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Mt. Moganshan

Mt. Moganshan

Write: Aleta [2011-05-23]

Mt. MoganshanMt. Moganshan (Mogan Mountain, Mo Gan Hill) in Hangzhou gets its current name is because of the famous ancient sword makers Ganjiang and Moya had lived there and made their swords. This great mountain is located in the southeast of Hangzhou, Zhejian Province and only 60km away (about 1 hour by bus) from the down town. It is known as one of the four most famous summer resorts of China (the other three is Beidaihe, Lushan Mountain, Jigongshan Mountain) and enjoys the reputation of "the pleasantly cool world".

The Mt. Moganshan consists of the Tashan Mountain (Tower Mountain), China Mountain, Jinjia Mountain (Jin's Family Mountain), Wuji Mountain (Mountain of the Ridge of Roof), the Mogan Ridge, and Fort Mountain. These branch mountains are the main scenic spots of the Mogan Mountain and generally known as the Mogan Mountain Scenic Area. In the area, many Song Dynasty planted trees such as the firs and ginkgoes can be seen. The mountain is the best place to enjoy the sunrise, sunset and the sea of the clouds. It also has many beautiful cascades, springs and temples so it got the name of "Home of Water and the Buddhists" in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 - 1911).

Mt. MoganshanMoganshan ever was a popular summer resort for wealthy Chinese and foreigners in the first half of the twentieth century. The first foreigners to visit Moganshan were actually the western missionaries in the 1890s then the Chinese wealthy city dwellers and foreign tourists soon followed.

They brought their amenities here and built a first vacation village in the mountain. The village had its own swimming pool, tennis courts, bakers and two churches in 1930s. Meanwhile impressive stone villas began to appear. It's said that Chiang Kai Shek (The leader of Kuomintang) brought his new bride Song Mei Ling here in 1929. His home is one of the many luxurious homes built on the mountain-top. These years, the Moganshan has been designated by the name of "World Architectural Museum" for its hundreds of different stylish villas that built in the early years of the 20th century.

Today, Moganshan is still a great place to get away from the city and for relaxation. It has been a popular refuge from Nanjing, Hangzhou and Shanghai summers with its bamboo forests and breezy mountain top. Some parts of the mountain are packed with tourists, but much of the mountain is practically deserted. It's ideal for hiking and enjoying the nature.