A 4A-rated mountain in Hangzhou that becomes picturesque in autumn, with free admission
There is a very low-key famous mountain in Hangzhou. It boasts advantages such as the "Steel Great Wall," "hanging plank road," "mirror of the sky," "10,000-meter rock cave train," and "go-karts." When you reach the summit, with rolling clouds beneath your feet and the burning sky above, it is very healing and romantic. You can completely shake off the work stress, put down your "working self," and come to feel the "relaxing mountain breeze"!
Moreover, unlike other 4A scenic spots, it has free admission and allows for painless hiking, making it very suitable for a challenge!
Seeing this, I believe many people have already guessed that what I want to introduce is Hangzhou Daming Mountain Scenic Area, referred to as Daming Mountain!
Looking back at history, we can find that Daming Mountain, also known as Qianmutian, is a branch of the Huangshan Mountains that winds eastward into Zhejiang Province. Its main peak is Daming Peak (also known as Longtou Mountain or Riguan Peak), with an altitude of 1,489.9 meters. Tracing its history, Daming Mountain was first used as a hermitage during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. In the early Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, after a failed uprising, retreated here, slept on a rock, and later engaged in farming, appointed generals, and recruited troops at Qianmutian, leaving behind place names like "Son of Heaven Rock," "General-Appointing Platform," and "Startled Horse Ridge." Later, after Zhu Yuanzhang conquered the Ming empire, the mountain was named Daming Mountain, a name that has been passed down to this day.
To this day, Hangzhou Daming Mountain can be described as a unique gem. Far from the noisy crowds, you can lean on the railings to look at the valley, watch trees growing in rock crevices, and see clouds moving slower than people. You can also watch the sea of clouds surging up from the valley. The evening breeze and freedom gather in the mountains, helping you fully recover your tense body and mind.
For those challenging it for the first time, there are two ways to explore:
01. Hiking tour, takes 6 hours
Itinerary: Daming Mountain Scenic Area - North Ground Parking Lot > Take the scenic shuttle bus (¥25/person round trip) > Longmen Canyon Trail > Longmen Waterfall > Empress Tree > Longmen Flying Ferry > Mirror of the Sky > Hanging Plank Road > 10,000-meter Rock Cave > Daming Lake > Steel Great Wall > Take the scenic shuttle bus > Daming Mountain Scenic Area - North Ground Parking Lot
The entire route costs ¥25 for the scenic shuttle bus. You can experience the tranquility of the mountains and the waterfalls and streams with your own two feet. Once you reach the summit, the mountain breeze is refreshing, and the scenery is stunning. This is for friends who love hiking and outdoor adventure!
02. Leisurely tour, takes 3.5 hours
Itinerary: Daming Mountain Scenic Area - North Ground Parking Lot > Take the scenic shuttle bus (¥25/person round trip) > Cable car up (¥80 one way) > Daming Lake > Hanging Plank Road > 10,000-meter Rock Cave > Mirror of the Sky > Longmen Flying Ferry > Cable car down (¥80 one way) / [Super Slide (¥50/person, to halfway down the mountain) > Mountain Go-karts (¥100 for a combo ticket with the slide)] > Take the scenic shuttle bus > Daming Mountain Scenic Area - North Ground Parking Lot
Overall, the energy-saving leisure route (cable car up, activities down) is basically easy on the knees, making it very suitable for families with children, couples, or friends who don't want to be too tired. It's a 3.5-hour painless hike!
Simply put, the "hiking tour" is suitable for people with a certain level of physical strength and outdoor experience, often suitable for couples and backpackers. The "leisurely tour" is for family trips, group tours, and family outings, suitable for those who just want a painless hike. Note that you can also do a mix of hiking and leisure. Simply put, it's the first half of the "hiking tour" plus the second half of the "leisurely tour," which is a third option. Choose according to your needs.
Especially now in autumn, the valley is about to show layers of colorful forests. The yellow of the ginkgo, the red of the maple, and the green of the pine and cypress... will interweave into a "giant oil painting," pushing the autumn atmosphere to a climax. Every frame is a painting, and a casual snapshot makes a great phone wallpaper.
In other words, Hangzhou Daming Mountain is worth a visit. With the mountain breeze brushing your face and green mountains in full view, you will feel exceptionally refreshed after the challenge!
Transportation
Self-driving: You can navigate to "Daming Mountain Scenic Area - North Ground Parking Lot," where parking is easy.
Public transport: You can take the "Vitality West Zhejiang Line A" tourist bus at the West Square of Hangzhou East Railway Station. It costs about ¥36 one way and takes about 2.5 hours. In terms of time, the outbound trip departs at about 8:30 AM, and the return trip is around 4:00 PM.
Visiting information
Hangzhou Daming Mountain Scenic Area has free admission. There is a mandatory ¥25 [scenic shuttle bus], and optional [cable car, super slide, mountain go-karts, and other activities]. Business hours are 7:30 AM–3:30 PM. It is located at No. 158 Hengxi Bridge, Baiguo Village, Qingliangfeng Town, Lin'an District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Self-driving is recommended.
How about it? Are you interested in Hangzhou Daming Mountain Scenic Area? Feel free to leave a comment and discuss!