Faxi Temple to North Peak via Dragon Ridge Hike

Start at Faxi Temple 上天竺法喜讲寺, the upper of the Three Tianzhu Temples and the most popular on social media for its iconic round-door courtyard and sweeping yellow-wall-and-black-tile architecture. Entry: 10 RMB (includes three incense sticks, available from the ticket booth outside the gate). The temple opens at 6:00 am (last entry 17:00). Recommended visit: 20-30 minutes to explore the main courtyard, the round-door photo spot at the upper platform (the most Instagrammed location), and the '莫向外求' (Don't Seek Outward) inscription wall. A vegetarian noodle hall and a cafe operate within the temple grounds — arrive early to eat before the crowds arrive (the temple is busiest from 9:30 am onward). From the temple's north side exit, follow the path that runs alongside the yellow perimeter wall, heading north into the Tianzhu valley. The paved lane immediately transitions to a gravel-and-stone path entering the forest.

Caution: Faxi Temple is extremely popular on weekends and holidays — arrive before 8:00 am to avoid queues and photograph the round-door spot without crowds. Temple dress code applies: avoid shorts, short skirts, and sleeveless tops. Photography is not permitted inside the main halls.

Photo suggestion: The iconic round-door courtyard at Faxi Temple's upper platform — the most photographed spot on the Tianzhu temple corridor.

From the lane beside Faxi Temple's north wall, follow the gravel path as it climbs through mixed bamboo and broadleaf forest. The gradient is moderate — approximately 180 metres of gain over 1.5 km. The path surface varies from packed gravel to stone steps, with short sections of natural dirt path. After approximately 15 minutes, the trail passes a small tea-house shop on the right — the only refreshment stop on this segment. After a further 10 minutes, the trail reaches a three-way junction in a forest clearing. Take the left fork, which continues climbing toward Shiren Pavilion. (The right fork descends toward the Middle Tianzhu area.) The forest here is predominantly bamboo, with filtered light and a quiet, enclosed atmosphere. After the junction, the trail becomes steeper for the final push to the ridge, with approximately 80 metres of gain over 500 metres. The path emerges from the forest at Shiren Pavilion 石人亭 (~256 m), a stone rest pavilion at the crest of the ridge. Shiren Pavilion is a major four-way junction: north toward Longmen Mountain and North Peak (your direction), south back toward the Tianzhu temples, west toward Xiaohoshan and the Xixi area. The pavilion offers filtered views over the Tianzhu temple valley and, on clear days, a glimpse of the Qiantang River to the south.

Caution: This segment is the most sustained climb of the entire traverse — a continuous 180-metre ascent through forest with no significant flat sections. Pace yourself and take a short break at the tea-house shop if needed. The three-way junction before Shiren is not signposted — take the left (uphill) fork. The right fork descends and would take you away from the ridge. Phone signal is patchy through this valley section.

Photo suggestion: Bamboo forest path on the Tianzhu valley climb with filtered light and fern undergrowth.

From Shiren Pavilion, continue east/north-east on the Dragon Ridge trail (the same ridge section covered by the Yangjiapailou loop). The path is a continuous stone-step climb gaining approximately 120 metres over 700 metres — the steepest gradient on the ridge section. The surface is paved stone throughout, with several rock steps that are nearly stair-ladder height. The trail is shaded by mixed forest for the lower section, opening up as you approach the Longmen summit area. After approximately 20 minutes, the path reaches Longmen Pavilion 龙门亭, a wooden rest pavilion at the eastern edge of Longmen Mountain. From the pavilion, continue a short distance to the summit area. Longmen Mountain 龙门山 at ~375 metres is the highest point on the entire northern West Lake Hills ridge. The summit is a broad, open ridge clearing with long-range views: West Lake and the city to the east, Xixi Wetland to the north, the Tianzhu temple valley below to the south. This is the premier photo and rest stop before the ridge traverse continues.

Caution: This is the most physically demanding segment of the entire traverse — a steep, sustained climb of approximately 120 metres. Take a break at the summit. The stone steps are uneven in sections. Trekking poles are helpful but can be awkward on the steepest steps.

Photo suggestion: Longmen Mountain summit — the highest point on the north ridge, with open views east toward West Lake and the city skyline.

From Longmen Mountain, follow the paved ridge path east. The gradient eases after the summit — rolling short ups and downs on stone-paved surface through mixed forest. After approximately 10 minutes, the trail reaches Meiren Peak 美人峰 (~354 m, the third-highest summit in the West Lake Hills). The mountain is named for its silhouette, which resembles a reclining figure when viewed from the north. A short spur path leads to the Yifeng Yuli Pavilion 一峰玉立亭 ('a single peak standing tall'), a hexagonal stone pavilion at the summit with 360° views — north over Xixi Wetland, south over the Tianzhu valley, and west back toward Longmen Mountain. The pavilion is quieter than the Longmen summit area and offers a different perspective.

Photo suggestion: Yifeng Yuli Pavilion on Meiren Peak, with 360° views over the West Lake Hills.

From Meiren Peak, the trail descends approximately 50 metres on stone steps before climbing again toward North Peak. This dip between Meiren and North Peak is the last physical challenge of the ridge section. The trail surface remains paved stone throughout. As you approach North Peak, foot traffic increases as the path converges with visitors from the cable car station and the Lingyin Temple ascent. The final 100 metres are a stone-step climb to the North Peak summit plateau. North Peak (314 m) is crowned by the Lingshun Temple 灵顺寺, the 'Number One Fortune Temple Under Heaven' (天下第一财神庙). Entry: 8 RMB. Fortune sticks: 20-30 RMB (cash recommended). The viewing platform wraps around the temple forecourt, offering a broad panorama: West Lake to the east, the Qiantang River to the south, and the Dragon Ridge stretching west. The summit has a shop for water and snacks. The cable car station is 100 metres below the summit (downhill to Lingyin, 20 RMB single). For this traverse, continue past the cable car station and descend via the Fahua Temple path.

Caution: The summit area and temple forecourt can be very busy on weekends. Watch your footing on the viewing platform edge. Keep valuables secure in crowds. The temple forecourt is exposed to wind from the west — keep a layer handy on cool days.

Photo suggestion: North Peak summit with the Fortune Temple and the West Lake panorama.

From the Fortune Temple, follow the signposted path descending the north-west side of North Peak toward Fahua Temple 法华寺. The descent is a continuous stone-step downhill — approximately 250 metres of elevation loss over 1 km — and is demanding on the knees, particularly after the previous 500+ metres of cumulative climbing. The path is well-maintained and clearly signposted throughout. After approximately 25 minutes, the trail reaches Fahua Temple, a smaller, quieter Buddhist temple at the foot of the hill. The temple grounds are free to enter. A tea house within the temple serves tea and vegetarian noodles (~30-40 RMB per bowl). The exit lane is decorated with playful 'get rich' themed decorations (暴富元素), referencing the Fortune Temple above. From the Fahua Temple parking area, you have two options: (1) walk 5 minutes to Dongyue 东岳 metro station (Line 3, Exit D) for the return to central Hangzhou; or (2) take a taxi from the temple entrance (approximately 15 minutes to Huanglong Sports Center metro, ~15-20 RMB).

Caution: The 250-metre descent is the most sustained downhill section of any Lingyin-area trail. Use trekking poles if available. Walk at a controlled pace — the cumulative descent load compounds with the previous climbing effort. The stone steps are uniform in height but the length of the descent is significant.

Photo suggestion: Fahua Temple at the foot of North Peak — the finish point with a tea house for post-hike recovery.