Shaolin Temple at a glance
The Shaolin Temple (Shaolin Si) lies on Mount Song near Dengfeng in Henan province, China. The provincial government places it about 13 km northwest of Dengfeng. It was founded in 495 under Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei for the Indian monk Batuo, although another official page gives 496. The temple is tied to the Chan tradition and to the legend of Bodhidharma, and it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing "Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in The Centre of Heaven and Earth", inscribed in 2010.
This guide covers the temple and what surrounds it: tickets and hours, the kung fu show, the Pagoda Forest, Mount Song, Dengfeng, martial arts schools, the Longmen Grottoes as a separate day trip, and the way from Zhengzhou and Luoyang. It is an independent site. It is not run by the temple, the scenic area, a martial arts school, a hotel or a tour company. Prices are in Chinese yuan (CNY) with a rough US dollar value, as listed in 2026, and they change.
What a visit costs in 2026
Prices as listed in 2026. Several items are extras, not part of the basic ticket.
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult ticket, Shaolin | CNY 80 (about $11) | City price list; a June 2026 guide lists the temple, Pagoda Forest, daytime show, Sanhuangzhai, Chuzu and Erzu as covered |
| Electric cart in the scenic area | CNY 15 (about $2) one way | Optional, not part of the basic ticket |
| Shaolin cable car to Sanhuangzhai | CNY 70 (about $10) one way, CNY 100 (about $14) return | A June 2026 guide; check the current status |
| Evening show | CNY 239 to 399 (about $33 to $55) | One reseller; a separate ticket from the temple |
| Direct bus from Zhengzhou | CNY 30 (about $4) | About 2 hours each way |
The full breakdown, with hours and discount rules, is on the tickets page.
Our picks: Shaolin tours
Temple tickets with the Pagoda Forest and the show, plus a private day with the Longmen Grottoes.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private day: Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin and kung fu show
Private car with driver and guide, entries, a golf cart at both sites, the kung fu show and lunch. The entry-tickets-and-transfer option leaves out the guide, lunch, golf cart and train.
Check availability →
Shaolin Temple ticket with Pagoda Forest
Shaolin entry including the Pagoda Forest, with direct entry and a digital note on show times. The cable car to Sanhuangzhai and the Dharma Cave costs extra, and booking needs your full name and passport number.
Check availability →
Shaolin Temple ticket with shuttle and kung fu show
Covers the temple, main monastery, Thousand Buddha Hall, Pagoda Forest and the kung fu show, plus the shuttle inside the area both ways. Bring your passport or ID.
Check availability →Shaolin Temple tours and tickets
Day trips from Zhengzhou and Luoyang, entry tickets and combinations with the Longmen Grottoes, with live prices and availability.
Plan your Shaolin trip
One page for each part of the trip.
Things to do at Shaolin and in Dengfeng
Ten ideas, from the temple core to the Songyang Academy.
Shaolin tours from Zhengzhou and Luoyang
Bus, taxi or guided trip, and what to check in each.
Tickets and hours
The basic ticket, extras, discounts and conflicting hours.
Kung fu performances
The daytime hall and the evening show.
The Pagoda Forest
The burial ground of Buddhist monks west of the temple.
Mount Song
Sanhuangzhai, cable cars and access updates.
History of the monastery
Chan Buddhism, legends and documented history.
Martial arts schools
How short courses are described and what the visa rules say.
Dengfeng
The town, the UNESCO ensemble and the Songyang Academy.
Longmen Grottoes
A separate sight near Luoyang, not part of Shaolin.
Zhengzhou to Shaolin
Direct bus, taxi and the routes from Luoyang.
China travel tips
Visa-free entry, payments and your passport.
Best time to visit
Monthly climate and holiday crowds.
Where to stay
Dengfeng or a base in Zhengzhou or Luoyang.
Good to know before you go
Where older guides are out of date or too certain.
The ticket is not one price
The basic ticket, the cable cars, the electric cart and the evening show are separate products. Do not assume that the basic ticket covers all of them.
Tickets and hours →The online-only plan was withdrawn
In July 2025 a switch to online-only sales with 2 to 7 days of notice was announced and then withdrawn. Treat older articles that call online booking compulsory with caution.
Booking and ID →Foreign visitors and discounts
The reduced fares on one booking site are limited to Chinese citizens. Do not plan on a discount with a foreign passport.
Discount rules →The World Heritage listing is an ensemble
It covers eight groups of monuments around Dengfeng, including the Shaolin complex with the Chuzu Temple and the Pagoda Forest. It does not cover the whole town or the whole mountain.
Dengfeng and the ensemble →Mountain access changes
Sanhuangzhai was closed from 1 June 2023 after a road collapse, and that notice is still among the published ones. Check the current status of the trail and the cable cars before you plan a day around them.
Mount Song →Visa-free entry has an end date
German citizens can enter without a visa for up to 30 days, under a rule valid until 31 December 2026. Other nationalities differ.
China travel tips →Shaolin Temple: frequently asked questions
Is this the official Shaolin Temple website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the temple, the scenic area operator, any martial arts school, any hotel or any tour company.
How much is the Shaolin Temple ticket?
The Dengfeng city price list shows CNY 80 (about $11) per adult in 2026. A June 2026 guide lists the temple, the Pagoda Forest, the daytime performance, Sanhuangzhai, Chuzu and Erzu as covered. Cable cars, the electric cart and the evening show cost extra. See the tickets page.
How do I get from Zhengzhou to the Shaolin Temple?
A direct bus runs from Zhengzhou Central Bus Station to car park P3 for CNY 30 (about $4) in about 2 hours. It was introduced on 26 June 2025, so confirm the departures before you go. Taxis and guided trips are the other options. See getting there and the tours page.
Are the performers real monks?
Not necessarily. The daytime performers in the Martial Arts Hall are described as mostly students of martial arts schools, not all ordained monks. The show is a performance for visitors. See the kung fu show page.
Do I need a visa for China?
German citizens with an ordinary passport can enter without a visa for up to 30 calendar days, under a rule valid until 31 December 2026. Other countries, longer stays and study or work purposes follow different rules. See China travel tips.
Can I visit the Longmen Grottoes on the same day?
They are a separate sight near Luoyang, about 55 to 60 km from Shaolin by road according to tour operators. Treat it as its own day or a long combined trip. See the Longmen Grottoes page.