Overview
A two-day trek across UNESCO-listed Mount Lushan, hiking its classic west and east trails past waterfalls, cloud seas, and a famous mountaintop town.
About This Tour
Mount Lushan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jiangxi, has inspired Chinese poets and painters for over a thousand years and was the summer retreat of emperors and statesmen. This active 2-day private tour trades the tourist buses for your own boots, following Lushan's traditional climbing routes with a local guide. Day one ascends the historic Hero's Slope and traverses the West Trail past the Fairy Cave and Flower Path, then overnights in Guling Town, a rare high-mountain settlement at about 1,167 m known as the 'city in the clouds'. Day two descends the East Trail to the panoramic Hanpokou viewpoint, the Five Old Men Peaks, and the spectacular Three-Tier Spring waterfall. Designed for fit, experienced hikers who want roughly 15-16 km of trail each day with sustained ascents and descents, plus a real chance of a sunrise cloud sea. Best from April to November; winter brings possible ice falls but uncertain access. Includes an English-speaking guide, private transfers, and a comfortable mountaintop hotel. Itinerary may adjust based on weather, road and local regulations. Good to know: • Best season: April to November; Three-Tier Spring and Five Old Men Peaks may close in unstable winter conditions • Fitness level: challenging; about 15-16 km and up to 1,000 m ascent per day on stone steps and mountain paths • Arrive the night before in Jiujiang or near Lushan Station to ensure an early start • Bring layered clothing, broken-in waterproof hiking boots, trekking poles and a headlamp • An optional pre-dawn transfer is available for the sunrise cloud-sea viewpoint (extra cost)
Itinerary
1
Day 1: Hero's Slope & West Trail | Overnight Guling Town
Meet at Lushan or Jiujiang Station around 08:00 and drive about 30 minutes to the trailhead. Begin the climb up Hero's Slope (Haohanpo), Lushan's celebrated traditional stone staircase, with a local saying that 'you have not truly visited Lushan until you climb Hero's Slope.' Ascend roughly 5.5 km and 850 m to the Wangjiang Pavilion checkpoint, then reach Guling Town, a 'city in the clouds' perched at about 1,167 m. Refuel over an AA lunch of local specialties (Lushan's 'three stones and a tea'). In the afternoon, hike the scenic West Trail past the Fairy Cave, made famous by a Mao Zedong poem, and the Flower Path linked to the Tang poet Bai Juyi. The day covers roughly 16 km with about 1,000 m of ascent over some seven hours. Check into your hotel and, time permitting, visit nearby Meilu Villa and the Lushan Conference Site. Meals: none included. Overnight: Guling Town hotel.
2
Day 2: East Trail | Five Old Men Peaks & Three-Tier Spring
Optional pre-dawn transfer for a chance at Lushan's famous sunrise cloud sea (extra cost). After breakfast, set out on the East Trail, beginning at the Hanpokou viewpoint, where the Hanpo Pavilion frames sweeping views of Poyang Lake and the surrounding peaks. Continue to the Five Old Men Peaks, five ridge-top summits said to resemble five seated old men. The trail then descends to the dramatic Three-Tier Spring, where the waterfall drops in three distinct stages, full and thunderous in late spring and early summer and occasionally frozen into ice falls in winter. The day covers roughly 15 km with about 500 m ascent and a long descent over some seven hours. Reach the mountain base, take the shuttle to the East Gate, and transfer to Lushan or Jiujiang Station (about one hour); book trains after 17:30. Meals: breakfast. Overnight: none.
What's Included
✓ Included
English-speaking guide Private vehicle & transfers between Jiujiang/Lushan stations and the scenic area 1 night hotel/guesthouse in Guling Town (rated 3-4 star, ensuite twin) Day 2 breakfast Mount Lushan entrance ticket & East Gate shuttle Local mountain trekking guide
✕ Not included
International & domestic flights and long-distance transport to Jiujiang China visa Travel insurance Lunches both days (bring trail food) In-town transport (taxis, optional sunrise transfer) and cable cars/Three-Tier Spring cart Single-room supplement if no roommate available 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
4.9★★★★★Based on 49 reviews
Marta R.🇫🇷 France★★★★★2025-01
Looking back, a small thing I appreciated: the guide let the trail speak for itself sometimes. Not every quiet moment needed another speech. I would rather keep the pause at the trail than add another stop.
David I.🇧🇪 Belgium★★★★★2026-02
The unglamorous part: there was no pressure to turn every pause into a photo stop. We could catch our breath, look around and move when ready. For this itinerary, the number of stops was enough.
Rina H.🇦🇪 UAE★★★★★2025-03
One thing I learned: the trail is more physical than the tidy itinerary makes it sound. Proper shoes helped, and I was glad we kept water handy. With 2 days to work with, the balance felt sensible.
Mei E.🇲🇽 Mexico★★★★★2025-04
The best compliment I can give is that I never checked how many stops were left. The trail arrived at just the right point in the route.