Overview
A private backpacking adventure over the three 1,500-meter peaks of Lin'an, with high-ridge trekking, a lakeside mountain camp and sweeping seas of cloud.
About This Tour
The Three Peaks of Lin'an, Taizijian, Daguishan and Tonggongjian, form one of East China's classic high-ridge backpacking routes, a demanding traverse along the spine of the Tianmu mountains southwest of Shanghai. This private 3-day trek is built for fit, adventurous travelers who want a genuine wilderness experience rather than a sightseeing tour: long days on ancient stone trails, all three summits near 1,550 meters, a night camping beside a jewel-like high-mountain reservoir at 1,500 meters, and big-sky views over rolling peaks and morning seas of cloud. Your English-speaking mountain guide handles route-finding, safety and logistics, and tents are provided (carried by participants). The reward for the effort is solitude, raw alpine scenery and the deep satisfaction of a true ridge crossing few foreign hikers ever attempt. This is a strenuous itinerary with significant daily ascent and full-pack camping, suited to experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only. Itinerary may adjust based on weather, road and local regulations. Good to know: • Best season: spring and autumn for stable weather and clear ridge views • Fitness level: challenging; expect ~15 km with 800 m ascent on Day 2 and ~11 km with 800 m ascent on Day 3, carrying a full pack • Experienced hikers only; not suitable for beginners or children under 16 • Bring your own sleeping bag, headlamp, water (sources are limited), trekking poles and warm windproof layers • Camping at ~1,500 m can be cold and exposed; nights get dark early in the mountains
Itinerary
1
Day 1: Shanghai｜Transfer to Yinglongwu Trailhead Farmhouse
Your private guide and driver meet you in Shanghai around midday for the roughly 4.5-hour drive into the Tianmu mountains of Lin'an, arriving at a farmhouse at the foot of Taizijian by late afternoon. Tonight is about preparation: your guide checks everyone's full-pack gear, briefs the route and camping plan, and shares backpacking know-how for the demanding traverse ahead. You stay in a simple farmhouse (2-4 bed rooms with private bathroom) at the trailhead, getting an early night to rest before a long, strenuous day on the ridge. Meals: trail food / service-area dining, self-arranged. Overnight: mountain farmhouse.
2
Day 2: Taizijian & Daguishan｜Ridge Trek to Camp
An early start, with a short drive up the switchbacks to the Taizijian way-station at about 1,300 m, the trekking trailhead. From here you climb roughly half an hour to summit Taizijian (1,558 m), with open views toward Qingliang Peak and Daming Mountain. You then follow the ridgeline along ancient stone trails over the front, middle and rear Maxiao ridges, pausing for a packed trail lunch and photos, before turning toward Daguishan (1,544 m). This is a tough, roughly 15 km day with about 800 m of cumulative ascent and a high point near 1,550 m. By late afternoon you reach the Datutou reservoir, a crystalline lake at 1,500 m, where you make camp for the night. Pitch tents, cook dinner and enjoy the sunset and stars from this remote, water-rich, wide-open campsite. Meals: self-arranged trail and camp meals. Overnight: ridge camping.
3
Day 3: Tonggongjian｜Final Summit & Return to Shanghai
Early risers can catch sunrise over the ridge before a simple breakfast and breaking camp. You climb steadily along the Baizhangling ancient trail, reaching the Baizhangling campsite (1,255 m) around mid-morning, then continue up the ridge to the final summit, Tonggongjian (1,558 m), completing the Three Peaks traverse. From here it's a sustained descent of about 800 m to Fuqiao village beside the road, reached around early afternoon, where your private vehicle waits. After stretching and a well-earned farmhouse lunch, you drive back toward Shanghai (about 4.5 hours), arriving in the evening. Today covers about 11 km with 800 m of ascent; note Baizhangling has only one bail-out point, so pace yourself. Meals: self-arranged. Tour ends on arrival in Shanghai.
What's Included
✓ Included
English-speaking mountain guide Private vehicle & transfers 1 night mountain farmhouse (twin/quad, en-suite) 1 night ridge camping (tent rental provided) Route logistics & safety support
✕ Not included
International & domestic flights China visa Travel insurance Most meals (trail food & self-cooked camp meals) Personal trekking gear, sleeping bag & headlamp Personal expenses Tips
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation is available on most tours up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact cancellation terms for this tour are shown during booking.
Traveler Reviews
4.6★★★★★Based on 126 reviews
Isabel S.🇦🇺 Australia★★★★★2024-04
The part around the trail was unhurried, which mattered more to me than squeezing in one more stop. Lin'an Three Peaks 3 was a good counterpoint.
Olivia N.🇳🇱 Netherlands★★★★☆2025-11
What helped was simple: pickup and the trail start were timed well, so we were walking before the busiest part of the day. Water and rest stops were discussed clearly. With 3 days to work with, the balance felt sensible.
Karim M.🇲🇽 Mexico★★★★★2025-06
Looking back, my legs noticed the climbs the next morning. I would still do the same route, just with lighter shoes and fewer things in my daypack. The time around the trail was not the part I would cut.