Wugong Mountain

A 'grassland in the clouds' of rolling alpine meadows above 1,600 m, where you can camp on the Golden Summit to watch sunrise over the sea of clouds; a hugely popular hiking destination.

Wugong Mountain lies in western Jiangxi, straddling Luxi County in Pingxiang, Anfu County in Ji'an and Yuanzhou District in Yichun; its main peak, the Golden Summit (Baihe Peak), rises to about 1,918 m. Vast alpine meadows cover the ridges above 1,600 m, earning it the name 'grassland in the clouds'. It is a national AAAAA (top-rated) scenic area and national geopark, and one of the best-known hiking and camping spots in eastern and central China.

The highlight is the meadow traverse: the classic route climbs from Longshan Village in Pingxiang, camps at Fayunjie on day one, then continues via Guanyindang and Diaomazhuang to the Golden Summit for sunrise on day two, descending via Zhong'an or via Jiulong Mountain to Shenzi Village. The full route is about 30 km and usually takes 2 days and 1 night. If you'd rather not hike, take the Zhong'an cable car up from the Pingxiang side. To the northeast in Anfu, Yangshimu is a scenic area of granite pinnacles; on the Yichun side, Mingyue Mountain has a cable car to Moon Lake and the Yungu Waterfall, and Wentang Town at its foot offers selenium-rich hot springs.

The meadows are at their best May–Oct, with the silvergrass turning gold in Sep–Oct; a tent festival is held every summer, and winter may bring rime ice and snow. Mountain weather is changeable, with frequent thunderstorms and dense fog, and nights are cold, so bring a waterproof shell, warm layers and a headlamp, and stay off the ridges during thunderstorms. Take the high-speed train to Pingxiang North or Yichun Station, then a bus or hired car to the various entrances. Weekends and holidays in peak season are crowded, so book guesthouses and tent pitches in advance; check the scenic area's official announcements for admission, cable car and campsite fees.

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