Qingcheng Back Mountain Will Amaze You from the Start

Mount Qingcheng is actually two mountains in one: the Front Mountain and the Back Mountain. They sit side by side, but they feel like two different worlds.If the Front Mountain is about Taoist culture, ancient temples, and incense smoke, the Back Mountain is something else entirely.

Here, nature takes the lead. Instead of stone courtyards, you‘ll find waterfalls dropping through dense forest.Instead of crowded paths, you’ll walk narrow trails winding alongside rushing streams.It’s not for everyone — but for those who love hiking, quiet forests, and real mountain air, it‘s the better half of Qingcheng.

Tai‘an Ancient Town: The Gateway to the Back Mountain

This small town sits right at the base of the Back Mountain of Qingcheng Mountain. For centuries, it was a resting stop for travelers and merchants crossing the mountains. Today, it‘s where most visitors begin their hike — and where many choose to stay overnight.

In Tai'an Ancient Town, you'll see wooden shops and teahouses lining the old stone-paved streets; small restaurants serving noodles, tofu, and local vegetables; hotels and inns ranging from simple to comfortable; and a leisurely pace of life—everything here seems so relaxed and carefree.

The main street is lively but not chaotic. Shopkeepers sit outside their doors, chatting or preparing food. You can buy water, snacks, and basic hiking gear before heading up. If you arrive the night before, staying in Tai‘an is a good way to start fresh in the morning.

Perhaps the back mountain of Qingcheng is your best choice

This is a place for hikers, not sightseers. If you‘re happy spending four or five hours on a trail, climbing stone steps that sometimes turn steep, and trading temple courtyards for waterfalls and deep forest — you‘ll feel right at home here. The Back Mountain of Qingcheng Mountain rewards patience and effort with quiet trails, fresh air, and the kind of peace you don‘t find on the front side.

That said, the Back Mountain does have cable cars — two of them, in fact. But they‘re not the main event. Unlike the Front Mountain, where most visitors take the cable car at least one way, here the cable cars are more like shortcuts for tired legs. Most hikers still cover the majority of the trail on foot.

If you enjoy long hikes, don't mind steep sections, love the sound of babbling brooks, and want to immerse yourself in nature, then the back mountain seems tailor-made for you. The back mountain has its own unique charm; it may not suit everyone, but naturally, some will choose it as their first option.

That‘s the Back Mountain of Qingcheng Mountain— quieter, wilder, and greener than its famous neighbor.

But the hike itself deserves a closer look. In our next guide, MistPanda will walk you through the best Back Mountain trail: from Tai‘an Town up through Wulong Gully, past Cuiying Lake, and down the other side. We‘ll cover distances, difficulty, viewpoints, and how to avoid getting lost.

One article at a time, MistPanda will help you find your way to the misty mountains.