Wǔzhǐshān is named rises 1867m out of the centre of Hǎinán in a reserve 30km northeast of the city. As the highest peak in the land, it’s naturally steeped in local lore: the five peaks, for example, are said to represent the Li people’s five most powerful gods. Despite the name, however, from most angles the summit looks like a single volcanic peak or a cleft hoof. It’s a great area for hiking. A good time to visit is on the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar, when lots of Miao people gather for an annual festival.
The reserve is the source of the Wànquán (万泉河) and Chānghuà (昌化江) rivers and protects a mixed forest containing 6.5% of all vascular plant species in China. It’s a rich (though threatened) ecosystem and receives the highest rainfall in Hǎinán. Average humidity is more than 90% and the mountaintop is often shrouded in fog and mist.
It’s pretty much an all-day event to get out here and climb the mountain, so leave as early as possible if you hope to enjoy clear views from the peak. Most people can reach the top of the first finger (the second is highest) in three hours. The path is clear but very steep and includes a number of ladder climbs further up. Coming down is not much faster than going up, so give yourself six to eight hours.
Wǔzhǐshān sits about 4km from the village of Shuǐmǎn (水满). There is no fixed schedule to Shuǐmǎn but buses (¥8, one hour, 35km) run about every hour. In Wǔzhǐshān, buy your ticket on the bus, which leaves across the street from the station front. Make sure to get a bus going to Shuǐmǎn via Nánshèng.
In Shuǐmǎn, motorcycle taxis will take you the remaining 4km for ¥15. The last bus back to Wǔzhǐshān leaves Shuǐmǎn around 6pm.
