Lishan Mountain offers a fantastic hiking experience without the need for an entrance ticket, making it a perfect option for a low-cost adventure. For those looking to enjoy the natural beauty and history of the area, the Old Mother Temple route is an ideal choice. This hike is not only free but also suitable for families with young children or those looking for a moderate challenge.
Transportation Options
Route 1: By Car
Drive to the Peony Gate (牡丹门). You can also use ride-hailing services like Didi from Huaqing Pool Square to the gate for about 13 RMB. Once there, you can either take the scenic bus or choose to walk up the mountain.
Route 2: Public Transportation
Take the Xi’an Metro Line 1, then transfer to Line 9 to Huaqing Pool Station. From there, walk to the Lintong Museum, which is about a 5–6-minute walk.
Detailed Itinerary
Starting the Hike: Once you exit the subway station, use navigation to guide you to the Lintong Museum, which is your starting point. From the museum, follow the road up to Old Mother Temple (老母殿). This walk is about an hour and takes you along a scenic mountain road. You can also opt to drive, take a taxi, or use the cable car, with a ride costing between 10 to 15 RMB via Didi.
At Old Mother Temple: Once you reach the temple, there are two directions you can take. The first leads to Huaqing Pool, but be aware that the entrance there charges a 120 RMB fee, which you can skip. The second route leads to Birdsong Forest, where you can pay 50 RMB for a scenic bus ride. The road here is narrow but not steep, so walking is also an option. We took the route on foot with our children and enjoyed the leisurely walk. It took about two hours, and along the way, we stopped to forage for wild vegetables (wild garlic).
Returning from the Summit: After reaching the summit, we returned the same way. The descent took only about 25 minutes, and we enjoyed the beautiful views as we made our way down.
Total Time and Dining Options
We started the journey at 10:30 AM, took a Didi ride at 11:00 AM, and began hiking by 11:30 AM. We arrived at the Lintong Museum by 4:00 PM, where we explored the exhibits and spent some time relaxing. For lunch, we brought along snacks like bread and water, but after our hike, we enjoyed a delicious meal at a nearby restaurant serving Big Plate Chicken (大盘鸡). We dined at Tang Wu Big Plate Chicken, which was recommended by a friend. Another local spot, Fushunxiang Big Plate Chicken, also came highly recommended, and we plan to try it next time.
After the meal, we walked back to the metro station in about 7–8 minutes and began our journey home at 6:30 PM.