Wutong Mountain Shenzhen: The Famous Peak I Prefer to Hike the Quiet Way

Wutong Mountain (梧桐山) needs almost no introduction in Shenzhen. It is the city's highest and most famous peak - which is exactly why I do not always hike it the obvious way.

I have been up Wutong more than five times, including much longer traverses. One of my bigger days linked Maluan Mountain, Meishajian, Tanxian Ancient Temple and Wutong into roughly 27 km and more than eight hours of walking.

But when I go with family, I choose something much more civilized: the Centennial Old Trail style route, with more natural dirt trail and fewer endless man-made stairs.

Wutong Mountain at a Glance

The Problem with Being Famous

Everybody knows Wutong. Locals go. Visitors go. Hiking groups go. People who have never hiked before suddenly decide this is the weekend they will become mountain people.

On big holidays the summit can become genuinely crowded. Authorities have repeatedly discouraged or restricted night hiking, but sunrise still has a magnetic effect on Shenzhen hikers. People climb at night, before dawn, and at hours when sensible people are usually arguing with an alarm clock.

I am more boring. I like mountains, but I also like daylight, sleep and knowing where my feet are.

Why I Like the Centennial Old Trail

Wutong has many ways up. When I am alone, I can choose something harder. When I have my family with me, I prefer a route with more dirt, roots and forest and fewer artificial stairs.

With children, the whole day can take around seven hours. That sounds long, but children with friends are remarkably good at forgetting that they are supposed to be tired.

At the Top: Guitar, Wind, Photos and Cold Coke

When you finally reach the upper area, Wutong delivers the classic Shenzhen summit experience: sea views on a clear day, strong breeze, photographers, hikers resting everywhere and sometimes musicians playing guitar.

Take a few photos. Sit down. Listen to the music. Drink an ice-cold Coke if you can find one.

I am not saying Coke is a medical recovery drink. I am only saying it has solved many emotional problems after a long climb.

Then There Are the Animals

Wutong has trail cats. It also has wild boar.

You may see boars approaching people near busy trail areas. I used to see hikers offer food, but please do not feed wild animals. Friendly-looking wildlife is still wildlife, and feeding changes its behaviour around people.

A Family Hike Is Not a Summit Test

My goal with children is not to produce the fastest family on the mountain. It is to make the day interesting enough that they want to come again.

That means breaks, snacks, jokes, other children and no dramatic speeches about perseverance every twenty minutes.

My Recorded Family Route

Who Is Wutong Best For?

• first-time Shenzhen visitors who want the city's most famous summit
• families with active children who can handle a long day
• hikers who want many route choices
• people who enjoy a social mountain atmosphere
• people who do not mind sharing the summit with half of Shenzhen on a holiday

My Final Take

Wutong is famous for a reason. The height, views and number of route options make it one of Shenzhen's defining outdoor places.

But if you ask me how to enjoy it, I would not automatically send you up the busiest stair route. I would first ask what kind of day you want.

The best Wutong route is not necessarily the fastest route to the top. It is the one that still leaves you liking mountains when you come down.