Dungeons Overview

Welcome to our guide on the Mists of Pandaria instances! MoP introduced some of the most visually stunning and mechanically interesting dungeons in WoW, from the halls of Mogu’shan Palace to the Siege of Niuzao Temple.

Every dungeon in the expansion is listed, along with all the relevant information on each instance, plus details on Challenge Mode, a unique aspect of the MoP dungeons. This guide also includes detailed maps to guide you to the entrance to each instance.

Mists of Pandaria Dungeons by Level

All Normal difficulty Dungeons in Mists of Pandaria also have Heroic versions. Additionally, there are a number of pre-Pandaria dungeons that get new Heroic Difficulty versions in MoP. In order to unlock the Heroic Difficulty Dungeons, you will need to be Level 90, and complete various other objectives. Heroic dungeons are tough, but the rewards are worth it.

Normal Dungeons

Heroic Dungeons

Instance Locations By Region

While all of the normal difficulty dungeons can be found in the expansion’s home region of Pandaria, MoP also adds Heroic difficulty to some older Dungeons found in Eastern Kingdoms.

• Kun-Lai Summit – (Region: Pandaria)
  • Shado-Pan Monastery (87-90)
• The Jade Forest – (Region: Pandaria)
  • Temple of the Jade Serpent (85-90)
• Townlong Steppes – (Region: Pandaria)
  • Siege of Niuzao Temple (88-90)
• Vale of Eternal Blossoms – (Region: Pandaria)
  • Mogu’shan Palace (87-90)
  • Gate of the Setting Sun (88-90)
• Valley of the Four Winds – (Region: Pandaria)
  • Stormstout Brewery (85-90)
• Tirisfal Glades – (Region: Eastern Kingdoms)
  • [Heroic] Scarlet Halls (90)
  • [Heroic] Scarlet Monastery (90)
• Western Plaguelands – (Region: Eastern Kingdoms)
  • [Heroic] Scholomance (90)

Challenge Mode

All 9 of the Mists of Pandaria dungeons can be run in Challenge Mode. Challenge Modes are timed dungeon runs that are designed to be — you guessed it — a challenge. This is accomplished in a few ways:

• Gear is scaled down to Item Level 463, so you can’t out-gear the dungeon
• You can’t always skip trash, as you often have to kill a minimum number of mobs in order to complete each zone
• Mobs do more damage
• Pulls are more complex

Fortunately, it’s very easy to try Challenge Mode dungeons repeatedly:

• There are no hourly or daily limits or lockouts for Challenge Mode instances
• The group leader can even reset the dungeon at any point
  • Class and item cooldowns greater than 3 minutes are refreshed when the dungeon is reset
• You can respec and reglyph in the dungeon when not in combat
• Releasing puts you at the dungeon’s entrance
• No durability loss on equipment

Rewards

Rising to the challenge of these tougher dungeons is well worth it, however. While there are no loot drops from bosses, you can earn Valor Points a couple of ways. There are daily challenge mode quests that reward 60-80 Valor points, and there are also rewards for completing a timed run at a given tier:

• Gold – 85 Valor Points
• Silver – 70 Valor Points
• Bronze – 55 Valor Points

There are additional rewards for reaching the Bronze, Silver, or Gold time limit tier of every instance. You can only earn these rewards if you complete every dungeon at Bronze, Silver, or Gold times or better, although the Gold tier does reward you a teleport spell for each individual dungeon you clear at or under the Gold time limit.

Rewards for completing every dungeon at a specific time tier:

• Gold – Transmog gear
  • Each Gold time will also reward you a dungeon teleport spell for that specific instance
• Silver – Phoenix Mount
• Bronze – “The Undaunted” Title

Here are the minimum times required to reach a given tier for each dungeon:

Instance Descriptions & Info

Stormstout Brewery

• Level Requirement: 85
• Reccomended Level: 85-90
• Dungeon Finder Level Requirement: 85-87
• Item Level Required: 325
• Location: Valley of the Four Winds, Pandaria

Stormstout Brewery is located in the lush Valley of the Four Winds. Once a proud brewery run by the Stormstout family, it has fallen into chaos, overrun by mischievous Hozen, virmen, and the corrupted ale spirits known as the Alementals. Players must help Chen Stormstout reclaim his ancestral brewery by battling through waves of drunken Hozen, squashing virmen infestations, and purging the tainted brews. The dungeon’s atmosphere is both lighthearted and chaotic — Stormstout Brewery offers a mix of humorous encounters and unique mechanics.

This dungeon features three boss encounters, each with distinct mechanics. The first boss, Ook-Ook, is a Hozen who uses “Ground Pound” to deal area damage and summons rolling barrels that players must avoid. The second boss, Hoptallus, is a large virmen that spawns smaller minions and uses spinning attacks such as “Furlwind” to damage nearby players. The final boss, Yan-Zhu the Uncasked, is an Alemental with abilities like “Fizzy Bubbles,” which lifts players into the air, and “Carbonation,” which requires constant jumping to prevent suffocation. Each encounter incorporates movement-based mechanics and environmental hazards.

Temple of the Jade Serpent

• Level Requirement: 85
• Reccomended Level: 85-90
• Dungeon Finder Level Requirement: 85-87
• Item Level Required: 325
• Location: The Jade Forest, Pandaria

Once a sacred site dedicated to Yu’lon, the Jade Serpent, the Temple of the Jade Serpent has been overrun by the Sha, malevolent entities born from negative emotions. As the Sha’s corruption spreads, it twists the temple’s serene halls, distorting its guardians and defiling its sacred waters. Players are tasked with cleansing the temple, battling both possessed caretakers and manifestations of fear and doubt.

The dungeon features four boss encounters, each reflecting the temple’s corruption. Wise Mari, a Jinyu water speaker, has been overtaken by dark forces and wields water-based attacks such as “Hydrolance” and “Wash Away.” Lorewalker Stonestep tests players with an encounter that brings Pandaren legends to life, including the Sha of Doubt’s influence over the fable of Liu Lang and the Scroll of Doom. Liu Flameheart, once a devoted disciple, has fallen under the Sha’s control and must be defeated alongside the Sha-touched Yu’lon. The final boss, the Sha of Doubt, is the source of the corruption, using abilities like “Touch of Nothingness” to afflict players while summoning illusions to spread its influence.

Shado-Pan Monastery

• Level Requirement: 87
• Reccomended Level: 87-90
• Dungeon Finder Level Requirement: 87-88
• Item Level Required: 393
• Location: Kun-Lai Summit, Pandaria

As the stronghold of the Shado-Pan, Pandaria’s most elite defenders, Shado-Pan Monastery has been overrun by the Sha, corrupting its warriors and threatening its sacred halls. The Shado-Pan, trained to resist negative emotions, have struggled against the overwhelming influence of the Sha, leaving the monastery in disarray. Players are called upon to purge the corruption, battling possessed monks, twisted spirits, and the Sha itself to restore balance to this once-honored sanctuary.

The dungeon consists of four boss encounters, each representing a different stage of the monastery’s fall. Gu Cloudstrike, a Shado-Pan master, has been influenced by the Sha and uses lightning-based attacks such as “Lightning Breath” and “Magnetic Shroud.” Master Snowdrift, a Shado-Pan trainer, tests players in a duel before ultimately succumbing to the Sha’s influence, forcing them to defeat him and his spectral students. Sha of Violence embodies raw aggression, attacking relentlessly while spreading its corruption. The final encounter, Taran Zhu, the Shado-Pan leader, has been possessed by the Sha and fights with shadow-enhanced martial arts, using “Rising Hate” and “Ring of Malice” to control the battlefield. Defeating him cleanses his spirit and marks the monastery’s liberation from the Sha’s grasp.

Mogu’shan Palace

• Level Requirement: 87
• Reccomended Level: 87-90
• Dungeon Finder Level Requirement: 87-88
• Item Level Required: 393
• Location: Vale of Eternal Blossoms

Once a grand seat of mogu power, Mogu’shan Palace now serves as a battleground where rival factions seek to reclaim the legacy of their ancient empire. The mogu warlord Xin the Weaponmaster has gathered his forces within the palace, aiming to restore the mogu’s dominance over Pandaria. Players must fight through the halls of this once-glorious stronghold, facing hostile mogu warriors and opportunistic raiders as they work to put an end to Xin’s ambitions.

The dungeon features three boss encounters, each representing a different faction vying for control. Trial of the King pits players against a rotating selection of mogu warlords, each with their own combat techniques, including high-damage melee strikes, whirlwind attacks, and magical barrages. Gekkan, a Zandalari-loyal hozen, leads a group of enforcers who rely on coordinated abilities, requiring players to disrupt their teamwork. The final boss, Xin the Weaponmaster, uses the palace’s ancient defenses against intruders, activating deadly traps and launching powerful weapon-based attacks while players navigate the fight.

Gate of the Setting Sun

• Level Requirement: 88
• Reccomended Level: 88-90
• Dungeon Finder Level Requirement: 89
• Item Level Required: 393
• Location: Vale of Eternal Blossoms, Pandaria

The Gate of the Setting Sun is located on the Serpent’s Spine, the massive wall that separates Pandaria from the Mantid Empire. The dungeon takes place during a full-scale mantid assault, as the insectoid army breaches the gate and threatens to spill into the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. Players join the Shado-Pan defenders in a desperate battle to repel the invasion, fighting through swarms of mantid warriors and their monstrous war machines while working to prevent the fortress from falling.

The dungeon consists of four boss encounters, each escalating the siege. Saboteur Kip’tilak, a cunning mantid infiltrator, has rigged the walls with explosive charges, forcing players to avoid fiery chain reactions while dealing with his attacks. Striker Ga’dok, a massive mantid flying above the battlefield, bombards players with aerial strikes and venomous assaults. Commander Ri’mok, a mantid general, uses powerful frontal attacks and summons reinforcements to overwhelm intruders. The final boss, Raigonn, is a colossal mantid siege beast that players must weaken by destroying its weak spot before finishing the fight against its enraged form.

Siege of Niuzao Temple

• Level Requirement: 88
• Reccomended Level: 88-90
• Dungeon Finder Level Requirement: 89
• Item Level Required: 393
• Location: Townlong Steppes, Pandaria

Niuzao Temple, a sacred site protected by the Niuzao pandaren, has come under attack by the mantid, who seek to break through its defenses. As the battle rages, the Shado-Pan defenders struggle to hold their ground against waves of invaders. Players must assist in the temple’s defense, repelling the mantid forces and eliminating their commanders before the siege can succeed.

The dungeon features four boss encounters. Vizier Jin’bak, a mantid alchemist, manipulates volatile amber pools to enhance his attacks, requiring players to control the spread of his explosive abilities. Commander Vo’jak leads an organized assault, forcing players to fight through waves of mantid before engaging him directly atop the temple’s walls. General Pa’valak wields a massive blade and calls in reinforcements while using “Blade Rush” to strike multiple players at once. The final boss, Wing Leader Ner’onok, takes advantage of his aerial mobility, bombarding players from above before landing to engage in direct combat. Defeating him ends the siege and secures the temple’s defenses.

Scarlet Halls (Heroic)

• Level Requirement: 90
• Dungeon Finder Level Requirement: 90
• Item Level Required: 435
• Location: Tirisfal Glades, Eastern Kingdoms

The Scarlet Halls are located in the former stronghold of the Scarlet Crusade within the Eastern Kingdoms. After the fall of the original order, the remaining Crusaders have fortified their halls, training new recruits and stockpiling weapons to continue their fanatical crusade against the undead — or any they deem impure. Players must fight their way through the halls, facing well-trained warriors and powerful leaders determined to uphold the Scarlet Crusade’s brutal ideology.

The dungeon consists of three boss encounters. Houndmaster Braun commands a pack of deadly Scarlet Hounds and uses “Bloody Rage” to increase his power as the fight progresses. Armsmaster Harlan leads the Crusade’s combat training, attacking with spinning bladestorms and setting traps to catch intruders off guard. The final boss, Flameweaver Koegler, is a pyromancer who uses fire magic to scorch the battlefield, periodically setting entire sections of the library ablaze with “Book Burner” and forcing players to reposition to avoid the flames. Defeating him disrupts the Scarlet Crusade’s resurgence within the halls.

Scarlet Monastery (Heroic)

• Level Requirement: 90
• Dungeon Finder Level Requirement: 90
• Item Level Required: 435
• Location: Tirisfal Glades, Eastern Kingdoms

Located in Tirisfal Glades, the Scarlet Monastery was once the heart of the Scarlet Crusade’s operations. It remains a bastion of the fanatical order, now under the leadership of its most zealous warriors. Players must infiltrate the monastery, battling its fanatical defenders and eliminating its high-ranking leaders to weaken the Scarlet Crusade’s influence.

The dungeon features four boss encounters. Thalnos the Soulrender, a former priest turned undead, wields necrotic magic to summon spirits and drain life from his enemies. Brother Korloff, a master of unarmed combat, uses martial techniques such as “Blazing Fists” and “Firestorm Kick” to strike multiple enemies at once. The final battle takes place in the monastery’s grand cathedral, where High Inquisitor Whitemane and Commander Durand stand as the last defenders of the Crusade. Durand engages in melee combat, resurrecting after his initial defeat, while Whitemane casts powerful holy magic, reviving Durand and using abilities like “Mass Resurrection” to prolong the fight. Defeating them shatters the Crusade’s leadership within the monastery.

Scholomance (Heroic)

• Level Requirement: 90
• Dungeon Finder Level Requirement: 90
• Item Level Required: 435
• Location: Western Plaguelands, Eastern Kingdoms

Scholomance is found in the ruined keep of Caer Darrow in the Western Plaguelands. Once a school for necromancy under the control of the Cult of the Damned, the academy remains a breeding ground for dark magic and undead horrors. Though the Lich King has fallen, his legacy persists within these halls, where necromancers continue their forbidden studies. Players must navigate the twisted corridors of the academy, battling undead instructors, twisted experiments, and powerful cultists to purge the lingering Scourge influence.

The dungeon features five boss encounters, each representing a different aspect of the dark arts practiced within Scholomance. Instructor Chillheart, a frozen lich, uses frost magic and animated tomes to defend the entrance hall before transitioning into a disembodied skull that continues the assault. Jandice Barov, a master illusionist, conjures duplicates of herself to confuse players while attacking with shadow magic. Rattlegore, a massive bone golem, guards the laboratory and uses “Bone Spike” attacks while growing stronger over time. Lilian Voss, a former Scarlet Crusader turned undead, struggles against her fate, alternating between phases where she is controlled by dark forces and moments where she regains control to unleash devastating attacks. The final boss, Darkmaster Gandling, the headmaster of Scholomance, teleports players into isolated chambers for individual trials while summoning waves of skeletal minions. Defeating him ends the Cult of the Damned’s grip on the academy.