Xingde Mountain: Drive or Hike

Most people in Changde have heard of Xingde Mountain, but few know what to do there or how to get there. Here is a guide to Xingde Mountain! Before we get into the routes, let's learn a little about Xingde Mountain. The main attractions are the scenery and the Taoist temple. The scenery includes pine trees, rocks, peaks, and the Taoist temple. On a clear day, you can see Wulei Mountain from the top. Driving route: This route takes you to the top of the mountain (the back side, about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot). Set your navigation to Laopeng Village. After crossing a small bridge, the road is unpaved. An off-road vehicle is recommended, otherwise you may not be able to make it. Hiking: Search for Xingde Mountain South Gate or Xingde Mountain Camping Base. Parking costs CNY 10. If you block another car, you will need to leave your keys with the parking lot owner so they can move your car. The hike takes about 2 hours up and 1 hour down. The trail is all steps. The trees along the way are mostly elms, which lose their leaves in winter. If you don't have much stamina, you can bring less food, as there are vendors along the way. There is a small pavilion halfway up the mountain, where an elderly couple sells mung bean soup and sweet rice wine. The prices are posted at the woman's stall: CNY 4 for sweet rice wine and mung bean soup. The prices are not posted at the man's stall: CNY 5 for sweet rice wine and mung bean soup, and CNY 2 for ginger tea. I asked why the man's prices were higher, and he said the woman has a salary. You can set off firecrackers at the top of the mountain, and incense, paper, and firecrackers are available for purchase. There are few restrooms along the way.