Taiping National Forest Park (太平国家森林公园), located in the Taiping Gorge of the Huyi District in Xi’an, is a beautiful natural escape nestled in the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains. Just 44 kilometers from downtown Xi’an, the park spans an impressive 6,085 hectares and features breathtaking landscapes, including peaks that rise from 880 meters to the summit of Bingjing Peak at 3,015 meters. A must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, the park offers a mix of serene forests, waterfalls, and stunning mountain vistas. Here’s a guide to help you plan your visit and explore all that Taiping Forest Park has to offer.
Key Information
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (last entry by 4:00 PM)
Entrance Fee: ¥60
Transportation:
- Shuttle Bus: ¥15 for one-way, ¥30 for round-trip
- Cable Car: ¥50 for one-way, ¥80 for round-trip
- Driving Directions: It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Xi’an city center to the park without traffic (around 2 hours with heavy traffic). Public transport is not recommended as it involves multiple transfers and long travel times.
Hiking Guide: Three Key Segments
The hike at Taiping National Forest Park is divided into three main sections, each offering a unique experience and beautiful scenery. Whether you prefer to take the shuttle or cable car, or challenge yourself with a full hike, there are options for all types of adventurers.
Section 1: Entrance to the Shuttle Bus Stop
- Distance: Approximately 3 kilometers
- Walking Time: Around 1 hour
- Shuttle Bus: 10 minutes (¥15 one-way)
This section is fairly flat, and there are limited scenic spots along the way, so we recommend taking the shuttle bus. This will save energy for the more challenging segments ahead. The shuttle bus ride lasts about 10 minutes and offers a comfortable break from walking.
Section 2: Shuttle Bus Stop to the Cable Car Station
- Distance: About 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Walking: Light and leisurely, this section offers plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos. You’ll pass by many scenic viewpoints, making it a perfect spot to capture the stunning landscapes and lush forest surroundings. If you’re a photography enthusiast, this section will provide you with some of the best photo opportunities of the entire hike.
Section 3: Cable Car Station to Rainbow Waterfall
At this point, you have two options:
- Cable Car: The cable car ride is ¥50 for a one-way trip or ¥80 for a round-trip. The ride takes about 15 minutes and provides fantastic panoramic views of the park as you ascend.
- Walking: If you prefer a challenge, you can choose to walk up to the Cable Car Upper Station. There are over 4,000 steps to climb, but with determination, you can reach the top in under 2 hours.
The Rainbow Waterfall, located at the summit, is the highlight of this hike. The waterfall is an impressive sight, especially when sunlight hits the mist, creating a rainbow effect that gives the waterfall its name. The 2.4-kilometer trail from the Cable Car Upper Station to the waterfall is surrounded by several smaller waterfalls, offering plenty of opportunities for photos along the way. Reaching the Rainbow Waterfall is truly rewarding and makes the hike worthwhile.
Tips for Visiting Taiping National Forest Park
- Cash: It’s essential to bring cash with you. While there is a convenience store at the shuttle bus stop where you can exchange money for free, there is no signal or phone service at the cable car station, meaning you can’t use mobile payments.
- Best Time to Visit: Aim to arrive at the Rainbow Waterfall before 1:00 PM. The light before this time creates the most spectacular photo opportunities. After 1:00 PM, the light conditions change, and while you can still see the rainbow effect, it’s not as striking as earlier in the day.
- What to Bring: It’s a good idea to bring water and a power bank for your devices, as there are several places along the trail that sell drinks and snacks. However, it’s always better to be prepared.
- Safety and Smoking: The park does not allow smoking for safety reasons, so be sure to follow the rules and keep the area safe for all visitors.