Getting to Shaolin: Zhengzhou, Luoyang, or Dengfeng
Getting to Shaolin: Zhengzhou, Luoyang, or Dengfeng Shaolin Temple sits at the foot of Mount Song. No train station right at the gate. But getting there is straightforward. From Zhengzhou – The most common route. Zhengzhou Long-distance Bus Station has direct buses to Shaolin (35 RMB, about 2 hours). Buses run from 7am to 5pm, roughly hourly. Some buses drop you right at the scenic area entrance. From Luoyang – Also straightforward. Buses run every 30 minutes from Luoyang Bus Station to Shaolin (30 RMB, about 2 hours). Tickets can be bought at the station. From Dengfeng – The closest base city. Local buses and taxis are available from Dengfeng. Taxis cost 30–40 RMB. On public holidays, morning buses may sell out by 8am — either arrive early or consider a private transfer. The scenic area also has a parking lot for those driving themselves. Once at the entrance, walking to the temple takes about 20 minutes. Electric carts are available for those who want to save energy for climbing later. The ticket includes the temple, the pagoda forest, and admission to the martial arts performance.