Lushan Travel Guide: Explore Poetic Living, Enjoy Mountain and Water Pleasures

Lushan Mountain is one of China's top ten famous mountains, located in Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, renowned for its majestic natural scenery and rich historical and cultural heritage. Below is a detailed travel guide to Lushan, covering transportation, tickets, itineraries, attractions, food, and important notes. I. Transportation Guide 1. How to Get to Lushan - **By Air**: Lushan Airport is only 9.8 kilometers from the South Gate, but has limited flights. It's recommended to fly to Nanchang or Wuhan and then transfer by train or bus. - **By Train**: - **Jiujiang Station**: Take bus No. 86 to Lushan North Gate, or No. 57 to Lushan Cable Car Station. - **Lushan Station**: High-speed rail station, transfer to bus or taxi to Lushan Cable Car Station (about 11 minutes by car). - **By Bus**: Direct buses from Jiujiang Bus Station to Guling Town (fare about 15.5 yuan, journey 40-60 minutes). 2. Transportation Within the Scenic Area - **Sightseeing Bus**: 70 yuan (valid for 7 days, only for use on the mountain), 90 yuan (including one round trip up and down the mountain), 150 yuan (valid for 1 month). - **Cable Car**: 70 yuan uphill, 60 yuan downhill, 115 yuan round trip. - **Car Rental**: Sightseeing taxis available (about 200 yuan/day), suitable for group travel. II. Ticket Information - **Peak Season (April 1-October 31)**: 160 yuan/person - **Off Season (November 1-March 31)**: 135 yuan/person - **Discount Policy**: Students and seniors over 65 can enjoy half-price or free admission. - **Free Admission Month in March 2025**: Free admission for all visitors from March 1-31. III. Best Travel Seasons - **Summer (June-August)**: Perfect summer retreat with cool temperatures. - **Winter (December-February)**: Beautiful snow scenes, ideal for snow viewing. - **Spring and Autumn (March-May, September-November)**: Pleasant climate, suitable for hiking. IV. Recommended Itineraries 1. One-Day Tour - **Morning**: Guling Town → Ruqin Lake → Flower Path → Jinxiu Valley → Immortal Cave (West Route). - **Afternoon**: Hanpokou → Lulin Lake → Lushan Conference Site → Meilu Villa (East Route). 2. Two-Day Tour - **Day 1**: Guling Town → West Route (Ruqin Lake, Jinxiu Valley, Immortal Cave) → Overnight in Guling Town. - **Day 2**: East Route (Five Old Men Peak or Three-Tier Waterfall) → Meilu Villa → Lushan Conference Site. 3. In-Depth Tour (3-5 Days) - Add surrounding attractions like White Deer Cave Academy, Xiufeng Peak, Guanyin Bridge, etc. V. Must-Visit Attractions 1. **Three-Tier Waterfall**: Lushan's premier wonder, a waterfall cascading in three levels. 2. **Five Old Men Peak**: Five connected peaks resembling five old men. 3. **Jinxiu Valley**: A stunning 1.5-kilometer valley shrouded in mist and clouds. 4. **Hanpokou**: The best spot for watching sunrise, overlooking Poyang Lake. 5. **Meilu Villa**: Former residence of Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong, rich in historical significance. 6. **Ruqin Lake**: Shaped like a violin, surrounded by Flower Path and Peacock Island. 7. **White Deer Cave Academy**: One of China's four great ancient academies, with a strong cultural atmosphere. 8. **Lushan Botanical Garden**: One of China's earliest botanical gardens. VI. Special Local Cuisine - **Stone Fish with Eggs**: Lushan stone fish stir-fried with eggs, delicious and flavorful. - **Lushan Stone Chicken**: Wild frog species with tender meat. - **Huangshanghuang Marinated Duck**: A Jiangxi specialty snack. - **Lushan Wild Celery**: Refreshing and appetizing. VII. Important Notes 1. **Weather**: Lushan is often foggy with large temperature differences; bring warm clothes and rain gear. 2. **Non-slip Shoes**: Some attractions (like Three-Tier Waterfall) have steep steps; non-slip shoes are recommended. 3. **Motion Sickness Medicine**: The mountain roads have many curves; those prone to motion sickness should take medicine in advance. 4. **Insect Repellent**: There are many insects on the mountain; bring insect repellent. 5. **Accommodation**: Staying in Guling Town is recommended for convenient sightseeing and more dining options. VIII. Summary Lushan is beautiful in all four seasons, offering both magnificent natural scenery and rich cultural history. March's free admission month is the best time to visit, summer is ideal for escaping the heat, and winter offers beautiful snow scenes. It's recommended to plan at least a 2-day itinerary to fully experience Lushan's beauty. For more detailed attraction descriptions or transportation information, please refer to related guides.