Top 10 Sacred Mountains in China You Must Visit

10 Best Mountains to Visit in China

Mount Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Mount Huangshan—also known as Yellow Mountain—is one of the most spectacular destinations in China and a must-visit for travelers seeking both natural beauty and cultural heritage. Spanning more than 160 square kilometers, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its dramatic granite peaks, centuries-old pine trees, and the mesmerizing “Sea of Clouds” that transforms the landscape into a mystical dreamscape. With an elevation of 1,864 meters (6,115 ft.), Huangshan offers breathtaking vistas that have inspired poets, painters, and philosophers for over a thousand years.

• Location: Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China
• Elevation: 1,864 meters (6,115 ft.)

Zhangjiajie Sandstone Pillar Forest

Although not a single mountain, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province is one of China’s most iconic natural wonders. Famous for its towering quartz-sandstone pillars, this UNESCO Global Geopark looks like a surreal forest of stone stretching into the clouds. From the valley floor, these giant columns resemble thousands of swords piercing the sky. In fact, there are over 3,000 sandstone pillars, with about 1,000 of them rising more than 200 meters (656 ft.) high—an awe-inspiring sight that feels straight out of a fantasy world.

• Location: Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China
• Elevation: 200 meters (656 ft.)

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Snow Mountain)

Rising dramatically above the ancient town of Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan) is one of the most stunning alpine landscapes in China. With an elevation of 5,596 meters (18,360 ft.), it boasts snow-capped peaks, pristine glaciers, turquoise lakes, and dense alpine forests. This sacred mountain of the Naxi people is not only a natural wonder but also a cultural treasure, combining breathtaking scenery with rich ethnic heritage.

• Location: Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China
• Elevation: 5,596 meters (18,360 ft.)

Mount Everest (Qomolangma)

Standing tall at 8,849 meters (29,032 ft.), Mount Everest (Qomolangma in Tibetan) is the highest mountain on Earth and one of the most awe-inspiring places to visit in China. On the Tibetan side, travelers are rewarded with breathtaking views of Everest’s north face, where the scale and majesty of the Himalayas make you realize just how small humans are compared to nature’s grandeur.

• Location: Border between Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region, China
• Elevation: 8,849 meters (29,032 ft.)

Mount Emei (Emei Shan)

Mount Emei (Emei Shan) in Sichuan Province is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, celebrated for its spiritual significance, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural scenery. Rising to an elevation of 3,099 meters (10,167 ft.), this UNESCO World Heritage Site combines ancient temples, serene forests, cascading waterfalls, and diverse wildlife, including the playful Emei monkeys that live along the mountain trails. A pilgrimage site for centuries, Mount Emei offers both a cultural journey and an adventure into pristine nature.

• Location: Leshan City, Sichuan Province, China
• Elevation: 3,099 meters (10,167 ft.)

Mount Tai (Taishan)

Mount Tai (Taishan), located in Tai’an City, Shandong Province, is the most revered of the Five Great Mountains of China and has long been regarded as a symbol of peace, prosperity, and imperial authority. Rising to 1,532.7 meters (5,029 ft.), Mount Tai combines majestic natural scenery with profound historical and cultural significance.

For over 3,000 years, emperors and poets have celebrated Mount Tai as a sacred pilgrimage site. Thirteen emperors personally climbed its slopes, while twenty-four others sent envoys to perform elaborate ceremonies in honor of heaven and earth. Today, the mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dotted with ancient temples, stone inscriptions, and ceremonial relics that echo its imperial past.

• Location: Tai’an City, Shandong Province (approx. 80 km from Jinan, the provincial capital)
• Elevation: 1,532.7 meters (5,029 ft.)

Mount Huashan (Hua Shan)

Mount Huashan (Hua Shan) in Weinan City, Shaanxi Province, is famous as both a sacred Taoist mountain and one of the world’s most dangerous hiking destinations. Rising to 2,154.9 meters (7,067 ft.), Huashan’s near-vertical cliffs and dizzying trails have long inspired myths, legends, and devotion. Ancient folklore even claims the mountain was cleaved open with a giant axe, adding to its air of mystique.

Beyond its dramatic landscape, Mount Huashan holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. With temples and Taoist shrines scattered across its peaks, it has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, where myth, religion, and adventure converge.

• Location: Weinan City, Shaanxi Province, China
• Elevation: 2,154.9 meters (7,067 ft.)

Mount Heng (Southern Yue)

Mount Hengshan, with its 72 majestic peaks spread across a vast landscape, is a haven for nature lovers and spiritual seekers alike. Revered for centuries as both a Buddhist and Taoist holy site, it blends natural beauty with deep cultural and religious significance. Visitors can explore lush trails, serene temples, and awe-inspiring vistas that make this sacred mountain a truly enriching destination.

• Location: Hengyang City, Hunan Province
• Elevation: 1,300.2 meters (4,266 ft)

Mount Hengshan (Northern Yue)

Located near Datong City in Shanxi Province, Mount Hengshan—also known as North Hengshan to distinguish it from its southern namesake—is a destination that blends history, spirituality, and natural beauty. With towering peaks and legendary temples, it offers an unforgettable experience for history buffs, hikers, and cultural explorers alike.

• Location: Datong City, Shanxi Province (about 290 km from Taiyuan, the provincial capital)
• Elevation: 2,016.1 meters (6,617 ft)

Mount Songshan (Center Yue)

Known as the “Central Mountain” among China’s Five Great Mountains, Mount Songshan is revered as the cradle of Chinese civilization. Throughout history, emperors ascended its peaks to seek blessings, while poets and scholars drew inspiration from its majesty.

Today, Mount Song remains a place where natural beauty, cultural heritage, and spiritual significance converge. For martial arts enthusiasts, it is also the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu, making it a must-visit destination in China.

• Location: Zhengzhou City, Henan Province
• Elevation: 1,512 meters (4,961 ft.)