Wugong Mountain: Watching the Stunning Sunrise and Sunset
Wugong Mountain is a magical mountain range where you can have a romantic date with nature. It is located in Luxi County, Pingxiang City, Jiangxi Province, bordering Ji'an City and Yichun City. It has a vast 100,000 mu alpine meadow, dreamlike sea of clouds and sunrise, a dazzling starry sky, and an ancient altar carrying a thousand years of history.
Recommended attractions
1. Golden Summit: The core scenic spot of Wugong Mountain, 1,918m above sea level. Standing on the top of the Golden Summit, you can have a panoramic view of the sea of clouds, meadows and other beautiful scenery, and you can also enjoy the stunning sunrise and sunset.
2. Ancient Altar: Located in the Golden Summit Taoist altar complex of Baihe Peak, it has a history of 1,700 years. It is quaint and full of historical charm.
3. Glass Plank Road: Located at an altitude of 1,600m, it brings you a thrilling experience of being suspended in the air, and it is open for free. You only need to wear shoe covers.
4. Fayunjie: The essence of the meadow between the Golden Summit and Yangshimou. The meadows are rolling, like a green ocean.
5. Guanyin Dang: The venue for outdoor festivals, with large tent camps and a "sky mirror" platform, which is great for taking photos.
Food recommendations
1. Lotus Seed Blood Duck: A specialty dish in Pingxiang, it is very spicy, the duck is tender, and it is super delicious with rice.
2. Pingxiang Fried Noodles: The "leader" of Jiangxi rice noodles, stir-fried quickly over high heat, the rice noodles are distinct, with bean sprouts, shredded pork, and chili peppers, which is spicy and appetizing. It is recommended to taste "Lao Biao Fried Noodles" near the Wugong Mountain Tourist Center in Luxi County.
3. Smoked Bacon Hot Pot: Bacon smoked by every household in Wugong Mountain, the aroma of firewood penetrates into the texture, and it is stewed with alpine radish and dried beans. The soup base becomes more and more fresh, and the bacon trotters are full of collagen. You can taste it at "Shanye Farmhouse" at the foot of Wugong Mountain.
4. Perilla Braised Snails: Snails nourished by the streams of Wugong Mountain are plump. The aroma of perilla and chili penetrates into the snail meat. Take a sip of the soup, and the fresh spiciness rushes to the top of your head. The soup is also very delicious for mixing with rice. "Honglajiao Food Stall" in Matian Township is a good choice.
5. Ai Rice Cake: A limited delicacy around the Qingming Festival. Fresh Ai grass is mashed into juice and mixed with flour, wrapped with bacon, bamboo shoot cubes or sesame sugar filling. The outer skin is soft and glutinous, and the inner filling is salty or sweet.
Accommodation recommendations
1. Accommodation on the mountain
- Tent camp: Such as Baihefeng Camp, CNY 100–150/tent, including sleeping bag and moisture-proof mat.
- Inn: Jindong Inn, Yunzhihai Hotel, standard room CNY 400–800, must be booked 2 weeks in advance.
- Starry sky room: Transparent bubble house CNY 500–1,000, suitable for families.
2. Accommodation at the foot of the mountain
- Hot spring hotel: Junlan Hot Spring Resort Hotel, you can relax in the hot spring after climbing the mountain.
- Homestay: Wugong Mountain Hemu Homestay, full of pastoral style, suitable for self-driving tourists; Yunshang Huakai, Taoyuan Shanju, and Aishang Huaxi homestays are also very good.
Travel tips
1. Best travel time: May–June, the meadows are verdant and azaleas are in full bloom; September–October is the golden meadow and the peak season for the sea of clouds. It is better to avoid the crowds during the National Day; the winter snow scene is stunning, but pay attention to the risk of mountain closure.
2. Transportation
- Train/high-speed train: After arriving at Pingxiang North Station, you can take a direct bus to the scenic spot for CNY 27/person, or a shared car for CNY 30–40/person; after arriving at Pingxiang Station, turn left after exiting the station and take a bus for CNY 22/person.
- Airplane: You can choose Changsha Huanghua Airport, and then transfer to the high-speed train to Pingxiang North Station, which takes about 30 mins.
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Wugong Mountain Tourist Service Center", parking fee is CNY 20/day.
3. Precautions
- The weather on the top of the mountain is changeable and the temperature difference is large. In summer, it is 25℃ during the day and 10℃ at night. Bring a windproof jacket and raincoat.
- Prepare equipment such as trekking poles, headlamps or flashlights, power banks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lightweight hiking shoes.
- The supplies on the top of the mountain are expensive, mineral water is CNY 10/bottle, and instant noodles are CNY 15. You can bring your own energy bars, chocolate, etc.
- Queuing for the cable car during holidays may take more than 2 hrs. It is recommended to travel during off-peak hours or hike up the mountain.
On the journey to Wugong Mountain, every step can feel the shock and beauty of nature, and every bite of food can taste the unique flavor of the local area.