Two Days and Two Nights in Lushan

Planning to visit Lushan? Make sure to keep this guide handy! The Lushan Scenic Area is vast, and without a well-planned itinerary, you might miss out on many breathtaking views. 🚗Transportation Departing from Shanghai Hongqiao at 12:50, you can arrive at Lushan Railway Station by 17:51. For the return trip, depart from Lushan Railway Station at 18:30 and you'll be back in Shanghai by 23:00. After arriving at Lushan, you can take a bus for 10 yuan to the foot of the mountain. At the scenic area ticket office, tickets cost 160 yuan, the round-trip cable car is 120 yuan, and the sightseeing bus is 70 yuan. Then you can take the cable car up the mountain. Once on the mountain, first, drop off your luggage and enjoy a delicious dinner. In the evening, you can stroll around the bustling night market on Guling Street, which has a permanent population of over 20,000, full of life. Or you can watch the classic movie "Romance on Lushan Mountain" at the Lushan Cinema, which only screens this movie. It was the first movie in New China to feature a kissing scene, albeit just a cheek kiss, but it caused quite a stir at the time. 🗺️Itinerary The Lushan Scenic Area has three tour routes: the West Line, the East Line, and the Central Line. Day 1: Let's explore the East Line first while we still have plenty of energy! Hanpokou ➡️ Botanical Garden ➡️ Five Old Men Peak ➡️ Sandie Spring Hanpokou is a great place to watch the sunrise, but remember to buy tickets at the sightseeing bus ticket office the day before or ask the friendly hotel owner to book a car for you. The climb to Five Old Men Peak is moderately difficult, earning 4 stars. If you're lucky, you might see a dreamy sea of clouds, and there's also the 1314-meter altitude monument, a must-visit for couples. A special reminder: after visiting Five Old Men Peak, don't return the same way. Take a shortcut towards Sandie Spring Station, so you don't have to take the sightseeing bus again. They say "If you haven't been to Sandie Spring, you haven't been to Lushan." It's the core attraction of the Lushan Scenic Area. Day 2: Explore the West Line, which is relatively flat. Huajing ➡️ Bai Juyi's Cottage ➡️ Immortal's Cave ➡️ Great Heavenly Pool ➡️ Dragon Head Cliff ➡️ Suspension Bridge ➡️ Power Station Dam Take the sightseeing bus to tour the West Line, which can be done in half a day. If time permits, you can also visit cultural sites like museums and historical sites. A few tips: There's a path from the Suspension Bridge to Shimen Stream, but note that this attraction is outside the Lushan Scenic Area and requires an additional fee. Personally, I find the West Line attractions to be average, but it's nice to stroll in the forest oxygen bar, breathe fresh air, and give your lungs a deep cleanse. Also, Li Bai's famous poem "The waterfall plunges three thousand feet" refers to a waterfall in Xiufeng Park, which is not on our itinerary this time! I think Lushan is particularly suitable for a short family vacation. With sightseeing buses between attractions, you don't have to walk much, saving your energy to fully appreciate the scenic beauty. Moreover, the infrastructure in Guling Town is excellent, fully meeting daily needs. 🏨Accommodation Staying on Guling Street is a great choice, with both hotels and guesthouses available. The owner of the guesthouse I stayed at was super nice, not only carefully drawing our tour route but also upgrading our room for free. So considerate! 🍜Food Stone ear and stone fish, Lushan stone chicken, clay pot soup, stone fish with eggs, and chestnut powder snacks are all recommended to try.