Day Hikes · 51 routes · 7 regions
Out and back between breakfast and dinner, on a path that exists.
51 of them here, grouped by region. Each entry carries distance, climb and top height, and the last column says what a foreign passport gets you. See all six kinds, or the background on hiking.
8 routes
North China (华北)
| Route | Where | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Baihe Gorge Trek (Miyun Sihetang Section) (白河峡谷徒步（密云四合堂段）)Eight to twelve kilometres along the river through granite gorge and secondary forest, mostly flat. Some sections cross on stepping stones and are impassable when the river rises. | Beijing | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Haituo Mountain Trek (Yanqing, Beijing) (海坨山)Nine to fifteen kilometres along the southern ridge, one day. The main summits of Greater and Lesser Haituo are closed. | Beijing | Passport is enough B, strong walker Partly open |
| Jiankou Wild Great Wall Trek (箭扣长城徒步（箭扣—北京结—鹰飞倒仰—九眼楼段）)Ten kilometres along an unrestored stretch of Ming wall on the Yanshan ridge, 1,000 m of climbing over broken brick, with near-vertical steps that take hands as well as feet, no railings anywhere, and slick footing after rain.10 km · 1000 m up · tops out at 1003 m | Huairou, Beijing | Closed B, strong walker |
| Jingxi Ancient Road Trek (Moshikou – Shuiyuzui Section) (京西古道徒步（模式口—水峪嘴段）)Stone-paved sections of the old road west of Beijing: two to three kilometres at Moshikou, five to six at Shuiyuzui, or ten to sixteen linked. Highest point about 500 m. | Beijing | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Lingshan Mountain Trek (West Beijing) (京西灵山)Eight kilometres return from Jiangshuihe village to the eastern summit at 2,303 m, four to five hours. The 15 km traverse from west to east adds a day. | Beijing | Passport is enough A, easy Partly open |
| Miaofeng Mountain Ancient Pilgrimage Trail (Jiangou Village – Golden Peak) (妙峰山古香道徒步（涧沟村—金顶）)Three kilometres of stone pilgrim road from Jiangou village to the 1,291 m summit, about 500 m of climbing, half a day there and back. | Beijing | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Jinshanling–Simatai Great Wall Traverse (金山岭—司马台长城连穿（金山岭—东五眼楼—司马台单边墙）)Ten kilometres of Ming wall, restored at the Jinshanling end and left as found at Simatai, with 600 m of climbing. The single-sided wall is narrow and steep, but the route is legal and safer than Jiankou.10 km · 600 m up · tops out at 700 m | Hebei | Passport is enough B, strong walker |
| Tongshanliang Ridge Trek (Yu County, Hebei) (蔚县铜山梁)Eight to ten kilometres over the ridge from Daping village to Liujiangou, three to four hours, between 1,300 and 1,580 m, through farmland and meadow. | Zhangjiakou (Yu County), Hebei | Passport is enough A, easy |
1 route
Northeast China (东北)
| Route | Where | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Changbai Mountain North and West Slope Trails (长白山徒步（北坡/西坡步道）)The west slope is 1,442 steps to the crater lake, about two kilometres. The north slope runs on shuttle and off-road vehicle with short walks. Light packs throughout. | Jilin | Passport is enough B, strong walker |
8 routes
East China (华东)
| Route | Where | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Huihang Ancient Road (Jixi – Lin’an) (徽杭古道)Twenty kilometres of gorge road between Anhui and Zhejiang, six to eight hours, between 300 and 1,000 m. Can be split over two days with a night at Xiaxuetang. | Anhui | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Mount Tai Night Climb to Sunrise (泰山夜爬（红门—中天门—十八盘—南天门—玉皇顶日出线）)A night climb among a thousand other headlamps to the summit emperors used to announce their mandate, timed to reach the top at sunrise.9.5 km · 1350 m up · tops out at 1545 m | Tai’an, Shandong | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Dongfushan Island Loop Trek (Zhoushan Dongji Islands) (东福山岛环岛徒步（舟山东极岛）)Eight kilometres around an island of sea cliffs and stone fishing houses, with 300 to 400 m of up and down. The steps are slippery in places, so grip matters. | Zhejiang | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Jingshan Ancient Trail Trek (Yuhang, Hangzhou) (径山古道徒步（杭州余杭）)Three kilometres of stone pilgrim road from Tongqiao to Jingshan Temple, about 336 m of climbing, through bamboo and tea. The full loop is ten to eleven kilometres. | Zhejiang | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Moganshan Loop Trek (Yucun – Jianggong Path – Sword Pool) (莫干山环线徒步（庾村—蒋公道—剑池环线）)Nine to twelve kilometres through bamboo on old stone paths, past the villa quarter, with 560 to 650 m of climbing. The highest point is 758 m. | Zhejiang | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Shili Langdang Ridge Trek (West Lake, Hangzhou) (西湖群山十里琅珰徒步（杭州）)Six to eight kilometres of stone ridge path from Longjing over Wuyunshan to Jiuxi, through tea terraces, with the highest point at 350 m. | Zhejiang | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Taihu Source Trek (Lin’an, Hangzhou) (太湖源徒步（杭州临安）)Three to four kilometres return through a gorge of streams and waterfalls with wild macaques, about 200 m of climbing, two and a half to three hours on a made path. | Zhejiang | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Zhexi Daming Mountain Trek (Lin’an) (浙西大明山徒步（临安）)Granite towers, a cliff walkway and a long cave. Five to eight kilometres if the cable car is used, ten to twelve on foot throughout, to a summit at 1,489 m. | Zhejiang | Passport is enough A, easy |
1 route
Central China (华中)
| Route | Where | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Interior Trails (Jinbian Stream – Yuanjiajie – Tianzishan) (张家界森林公园内部徒步线（金鞭溪—袁家界—天子山—杨家界—老屋场/十里画廊）)The sandstone pillar forests that inspired Avatar, the area in this database that foreign visitors recognise first.18 km · 900 m up · tops out at 1262 m | Zhangjiajie, Hunan | Passport is enough A, easy |
8 routes
South China (华南)
| Route | Where | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Baiyun Mountain Trek (Guangzhou) (白云山徒步（广州）)Five to eight kilometres for the easy line, twelve to sixteen for the full one, on a city hill rising to 382 m. Some of the longer routes leave the made paths. | Guangdong | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Conghua Tiantanding Peak Trek (从化天堂顶徒步（广州最高峰）)Twelve to eighteen kilometres to Guangzhou’s high point at 1,210 m, with about 1,000 m of climbing, mostly on unmade paths. The steep pull locals call Despair Slope is the hard part, and company is advisable. | Guangdong | Passport is enough B, strong walker |
| Huolu Mountain Trek (Guangzhou) (火炉山徒步（广州）)Seven to eight kilometres across a city forest park on red laterite, to 322 m. Gentle stone steps with shade the whole way, and a shorter loop of three to five kilometres from the south gate. | Guangdong | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Paiya Mountain Trek (Dapeng, Shenzhen) (排牙山徒步（深圳大鹏）)A toothed granite ridge above the sea, eight to twelve kilometres with 700 to 840 m of climbing. Some pitches run over seventy degrees and need hands, with cliffs beside them. | Guangdong | Passport is enough B, strong walker |
| Qiniang Mountain Trek (Dapeng, Shenzhen) (七娘山徒步（深圳大鹏）)Jurassic volcanic rock on a ridge with sea on three sides. The survey line is 6.6 km return with about 800 m of climbing, on steps steeper than Wutongshan’s. Not one to do alone. | Guangdong | Passport is enough B, strong walker |
| Wutong Mountain Trek (Shenzhen) (梧桐山徒步（深圳）)Shenzhen’s high point at 944 m, reached by several lines: 2.6 km on the shortest, 5.5 km by Taishanjian, 7.8 km by the north road. Steep pitches, but made path throughout. | Guangdong | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Longji Rice Terraces Trek (Jinkeng Dazhai – Ping’an – Ancient Zhuang Village) (龙脊梯田徒步（大寨金坑—平安寨—古壮寨）)A day through flooded rice terraces between Zhuang and Yao stilt-house villages, 15 km of stone path and field bund with 800 m of climbing and nothing that asks more than ordinary fitness.15 km · 800 m up · tops out at 1100 m | Guilin, Guangxi | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Yulong River Riverside Walk (Yangshuo) (阳朔遇龙河滨水徒步（遇龙桥—骥马—工农桥/十里画廊段）)Sixteen kilometres of flat riverside path between karst towers, with 100 m of climbing in the whole day. Signposted throughout, and a shorter stretch of it can be done in half a day.16 km · 100 m up · tops out at 120 m | Guilin, Guangxi | Passport is enough A, easy |
17 routes
Southwest China (西南)
| Route | Where | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Fanjingshan Ascent on Foot (Jiangkou, Guizhou) (梵净山徒步上山)From the west gate, eight to ten kilometres on foot, four to six hours to 2,572 m. The east gate has a cable car and leaves two kilometres of walking. | Guizhou | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Dawagengzha Ridge Trek (Baoxing, Sichuan) (达瓦更扎)A shuttle bus to the ridge, then two kilometres of boardwalk, thirty to forty minutes. People come up before dawn for the sunrise. | Ya’an (Baoxing), Sichuan | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Huajian Mountain Trek (Luding, Sichuan) (华尖山)Six kilometres and about 1,100 m from Haiziping to the summit, roughly four hours on foot, or by motorbike. Light packs, with dormitory bedding at the top. | Garze (Luding), Sichuan | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Lenggacuo Lake Trek (Kangding, Sichuan) (冷嘎措)A half day to a glacial lake above 4,500 m, three kilometres from the Bangmujide entrance or five to eight from Yulongxi. Horses and motorbikes run to the shore. | Garze (Kangding), Sichuan | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Lianbaoyeze (Nyenpo Yurtse) Trek, Aba Side (莲宝叶则（阿坝侧）)Granite spires over glacial lakes between 3,500 and 4,520 m. Shuttle bus, then three kilometres on foot to Zhagaercuo, about ninety minutes. | Sichuan | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Longquan Mountain Trek (Chengdu Urban Green Heart) (龙泉山徒步（成都城市绿心）)Greenway and forest path across the hills east of Chengdu: five to seven kilometres on the Zhongjiashan line, about twelve on the loop, with 200 to 500 m of climbing. Level enough for any age. | Sichuan | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Mount Emei Full Hike (Baoguo Temple to Golden Summit) (峨眉山徒步上山（报国寺—清音阁—洗象池—雷洞坪—金顶）)Twenty-eight kilometres and 2,530 m of climbing from Baoguo Temple to the Golden Summit, almost all of it on steps. Altitude is not the problem at 3,077 m; the knees are. Two days, or ten to fifteen hours pushed into one.28 km · 2530 m up · tops out at 3077 m | Leshan, Sichuan | Passport is enough B, strong walker |
| Mount Siguniang Changping Valley Day Hike (四姑娘山长坪沟一日徒步)Twenty-two kilometres there and back to Muluozi on boardwalk and dirt track, after the shuttle to the lamasery. About 400 m of climbing, and the valley runs 29 km in all. | Aba (Xiaojin), Sichuan | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Niubei Mountain Trek (Yingjing, Sichuan) (牛背山)A shuttle bus does the climbing; the walking is two to three kilometres of boardwalk along the summit ridge. People stay the night for the sunrise and the stars. | Sichuan | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Qingcheng Mountain Back Range Trek (Dujiangyan) (青城后山徒步（都江堰）)A Daoist mountain of gorges, falls and cliff walkways. The short loop is five to seven kilometres with about 400 m of climbing; the long one runs ten to eighteen. | Sichuan | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Xiling Snow Mountain Front Range Trek (Dafeishui) (西岭雪山前山徒步（大飞水）)An easy line of seven to eight kilometres on flat stone path with only 200 to 300 m of climbing, through gorge, waterfalls and bamboo. The full route to Riyueping is 12.5 km and 2,000 m. | Sichuan | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Abujicuo Lake Trek (Shangri-La, Yunnan) (阿布吉措)A glacial lake between 3,700 and 4,200 m. The old route is 11 km return in five to seven hours; the new one is 28. Done from Shangri-La in a day. | Yunnan | Permit or a registered club needed A, easy |
| Cangshan Mountain Trek, Dali (Jade Belt Path – Ximatan) (大理苍山徒步（玉带路/洗马潭）)Eighteen kilometres of level boardwalk at 2,600 m along the Jade Belt path, walkable in sections of three to ten kilometres. A cable car reaches 3,920 m at Ximatan. | Dali, Yunnan | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Changchong Mountain Trek (Kunming) (长虫山徒步（昆明）)Five to six kilometres return on a city hill above Kunming, 300 to 400 m of climbing on switchback road and gravel, with the whole city in view from the top. | Yunnan | Passport is enough A, easy Seasonal |
| Jiaozi Snow Mountain Trek (Kunming) (轿子雪山徒步（昆明）)Cable car to 3,850 m, then 5.6 km on foot above 4,000 m, where altitude is a real risk. Crampons are needed in winter, and this is not one to do alone. | Yunnan | Passport is enough B, strong walker |
| Kunming Western Hills Longmen Grottoes Trek (昆明西山龙门徒步)Nine kilometres along the old Taihua stone road above Lake Dian, about 500 m of climbing, past temples cut into the cliff. A bus and cable car remove almost all of it. | Yunnan | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Pudacuo National Park Boardwalk Hike (Shudu Lake – Miligtang – Bita Lake) (普达措国家公园徒步（属都湖—弥里塘—碧塔海栈道环线）)A gentle boardwalk through alpine lakes and primeval forest at 3600m, China’s first national park, made easy for foreign visitors.6 km · 150 m up · tops out at 4159 m | Diqing, Yunnan | Passport is enough A, easy |
8 routes
Northwest China (西北)
| Route | Where | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Binggouhe Valley Trek (Tianzhu, Gansu) (冰沟河（武威天祝）)Ten kilometres on foot after the shuttle, four to five hours to the Chaierlonghai lake, through Qilian gorge and grassland. The ground runs from 2,050 to 4,874 m. | Gansu | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Zhagana Trek (Fairy Meadow – Yiwa Valley) (扎尕那徒步（仙女滩/一线天—益哇沟）)Two to three kilometres of boardwalk to Fairy Meadow, or five to six to the lake, with about 200 m of climbing. One or two days, and no camping needed. | Gannan (Diebu), Gansu | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Bingjingding Peak Trek (Xi’an) (冰晶顶（西安）)Shuttle bus then six kilometres on foot, four to five hours to a summit at 3,015 m on the Qinling main ridge. The 30 km traverse west to Guangtoushan is closed. | Shaanxi | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Cuihua Mountain Trek (Qinling, Xi’an) (翠华山徒步（西安秦岭）)A landslide landscape with a dammed lake, ice caves and wind caves. The easy line is three to four kilometres; the full climb adds the 3,333 steps of Longjiliang and about 800 m. | Shaanxi | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Guangtou Mountain Trek (Xi’an) (光头山（西安）)Five to eight kilometres of alpine meadow and glacial remnant on the Qinling main ridge, three to four hours, between 2,000 and 2,887 m. The 30 km traverse east to Bingjingding is closed. | Shaanxi | Passport is enough A, easy Partly open |
| Mount Hua (Huashan) Grand Traverse Hike (华山徒步（玉泉院-北峰-中峰-东峰-南峰，含长空栈道段）)A day on a 2,154 m granite ridge, climbed on cast-iron chains bolted into the rock, crossing five peaks on foot.18-23 km · 1900-2400 m up · tops out at 2154.9 m | Weinan (Huayin), Shaanxi | Passport is enough B, strong walker |
| Nanwutai Trek (Zhongnan Mountain, Xi’an) (南五台徒步（西安终南山）)Three to four kilometres on foot after the shuttle, 1,888 steps and 400 to 600 m of climbing, through the Buddhist temples of the Zhongnan range. Shaded most of the way. | Shaanxi | Passport is enough A, easy |
| Taiping Valley Trek (Taiping National Forest Park, Xi’an) (太平峪徒步（西安太平国家森林公园）)Twelve waterfalls in a Qinling gorge. Three kilometres if the shuttle and cable car are used, eight on foot throughout with about 800 m of climbing. | Shaanxi | Passport is enough A, easy |
Walking It Legally
Some of these need a Tibet permit, a border pass or a registered club behind you, and a few are closed outright with fines attached. Tell our local team which route and which week, and they will say what has to be arranged and what is currently shut.