# Lushan Mountain (Mount Lu) travel guide (庐山) Jiangxi Province · East China, China · 19 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/jiangxi/lushan-mountain-mount-lu ## Quick itinerary - **Day 1:** Flower Path (Hua Jing) → Ruqin Lake → Jinxiu Valley → Xianren Cave (Immortal Cave) → Datianchi (Great Heavenly Pool) → Longshouya (Dragon Head Cliff) → Huanglong Pool → Sanbao Trees → Lulin Lake → Meilu Villa → Former Site of the Lushan Conference - **Day 2:** Wangpo Pavilion (sunrise viewing) → Wulao Peak → Sandie Spring Waterfall - **Day 3:** White Deer Grotto Academy → Xiufeng Scenic Area → Taiyi Village ## The feel of the place - **Dampness:** The fog and rain are part of Lushan's scenery, and some people come specifically for the mist. But this also means that, while you may “fail to see Lushan's true face” (不识庐山真面目), you must endure the dampness on the mountain. It shows up in several ways. The chill is the main one: when the temperature gap between the mountain and the foot of the mountain widens, fog rolls in on Lushan, bringing a damp, cold feeling. At such times, only the lush greenery and the succession of scenic spots can dispel the gloom that the dampness brings. - **Landscape and Culture:** As a famous cultural mountain with a long history, Lushan has for thousands of years drawn countless men of letters, who have left behind an ocean of paintings, calligraphy and beloved poems. Bai Juyi wrote at Huajing: “In April in the mortal world the fragrance has all faded; at the mountain temple, the peach blossoms are only now beginning to bloom.” Li Bai wrote at Xiufeng: “The waterfall plunges three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way were falling from the ninth heaven.” Of Wulao Peak, he wrote: “Wulao Peak in southeast Lushan, carved from the blue sky like a golden lotus.” Su Shi wrote of Lushan's clouds and mist: “I cannot see Lushan's true face, only because I am within the mountain.” Mao Zedong wrote of Immortal Cave: “Nature made one Immortal Cave, and boundless scenery lies on the dangerous peaks.” The landscape culture of Lushan is a brilliant reflection of Chinese mountain-and-water culture. The lyrical, richly coloured writing of literati about Lushan has given the mountain an exceptionally deep cultural heritage. ## The feel of the place ### Lushan's Three Great Natural Mysteries Why does the Lushan cloud make sounds? Why does Lushan rain fall upward from below? Why do Buddha lights appear near Wenshu Terrace around the 15th day of the lunar month? ### Trends in the Scenic Area Dongling Grand Canyon (Scissors Gorge) has the largest water volume of all Lushan's gorges, and it is the only scenic spot on Lushan where waterfalls can be seen year-round. Self-drive, independent and group tours to Dongling Grand Canyon are popular with city dwellers, and a short, relaxing stay in the scenic area has become the trend. ### Preparation and Consultation ### Climate and Best Travel Season Lushan's geography is one of facing a river and bordering a lake, with high peaks and deep valleys, and it has distinct mountain climate features. Fog occurs on 191 days a year. Annual average precipitation is 1,917 mm, and annual average relative humidity is 78%. The average temperature from July to September is 16.9℃, and the summer high is 32℃, cool and pleasant. The summit is generally 7–10℃ cooler than the foot of the mountain. These figures show that Lushan truly deserves its reputation as a summer retreat, and the best season to visit is, of course, summer. ## Getting there & around ### Getting There There are two routes to Lushan. The first is to fly or travel to Nanchang first, then take a bus. As the capital of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang not only has civil aviation links with many cities across the country, but is also an important road and rail hub in East China (see the Nanchang section). The second route is via Jiujiang. Jiujiang is the only intersection of the Beijing–Kowloon Railway and the Yangtze River, and it sits on the golden waterway of the middle and lower Yangtze, so water and land transport are both very convenient. You can travel by water into Jiangxi, then transfer to a bus from Jiujiang to Lushan. ### Taxis Usually Do Not Use Meters Lushan taxis generally do not run meters. The starting fare is ¥5 for locals and ¥10 for visitors, so learn the approximate distance of your journey in advance to help you bargain. Never take unlicensed taxis up the mountain. ### Driving If you drive up Lushan, you can park at the Yuanmen car park at the north gate (North Mountain Road) or the Lulin car park (South Mountain Road), then transfer to scenic-area sightseeing shuttles. If you drive into the scenic area, you will pay an extra ¥45 parking fee on top of the entrance ticket. ### Friendly Tips 1. Most vehicles climb the mountain via the North Mountain (Beishan) road, in the direction of Jiujiang. 2. All vehicles bound for Mount Lu stop at Guling Street (Main Street). 3. The ticket office at the Beishan park gate is 3 km from Guling Street. Buy your ticket and get on the mountain as soon as possible. Vehicles wait briefly on the right side of the road just inside the mountain gate, so board promptly, as the bus will not wait. 4. Fares differ for going up and coming down: ¥10 for the descent and ¥15 for the ascent. ### By Air The nearest airport to Mount Lu is in Chaisang District, about 9.8 km away. It currently has flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Haikou, Shenzhen, Xiamen and other cities. Airport shuttle buses run to Lushan City. If you miss the shuttle, you can take a bus from Huanglaomen to Shahe (Mount Lu). We recommend flying in and taking a taxi straight up the mountain, which costs ¥120–150. Be sure to negotiate the price in advance. ### By Train Mount Lu Railway Station is really just a station in Chaisang District at the foot of the mountain. It mainly serves through trains and is not very convenient for getting up the mountain. If you travel by train, we recommend getting off at Jiujiang Station, which offers easier access to Mount Lu. ### By High-Speed Rail Mount Lu is an important stop on the Changjiu Intercity High-Speed Railway. Whether you travel from Nanchang to Jiujiang Station or go directly to Mount Lu Station, the journey is very convenient. ### By Road Jiujiang to Mount Lu is 41 km, and the fare ranges from ¥12 to ¥15. The final stop is Guling Town. A minibus from Nanchang to Mount Lu costs ¥36 and runs along National Highway 105, serving Chaisang District, Gongqingcheng, Yongxiu County and the Peach Blossom Spring scenic area in Lushan City. Other counties, districts and townships can be reached via provincial highways. ### By Water Nearly 20 Yangtze River liners stop at Jiujiang Port each day. From the passenger terminal, take a sightseeing minibus to reach Mount Lu. ### Getting Around the Mountain Mount Lu is a widely dispersed scenic area centred on Guling Town, so getting around on the mountain can be a major challenge during your trip. Within Lianxi District, there are fixed-route sightseeing buses, as well as minibuses, taxis and chartered tour vehicles. Because fixed-route sightseeing buses follow set routes and there are relatively few of them, many visitors prefer minibuses or taxis. Minibuses are the cheapest option, while taxis cost considerably more. ### Getting Up Mount Lu from Jiujiang City Option 1: From Jiujiang Railway Station, take bus No. 36 or 66 to the Jiujiang Long-Distance Bus Station, then board a coach there. Coaches run about once every 1.5 hours and cost ¥8–15. Option 2: Outside Jiujiang Railway Station, take a bus to the foot of the Changhong Interchange. At the entrance of Yangguang No. 1 Leisure Hotel, board a Quanshun minibus, which runs daily from 6:30 to 18:00. The fare is ¥15 and the bus goes directly to Guling. Option 3: From the Jiujiang Long-Distance Bus Station, you can take a taxi directly to Mount Lu for about ¥80. Agree on the price with the driver in advance. Option 4: About 50 metres from the exit of Jiujiang Railway Station is the Jiujiang branch of China International Travel Service (CITS). Individual travellers can ride a travel agency vehicle up Mount Lu for ¥15. It is worth noting that you should avoid unlicensed (black) taxis outside the railway station. Alternatively, walk out of the station and flag down a taxi on the road, asking to be taken directly to Guling Street or to a hotel on the mountain. ## Eat & drink Anyone who has visited Mount Lu will remember not only its stunning scenery but also its delicious food, especially the local specialty known as the “Three Stones and One Tea”: Mount Lu stone chicken, Mount Lu stone fish, Mount Lu stone ear (a type of fungus) and Mount Lu cloud-mist tea. ### Local Snacks Beyond the “Three Stones and One Tea”, be sure to try the Mount Lu snacks, including stir-fried shrimp, braised pork with fermented black beans, stir-fried chilli with fermented black beans, dried shrimp rice cakes, yam stewed with pork, coin-shaped yam cakes and chicken braised with chestnuts. ### Local Specialties Aged sealed-jar rice wine, Jiujiang tea cakes, crispy sugar candy, fresh Mount Lu bamboo shoots, Hukou fermented black beans, Poyang Lake whitebait and cloud-mist tea. - **Shiniu Restaurant** — This is arguably the only restaurant in the Mount Lu Scenic Area that doesn't rip off diners. It built its reputation through word of mouth among backpackers, and its 'Three Stones' (三石) dishes are all delicious. (No. 15-1, Lushan Zhengjie, Guling Town, Mount Lu Scenic Area, 0792-8288093) - **Sanshi Restaurant** — Many city folk come here for the famous 'Mount Lu Three Stones' (庐山三石) dish, along with some local wild vegetables. It's no surprise the flavours are authentic. There are often long queues and a long wait for dishes to arrive, but then, there are plenty of people with cravings. (Roadside on National Highway 105, Wenquan Town, Lushan City, 0792-2601179) ## Nightlife - **Romance on Lushan Mountain Cinema** — There's a cinema on Mount Lu that screens just one film each day, *Romance on Lushan Mountain* (《庐山恋》), shown every two hours. Even in the off-season, it puts on two evening screenings. Watching the film that introduced Mount Lu to the whole nation in the evening, then comparing it with the scenery you saw during the day, is a very enjoyable experience. (No. 19, Hexi Road, Mount Lu, 13133634364) ## Shopping Lushan Yunwu tea (庐山云雾茶) is worth bringing home, but you'll need some discernment when buying tea. ## Where to stay As a scenic destination and summer resort, Mount Lu has long had a well-developed hotel industry, and room rates can be steep. Mount Lu Hotel is the finest hotel on the mountain. Student travellers are advised to stay in school guesthouses. ### Beware of Hotel Touts Some taxi drivers take tourists to pricier hotels because they receive kickbacks for doing so. If you'd rather avoid expensive hotels, ask to get out at Jiexin Park (街心公园), where there are private homes, inns and guesthouses. - **Mount Lu Hotel** — A long-established hotel built decades ago, so its facilities are dated. It has never advertised; a visit by Chairman Mao serves as its living signboard. (No. 70, Hexi Road, Mount Lu, 0792-8281330) - **Mount Lu West Lake Hotel** — The only four-star hotel on Mount Lu, with Ruqin Lake (如琴湖) right at its entrance and very beautiful scenery. (No. 113, Dalin Road, Mount Lu, 0792-8285850) ## Things to see - **Lushan Mountain (Mount Lu)** (★★★★★): Admission Off-season ¥135; peak season ¥160; Opening hours Open all day (all year 2026); Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/lushan-mountain-mount-lu-jiangxi - **Lushan Wonders** (★★★★★): — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/lushan-wonders - **Meilu Villa** (★★★): Admission Included in the Lushan entrance ticket; Opening hours 08:30-16:30 (all year round in 2026); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/meilu-villa - **Memorial Hall of the Former Site of the Lushan Conference** (★★★): Admission Included in the Lushan entrance ticket; Opening hours 8:30–17:00 (closed Tuesdays); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/memorial-hall-of-the-former-site-of-the-lushan-conference - **Shimenjian Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission ¥52; Opening hours 7：00—18：00; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/shimenjian-scenic-area - **Lulin Lake** (★★★★): Admission Included in the Mount Lu entrance ticket; Opening hours 8：00—16：30; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/lulin-lake - **Jinxiu Valley** (★★★): Admission Included in the Lushan Scenic Area main entrance ticket; Opening hours Open all day (all year 2026); Time needed 60–90 minutes — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/jinxiu-valley - **Flower Path (Hua Jing)** (★★★): Admission Free (included in the Lushan Scenic Area main entrance ticket of ¥160); Opening hours Open all day (year-round); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/flower-path-hua-jing - **Ruqin Lake** (★★★): Admission Free (included in the Lushan Scenic Area main entrance ticket); Opening hours Open all day (year-round); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/ruqin-lake - **Great Heavenly Pool and Longshou Cliff** (★★★): Admission Free (included in the Lushan Scenic Area main entrance ticket); Opening hours Great Heavenly Pool 07:00-19:00; Dragon Head Cliff open all day; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/great-heavenly-pool-and-longshou-cliff - **Wenshu Terrace** (★★★): Admission Free (included in the Lushan Scenic Area main entrance ticket); Opening hours Open along with Lushan Scenic Area (about 07:00-19:00); Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/wenshu-terrace - **Sanbao Trees** (★★★): Admission Free (included in the Lushan Scenic Area main entrance ticket); Opening hours Open all day (year-round); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/sanbao-trees - **Hanpokou (Hanpo Pass)** (★★★): Admission Free (included in the Lushan Scenic Area main entrance ticket; round-trip Hanpokou Cableway about ¥50); Opening hours 06:00-20:00 (year-round); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/hanpokou-hanpo-pass - **Huanglong Temple** (★★★): Admission Free (included in the Lushan Scenic Area main entrance ticket); Opening hours Open all day (year-round); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/huanglong-temple - **Bilongtan Waterfall** (★★★): Admission ¥30; Opening hours 08:00-17:00 (year-round); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/bilongtan-waterfall - **Sandie Spring Waterfall** (★★★): Admission ¥82 (ticket + round-trip sightseeing shuttle); cable car ¥75; Opening hours 07:30-17:00 (off-season, non-summer); 07:00-17:30 (May-Aug); Time needed 1–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/sandie-spring-waterfall - **White Deer Grotto Academy** (★★★): Admission ¥40; Opening hours 7：30—18：00; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/white-deer-grotto-academy - **Xiufeng Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission ¥63; Opening hours 8：00—16：30; Time needed 2–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/xiufeng-scenic-area - **Lushan West Sea** (★★★★): Admission ¥150 per person; Grandma Bridge ¥5 per person; Yunju Mountain ¥20 per person; West Sea Hot Spring ¥198 per person; ¥40; free; Opening hours 08:00-17:00 (year-round); Time needed 3–5 hours; 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/lushan-west-sea --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 1443–1462. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.