Location
Moganshan is 60 km north of Hangzhou, and a few kilometres west of Deqing county, also known as Wukang town. The G104 from Hangzhou to Huzhou or the Hang Ning Highway, from Hangzhou to Nanjing both pass through or beside Deqing. From Shanghai Moganshan is approximately 200 kilometres due west as the crow flies.
Getting there
From Hangzhou
Quickest and easiest option is to get on the Shang Tang Lu overpass and drive north to where it becomes the Hang Ning Highway. Keep going straight for Nanjing. After about twenty minutes from the toll gate you come to the Wukang exit. Moganshan is also signposted. (Highway toll is RMB 15 from Hangzhou).
Once you have left the highway follow the signs to Moganshan (new road, straight, no turns) until you come to a roundabout on the G104. Here you will see a sign saying Moganshan straight on, 30 kms. DO NOT follow it! Unless you are driving a big bus, Iveco truck, or fancy a long scenic drive.
Turn
right onto the G104 for Huzhou and head north for about three kilometres.
You will come to a sign pointing left for Moganshan, 13kms. Take it. After
about 10 minutes the country road brings you to Yucun, a small village
at the foot of the mountain. At the top of the village street, turn right
over a small bridge and follow the narrow lane out of the village, keeping
to the right where there is a bit of a fork. Once you are through the
big stone gate you cannot go wrong, just up.
From downtown Hangzhou the journey should take just over one hour.
Alternative route is to follow the G104 towards Huzhou and turn off it as mentioned above.
Useful Tip. If coming by taxi from Hangzhou, get the driver to drop you at Wukang bus station and catch a local cab from there. It won’t cost anymore. And try to get the Hangzhou driver to go by the meter, to take the Hangning Highway, and offer to pay the toll both ways (RMB30). Price should work out at about RMB 160 total to Wukang. Taxi from Wukang Bus Station up to the top of the mountain is RMB 50 or 60.
From Shanghai
There are now three highways you can take between Shanghai and Moganshan: the northern one to Huzhou, where you’d turn south onto the Hangning and wait for the Wukang/Moganshan exit, OR the southern one, described in detail below becsue it is the most commonly use done OR the middle one, but that one does not start till a field somewhere near Jiaxing.
Here’s the tried and tested Hangzhou route. If you want to go for the others, we suggest you get a map.
Head for Hangzhou on the Hu Hang Highway. Get onto it via the Outer Ringroad or by following Hengshan Lu, Cao Bao Lu and the Ming Hang Overpass (all extensions of each other) straight out of town.
Turn off at the Hangzhou Express Ring North. If in any doubt look for signs to Nanjing.
Just after you have crossed the Grand Canal (historic point of interest) turn north off the Ring Road onto the Hang Ning Highway, following signposts to Nanjing and turn off at Wukang/Moganshan exit.
Once you have left the highway follow the signs to Moganshan (new road, straight, no turns) until you come to a roundabout on the G104. Here you will see a sign saying Moganshan straight on, 30 kms. DO NOT follow it! Unless you are driving a big bus, Iveco truck, or fancy a long scenic drive.
Turn right onto the G104 for Huzhou and head north for about three kilometres. You will come to a sign pointing left for Moganshan, 13kms. Take it. After about 10 minutes the country road brings you to Yucun, a small village at the foot of the mountain. At the top of the village street, turn right over a small bridge and follow the narrow lane out of the village, keeping to the right where there is a bit of a fork. Once you are through the big stone gate you cannot go wrong, just up.
It
is possible to do it in 2 hours 45 minutes from Shanghai. All depends
on traffic on the highways. Since the Hu Hang became three lanes each
way the jams are much rarer.
From Hangzhou
Regular
buses leave from Hangzhou North Bus Station, on Moganshan Lu, at least
every hour, for Wukang (also known as Deqing). Ticket prices were RMB
19 last time we checked. Bus takes about forty minutes to Wukang bus station.
From there
a local minivan or taxi will take you straight up the mountain. Taxi normally
RMB 60, minivan can be had for RMB 50. Do NOT let one of the red three
wheelers tempt you. They will not take you up the mountain, but will drop
you (for an exorbitant price) at the village at the foot of the mountain.
From Shanghai
Buses leave daily from Shanghai Old North Bus Station direct for Wukang at 0650, 1150 and 1240. Journey time is about three and a half hours.
From Shanghai
There are regular trains to Hangzhou from both Shanghai Main Station and Shanghai South Station. South Station has the new express trains which take about one hour and twenty minutes to get to Hangzhou. Onward from Hangzhou get a taxi or bus. See above.
From Hangzhou Airport (Xiaoshan) it is simplest to get a taxi to Wukang/Deqing and change to a local cab there. See above. Takes about one and a half hours total and costs maybe RMB 200.
Important Note
You have to pay to get into the Moganshan Scenic Area. RMB 80 buys you a one day pass to all the sights. If you leave Moganshan and come back by the road, on any day after the day you bought the ticket, you will have to buy another unless you can charm the guys on the gate. Take your ticket with you wherever you go on the mountain and if you leave and intend to return the same day.
