Jigongshan Baoxiaofeng Route

The Jigongshan Baoxiaofeng Route is a half-day to full-day walk in the Jigongshan Scenic Area (鸡公山风景区) in Jigongshan Town, Shihe District, Xinyang, on the Henan-Hubei border in China. Jigongshan is a cool summer hill resort known for 20th-century villas built by foreign residents and for Baoxiaofeng, a peak shaped like a crowing rooster. The scenic area is about 38 km south of Xinyang East railway station and is the highest-profile mountain outing within reach of Luohe.

Trailhead access combines rail and road. Visitors can take a high-speed train from Luohe West to Xinyang East, then continue by bus or taxi about 38 km south to the scenic area. A ticket costs about ¥59.9 (around $9) according to listings, and visitors should confirm current prices at the gate. Parking is available near the entrance for those who drive, and no separate hiking permit is needed.

The usual route runs from the gate by shuttle bus to Baojian Pass, then on foot to the Baoxiaofeng peak, Meiling Dance Hall and Yilu, before descending on foot through Changsheng Valley. Exact distances are not published for the whole route, but the climb to the Baoxiaofeng ridge is moderate and mostly on stone steps and paved paths, with some uneven sections. Technical difficulty is low, and the effort suits reasonably fit walkers. Much of the route passes through woodland, which gives good shade, while the ridge and summit are more exposed to wind and weather.

Key landmarks include Baojian Pass, the rooster-shaped Baoxiaofeng peak with its views over the Henan-Hubei plain, the villas and dance hall that recall the area's early 20th-century resort history, and the shaded descent through Changsheng Valley. Turn-around points can be chosen at the viewpoints and villa clusters, allowing a shorter outing if weather turns. Water should be carried, although small shops and tea stalls near the main sights sell drinks and snacks. Shelter is available in villas, pavilions and visitor buildings, but there are no wilderness refuge huts.

The cooler mountain air makes summer the traditional season, while spring and autumn offer clearer views and lighter crowds. Winter can be cold, and mist or rain can reduce visibility on the ridge.