Shenxianju

Shenxianju, the dwelling of the immortals, is a scenic area of rhyolite cliffs, flat-topped summits and deep valleys in central Zhejiang, formed from the same volcanic geology as Yandangshan. The development is unusually ambitious: cliff-face walkways cut and bracketed into vertical rock hundreds of metres above the valley, a glass-floored section, and a suspension bridge strung between two summits at around a hundred and forty metres above the gap, walked with the valley open beneath. Cable cars carry visitors to the plateau, from which the walking routes run. Waterfalls, including the Yellow Dragon fall, drop off the plateau edge after rain.

Highlights

• The cliff walkways - paths bracketed onto vertical rock high above the valley.
• The suspension bridge - the span strung between two summits.
• The glass sections - transparent floors over the drop.
• The plateau and falls - the flat summits and waterfalls off their edges.

When to go

April to June and September to November; the walkways close in high wind, rain and ice, which happens regularly. Waterfalls need recent rain. Weekends and holidays bring long cable car queues.

Practical notes

The walkways and bridge are unnerving for anyone uneasy with heights, and closures for weather are frequent. Cable car queues at peak times can run over an hour. Entry plus lifts is expensive. The site is remote from major cities.

Nearby

Taizhou lies east; Yandangshan is south along the coast range.

Key facts