Timeline
17:12
Arrive at the Zhongnan Mountains entrance. The range is open from 09:00 to 17:00, so you have time to enter well before the sun goes down. Use this time to stretch your legs and get oriented on the trails.
17:42
Find a high vantage point or a clear ridge line within the mountains. This is where you will wait for the light to change. The sun sets toward the WSW, so position yourself to face that direction.
17:57
Watch the sunset. The golden light starts about 17:20, painting the peaks in warm tones before the sun disappears at 17:57. Take in the quiet of the mountains as the day ends.
18:27
Begin your descent as the light fades. The mountains close at 17:00, but since you are leaving after sunset, ensure you are on the trail and heading out before the official closing time or any safety guidelines require you to exit.
Local tip
The mountains close at 17:00. Since the sunset is at 17:57, you must plan to be inside the park and ready to move before the official closing time. Check the specific route and exit procedures upon arrival to ensure you can stay for the full sunset or adjust your timing if the park requires earlier exits for safety.
Check before you go
- The Zhongnan Mountains are open 09:00-17:00. Sunset is at 17:57. You need to confirm if you can remain on the trails past 17:00 for the sunset, or if you need to adjust your plan to view the sunset from outside the park boundaries after exiting.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Xi'an (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).