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)
