Wugong Mountain – Landscape Hiking in UNESCO Geopark

On 27th March, 2024, Wugong Mountain was included in the list of World Geopark by UNESCO. It is a crucial site for studying the early formation of the South China Block and subsequent intracontinental compression and extension. From ancient times, Wugong Mountain enjoyed equal popularity with Mount Hengshan and Mount Lu. They are praised as the three most famous mountains south of the Yangtze River.

Wugong Mountain houses numerous beautiful sceneries, including granite peaks, caves, clear waterfalls, fantastic rocks, special pines, clouds, and ancient temples. Because of its unique tectonic structure, it’s a living fossil to study magmatic evolution. There is a total of four scenic areas with more than 200 tourist attractions, which are the Golden Peak scenic area, Sheep and Lion Curtain scenic area (羊狮慕景区), Fayun Border scenic area (发云界景区) and Nine-Dragon Mountain scenic area (九龙山景区). Only the Golden Peak scenic area and Sheep and Lion Curtain scenic area have been developed.

Wugong Mountain is characterized by favorable natural ecological conditions, preserving a vast virgin forest, plentiful plant and animal resources, and a complete ecosystem. With more than 200 kinds of animals and 2,000 kinds of plants, it is extolled as a natural animal and botanical garden by experts of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Wugong Mountain has a temperate climate, which is cooler than Mount Lu and Huangshan Mountain. It is a good summer resort and a paradise for photography and outdoor sports.

If you want to have an ideal hiking trip for World Geopark, Wugong Mountain will be a good choice. We provide tailor-made hiking tour which will take care of every detail including transfer, accommodation, and tour guide. Please do not hesitate to contact us and get rid of trifle things!

Golden Peak (金顶)

Golden Peak, also called White Crane Peak, is at an elevation of 1918.3 meters. It is the main peak of Wugong Mountain also the highest peak in Jiangxi. After reaching the top of Golden Peak, tourists will take a group photo with a stone tablet engraved with “Wugong Mountain” and “Golden Peak” in Chinese characters to memorize this appealing adventure, which will be a manifestation of perseverance and stamina.

The name “White Crane Peak” stems from the attractive landscape in autumn. White tassels will cover the peak during autumn. When a soft breeze rustles the tassels, it creates a beautiful scene, like thousands of white cranes landing on the peak. This romantic name leaves room for imagination and brings different feelings.

Alpine Meadow

Do you want to smell the fresh grass wafted by the breeze? Would you like to lie on the verdant meadow over 1600 meters high enjoying the sunshine? Then, Wugong Mountain is a great destination for your tour!

Wugong Mountain covers more than 66,666,670 square meters of alpine meadow, stretching as far as the eye can see. This is a typical view of Wugong Mountain above 1600 meters high. This vegetation type survives on the condition of semihumid and semiarid. Its vast area and high altitude are unparalleled even in the world.

All the year round, the landscape is different. In spring, the grass is just coming up, dotted with some colorful flowers which display vigor and vitality. It will become a green grass sea in summer. Its great momentum will remind us how tiny we humans are. In autumn, cogongrass begins to ear, turning into white tassels, just resembling white cranes. After the white tassels fall, the whole mountain becomes gold. During the winter, capped with snow, Wugong Mountain will reveal a different appearance, making tourists step into a white wonderland.

Let’s escape from the bustling city and experience the beauty of nature.

Along the steep slopes of the canyon, there are clusters of waterfalls. Walking into the wooded mountain, the sound of running water composes a melodious tune.

Wugong Mountain has nearly 200 waterfalls of varying sizes because of its rolling terrain and wet climate. Most of the waterfalls pour down over the rocks with majestic momentum. Each of them also has their features. Jinhusajiu Waterfall (金壶洒酒瀑) spans 120 meters long, flowing rapidly just like wine pouring down from a bottle. Fuqi Waterfall (夫妻瀑), also named Couple Waterfall, flows down with two currents but converges on the same pool, accompanying each other all the time. Sandie Waterfall (三叠瀑) creates a sense of layer for it runs through three-layer slopes.

When the golden sunlight gradually rises or falls down the mountain, tourists can not help but marvel at the fabulous landscape and take memorable photos of the natural wonder. 5:30 to 7:00 is the best time to photograph the sunrise, while for the sunset, it is recommended to admire between 18:50 to 19:25.

Another natural scene well worth seeing is a sea of clouds. The rolling sea of clouds has a fairy tale beauty. Placing yourself in the sea of clouds, you may have a feeling of being supernatural, like living in heaven. However, there is a chance to see it only when it rains the day before.

Ancient Alter Group, located on Golden Peak, consists of four major ancient alters, namely Saint Ge Alter (葛仙台), Saint Wang Alter (汪仙台), Chongying Alter (冲应台), and Heirs-seeking Alter (求嗣台). Built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, it has a history of more than 1,700 years. It is built of granite and used to worship supernatural beings by ancient folk. Domestic experts praise it as a “living fossil” for studying the ancient worship culture south of the Yangtze River. These alters are said to have a very high historical value and artistic value for their long history and grand scale.

Drum-liked Stone Temple (石鼓寺)-Zhongan Cable Car (about 10 minutes) - Ziji Palace (紫极宫) - Wish-making Bridge (许愿桥) - Golden Peak Cable Car (about 10 minutes)-Golden Peak

This route is suitable for all travelers as it requires less physical strength, especially if you take a cable car. You can even visit Wugong Mountain within 1 day. However, it will be a pity if you do not camp on the Golden Peak to enjoy the starry sky and sunrise. The total length of this route is about 10 km and tourists can choose to spend 1-2 days to finish this route.

This route is suitable for people who first hike for it is challenging but not so tiring. It takes tourists 2 days to complete this 15 km tour. They can camp one night at Golden Peak.

Advanced Route

Huanggouchong (黄狗冲) -Slope of Dispair (绝望坡) - Guanyindan (观音宕) - Diaoma Stake (吊马桩) - Golden Peak

This route is ideal for hiking beginners as it is challenging but not excessively strenuous. It takes tourists 2 days to complete this 15 km tour. They can camp one night at Golden Peak.

Challenging Route

Dragon Mountain Village (龙山村) - Fayun Border (发云界) - Slope of Dispair (绝望坡) - Guanyindan (观音宕) - Diaoma Stake (吊马桩) - Golden Peak

This route is designed for experienced hikers. If you do not have hiking experience, it is recommended to find experienced friends traveling with you. Good physical condition is required for this 24 km length route. It will cost 3 days for this hike.

The three routes are just for your reference, if you have must-see tourist attractions, we can tailor a hiking route that fits your physical condition and interests. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Wugong Mountain belongs to a subtropical monsoon climate, having four distinct seasons and ample rainfall. It is hard to say the best season to visit Wugong Mountain because every season has a distinctive appearance. Tourists can visit Wugong Mountain throughout the year.

Spring (Mar. to May) is a great season for traveling for its mild temperatures between 10 °C and 20 °C. With the advent of spring, all plants come to life. Riding on Zhongan Cable Car to Zhongan, pink and white cherry blossoms are set off by green leaves.

Although summer (Jun. to Aug.) has a higher temperature, it is still agreeable. Due to the relatively high altitude, Wugong Mountain is not as hot as other places in Jiangxi. Some tourists will regard it as a summer resort. It is the best time to hike and camp. During this period, you can admire the starry sky, incredible sunrise, and green alpine meadows. It should be noted that summer is the rainy season. Before hiking, be sure to check weather information and carry rain gear.

Autumn (Sep. to Nov.) is also suitable for visits with temperatures between 15 °C and 25 °C. It is sunny and partly cloudy. The mountain will look like a golden sea in autumn. If you are lucky, you stand a good chance of appreciating the sea of clouds.

In winter (Dec. to Feb), the temperature is low which can reach about 0 °C. When it snows, Wugong Mountain will be turned into a white wonderland. It is a little dangerous to hike in winter because tourists may skid on the icy pavement. Winter is the slack season of Wugong Mountain. Tourists can enjoy a less-crowded tour.

International Tent Festival is held every every year on Wugong Mountain, usually between August to October, lasting about 1 to 3 months. It includes activities such as weight-bearing trekking, mountain bike racing, bonfire parties, movie-watching, etc. Tourists who want to challenge these activities should not miss the grand festival!

Tourists can visit Wugong Mountain throughout the whole year. However, March to October are more recommended for hiking and camping.

It’s better to take a plane to a metropolis with international airports, such as Shanghai, Changsha (长沙), Guangzhou, or Nanchang (南昌), etc. And then go to Pingxiang by high-speed train or normal train.

From Shanghai to Pingxiang, you can depart from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and take a high-speed train to Pingxiang North Railway Station, which will take about 5 hours.

From Changsha to Pingxiang, you may set off from Changsha Huanghua International Airport, driving about 20 minutes to Changsha South Railway Station, and then take a high-speed train to Pingxiang North Railway Station. We highly recommend tourists arrive in Changsha first because it only takes about 0.5 hours from Changsha to Pingxiang by high-speed train.

From Guangzhou to Pingxiang, tourists are supposed to depart from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, riding the high-speed train for about 3.5 hours to Pingxiang North Railway Station.

From Nanchang to Pingxiang, Nanchang Changbei International Airport would be the first stop, and then it needs to drive about 40 minutes to Nanchang West Railway Station. The distance between Nanchang West Railway Station and Pingxiang North Railway Station is not far because it only costs about 1 hour.

Entrance Fee: CNY 70/person

Cable Car Fee (optional):

Zhongan Cable Car: CNY 65/person (ascending from Shigu Temple to Zhongan); CNY 50/person (descending from Zhongan to Shigu Temple)

Golden Peak Cable Car: CNY 35/person (ascending from Fuxing Valley to Golden Peak); CNY 25/person (descending from Golden Peak to Fuxing Valley)

Please note that cable car runs from 8:20 to 17:10 when it is peak season (Apr. to Oct.) and from 8:30 to 16:30 when it is slack season (Nov. to Mar.)

Insurance Cost (optional): CNY 2/person

Since the tourist industry begins to prosper in Pingxiang, tourists have more options for accommodation. After the flight and train journey, tourists would like to rest in a hotel under Wugong Mountain first. Guesthouses, hotels, and villas are the popular choices to have a stay.

The highlight part of your visit to Wugong Mountain is definitely hiking and camping. Most tourists would spend at least one night at Wugong Mountain and camp at the Golden Peak scenic area . Six camp areas are available for tourists to choose from, including Yunzhihai Refuge Service Point, Golden Peak Refuge Service Point (No. 2-3), White Crane Peak Camp Area, Southern Golden Peak Camp Area, and Southern Golden Peak Refuge Service Point.

In the Yunding scenic area , there is one Camping Service Center and two Camping Supply Sites. They can put up their camps in Meadow Starry Night Camping Areas or live in Starry Night Tent Hotel. The inn on the mountain will rent out a tent with a moisture-proof pad and sleeping bag, equipped with a public bathroom and restaurant.

Tourists have few alternatives to hotels on the mountain. Hotels on the mountain may provide many kinds of rooms, ranging from single rooms, and double rooms to dormitory rooms, equipping public or independent bathrooms. Tourists can opt to rent a camp or live in a hotel according to their needs, interests, and budgets.

Jiangxi is a lesser-known province in China but hosts numerous human landscapes and natural scenic spots. Apart from Wugong Mountain, Mount Lu is also a wonderful trekking destination in Jiangxi. If tourists’ physical condition and time permits, they can tour Mount Lu.

Sanqing Mountain is a Taoist mountain and is endorsed as a World Geopark as well. Spending 1 or 2 exciting days exploring Sanqing Mountain, you will have different experiences.

Or if tourists feel tired after trekking,Wuyuan offers the most beautiful countryside scene to delight moods and eyes, helping tourists revive from the exhausting journey.

Jingdezhen is the Porcelain Capital of China and is near the Wugong Mountain. It is a good chance to witness the production process of porcelain-making and learn the history of porcelain.

Visiting Wangxian Valley, Canyons, streams, waterfalls, and rocks offer a spectacle, inviting into a real-life version of a fantasy world.