The Shaolin ticket in 2026
The Dengfeng city price list shows CNY 80 (about $11) per person for Shaolin. Sanhuangzhai is listed on the same list at CNY 80 including Shaolin entry, so you do not add a second base price for the same visit. A June 2026 guide describes the ticket as covering the temple, the Pagoda Forest, the daytime performance, Sanhuangzhai, Chuzu and Erzu. Detailed current conditions can change, so confirm them at the gate.
Cable cars, the electric cart and the evening show are separate products. This is an independent guide, not a ticket office. It does not sell tickets and has no link to the temple or the scenic area operator.
What costs what
Adult prices as listed in 2026, with the source type in the note.
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Basic ticket, Shaolin | CNY 80 (about $11) | City price list |
| Half price | CNY 40 (about $6) | A June 2026 guide; check who qualifies before you rely on it |
| Electric cart | CNY 15 (about $2) one way | A 2026 trip program; optional and not part of the basic ticket |
| Shaolin cable car | CNY 70 (about $10) one way, CNY 100 (about $14) return | A June 2026 guide; for the Sanhuangzhai route |
| Songyang cable car | CNY 60 (about $8) return | A June 2026 guide; to the Erzu area |
| Evening show | CNY 239 to 399 (about $33 to $55) | One reseller; seating areas B, A and VIP |
| Direct bus from Zhengzhou | CNY 30 (about $4) | Announced in June 2025; the ticket is separate |
Prices change, and a published price is not a booking. Entry to the other Dengfeng sights has its own prices, listed on the things to do page.
Our picks: Shaolin tickets
Three ways to get in, with different extras.
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 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 standard ticket with QR entry
Standard temple ticket with QR entry and a reservation service. The cable car is not included.
Check availability →Shaolin Temple tickets and day trips
Entry tickets, day trips from Zhengzhou and Luoyang and combinations with Longmen, with live prices and availability.
Opening hours: three versions
The sources disagree, so treat the hours as a range to confirm.
A booking site
Ctrip lists 08:00 to 17:00 all year, with last entry at 16:30.
A June 2026 guide
It lists 06:30 to 18:00 from March to September and 07:00 to 17:30 from October to February.
An older provincial page
A page from July 2020 lists 07:00 to 18:00. It is dated and may no longer apply.
What to do
Arrive early and plan to be through the gate by 16:30. No weekly closing day is listed, but that is not a promise that the site is open every day. Check the current timetable before you go.
Discounts for children, seniors and students
The published rules conflict, and some are for Chinese citizens only.
Booking site rules
Ctrip lists free entry up to and including age 6 or a height of 1.4 m, free entry from age 60 with the original ID, and half price for minors under 18 and certain full-time students and teachers. The page limits these to Chinese citizens.
Older provincial page
A page from July 2020 lists free entry under 1.2 m, free entry from age 70 and half price from 60 to 69. It is outdated.
What this means for you
Do not plan on a discount with a foreign passport, a foreign student card or a disability card. If you hope for a reduction, ask at the gate and be ready to pay CNY 80 (about $11).
Booking and ID
What to bring and which older claims to ignore.
Carry your original passport
The UK government advises carrying the original passport in China. Copies are not accepted at checks, and you need the passport to buy and use train tickets. Ticket names should match it.
China travel tips →Real names and time windows
A June 2026 guide describes real-name booking within a 3-day window and also on-site purchase. Confirm the current booking route for your passport before you travel.
The online-only plan was withdrawn
A July 2025 announcement moved sales online only, with 2 to 7 days of notice. It was withdrawn. Do not treat that notice, or articles quoting it, as the current rule.
The evening show is a separate ticket
The evening show Zen Music Shaolin takes place in Daixiangou, not at the temple, and has its own route and ticket. A report describes the 2026 version as resuming in March 2026. That shows a season, not a performance every night until the end of the year.
One reseller lists area B at CNY 239 (about $33) instead of 269, area A at CNY 279 (about $39) instead of 299 and VIP at CNY 399 (about $55) instead of 499. Children under 1.3 m without their own seat enter free, according to that reseller, and the discounted tickets cannot be changed or refunded. The start differs on the same page, 20:00 or 20:15, so confirm the time. Details are on the kung fu show page.
Plan the rest of your trip
After the ticket.
Shaolin tickets: frequently asked questions
How much is the Shaolin Temple entrance fee?
The Dengfeng city price list shows CNY 80 (about $11) per adult in 2026. Cable cars, the electric cart and the evening show are extra.
Does the ticket include the kung fu show?
A June 2026 guide lists the daytime performance as covered, and an older provincial page from 2020 lists it as free for ticket holders. The evening show is a separate ticket. Performance times differ between sources, so check the timetable at the hall.
Do I have to book online in advance?
The plan to sell tickets only online was withdrawn in 2025. A June 2026 guide describes real-name booking and also on-site purchase. Check the current route for your passport before you travel.
Are there discounts for foreigners?
None can be promised. The reduced fares on one booking site are limited to Chinese citizens, and the age and height limits differ between sources.
What are the opening hours?
One booking site lists 08:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:30, and a June 2026 guide lists longer hours in the warm months. Arrive early and check the timetable before you go.
Is the electric cart included?
No. It costs CNY 15 (about $2) one way and is optional. Free special shuttles during the May 2026 holiday were a holiday arrangement, not a year-round rule.