What are the operating hours for the Ushushan Buddha Palace during the winter and summer seasons?

During the winter season (January 1 - July 17 & September 1 - December 31), it operates daily from 08:30 to 17:30, with the last admission at 16:30. During the summer season (July 18 - August 31), Monday to Thursday hours are the same as the winter season, but Friday to Sunday hours are extended from 08:30 to 20:30, with the last admission at 19:30.

What's the best way to purchase Ushushan admission tickets, and is there a price difference between on-site and online purchases?

We recommend purchasing Ushushan admission tickets online in advance through Trip.com. On-site purchase costs 160 CNY (approximately ~$22), but if you book through Trip.com, you can purchase it for a cheaper price of ~$19. You will need to enter your passport information when purchasing online.

How can I purchase Ushushan shuttle bus tickets, and what should I be aware of when using them?

Shuttle bus tickets cost 10 CNY one-way. You can purchase them on-site using a QR code, but a Chinese phone number may be required. If you don't have a Chinese number, you can buy them at the ticket office. On weekends, the shuttle bus queue can take about an hour, and line-cutting is common, so please be careful.

Where can I pick up Ushushan admission tickets purchased online through Trip.com or other platforms?

Ushushan admission tickets purchased online can be picked up at the ticket office on the 2nd floor of the Tourism Center, located at the East Entrance of Ushushan. The ticket office is directly accessible by taking the escalator up, which is to the right of Starbucks. You will receive your admission ticket upon presenting your passport.

Nanjing Niushoushan Guide 2026: Tickets, Shuttle, and Tips

Exterior view of Niushoushan Cultural Park

A trip to Nanjing isn't complete without visiting Niushoushan! The Niushoushan Usnisa Palace (Buljeonggung) is a magnificent temple, a Buddhist holy site enshrining relics of the Buddha, built with massive investment from the Chinese government. It's consistently ranked as a 5A tourist attraction in China, drawing large crowds.

⏰ Operating Hours (Updated for 2026)

Winter Season (01/01-07/17 & 09/01-12/31)

Mon-Sun: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

(Last entry 4:30 PM)

Summer Season (07/18-08/31)

Mon-Thurs: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

(Last entry 4:30 PM)

Fri-Sun: 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM

(Last entry 7:30 PM)

Shuttle Bus

One-way: ~$2 (10 CNY)

You can purchase tickets on-site using a QR code (Note: Requires a Chinese phone number, though staff can often assist if you don't have one). Alternatively, tickets are available for purchase at the ticket counter without a Chinese number.

How to Purchase Niushoushan Tickets

Niushoushan is a highly popular 5A tourist attraction in China, so it's always bustling with visitors. We highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance!

Trip.com is a platform backed by Chinese capital, making it an excellent choice for booking accommodations and tickets when traveling in China. For anyone planning a trip to China, we suggest using Trip.com for your purchases.

1. Search for 'Niushoushan' on Trip.com.

2. Click on 'Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone'.

3. Select 'General Ticket (Non-Chinese Nationality Traveler)'.

4. Choose your visit date and entry time, enter your passport information, and proceed to payment.

On-site purchase: ~$22 (equivalent to 160 CNY)

Trip.com advance booking: ~$19

You can save a bit by booking your tickets online in advance!!

▼ Purchase Niushoushan Tickets Here ▼

Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone Tickets, Operating Hours, Reviews [2026] | Trip.com3ha.in

Our Niushoushan Experience

Ticket collection is located at the East Gate of Niushoushan.

You can search for '宁区I牛首山文化旅游区(东门)' on Gaode Maps (or any local mapping app).

Once you arrive at the East Gate, head to the Tourism Center where you'll find the ticket office. Interestingly, it's on the second floor! Just go right past Starbucks, and you'll see an escalator leading up. The ticket counter is right at the top. Present your passport for verification, and they'll issue your admission ticket.

Crowd waiting for shuttle bus at Niushoushan

After a security check, you'll queue up for the shuttle bus. Be prepared for some serious queue-jumping!!!!!!!! It felt like everyone was trying to sneak ahead, so you'll need to hold your ground firmly.

We visited on a weekend, and it was incredibly crowded. We waited about an hour just to board the shuttle bus.

From where the shuttle drops you off, it's a bit of a climb to the Usnisa Palace, involving a series of stairs and escalators.

Stairs and escalators leading to Usnisa Palace

After the shuttle ride, we grabbed a refreshing iced tea before heading towards the Usnisa Palace.

Usnisa Palace exterior, 'durian-shaped' building

This is the Usnisa Palace's signature 'durian-shaped' building!

Descending five floors underground, you'll reach the sacred site housing the Buddha's relics. The sheer grandeur upon entering is absolutely breathtaking.

We had read reviews suggesting it takes 3-4 hours to explore, and even with ample time, we couldn't climb the Usnisa Pagoda due to our next itinerary. I hear the views from the top are stunning, and I definitely want to go back to experience that!!

You'll also need to purchase a shuttle bus ticket for the return journey. Unlike the uphill ride, buying it at the ticket counter for the return gave us a paper ticket.

The bus queues are separated by drop-off points (East Gate/West Gate). Most tourists take the East Gate bus, so expect it to be very crowded. Again, be vigilant about queue-jumpers and hold your spot!

The Chinese government reportedly invested around ~$469 million (680 billion KRW) into constructing this site, and its grandeur truly defies description. The area is so vast that a full day barely feels enough to explore everything. Initially, I thought the admission fee was a bit steep, but after experiencing it, I can confidently say it was worth every penny.

The lines for on-site ticket purchases can be incredibly long.

We highly recommend buying your tickets online in advance!

▼ Purchase Niushoushan Tickets Here ▼

Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone Tickets, Operating Hours, Reviews [2026] | Trip.com3ha.in