Moganshan (Mogan Mountain)

Moganshan, in Deqing County northwest of Hangzhou, is a bamboo-forested mountain retreat that became a summer resort for Shanghai's foreign residents and Chinese elite in the early 20th century, and its slopes are still dotted with stone colonial-era villas alongside dense bamboo groves. Visitors typically hike or drive up a network of paths through the bamboo forest, stopping at scenic points such as Jianshan (Sword Pool waterfall) and the Wuyue overlook, which offers views across the surrounding hills toward the Yangtze delta plain on clear days. Many of the old villas have been converted into guesthouses and boutique hotels, so an overnight stay is common, allowing time to walk the quieter upper paths in the cool morning air before day-trippers arrive. The mountain's elevation, around 700 meters, keeps summer temperatures noticeably cooler than the surrounding lowlands, which is the main draw for visitors escaping Shanghai and Hangzhou's summer heat; weekends in July and August bring heavy crowds of day-trippers and weekend homeowners, while weekday visits are markedly quieter. A half to full day covers the main bamboo forest paths and one or two overlooks, while an overnight stay allows for a longer hike through the pine and bamboo forest network and a look at some of the surviving stone villas. Photography is best in the bamboo groves in soft morning light, when mist often still clings to the forest floor.