The West Tianmu Mountain Ancient Forest Trail runs through the Xitianmushan National Nature Reserve in Lin'an District, Hangzhou, a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve protecting some of eastern China's oldest surviving temperate forest. Access is by bus from Lin'an bus station to Tianmushan town, then a local minibus to the reserve entrance, where a reserve admission ticket is required. The route covers about 9 kilometres round trip with roughly 600 metres of cumulative elevation gain toward the 1,506-metre summit area, taking around 5 hours, and the sustained climb on dirt paths and stone steps without technical exposure keeps the difficulty moderate. The forest canopy shades nearly the entire trail, including groves of ancient Cathaya pine and ginkgo trees said to be over a thousand years old, and the path can turn muddy after rain given the reserve's high rainfall. Landmarks include the Big King Tree, a monumental old Cathaya pine near the lower trail, and a ridge viewpoint below the summit area that serves as a good turnaround for hikers not continuing to the top. There are no water sources once past the entrance area, and while a small ranger station near the reserve gate offers basic shelter, there are no huts higher on the mountain.
| Distance | 9km round trip |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 hours |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Trailhead | Bus from Lin'an bus station to Tianmushan town, then local minibus to the reserve entrance |
| Best season | May to October |
| Address | Xitianmushan National Nature Reserve, Lin'an District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311311, China |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Xitianmu (West Tianmu) Mountain National Nature Reserve, Lin'an, Hangzhou
What to bring
- Hiking boots
- 2 litres of water
- Rain layer
- Insect repellent
- Reserve entrance ticket
Weather through the year in Zhejiang
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Zhejiang.
Location
Xitianmushan National Nature Reserve, Lin'an District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311311, China
30.3500, 119.4333 View on map
Highlights
- Ancient Cathaya pine and ginkgo groves over a thousand years old
- The Big King Tree, a monumental old-growth pine near the lower trail
- Ridge viewpoint below the 1,506-metre summit area
- UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve forest cover
Tips for visiting
- Rain layers are worth carrying, since the reserve's high rainfall can turn the dirt paths muddy and slick
- Insect repellent helps in the humid lower forest sections, especially in summer
- Start early to allow enough daylight for the full 9-kilometre round trip and the return minibus
- Check reserve opening hours in advance, as the entrance gate closes earlier than the trail's natural finish time in winter
When to visit
May to October offers the fullest forest canopy and driest underfoot conditions; the reserve's elevation keeps summer temperatures noticeably cooler than lowland Hangzhou.
Accessibility
The trail is unpaved forest path with steps in places and is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers; the reserve's lower visitor area near the entrance is more level.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the West Tianmu Mountain trail?
The round trip covers about 9 kilometres with 600 metres of elevation gain, taking around 5 hours.
What makes the reserve notable?
It protects some of eastern China's oldest surviving temperate forest, including thousand-year-old Cathaya pine and ginkgo trees.
Is a permit needed?
A standard reserve entrance ticket is required at the gate; no separate hiking permit is needed.
Are there water sources along the trail?
No, hikers should carry all the water they need past the reserve entrance area.