Dengfeng at a glance
Dengfeng is a city in Henan province, at the foot of the Song Shan mountains. The Shaolin Temple lies about 13 km (8 mi) northwest of the city, according to an older provincial government description, so use a map for the actual drive. Most visitors pass through Dengfeng on the way to Shaolin, and many stay here (see where to stay).
The city is more than a transit point. Eight groups of monuments around Dengfeng are listed together by UNESCO as "Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in 'The Centre of Heaven and Earth'", inscribed in 2010. The Shaolin complex is one of them. The others are separate sites with their own tickets, which makes a second day in Dengfeng easy to plan.
The UNESCO monuments and what they cost
Prices are from the city price list as published in October 2026. Do not assume Shaolin's opening hours or discounts apply to the other sites.
| Site | UNESCO component | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Shaolin complex (temple, Chuzu Temple, Pagoda Forest) | Yes | CNY 80 (about $11) |
| Songyang Academy | Yes | CNY 30 (about $4) |
| Zhongyue Temple | Yes, with Taishi Que | CNY 30 (about $4) |
| Songyue Temple Pagoda | Yes | CNY 40 (about $6) |
| Huishan Temple | Yes | CNY 40 (about $6) |
| Observatory | Yes | Free |
| Taishi Que, Shaoshi Que, Qimu Que | Yes | – |
| Taishi Mountain | – | CNY 50 (about $7) |
| Fawang Temple | – | CNY 20 (about $3) |
UNESCO spells the pagoda as "Songye". The listing covers these eight groups, not the whole city or the whole mountain range. The Shaolin price is covered in the tickets guide.
Our picks: a day trip around Dengfeng
A day trip to the Shaolin Temple and the Songyue Pagoda, two of the UNESCO monuments around Dengfeng.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. 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.
Shaolin and Dengfeng tours
Guided trips from Zhengzhou and Luoyang to the temple, the Pagoda Forest and the Song Shan area, with live prices and availability.
Songyang Academy
The Songyang Academy is a separate UNESCO component of its own, not part of the Shaolin complex. Entry is CNY 30 (about $4) on the city list. The picture shows its old buildings.
City bus lines 2 and 6 serve the academy. Check fares and frequency locally, for example at your hotel. The academy is also on the route toward Taishi Mountain, which is covered in the Mount Song guide.
The academy is one of the four sites in the combined ticket, along with Taishi Mountain, Fawang Temple and the Songyue Pagoda. At CNY 79.9 (about $11) it costs less than buying the four separately (CNY 140, about $19). The combined ticket does not include Shaolin, Zhongyue Temple, Huishan Temple or any cable car.
Zhongyue Temple and the Songyue Pagoda
The Zhongyue Temple is reached by city bus line 2. The UNESCO listing groups it with Taishi Que. Entry is CNY 30 (about $4). The picture shows the main hall.
The Songyue Pagoda is a brick pagoda among trees, with mountains behind it. Entry is CNY 40 (about $6), or part of the combined ticket. Do not confuse it with the Pagoda Forest at Shaolin, which is a burial ground for monks. See the Pagoda Forest guide for that.
Planning a day in Dengfeng
Use the published routes to group the sites.
Shaolin first
Shaolin has its own ticket and takes most of a day with the Pagoda Forest. Buses to Shaolin leave from the Dengfeng West Bus Station along the G207. See getting there.
A second day on the Taishi route
The city describes a Taishi and Junjifeng route that passes the Songyang Academy, Fawang Temple and the Songyue Pagoda. The combined ticket covers these and Taishi Mountain.
Zhongyue Temple on its own
Line 2 serves it. It is a short stop that you can add to either day.
What two days cost in tickets
Shaolin at CNY 80 (about $11) plus the combined ticket at CNY 79.9 (about $11) comes to CNY 159.9 (about $22). Adding Zhongyue Temple at CNY 30 (about $4) brings it to about CNY 190 (about $26). Cable cars, buses and taxis are extra, and these are list prices that can change.
Check hours and closures
Do not assume Shaolin's hours apply to these smaller sites. Check the current opening hours and rest days before you go. Closures can happen at short notice, so check again on the day.
Plan the rest of your trip
Related guides.
Dengfeng: frequently asked questions
Is Dengfeng worth a visit apart from Shaolin?
If you have a second day, yes. Songyang Academy, Zhongyue Temple and the Songyue Pagoda are UNESCO components with their own tickets, and a combined ticket covers four sites.
How far is Dengfeng from the Shaolin Temple?
An older provincial government text puts the temple about 13 km (8 mi) northwest of the city. Buses to Shaolin start from the Dengfeng West Bus Station. For driving time, use a current map.
Is the whole city a UNESCO site?
No. UNESCO lists eight groups of monuments around Dengfeng, including the Shaolin complex, the Songyang Academy, Zhongyue Temple, the Songyue Pagoda and the observatory. The city and the mountains as a whole are not listed.
Does the combined ticket include Shaolin?
No. The CNY 79.9 (about $11) ticket covers Songyang Academy, Taishi Mountain, Fawang Temple and the Songyue Pagoda. Shaolin and Zhongyue Temple are separate, and it does not cover cable cars.
How do I get around Dengfeng?
City bus lines 2 and 6 serve Songyang Academy, and line 2 serves the Zhongyue Temple. Fares and frequencies change, so ask locally and keep a taxi as a backup.