Moganshan is 60 km north of Hangzhou, a few kilometres west of Deqing county, also known as Wukang town. The G104 from Hangzhou to Huzhou or the new Hang Ning Highway, from Hangzhou to Nanjing, both pass through Deqing. From Shanghai, Moganshan is approximately 200 kilometres due west, as the crow flies. There is no road that follows the crow.

Getting there

By Road

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 Deqing exit (third one from Hangzhou at the moment, till they put some more in between). Moganshan is also signposted from the highway. If you are in any doubt, there's a large disused cement factory at the junction too. It sticks out like a sore factory.

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. 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 ten 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.

Note: In the early nineties, an Iveco passenger vehicle’s brakes failed and it plummeted off the road on its way back down to Yucun, the village you pass through on the 13km, short and steep road. No survivors. So Ivecos are banned from the 13km road. Large buses will not make it either. Hence Ivecos, buses and Sunday drivers go the 30km route round the back of the mountain from that roundabout on the G104.

From Shanghai

Head for Hangzhou on the Hu Hang Highway (A8). Get onto it via the Outer Ringroad (A20) or by following Hengshan Lu, Cao Bao Lu and the Ming Hang Overpass (all extensions of each other) straight out of town.

Turn off the Hu Hang at junction 18, Hangzhou Express Ring North. If in any doubt look for signs to Nanjing.

(Note: there is an earlier exit saying Ring Road, 13 or 14 at the last count. Be careful not to take it. It heads for Ningbo).

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. After about twenty minutes you come to the Deqing exit. Moganshan is also signposted from the highway. If you are in any doubt, there's a large disused cement factory at the junction too. It sticks out like a sore factory.

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. See pics above.

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 ten 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 drive to Moganshan 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. Allow 3 hours 30 minutes, 4 hours if you are going to get lost the first time.

By Bus

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 12 last time we checked. Bus takes about forty minutes to Wukang bus station. If you do not stop for a karaoke session or sauna on the top floor of the station, you can get straight into a local minivan or taxi and they’ll take you up the mountain. Taxi normally RMB 50, minivan can be had for RMB 40.

From Shanghai

Buses leave daily from Shanghai Old North Bus Station, (Lao Bei Zhan) at 80 Gongxing Lu, direct for Wukang. Departure times are 6.30am, 11.50am and 12.40pm. Ticket price RMB 53 one way. The journey takes about four hours, via Huzhou.

Alternative is to get a seat on one of the semi official buses from Shanghai South Train Station to Hangzhou. Touts are all over the place. Cost last time we looked was RMB 50. Then make your way by bus or taxi from Hangzhou. See above.

By Train

From Shanghai

There are regular trains to Hangzhou from both Shanghai Main Station and Shanghai South Station. Four or five a day from the latter. (Note the new South Station is still under construction. Currently the old south station, beside Jinjiang Leyuan is still in use.) Onward from Hangzhou get a taxi or bus. See above.

By Air

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 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.