Recommended by The New York Times as an Eastern Hidden Gem
🏞【Destination Guide】
🧳Preparation:
✅ Documents: ID card, driver's license (if renting a car)
✅ Clothing: sun-protective clothing/hat, comfortable sports shoes, light jacket (large temperature difference between day and night)
✅ Protection: mosquito repellent, sunscreen, umbrella for sun and rain
✅ Emergency: power bank, common medicines (band-aids/stomach medicine)
✅ Others: small amount of cash (some homestays only accept cash)
⚠️ Note: Book homestays in advance! Weekends/holidays are very busy!
🚗Transportation Guide:
🚗 Self-driving (recommended)
- Departure from Shanghai/Hangzhou/Suzhou: 2 hours direct, navigate to "Moganshan Tourism Distribution Center"
- Parking: shuttle bus transfer required inside the scenic area (💰35 RMB/person), homestays generally have free parking
🚄 High-speed train + taxi
- Deqing Station: 30 minutes direct high-speed train from Shanghai/Hangzhou, about 40 minutes by taxi to the scenic area (💰60-80 RMB)
🚌 Bus
- From Hangzhou: North Bus Station → Wukang Bus Station, transfer to Y1 tourist line to the scenic area
⚠️ Note
- Many mountain roads inside the scenic area, beginners should be cautious when driving
- Traffic jams are common on weekends/holidays, it is recommended to arrive before 8 AM
🛏Hotel Information:
🏡 Homestays (top choice for character)
- High-end design: Naked Stables, Daluo Zhiye (💰2000+/night, book 1-2 months in advance)
- Cost-effective: Xipo, Yundingbao (💰800-1500/night, includes breakfast + afternoon tea)
- Popular check-in spots: Tasha Dudu, Sesame Valley (great for photos, family-friendly)
🏨 Hotels (convenient choice)
- Inside the scenic area: Moganshan Kaiyuan Senbo (family playground + heated water park)
- At the foot of the mountain: Deqing Hyatt Place (near high-speed train station, convenient for business trips)
⚠️ Note
- Prices double on weekends/holidays, try to avoid peak times
- Some homestays are deep in the mountains, confirm shuttle service in advance
- Off-season (November-March) some homestays close, check before booking
📌 Tip: Want to save money? Choose non-cliff rooms, the view difference is minimal!
🌟Must-visit local spots:
🌿 Natural Scenery
- Jianchi Pond: Moganshan’s "soul spot," bamboo forest waterfall + legend of Ganjiang and Moye
- Dakeng Scenic Area: 360° viewing platform, perfect for sunrise and sea of clouds (about 2 hours hiking)
- Luhuadang Park: Republic of China villas + golden reed secret spot
📸 Instagram-worthy spots
- Yiyuan Farm: little New Zealand vibe, feed cows/picnic on the lawn (reservation required)
- Xiantan Art Museum: wabi-sabi style art space, great for casual photos
- Rainbow Trail: rainbow road in the tea garden, navigate to "Xihu Ding Ecological Tea Plantation"
🍵 Cultural Experience
- Yucun Cultural Market: artsy cafes + vintage clock tower + handmade market (busiest on Fridays and Saturdays)
- Baiyunshan Pavilion: Chiang Kai-shek’s honeymoon palace, a must-visit for Republic of China history buffs
⚠️ Note
- Jianchi Pond has many steps, wear comfortable shoes!
- Farm/art museum may be closed on Mondays, check opening hours in advance
- Free spots like Rainbow Trail are remote, self-driving or chartered car recommended
💡 Lazy tip: Stay near "Yucun" for all food, drink, play, and photo needs!
💗Travel Experience:
🌱 Maximum healing
• Morning: awakened by birdsong in the bamboo forest, open the window to ink-wash mountain views
• Afternoon: brew a pot of Moganshan yellow bud tea, daydream on the homestay terrace
• Night: see the Milky Way overhead, summer nights have firefly parties
🚶♂️ Essence of slow life
• Hiking in the mountains to breathe fresh air, chance encounters with wild stream waterfalls
• Order a coffee in Yucun, watch the old street time as phoenix tree leaves fall
⚠️ Real Tips
- Don’t chase “check-in efficiency,” this place is for lying back and zoning out
- Rainy days bring the fairy-like misty Jiangnan vibe (bring non-slip shoes)
- Prices are about the same as first-tier cities, but farmhouse dishes are worth trying
✨ Aftereffects: After returning to the city, you’ll always miss the breeze carrying the fresh sweetness of bamboo leaves~
📌 Small Tips:
💡 Smart moves
1. Early bird benefit: self-driving up the mountain before 7 AM waives shuttle bus fee (fewer people + cooler)
2. Hidden viewpoint: platform behind Baiyun Hotel, few people and beautiful scenery perfect for photos
3. Foodie secret: chat with homestay owners about local dishes, might unlock private homemade chicken soup
🚫 Pitfall warnings
- Be cautious buying “Moganshan specialty dried bamboo shoots,” easy to be overcharged at the scenic area entrance (better to go to the town vegetable market)
- Popular restaurants have long queues, eat off-peak (arrive before 11:00 AM/5:00 PM)
- Be cautious choosing cliff homestays on rainy days, fog may block the view
🎒 Mystical gear
- Bring a shawl: sun protection/styling/warmth in air-conditioned rooms all in one
- Foldable foot soak bucket: magic recovery tool for soaking feet after long walks at the homestay
🌤️ Weather mysticism: summer afternoons often have showers, but usually stop within half an hour, don’t panic~