Shiliang Flying Waterfall
You haven’t truly been to Tiantai Mountain until you have seen Shiliang. Its fame rests entirely on water and terrain, and here the highlight is the flying waterfall.…
Shiliang Flying Waterfall, Tiantai Mountain
Key facts
- Admission
- ¥60
- Opening hours
- 8：00—16：00
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Getting there
- Minibuses to the site depart from North Gate Bus Station, Guoqing Temple and Gaoming Temple
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 1238. Open in Google Maps
About Shiliang Flying Waterfall
You haven’t truly been to Tiantai Mountain until you have seen Shiliang. Its fame rests entirely on water and terrain, and here the highlight is the flying waterfall. Hidden in a mountain gorge and accompanied by the chanting of temple bells, such a waterfall is rare indeed. No wonder *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* was filmed here. Follow in the footsteps of the traveller Xu Xiake up to Guanpu Pavilion (观瀑亭) to take in the full, grand view, and you will surely feel, as he did, the urge to compose poetry. Deep in the mountains lies Fangguang Temple, small and secluded, a fine place for reflecting on the transience of life.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Shiliang Flying Waterfall cost?
Admission to Shiliang Flying Waterfall is ¥60, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
What are the opening hours of Shiliang Flying Waterfall?
Shiliang Flying Waterfall is open 8：00—16：00.
How do I get to Shiliang Flying Waterfall?
Minibuses to the site depart from North Gate Bus Station, Guoqing Temple and Gaoming Temple
How long should I spend at Shiliang Flying Waterfall?
Plan on 2–4 hours for Shiliang Flying Waterfall.
Where is Shiliang Flying Waterfall?
Shiliang Flying Waterfall is in Tiantai Mountain, Zhejiang Province, in the East China of China.
More places in Tiantai Mountain
Tiantai Mountain Great Waterfall
In fact, the Tiantai Mountain Great Waterfall was already world-famous more than 1,600 years ago, when it was known as the Tongbai Waterfall or the Three-Well Waterfall. The great Eastern Jin writer Sun Chuo even wrote lines praising it: “Red clouds rise from Chicheng to mark the way; the waterfall flies down to draw the boundary.” Yet this spectacular waterfall “disappeared” for more than 60 years. In 1960, after the Tongbai Reservoir and hydropower station were built, the waterfall stopped flowing. Only in recent years, as the ecological environment has recovered, has the legendary Tiantai Mountain Great Waterfall reappeared. Dropping 325 metres, it surpasses the 287-metre Baizhang Qi Waterfall and regains the title of “China’s Tallest Waterfall.”
¥100 · 2–4 hours
Huading Forest Park
Huading Peak is the main summit of Mount Tiantai, and Huading Temple draws crowds of visitors. April and May are the best time to visit, when the cloud-mist tea is fragrant and the azaleas are in bloom. Be sure to sample the tea: mountain tea brewed with mountain spring water is not found just anywhere. In the hills is Huangjing Cave, where Wang Xizhi is said to have written the *Huangting Jing* (Scripture of the Yellow Court). The Youjun Ink Pond near the Summer Resort is where Wang Xizhi practised the eight basic strokes of the character 永 and rinsed his brush. Enjoy the tea, take in the views and reflect on history: don’t miss any of them.
¥50 · 2–4 hours
Qiongtai Fairy Valley
The appeal here goes well beyond ordinary mountains and waters; it lies in the mystery that arises where landscape meets Daoist immortal lore. The most classic sight is the combination of the Baizhang Cliff Waterfall and the Dragon Pool, whose harmonious flow makes you want to compose poetry on the spot. The tea bar by the Dragon Pool offers a place to rest and, along the way, to calm your mind amid the surrounding jade-green scenery. Some say this is the most beautiful place on Mount Tiantai, and it is no wonder that Li Bai once sighed, “Dragon towers and phoenix gates he would not dwell in; he would soar straight to Mount Tiantai.”
¥65 · 3–4 hours
Guoqing Temple
This thousand-year-old temple is a must-see on any visit to Mount Tiantai. Its name is known far and wide, yet its gate is discreetly understated; only once you step inside do you catch sight of towering ancient trees and feel the grandeur of the place. At Guoqing Temple, the mountain is the temple and the temple is the mountain, and its simple, Zen-inspired architecture exudes a strong sense of otherworldliness. When you chat with the monks and ask them for directions, you will notice their warmth, along with a deliberate sense of distance, and you may feel that you are close to the Buddha yet still far away. Because Guoqing Temple has had considerable influence on Buddhism in Japan and Korea, it still draws foreign visitors when incense offerings are at their peak.
Free · 1–2 hours
Xikou
The ancient town of Xikou is ringed by green mountains and crossed by the Xiu Creek. Not every sight demands a visit, but the scenery here is genuinely beautiful. Xikou now also offers thrilling activities such as rafting and tobogganing, which adventurous young travellers may want to try.
Full-area combo ticket ¥230 (includes ¥20 scenic-area transport fee; Xuedou Temple costs an extra ¥10). Former Residence of Chiang Kai-shek ¥120 (includes Wuling Gate, Xikou Museum, Wenchang Pavilion, Qishui Bridge, Yanxi Xiaozhu, Wuling Middle School, Chiang Ancestral Hall, Fenghao House, Yutai Salt Shop, Mohe Hall, Wuling Park, Wei Qi's Tomb, Chiang Mother's Tomb Path at Fenghao House, Azalea Valley and Butterfly World). Xuedou Mountain ¥120 (excluding Xuedou Temple). ¥148 · 1–2 days
Xuedou Mountain
The most popular scenic area in Xikou. Similar mountain-and-water landscapes can certainly be found across Zhejiang, but Qianzhang Cliff and Sanyin Pool are the most loved and also the most demanding on your stamina.
From ¥150 (children under 6 years old/under 1.2 m free; ages 6-18 half price; ages 60-69 half price, ages 70 and over free; students half price; active-duty military personnel/disabled people free, etc.) · 0.5 days