Stunning Mountain-Top Orange Sea Sunset Near Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai – Free Admission
1. Before You Go: Must-Know Tips
A perfect sunset trip starts with thorough preparation. The charm of Jianshan Mountain depends heavily on the weather, so doing your homework ensures a worthwhile visit.
Key Timing (Important!)
· Best Season: Autumn and winter (October to February). The air is clear, and the sunset colors are especially rich and intense, like spilled orange soda dyeing the sky and sea.
· Golden Hour: Arrive at the mountaintop at least 1 hour before sunset. The true "golden shooting period" is 30-60 minutes before sunset when the light is soft and colors are dreamy. For example, in early December, sunset is around 5:13 PM, so you should be at the summit platform by 4 PM at the latest.
· Weather Choice: Clear or partly cloudy days are best. A completely cloudless sky can be dull, while some clouds (especially altocumulus or cumulus) catch the sunset light and turn into a sky full of colorful clouds, creating dramatic layers. Always check the weather forecast before heading out.
Packing List
· Clothing: It’s windy at the summit, so wear a windproof and warm jacket. Choose non-slip sports shoes or hiking boots, as the trail is gravel and dirt.
· Gear:
· Photography enthusiasts: Camera, tripod (essential for long exposures and stable shots), wide-angle lens (for grand panoramas), and telephoto lens (to zoom in on sunset and sea details). Consider bringing a graduated neutral density filter (GND) to balance the light between sky and ground.
· Phone users: Fully charge your phone and bring a power bank. Phones can also capture stunning shots; tips below.
· Others: Thermos, some snacks, tissues, gloves. If bringing a dog to share the romantic moment, keep it on a leash.
2. Perfect Half-Day Itinerary: From Zen to Romance
I recommend a route blending culture, leisure, and ultimate romance, ideal for a short trip starting Saturday afternoon.
First Stop: Jianshan Guanyin Temple (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM)
Navigate to "Jianshan Guanyin Temple." You can drive all the way near the mountaintop temple. This ancient temple was rebuilt on its original site and is bustling with incense, known as the "Eastern Putuo, Western Jianshan." While waiting for sunset, take a quiet stroll inside the temple, feel the chanting and incense smoke, and gaze at the Qiantang River. Your mind will naturally calm, preparing you for the visual feast ahead.
Second Stop: Jieli Center & Fruit Picking (3:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
On the way down from Guanyin Temple to the paragliding base, you’ll pass the "Jieli Center." Autumn and winter are peak seasons for Jianshan mandarins, and this area is famous as the "Fruit Land." You can see walls of hanging oranges like waterfalls (a great photo spot!) and inquire about orchard fruit picking (paid activity). Please cherish the fruit and follow orchard guidelines when picking.
Third Stop: Climb to the Sunset Viewing Platform (4:00 PM - 4:15 PM)
Locate the "Paragliding Base Internal Road" gate and start hiking from there. The mountain path is a clear dirt and stone trail with a moderate slope, taking about 15 minutes to reach the top. The view gradually opens up along the way, and excitement builds.
Fourth Stop: Summit Sunset Feast (4:15 PM - 5:30 PM)
Once at the top, the magnificent scenery instantly washes away all fatigue. Ahead lies the vast East China Sea (Hangzhou Bay) and the winding Qiantang River estuary, with fields and villages below. Find a good spot, set up your gear, and wait for the sun to slowly sink westward, dyeing the sky, clouds, and sea in gradients of gold, orange, and pink-purple. This is the legendary "Orange Sea."
After Sunset: Don’t rush to leave! The 15-30 minutes after sunset is the "blue hour." The sky turns a deep, tranquil blue, contrasting with the warm lights of distant towns, offering a second golden window for atmospheric photos.
3. 📸 Ultimate Photo Tips
Whether using a professional camera or a phone, mastering these tips will make you the star of your social circle.
1. Classic Photo Spots
· Edge of the summit platform: Use the vast sea and sky as a backdrop to shoot silhouettes or side profiles for a poetic effect.
· Use paragliders: If paragliding training is happening (very common here), capture the colorful gliders as dynamic foregrounds to instantly enliven your photos. Paragliders often have action cameras to record your flight perspective.
· Find foregrounds: Try framing shots with hillside grass, plants, or rocks to add depth and layers.
2. Camera Settings (Beginner Friendly)
· Mode: Use aperture priority (A/Av mode).
· Aperture: Set between F/8 and F/16 for sharpness front to back.
· ISO: Keep as low as possible (e.g., 100) for clean image quality.
· Metering: Use spot or center-weighted metering, metering on the bright sky near the sunset to avoid overexposure and naturally silhouette the ground.
· Key: Shoot in RAW format to allow ample room for post-processing.
3. Phone Photography Tips
· Lock exposure: Tap the bright sky near the sunset and long-press to lock focus and exposure. Usually, a "small sun" icon appears; slide it down to reduce exposure, instantly saturating sky colors and turning subjects or foregrounds into beautiful silhouettes.
· Enable HDR: Let your phone automatically merge high dynamic range photos to balance light and shadow.
· Use portrait mode: When light is still good before sunset, portrait mode creates a blurred background effect.
4. Nearby Activities: Enrich Your Trip
If you have more time, Jianshan area can fill a full weekend with fun.
Thrill Seekers
· Paragliding experience: Sign up at the summit. Fly with an instructor, soaring hundreds of meters above mountains, sea, and fields—a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Prices vary by package, usually a few hundred yuan.
· Bian Camp: At the mountain foot, a comprehensive outdoor camp offers go-karting, kayaking, and more. Great for groups or families.
Leisure Explorers
· Shenshan Lake Loop: A short drive to Shenshan Lake Ecological Park for cycling or walking around the lake, enjoying peaceful waters and mountains.
· Hundred-Mile Qiantang: Drive along the old Wengjin Road, a famous scenic route especially beautiful in autumn when ginkgo leaves turn yellow.
5. Practical Information Overview
· 📍 Location: Jianshan Guanyin Temple & Paragliding Base, Haining City, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province
· 🅿️ Transportation:
· Driving: Navigate to "Jianshan Guanyin Temple" for direct access to the mountaintop temple; navigate to "Dajianshan Paragliding Base" for the mountain foot gate.
· From Hangzhou/Shanghai: Take Hangpu Expressway (G92), exit at Haining South, about 1.5-2 hours by car.
· 💰 Costs: Guanyin Temple, hiking trail, and summit viewing platform are free. Parking is free. Paragliding, fruit picking, and camp activities are paid.
· ⚠️ Important Reminders:
1. Safety first: The summit viewing platform has no railings; be careful when taking photos and watching children and pets.
2. It’s colder at the top, and temperature drops quickly after sunset; bring extra clothing.
3. Protect the environment; take all trash with you.
4. Do not climb fruit trees when picking; follow orchard rules.