Qixian Ridge: Explore Qixianling National Forest Park in Hainan

If you have spent any time in the surf-centric, laid-back streets of Houhai Bay, you know that Hainan is more than just luxury resorts. To truly trade the saltwater for the jungle, you have to head inland to the Baoting region. Though we love the beach, as avid hikers, we’re also always looking for a rugged outdoor escape, and Qixian Ridge (Qixianling) delivers.

Qixian Ridge (七仙岭, qī xiān lǐng), Mount Qixian or Seven Fairy Mountain, is famous for its jagged peaks that slice through the clouds. After exploring Wuzhi Mountain and the hidden trails of Lingshui, we wanted to see if this park lived up to the hype. What we found was a mix of bizarre local novelties and a thrilling 80-meter vertical scramble that offers beautiful mountain views in Hainan.

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How to Get to Qixianling

To reach Qixianling National Forest Park, most travellers depart from Sanya or Houhai Bay for a journey into the tropical heart of Baoting (保亭, bǎo tíng).

The transport logistics vary slightly depending on your starting point, but the table below outlines what you can expect for the journey:

Sanya to Qixian Ridge

If you’re coming from Sanya, the trip involves heading to the Marine Bus Terminal or main Sanya Bus Station. You will want to look for the intercity line specifically heading toward Baoting Qixianling. These buses generally depart every thirty to sixty minutes starting from 7:30 AM, taking roughly two to two and a half hours to reach the area. While public buses are available from Sanya, hiring a private driver gives you a lot more flexibility, which is helpful for arriving early to beat the intense Hainan humidity.

If you’re planning to start in Haikou and head towards the southern part of the island, Trip.com is the best place to browse high-speed trains. For more info on how to use high speed trains in China, see our detailed blog here.

Houhai Bay to Qixian Ridge

Since we were staying in Houhai Bay at the time, we found hiring a private driver was the most seamless way to manage the day. We arranged our ride the night before through a contact from our lovely hotel in Houhai. It cost us a total of 400 CNY (59 USD) for the full return trip, with half paid the night before and the remainder paid upon our return back to Houhai Village. Paying in two halves was a good way to ensure our driver would be there waiting for us after we descended the mountain.

If you are planning to tackle several of the local giants like Wuzhi Mountain or Baishi Ridge, it actually makes much more sense to base yourself in Baoting for a few days rather than doing long return trips from the coast. Even in late December (mid-winter), the humidity in the Hainan rainforest is incredibly taxing. We aimed to arrive by 8:30 AM just as the gates opened.

The Human Conveyor Belt: Novelty or Necessity?

The Cloud Ladder is motorised conveyor belt that transports hikers up the initial steep section of the mountain to either 850m or 1,800m. Tickets range from 50 CNY (7 USD) for basic entry to 199 CNY (27 USD) for an all-access pass including the belts and descent slides for the return journey.

We opted for the standard entry with the half conveyor belt and it is 100% worth it for the novelty alone. You lie flat or sit down and get carted up the mountain like a piece of produce for 30 minutes. If you are a pure hiker you are not missing much by skipping the lower stairs because it is mostly dense rainforest with not a whole lot to see.

Scaling the Summit: Chains and Adrenaline

The summit scramble is an almost vertical climb using iron chains and a safety harness system. It requires an additional 28 CNY (4 USD) fee for gear rental and is the only way to reach the very top peaks. The climb is steep but highly secured with carabiners and steel.

You are provided with a safety harness and a pair of gloves. We were a bit skeptical at first, but for a vertical 80-meter drop you will definitely want that harness. The iron chains can be cold and some footholds are small and sharp. However we actually preferred going gloved-off for a better grip on the stone. Our advice is to take the gloves, pop them in your pocket, and use them only if the metal feels too slick or hot.

The clipping process is a standard carabiner system. If you want that iconic shot of you scaling the peak, have your hiking partner go up before you to look back down. Alternatively you can set up a tripod on one of the small platforms if it is not too crowded.

The Summit: Sitting with the Seven Fairies

The peak of Qixianling offers panoramic views of the Baoting valley from clean wooden observation platforms. It is significantly more maintained than other Hainan peaks and provides a safe spot to rest. The weather is often clearer here compared to the fog-prone heights of the nearby Wuzhi Mountain.

Unlike our experience at Wuzhi Mountain where we were met with a wall of white fog, the weather at Qixian was crystal clear. We sat on a platform at the very top, ate our packed snacks, and just soaked in the view for 30 minutes. While it feels a bit curated compared to wilder tracks, the cleanliness was a welcome change. We were back at the car by 1:15 PM which left plenty of time for a surf back in Houhai Bay.

Qixian Ridge vs. Wuzhi Mountain

Qixian Ridge and Wuzhi Mountain offer two very different experiences. The former is a high-infrastructure adventure park style hike while Wuzhi Mountain is a more raw and challenging trek if you head up to the highest peak. For those seeking a fun and easy day out, Qixianling might be the better choice.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

To maximise your trip, wear sturdy hiking boots for the chain section and pack swimwear for the nearby hot springs. Most visitors spend about five hours in the park, starting around 8:30 AM to finish by early afternoon when the tropical mountain heat tends to peak for the day.

• Footwear: Wear hiking boots. Some footholds in the chain section are small and sharp and the extra grip is a game-changer.
• Hot Springs: There are hot springs near the base with a separate entrance. If you want to soak your legs after the 3,770-step descent, remember to pack your swimwear.
• Navigation: Have your driver navigate to 七仙岭森林公园.

To make the most of your trip, ensure you have your apps and tech sorted. Download WeChat and Alipay, and link your Australian bank card before you leave home. If this is your first time, check out our full China travel tech guide and how to guide on using the metro in China.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Qixian Ridge suitable for beginners?

Yes, thanks to the conveyor belt and well-maintained stairs. However, the final chain climb requires a decent head for heights. If you are nervous, you can skip the final 80 meters and still enjoy great views from the lower platforms.

When is the best time to visit?

The dry season from November to April is ideal. We went in December and the 25°C weather was perfect, though still quite humid for those of us used to the drier Melbourne air in Australia.

How many steps are in the Qixianling hike?

There are approximately 3,770 steps if you hike the entire way. Taking the conveyor belt cuts this number significantly, saving your knees for the descent. This is also a great option to keep in mind if you are short on time and have a number of places to visit.

Can you stay overnight?

Yes, Baoting has several hot spring resorts at the base of the mountain. Staying overnight is a great way to turn a day trip into a relaxing weekend escape.