Getting to the Shaolin Temple
The temple lies in Dengfeng, Henan, roughly 13 km (8 mi) northwest of the city according to an older provincial description. Most visitors arrive from Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, or from Luoyang. A through train to the temple is not available, so every route ends with a bus, a taxi or a tour transfer.
The most direct published option is a bus from Zhengzhou Central Bus Station to car park P3 at Shaolin. It was introduced on 26 June 2025. The departures below come from that launch notice, so check the current timetable before you go.
Routes compared
Published figures for 2026. Where sources differ, both values are shown.
| Route | Fare and time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zhengzhou Central Bus Station to Shaolin P3 | CNY 30 (about $4), about 2 hours | From Zhengzhou 07:30, 08:00, 08:30, 09:40. Back 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30. |
| Zhengzhou airport (CGO) to Dengfeng | CNY 50 to 55 (about $7 to $8), about 2 hours 20 minutes | Two sources, two fares. Check at the airport. |
| Dengfeng West Bus Station to Shaolin | – | Runs along the G207. Check the line and fare locally. |
| Luoyang to Shaolin | – | By road on the G207 or the Zheng-Shao-Luo expressway. |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | – | No fixed prices. Use a marked taxi with a meter. |
Our picks: getting to Shaolin with a guide
Pickup in Zhengzhou or Luoyang instead of public transport.
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.
Shaolin and Zhongyue Temple day trip with transfer
Private transfer, an English-speaking guide, the main entries and a one-way electric bus in the Shaolin area. Meals and tips are extra.
Check availability →
Day trip to Shaolin with a kung fu class
Hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, temple entry and one or two hours of kung fu, depending on the option. Lunch and tips are extra, and booking needs each traveller's passport details.
Check availability →
Private guided transfer to Shaolin from Zhengzhou
Private car, guide, water and hotel pickup in Zhengzhou. Temple entry and the electric bus depend on the option; the basic option leaves out entry, electric bus and lunch.
Check availability →Shaolin Temple tours from Zhengzhou and Luoyang
Day trips with transport included, with live prices and availability.
From Zhengzhou
The direct bus is the simplest way. Tickets were announced for sale through the WeChat account 郑州交运 or the Didi mini-program. If the published times still apply, the 07:30 bus reaches Shaolin around 09:30 and the last bus back leaves at 17:30, which leaves you up to about eight hours on site.
Zhengzhou East (郑州东) is a rail station. A through connection from there to the temple is not available. One visitor guide says there is no direct bus from Zhengzhou East, while a city government source mentions direct services from several hubs including East. If you arrive by train, plan a transfer to the Central Bus Station or a taxi, and check the current options.
From the airport, Dengfeng and Luoyang
Other starting points.
Zhengzhou airport (CGO)
One listing gives overland bus departures at 11:10, 13:40, 16:40 and 18:40 to Dengfeng for CNY 55 (about $8), boarding at terminal 2, level 1, door 2, stop 1. A second route site estimates CNY 50 (about $7) and about 2 hours 20 minutes in total to a hotel in Dengfeng. Neither figure is confirmed by the airport, so check before you rely on it.
Dengfeng to Shaolin
Buses to Shaolin leave from the Dengfeng West Bus Station along the G207. The current line and fare are worth checking on the day. Dengfeng is also a base for nights before or after your visit, see where to stay.
Luoyang to Shaolin
The road runs on the G207 or on the Zheng-Shao-Luo expressway. Check current bus details locally. If you want to see the Longmen Grottoes too, read the Longmen guide, because the grottoes are near Luoyang and not near Shaolin.
Taxi, ride-hailing and driving
What to watch for.
Use marked taxis
The UK foreign travel advice recommends marked taxis with a working meter and a receipt, and advises against unmarked or unmetered cars.
Ride-hailing is not guaranteed
Fixed ride-hailing prices to Shaolin, a ride back and the use of a foreign card in the app cannot be assumed. Carry a way to pay that works, and have a second plan for the return.
Driving and parking
Car park P3 is the arrival point of the direct bus. Ask about parking fees and whether a private car may enter the inner scenic area before you drive. Holidays can change the traffic and shuttle arrangements.
Plan the return first
Know your last bus or your taxi arrangement before you enter. The published last bus back to Zhengzhou was 17:30.
Documents and tickets
Two things that trip up first-time visitors.
Carry your original passport
The UK advice says to carry the original, since copies are not accepted at checks. A passport is needed to buy and board trains. Entry rules are on the China travel tips page.
The bus ticket is not the entrance ticket
The CNY 30 (about $4) fare pays for the bus only. The entrance to the scenic area costs CNY 80 (about $11) and is explained in the tickets guide.
Getting to Shaolin: frequently asked questions
Is there a train to the Shaolin Temple?
No through train is available. Trains reach Zhengzhou, and from there you take a bus or a taxi to Dengfeng or to Shaolin.
How long does it take from Zhengzhou to Shaolin?
The direct bus from Zhengzhou Central Bus Station to car park P3 takes about 2 hours and costs CNY 30 (about $4), according to the launch notice from June 2025. Check the current timetable.
Can I go from Zhengzhou airport straight to Shaolin?
Overland buses to Dengfeng are listed from the airport, at CNY 50 to 55 (about $7 to $8). From Dengfeng, a bus along the G207 continues to Shaolin.
How do I get back to Zhengzhou?
The published return departures from Shaolin were 14:30, 15:30, 16:30 and 17:30. Plan to catch one, or arrange a taxi in advance.
Should I take a taxi or ride-hailing?
A marked taxi with a meter is the safer choice. Do not assume a ride-hailing app will work with your card, and do not count on finding a ride back.