Maoshan Mountain
The name “Maoshan Taoists” is known at home and abroad, with lineages passed down in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries, a rare feat in the history of Chinese Daoism.…
Maoshan Mountain, Zhenjiang
Key facts
- Admission
- Peak season: ¥100, with sightseeing shuttle ¥35; off-season: ¥80, with sightseeing shuttle ¥25
- Opening hours
- 07:30-17:00
- Time needed
- 1 day
- Getting there
- Tourist shuttle buses depart from the Huangshan Passenger Transport Station (黄山客运公用站) in Zhenjiang, five departures daily. Direct long-distance buses to Maoshan also leave from Gate 12 at Changzhou Bus Station. From either Zhenjiang or Changzhou, take a bus to Jurong, then a local bus to Maoshan. Bus services are more frequent on this route.
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 1059. Open in Google Maps
About Maoshan Mountain
The name “Maoshan Taoists” is known at home and abroad, with lineages passed down in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries, a rare feat in the history of Chinese Daoism. Setting aside the many famous Daoist priests who cultivated here and the calligraphy left by generations of scholars and poets, the chance to glimpse the sacred light on the summit of Maoshan, the “Heavenly Lantern” (天灯), is reason enough to visit.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. Gesture of worship: Maoshan is a famous Daoist mountain, and the gesture for paying respects to deities differs from that used at Buddhist sites. Generally, the left hand goes on top, with the right hand gripping the left thumb. Clasp both hands together, kneel, and bow with your hands raised to eyebrow level.
- 2. Touch the character 福: The Yuanfu Wanning Palace (元符万宁宫) has eight characters inscribed, four on each side, and one of them is 福 (fú, “blessing”). Be sure to touch it on your way down the mountain. It is said to bring good fortune home with you.
- 3. Best time to visit: From the 24th day of the 12th lunar month to the 18th day of the 3rd lunar month the following year, Maoshan hosts Daoist temple fairs with daily ritual activities. The 25th day of the 2nd lunar month, the 18th day of the 3rd lunar month and the 3rd day of the 10th lunar month are commemorative days, when large numbers of pilgrims come.
- 4. Fortune sticks: Temples offer fortune-stick drawing at ¥20 per stick. Interpretation is usually free, but if you draw the top-top lot (上上签), it is customary to give the interpreter a tip (喜钱).
Frequently asked questions
How much does Maoshan Mountain cost?
Admission to Maoshan Mountain is Peak season: ¥100, with sightseeing shuttle ¥35; off-season: ¥80, with sightseeing shuttle ¥25, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
What are the opening hours of Maoshan Mountain?
Maoshan Mountain is open 07:30-17:00.
How do I get to Maoshan Mountain?
Tourist shuttle buses depart from the Huangshan Passenger Transport Station (黄山客运公用站) in Zhenjiang, five departures daily. Direct long-distance buses to Maoshan also leave from Gate 12 at Changzhou Bus Station. From either Zhenjiang or Changzhou, take a bus to Jurong, then a local bus to Maoshan. Bus services are more frequent on this route.
How long should I spend at Maoshan Mountain?
Plan on 1 day for Maoshan Mountain.
Where is Maoshan Mountain?
Maoshan Mountain is in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, in the East China of China. Maoshan Town, Jurong, Zhenjiang
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