October 18 this year marks the traditional Chinese festival Chongyang Festival, or Double Ninth Festival. Traditionally, Chinese people drink chrysanthemum wine, carry a dogwood branch and climb mountains to celebrate this festival. You can choose to follow this tradition or not. But the autumn days are always a perfect time for hiking and climbing given the clear weather. So here are some mountains around Beijing and Shanghai for you to explore.
Senior citizens and young volunteers take a group photo after mountain climbing, to greet the Double Ninth Festival for the elderly in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, October 18. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Double Ninth Festival falls on October 19 this year.
Beijing
Fragrant Hills
Anyone who recommends autumn destinations will not leave Fragrant Hills out. There are many reasons for this.
First, Fragrant Hills boasts the most beautiful red maple leaves in Beijing. Second, it has numerous connections with historic figures. For example, Chairman Mao used to live in a villa on the mountain. Third, this mountain is well developed. It has chairlifts, well-built roads as well as trails for adventure hikers. This area is ideal for people of all ages.
Last but not least, Fragrant Hills is easily accessible as it's located 20 kilometers northwest of Beijing.
How to get there: People can either drive there themselves by taking Sihuan, or the 4th Ring Road at Sijiqingqiao and follow the road signs, or take buses such as 331, 360 and 714.
Phoenix Mountain
It's a mountain that has amassed quite a few titles. It's called the "green lungs of Beijing", referring to its fresh air. It's said that Phoenix Mountain's oxygen negative ion density is 150 times that of downtown Beijng. The mountain is also called "small Yellow Mountain" referring to its dense vegetation, unique rocks, grand hills and legendary springs. Phoenix Mountain's third title is "Little Western Mountain of Beijing", as it's just 33 kilometers from Tian'anmen Square.
How to get there: Take Badaling Highway, and it takes about 30 minutes from Beijing's Madianqiao, on North Third Ring Road to Fenghuanling.
Lingshan
Lingshan is Beijing's highest mountain at 2,303m. Its high altitude encourages various vegetation growths, with its range of temperate and cold zones. People going to Lingshan can find cloves, birches, roses and canary creepers. Yet it is best known for its boundless meadow, a scenery commonly found in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region or Inner Mongolia, but quite rare in Beijing. Thousands of flowers of various colors mingle with green grasses for thousands of miles.
Thanks to its abundant vegetation, Lingshan also houses many wildlife species. It is the only natural breeding pasture for Tibetan yak, Xinjiang fine wool sheep and Xinjiang Yili horses. Visitors can come here to ride wild horses.
How to get there: Take the 109 National Highway, and follow the road signs.
West Mountain Badachu
As an old Chinese saying goes, "A temple is crucial to mountains, as it houses the mountain's soul". For people on a pilgrimage, we recommend West Mountain Badachu.
Badachu, or "eight spots" in English, has eight temples. The first two are located at the foot of the mountain, a third is higher up, the next three are half way up, a seventh is at the summit, and the last one is on top of the mountain opposite. These eight temples were built at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and many emperors have visited them.
Badachu Park is similar to the Summer Palace, also serving the royal family as a summer and autumn resort. Compared with well-developed Fragrant Hills, Badachu is far superior in its simple and natural beauty.
How to get there: Go west at Hangtianqiao to Jinyuanqiao. Take Badachulu Road at Yangzhuang Donglu and head north.
Shanghai
Yandangshan Mountain
Yandangshan is nicknamed the "famous Mountain by the sea" and boasts "the best scenery in China". Many say it's beautiful during all four seasons and both night and day.
Yet visitors prefer to come here during the fall season. Buddhists come to Yangdangshan to make pilgrimages. It's best to wander around, walking along the route and take in the amazing scenery along the river. Dalongqiu, a waterfall with a drop of 197 meters, is another must-see area. This place was the backdrop for a soap opera featuring martial arts by famous Chinese novelist Jin Yong. Also at Dalongqiu, tourists can watch the fantastic herbal medicine picking performance. Performers run down a 250m high hill and pick herbal medicines along the road.
How to get there: When you arrive in Hangzhou City, don't leave the expressway. Head towards Ningbo City on the Hangyong Expressway until you reach Guzhu. Then take the Yongtaiwen Expressway and go to Wenzhou City to reach the entrance of Yandangshan Mountain Scenic Resort.
Putuoshan Mountain
Located on a small island, Putuoshan Mountain is China's lowest sacred mountain. It has mystic caves, tranquil valleys, overhanging cliffs and golden beaches.
It's said that people go to Putuoshan in summer for the sea, while those in autumn come for the sand. As it gets cooler, the beach becomes quieter -- the perfect time to build sand sculptures. Putuoshan hosts sand sculpture festivals every year. Artists from around the world compete in this event.
In addition, gourmets will enjoy some of China's best seafood at Putuoshan. And for those not wishing the trek all over the mountain, there is a comprehensive minibus transport system giving you access to all the main sights.
How to get there: Ferryboats are available everyday between Putuoshan and Shanghai.
Moganshan Mountain
Moganshan Mountain is famous for three things: wild bamboo, splendid clouds and villas of different styles. Although it is best known as a nice summer resort, Moganshan is also an ideal place for mountain climbing in autumn.
When the summer heat retreats, the sky here becomes clearer and the air fresher. So when people climb onto the top of the mountain, they can see even further. Red maple leaves mingle with the remaining green ones and the sweet scent of osmanthus floats in the air. All of this gives Moganshan a quiet atmosphere. All you can hear is just babbling springs and the wind gliding through bamboo wood.
How to Get There: If you are in Shanghai, first take a train to Hangzhou. Then take a coach to Huzhou from the Old North Bus Station or the New Passenger Station. With a total journey time of two to three hours, you can get off at Mogan Mountain Stop.
(China Daily, Xinhua News Agecny October 19, 2007)
