Mount Song in short
Mount Song, Songshan in Chinese, is the mountain range behind Dengfeng in Henan. UNESCO relates the monuments of Dengfeng to two parts of it: Shaoshi, where the Shaolin Temple lies, and Taishi. The mountain landscape and the listed monuments are not the same thing, either in space or in law, so a hike does not mean you are inside the World Heritage site.
This is an independent guide with no link to the scenic area, a cable car operator or a tour company. Prices are in renminbi as listed in 2026, and they change. Conditions on paths and cable cars change too, so the sections below point out what to check on the day.
Two sides of the mountain
The city publishes two main routes. Pick one side per day.
| Route | Stations | Prices listed in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Shaoshi side | Sanhuangzhai, then Shaoshi towards Shaolin | CNY 80 (about $11) including Shaolin entry; Shaolin Cable Car CNY 70 one way, CNY 100 return (about $10 and $14) |
| Taishi side | Songyang Academy, Taishi Mountain, Fawang Temple, Songyue Pagoda | Combined ticket CNY 79.9 (about $11); single tickets CNY 30, 50, 20 and 40; Songyang Cable Car to Erzu CNY 60 return (about $8) |
The combined ticket covers the Songyang Academy, Taishi Mountain, Fawang Temple and the Songyue Pagoda. It does not cover a cable car. A June 2026 guide is the source for the cable car prices, so confirm them at the ticket window.
Our picks: Mount Song and the Songyue Pagoda
A day trip that adds the Songyue Pagoda on the Taishi side of the mountain to the Shaolin Temple.
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.
Mount Song and Shaolin tours
Guided trips from Zhengzhou and Luoyang to the Shaolin area and the mountain, with live prices and availability.
Sanhuangzhai
Sanhuangzhai is the route on the Shaoshi side. It is known for a cliff path with Shuceya, the Book Cliff, and a suspension bridge. A June 2026 guide estimates three to four hours one way. Pace, queues and your return plan decide how long the day takes, so plan a margin.
The city lists the route as running via Shaoshi to Shaolin, with the Shaolin Cable Car as an alternative to walking. The guide quotes CNY 70 one way and CNY 100 return (about $10 and $14).
In 2023 the route was closed from 1 June after a road collapse, and the cable car was stopped. That notice is old and does not describe the present. Ask at the ticket office whether the path and the cable car are running on your day, and do not assume they are safe in rain.
The Taishi side
The Taishi route runs from the Songyang Academy through Fawang Temple and the Songyue Pagoda. The city lists the Taishi Mountain ticket at CNY 50 (about $7), the Songyang Academy at CNY 30 (about $4), Fawang Temple at CNY 20 (about $3) and the Songyue Pagoda at CNY 40 (about $6). The Zhongyue Temple is CNY 30 (about $4), and the observatory is free.
City bus lines 2 and 6 serve the Songyang Academy, and line 2 serves the Zhongyue Temple. Ask about frequencies and fares at the stop, and allow extra time. The Dengfeng page covers these sites in more detail.
Before you climb
Mountain weather differs from the city. The climate figures on the best time page are for Zhengzhou, not for the summit, so treat them as a rough guide. July has the highest average rainfall of the year in those figures.
- Access: published access for the cable cars, the cliff path and the Damo Cave can change. Ask at the ticket office for the status of each on your day.
- Timing: ask for the last cable car time at the station. Decide on your return route before you go up.
- Holidays: public holidays bring crowds and extra shuttle arrangements in the Shaolin area.
- Respect: the Shaolin area is also a religious site. Dress and behave accordingly at temple buildings.
To combine the mountain with the temple, start on the Shaoshi side and read the Pagoda Forest page and the tickets page first.
Shaoshi Mountain
Shaoshi is the part of Mount Song where the Shaolin Temple lies, with a jagged ridge and rock peaks. The Damo Cave at the Wuru peak is on the city's list of stations. Legend places Bodhidharma's meditation there, which the history page explains as tradition.
More from Dengfeng
Pages that go with a day on the mountain.
The Pagoda Forest
The burial ground of Buddhist monks west of the temple.
Shaolin Temple tickets
The CNY 80 base ticket and what it covers.
Dengfeng
The Songyang Academy, the Zhongyue Temple and the World Heritage groups.
Getting to Shaolin
Bus, taxi and the road from Zhengzhou and Luoyang.
Mount Song: frequently asked questions
What is Sanhuangzhai?
A route on the Shaoshi side with a cliff path, Shuceya (Book Cliff) and a suspension bridge. A June 2026 guide estimates three to four hours one way. The listed entry is CNY 80 (about $11) including Shaolin.
How much is the Shaolin Cable Car?
A June 2026 guide lists CNY 70 one way and CNY 100 return (about $10 and $14). Confirm at the ticket window, because the price table you see on the day applies.
Is the mountain part of the World Heritage site?
UNESCO relates the monuments to Shaoshi and Taishi, which are parts of Mount Song. The mountain landscape and the listed monuments are not the same thing.
Is the cliff path open?
That has to be checked on the day. A road collapse closed the route from 1 June 2023, and conditions can change again. Do not rely on old notices, and do not walk the path in rain without local advice.
Which side of the mountain should I choose?
The Shaoshi side fits a Shaolin day, the Taishi side fits the Songyang Academy and the pagodas near Dengfeng. The two routes start in different places, so choose one side per day.