Nanwutai
南五台
A Buddhist mountain in the Zhongnan Mountains, with five peaks and ancient temples scattered along the way. Its steep trails make it a classic hike for Xi'an locals and a route to visit old temples.
Nanwutai lies in the Zhongnan Mountains of Chang'an District. It takes its name from its five platforms: Qingliang, Wenshu, Sheshen, Lingying and Guanyin. It is a Buddhist sacred site in the Zhongnan Mountains, with many temples dating back to the Sui and Tang dynasties, including the Shengshou Temple Pagoda from the Sui dynasty. The trail follows mostly steps and mountain paths. The climb from the entrance gate to the summit takes about 3–4 hours, but you can take the scenic sightseeing bus partway up to shorten the hike. Admission is about 40 yuan. Summer is cool and pleasant, and autumn brings beautiful red foliage. It is about 30 km from downtown, so drive or take a bus.
Opening hours
About 08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Mount Cuihua
- Qinling Wildlife Park
- Xingjiao Temple
- Xiangji Temple
- Jingye Temple
- Shaanxi Archaeological Museum
- Sui-Tang Dynasty Heaven Altar Site
- Qujiang Pool Heritage Park