Moganshan Scenic Area
莫干山风景区
The “bamboo, springs and clouds” trio of highlights, plus more than 200 Republican-era villas. Sword Pool waterfall, Reed Marsh Park and Wuling Village, where Chiang Kai-shek’s former residence stands. Between summer hikes, you can learn a chapter of Republican-era history about famous figures.
Moganshan Scenic Area is located in western Deqing County. It covers about 43 square kilometres, and its main peak, Ta Shan, rises 724 metres above sea level. The area is known for its tall bamboo, clear springs, and clouds and mist. Bamboo forest covers more than 90% of the mountain. Summer temperatures average around 24°C, more than 5°C lower than Hangzhou.
Highlights: Sword Pool is said to be where the legendary swordsmiths Ganjiang and Moye forged and quenched their swords. A four-tiered waterfall cascades down, and there are many cliff inscriptions, making it the best spot on the mountain. Reed Marsh Park is a garden-style park on the summit. It includes the Queen Hotel, where Mao Zedong stayed in 1954; it is now the Moganshan Queen Hotel and can be visited. In the Wuling Village villa cluster, Songyue Lodge was where Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling lived in 1948; “Chiang Kai-shek’s Official Residence” is open to the public. Baiyun Mountain Lodge is a villa built by Huang Fu in the 1930s, where Zhou Enlai negotiated with Chiang Kai-shek. Other sights include Guaishi Corner, a lookout for sunrise and seas of clouds, Ta Shan, the Moganshan Memorial and the Dakeng Scenic Area. On Yinshan Street on the mountain, restaurants and cafés occupy converted Republican-era buildings.
Routes: From the mountain gate, take the scenic shuttle to Yinshan Street, then walk through Sword Pool, Reed Marsh Park, Wuling Village and Baiyun Mountain Lodge. This takes about 3–4 hours. Hikers can walk the loop trail on the mountain or climb the old path from Yucun at the foot of the mountain, which takes about 2 hours. Tickets cost about RMB 80, and the scenic shuttle costs about RMB 30 for a round trip. In peak season, driving up the mountain requires a reservation; otherwise, you transfer at the foot of the mountain.
Transport: From Deqing Station to the scenic area takes about 40 minutes. Guesthouses in Moganshan Town often provide transfers. Driving up the mountain takes about 20 minutes.
Notes: Mountain roads have many bends, so drive carefully. Food on the mountain is relatively expensive. Thunderstorms are frequent in summer, so bring rain gear. Some villas are hotels, and visitors must follow their rules.
Opening hours
7:30–17:00 (until 17:30 in peak season)
Nearby sights
- Naked Castle
- Yucun Village (Moganshan Town)
- Discovery Adventures Moganshan
- Naked Stables
- Xiazhu Lake Wetland
- Yucun Village
- Yunshang Grassland
- Anji Grand Bamboo Sea