).
Final Thoughts
Mount Qingcheng Front Mountain offers an unforgettable combination of ancient Taoist culture, beautiful temples, peaceful forest trails, and spectacular mountain scenery. Combined with the nearby Dujiangyan Irrigation System (都江堰), it creates one of the best self-guided day trips from Chengdu (成都).
Whether you're interested in history, nature, photography, or hiking, Mount Qingcheng (青城山) is a destination that deserves a place on every Sichuan travel itinerary.
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