Don't climb Lushan Mountain from March to May! A local friend told me the truth!
Pre-trip Preparations
Documents: Bring your ID card, as it's required for purchasing tickets and taking the shuttle bus.
Clothing: The temperature on Lushan Mountain is relatively low, so even in summer, it's recommended to bring a light jacket. If you're visiting in spring, autumn, or winter, pay more attention to warmth and bring thick cotton-padded clothes, scarves, gloves, etc.
Items: Prepare comfortable athletic shoes or hiking boots for easy walking; an umbrella or raincoat in case of changeable weather; and a power bank to ensure your electronic devices stay charged.
Transportation Guide
It's recommended to take the high-speed train to Jiujiang Station. Compared to Lushan Station, Jiujiang Station is closer to Lushan Mountain and offers more convenient transportation. After exiting the station, take a taxi directly to the Lushan North Gate Tourist Service Center to start your Lushan journey.
Tickets
Lushan Mountain entrance tickets cost ¥160, and shuttle bus tickets cost ¥90. One ticket covers all scenic spots on the mountain, and you can use your ID card to board the bus within 7 days, which is very convenient. Fees for some small cable cars and small trains within the scenic area need to be paid separately, such as the Hanpokou cable car round trip for ¥50 and the Sandie Spring small train round trip for ¥80. You can choose to ride according to your needs.
Tour Routes
Middle Route: Concentrated around Guling Town, with a rich cultural atmosphere. Lushan Museum has a rich collection, allowing you to delve into the history and culture of Lushan Mountain. The former site of the Lushan Conference carries important historical memories. Meilu Villa, with its unique architectural style, has witnessed many historical events and is an excellent place to experience the cultural heritage of Lushan.
West Route: Flower Path, the place described by Bai Juyi as "In April, the fragrant flowers on earth are gone, but the mountain temple's peach blossoms are just beginning to bloom," offers beautiful scenery. The Immortal Cave, a Taoist blessed land, features a secluded cave and wondrous scenery. The power station dam is magnificent. The Big Tianchi Lake offers pleasant scenery with mountains and water complementing each other. In addition, the Small Tianchi Lake is also a must-see attraction, where you can enjoy both sunrise and sunset, offering a different charm compared to Hanpokou.
East Route: Hanpokou is an excellent place to view Poyang Lake and the sunrise, with an extremely wide field of vision. The Five Old Men Peak, with five peaks standing side by side, resembles five old men sitting shoulder to shoulder, offering magnificent scenery. Sandie Spring, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Lushan, is magnificent, and the scene of "The flying stream descends three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way is falling from the ninth heaven" is breathtaking. The journey from the Five Old Men Peak to Sandie Spring is physically demanding, but the scenery along the way is picturesque and definitely worth it. After arriving at Sandie Spring, you can choose to descend the mountain from the east gate to avoid the fatigue of returning the same way.
Food Recommendations
Lushan Three Stones: Stone Chicken, Stone Fish, and Stone Ear are Lushan's specialty dishes. Stone chicken is tender, stone fish is delicious, and stone ear is nutritious. Whether stewed in soup or stir-fried, they all have a unique flavor. Many restaurants in Guling Town offer these delicacies.
Lushan Cloud Mist Tea: One of Lushan's specialties, this tea has a fragrant aroma and a mellow taste. During your visit, find a teahouse, sit down, and enjoy a cup of Cloud Mist Tea to experience a leisurely time.
Accommodation Recommendations
Guling Town is the preferred choice for accommodation. It's a mature tourist town with convenient transportation, dining, and shopping. Prices vary greatly between peak and off-seasons, so it's recommended to plan your itinerary and book accommodation in advance. Choose a moderately priced hotel or homestay near the shuttle bus station for more convenient travel.
Recommended Travel Time
The recommended travel time is 2 nights and 3 days, which allows you to leisurely visit the attractions on each route. If time is tight and you have less than 2 days, you can skip the west route, spend half a day exploring the middle route to experience the humanities and history, and then spend 1 day exploring the east route to appreciate the natural scenery.