Before the red maples and ginkgo leaves fall, take a trip to the Jiang Gong Ancient Trail in Moganshan!

Moganshan is one of the best places in Huzhou to enjoy autumn scenery. The Jiang Gong Ancient Trail is a relatively leisurely and friendly hiking route in Moganshan, where you can appreciate both cultural sites and natural landscapes along the way. The scenery in mid to late November is especially unique with Moganshan’s red maples, ginkgo trees, and the plane tree avenue, blending golden yellow, deep brown, and bright red like a spilled palette across the forest. This is my second time hiking the Jiang Gong Ancient Trail, and the scenery is just as beautiful as before 😌 🚶Start & End: Moganshan Town P3 Eco Parking Lot (free parking available. Nearby is Yucun Market with restrooms) 📍Route: Parking Lot → Yucun → Jiaohuapo → Jianchi (ticket checkpoint) → Guwang Wu Platform → Luhuadang Park → Republic of China Villas, Cathedral, Mao Zedong’s former lodging → Naked Stables → Yucun → Parking Lot (PS. This route is a through route and you might encounter an 80 RMB entrance fee 🎫; the reverse route is free. Personally, I prefer the through route because you get to see all the scenic spots in the first half, and the second half is less scenic so you can jog a bit to finish and get some cardio. There is also a free through route, but it’s not recommended for beginners or tourists as it can be a bit dangerous.) 👣Total Distance: 10 km (dirt road + paved road + stone steps) 🧗‍♀️Elevation Gain: about 700 m 🕒Duration: about 5 hours (including photos and breaks) 💥Difficulty: beginner-friendly, great for family autumn viewing. Route Description 1️⃣ Early Stage · First 3 km bamboo forest stone steps and dirt slope climb Walking through the bamboo forest, listening to the babbling water, sunlight sparkling on the water surface is very soothing. 2️⃣ Highlight Section · 4-7 km paved road + scenic stone steps The attractions don’t need much introduction; you can choose which to visit. ✨Personally, the best scenic spots are: the maple leaves near the Jianchi Ganjiang and Moye statues, the maple and ginkgo trees along the road from Guwang Wu Platform to Luhuadang Park, and the red maples near Yingpan Street. 3️⃣ Final Stage · 3 km stone steps + dirt road An easy and safe stone steps section; the dirt road is a bit slippery but slow walking is fine. Walking through this bamboo forest on the return trip, my friends and I all agreed it’s quieter and more comfortable than the bamboo forest at Jiaohuapo, perfect for a slow walk to enjoy and breathe in the mountain forest’s negative ions 😌 📌Useful Tips: 🌞 This route crosses streams over some stones, some of which are mossy and slippery. There are small sections of dirt road with gravel in the bamboo forest, so be careful and wear non-slip shoes. 🌞 Supplies: There are restaurants and snacks in the scenic area, or you can bring your own. 🌞 Best time to enjoy autumn: mid to late November through early December. Pick a clear day with good visibility to relax well in Moganshan 😉 ❗❗While enjoying the scenery, don’t forget to protect the environment and leave no trace in the mountains.