Sanhuangzhai: The Hike Most Visitors Skip Most tourists
Sanhuangzhai: The Hike Most Visitors Skip Most tourists turn back after the Pagoda Forest. That’s a mistake. Sanhuangzhai is the natural heart of the Songshan scenic area. A cable car (Shaolin Cableway) runs from near the Pagoda Forest to the upper mountain. The round-trip ticket costs 100 RMB (student discount available). From the upper station, a 30-minute walk leads to the Shuce Cliff — a sheer rock face where layers of stone stack like pages of a book. Beyond it, the walkway hugs the mountainside, with distant peaks fading into layers of blue-gray. The full loop to Sanhuangzhai and back takes around 3 to 4 hours, including time for rest and photos. Those with afternoon train connections might consider reaching the Shuce Cliff viewpoint and then descending. The last cable car down typically runs around 5pm. Missing it means a long downhill walk on uneven mountain paths — not recommended in the dark. On clear days, the mountain views from the ridge line are spectacular. On foggy days, the floating clouds create a mood that matches the monastery’s meditative spirit.