Why Start from Liantang Port
Once you clear Liantang Port (known as Heung Yuen Wai Port on the Hong Kong side), you're right at Liantang Port Station on Metro Line 8. Xianhu Botanical Garden is just one more stop away, and Wutong Mountain South Station is only a few stops further — making this the smoothest route of any border crossing. The whole itinerary can be linked by metro, no need to drive yourself, and autumn is the most comfortable time for hiking.
Stop 1: Xianhu Botanical Garden (Luohu)
Address: 160 Xianhu Road, Luohu District (postcode 518004), enquiry phone 0755-2573 8430. Xianhu Botanical Garden covers about 546 hectares, with 21 specialised gardens, a fossil forest, a dinosaur park and the Tian Shang Ren Jian scenic area — perfect for a autumn stroll and sightseeing.
Xianhu Botanical Garden Tickets and Opening Hours (Official)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full ticket | ¥15 per person (adults aged 18 and over; reduced to ¥10 during Chinese New Year, New Year's Day, Labour Day and National Day holidays) |
| Half ticket | ¥5 per person (minors aged 6 to 18, full-time undergraduate students and below, with student ID or school certificate) |
| Free entry | Children aged 6 or under or under 1.2 m tall, seniors aged 60 and over (with ID card / senior concession card), disabled visitors, active-duty military personnel, etc. |
| Park opening | 06:00 to 21:30 |
| Ticketed entry hours | 08:00 to 18:00 (ticket required for entry) |
| Free entry hours | 06:00 to 08:00, 18:00 to 21:30 (those eligible for free entry go straight in after on-site verification) |
Once you've bought a ticket, just enter with it — no separate booking is needed; the on-site Palaeontology Museum is open 09:00 to 17:00 (09:00 to 18:00 on public holidays, closed Mondays). Tickets and opening hours are adjusted around holidays, so before you set off, check the latest announcements on the "Shenzhen Xianhu Botanical Garden" WeChat official account or the official website.
Getting there: Metro Line 8, Xianhu Road Station Exit C, about a 10-minute walk to the park gate.
Stop 2: Hongfa Temple (Luohu)
Hongfa Temple is inside Xianhu Botanical Garden and is one of the most popular temples in Shenzhen for burning incense. The temple is open roughly 08:00 to 18:00 (with a special evening session on Lunar New Year's Eve). Entry to the temple itself is free, but you have to enter Xianhu Botanical Garden to reach it (so you still need the ¥15 park ticket), and entering the temple usually requires booking one day in advance via the "Shenzhen Religion" WeChat mini-programme — slots are tight on holidays. When visiting, dress modestly and keep your voice down.
Getting there: after exploring Xianhu Botanical Garden, follow the signs inside the park on foot; there are also shuttle carts in the park (about ¥10 per ride).
Stop 3: Wutong Mountain National Forest Park (Luohu / Yantian border)
Wutong Mountain National Forest Park is home to Shenzhen's highest peak — the main summit, Dawutong, stands at 943.7 metres. Entry is free, no ticket required. The park is open roughly 06:00 to 19:00 and is an open country park; night hiking is strictly prohibited (big day-night temperature swings, and some trails have no street lighting). Autumn (mid-October to December) is the best season for climbing. The main trailheads include Lingyun Trail (Wutong Mountain South), Dengyun Trail, Bitong Trail, Xiutong Trail and Taishan Stream, among others. Beginners are advised to take the Lingyun Trail or Xiutong Trail, about 3 to 5 hours round trip. Since March 2025, a trial vehicle booking system has been in place for driving up the mountain (vehicles with 7 seats or fewer only, daily 07:00 to 19:00); if you want to drive up, you'll need to book separately through official channels.
Getting there: Metro Line 8, Wutong Mountain South Station, about a 15-minute walk from the exit to the Lingyun Trail trailhead.
Side Trip: Donghu Park + Shenzhen Reservoir (Luohu)
If time allows, you can combine a trip from the Liantang area to Donghu Park and the Shenzhen Reservoir — lake and mountain views, and a very pleasant lakeside walk in autumn. It's one of the few scenic spots in Luohu District that combines water and hills. Free entry.
Must-See Spots in Xianhu Botanical Garden
- Tian Shang Ren Jian scenic area: lake views plus mountain views — the park's most popular photo spot.
- Fossil forest: over a hundred petrified wood fossils; walking through feels like the age of the dinosaurs.
- Dinosaur park: 1:1 dinosaur models, a favourite with kids.
- Hongfa Temple: the park's most popular temple for incense — you can stop by to make an offering.
- Wutong Mountain: some areas of the park connect up to Wutong Mountain, so hikers can keep going.
Liantang Port Crossing Tips (Departing from Hong Kong)
- Liantang Port (called Heung Yuen Wai Port in Hong Kong) is in the northeast New Territories; it's less crowded than Lo Wu, so crossing is usually faster.
- Once you've cleared the border, you're at Liantang Port Station on Metro Line 8 — one stop to Xianhu Road Station, a few stops to Wutong Mountain South Station.
- The port's opening hours match those on the Hong Kong side; before you set off, check the schedule and last train times.
What to Eat
- Inside Xianhu Botanical Garden there are only snack kiosks with limited choice — bring your own light snacks and water.
- Around Liantang Port there are shopping malls and food streets where you can refuel after your hike.
- If you're not in a rush, head back to Luohu District for dinner — that's where the biggest choice of restaurants is.
Equipment Checklist
- Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, dry snacks, sun protection, mosquito repellent, a light windbreaker.
- Home Return Permit (needed for real-name booking of Xianhu tickets and Hongfa Temple).
- Power bank (no charging on the mountain).
Suggested Itinerary Timeline
- 08:30 Clear Liantang Port → Liantang Port Station on Line 8
- 09:00 Xianhu Road Station → Xianhu Botanical Garden (2 hours of walking)
- 11:00 Burn incense at Hongfa Temple
- 12:00 Lunch in the park or around Liantang
- 13:30 Line 8 to Wutong Mountain South Station → start climbing
- 17:30 Head down, return to Liantang Port to cross the border
Best Months to Go
Mid-October to December is the most comfortable hiking season in Shenzhen — low humidity, cool weather, not as muggy as summer. January to February is colder but the skies are clear, so it's still fine for hiking; in summer, with high temperatures and lots of rain, climbing Wutong Mountain isn't recommended.
Who It Suits
- Xianhu Botanical Garden: mostly flat paths, suitable for seniors and children, with shuttle carts in the park.
- Hongfa Temple: involves stairs, so seniors and prams should take it slowly.
- Wutong Mountain: moderate to fairly difficult, requires a certain level of fitness; beginners should pick the gentler trails.
Practical Tips
- Wutong Mountain takes 3 to 5 hours round trip — wear hiking shoes and bring at least 1.5 litres of water and dry snacks.
- In autumn there's a big day-night temperature difference on the mountain, so bring a windbreaker; it's best to start heading down before 4pm.
- Xianhu Botanical Garden is large — take the shuttle carts to save your legs.
- Both the Hongfa Temple booking and Xianhu tickets are real-name online, so remember to bring your Home Return Permit.
Choosing a Wutong Mountain Hiking Route
- Lingyun Trail (Wutong Mountain South): the most popular, with the trailhead directly reachable by Metro Line 8, moderate difficulty, about 4 hours round trip.
- Dengyun Trail: close to Liantang, shorter but steeper.
- Taishan Stream: lots of stream crossings and stone steps, suited to experienced hikers.
- Bitong Trail, Xiutong Trail: gentler, suitable for beginners and families.
FAQ
Does Wutong Mountain need a ticket?
No, entry is free, but you need to bring your own water for the ascent and descent.
How much are Xianhu Botanical Garden tickets?
Full ticket ¥15, half ticket ¥5 (students / minors); children aged 6 or under or under 1.2 m tall, and seniors aged 60 and over go free; during Chinese New Year, New Year's Day, Labour Day and National Day holidays the full ticket drops to ¥10. Entry to Hongfa Temple is free but requires booking — check official announcements for the latest.
What time does Xianhu Botanical Garden open? Do I need to book?
The park is open 06:00 to 21:30, ticketed entry hours are 08:00 to 18:00, and during the remaining hours (06:00–08:00, 18:00–21:30) entry is free. Buying a ticket for entry doesn't require a separate booking, but Hongfa Temple requires a separate booking via the "Shenzhen Religion" mini-programme.
Can you hike Wutong Mountain at night?
No. Wutong Mountain park is open roughly 06:00 to 19:00 and night hiking is strictly prohibited; if you want to see the sunset, allow enough time to get down before dark.
Is one day enough for all three stops?
If you move fast, yes, but it'll be quite rushed. For a more relaxed pace, split it over two days: day one Xianhu + Hongfa Temple, day two Wutong Mountain.
Which Hong Kong border crossing is closest?
Liantang Port (Heung Yuen Wai) — you connect straight to Line 8 after clearing the border, much faster than going via Lo Wu. If you want to avoid the crowds, pick this one.
Do Xianhu Botanical Garden and Hongfa Temple require booking?
Xianhu tickets can be booked under your real name via the official WeChat mini-programme, and Hongfa Temple usually requires a separate booking for entry — slots are tight on holidays, so it's best to arrange it a day ahead.
What should I bring for a autumn hike on Wutong Mountain?
Hiking shoes, enough drinking water, dry snacks, sun protection and a light windbreaker; starting your descent before 4pm is safer.
How do I get from Xianhu Botanical Garden to Wutong Mountain?
Take Metro Line 8 from Xianhu Road Station to Wutong Mountain South Station — just a few stops; you can also walk up from some parts of the park to connect to the mountain.
What time does Liantang Port open?
Liantang Port (Heung Yuen Wai) opening hours are similar to other land crossings, generally from morning to evening; before you set off, check the last border-crossing time.
Is there food at Xianhu Botanical Garden?
The park only has snack kiosks with limited choice — bring your own light snacks, or leave the park and eat at the Liantang Port mall.
Can I bring pets into the park?
Xianhu Botanical Garden and Wutong Mountain generally don't allow pets — check the latest rules before you go.
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