Wugong Mountain (1,918m) in Jiangxi Province is China's most visually distinctive ridge trek — a 25km trail that traverses an unbroken expanse of alpine meadow stretching across the mountain's spine above 1,600m. Dubbed the 'Cloud Grassland' (云中草原), these golden-green meadows roll endlessly toward the horizon, creating a landscape more akin to the Mongolian steppe than subtropical southern China. The mountain has become a cultural phenomenon: its annual International Tent Festival (18 editions and counting) draws 10,000+ campers per night, and with 549 million visitors in 2025 and 514.6 billion social media impressions, it's China's most viral hiking destination. In 2023, the Wugong Mountain trail was certified as an International Mountain Hiking Tourism Demonstration Route by the International Mountain Tourism Association (IMTA) — one of China's few internationally certified trekking routes.
Easy to moderate. The reverse traverse (Longshan → Fayunjie → Golden Summit) is beginner-friendly with well-maintained trails. The biggest challenge is the Despair Slope — a steep 300m ascent that earns its name. Cable cars are available at multiple points for an easy exit if needed. The high point is only 1,918m — no altitude concerns. Main discomfort is heat/humidity in summer and cold wind at the summit at night.
The most popular route — enter from Longshan Village, traverse the meadow ridge to Golden Summit, descend via cable car.
For those short on time or energy — cable car up, ridge walk, cable car down. Still captures the meadow and summit experience.
The complete Wugong Mountain experience — from Longshan Village through Fayunjie and Golden Summit to Yangshimu, covering the full 50km ridge.
Best: May-October. May-June: meadows turn vivid green, rhododendrons bloom, comfortable temperatures. September-October: golden meadows, most frequent sea-of-clouds, comfortable hiking weather — the busiest and most photogenic season. July-August: hot and humid, afternoon thunderstorms common (start early), but the tent festival season makes for a festive atmosphere. November: crisp and clear but cold at night (near freezing at summit). December-March: meadows are brown, trails can be icy, and many guesthouses close — not recommended. Cloud sea probability is highest September-November (65%+ at Fayunjie).
Everything you need to know as an international traveler planning this route in China.
Standard Chinese visa required. Jiangxi Province has no special travel restrictions for foreigners. The nearest major international gateway is Shanghai — high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Pingxiang North Station takes about 4 hours (¥350-400). Alternatively, fly to Nanchang Changbei Airport and take a 1.5-hour high-speed train to Pingxiang.
No special permits. Entrance + sightseeing bus: ¥150/person. Cable car: ¥65 one-way (Zhong'an) or ¥55 (Fuxing). Foreign visitors MUST purchase tickets at the on-site window with passport — online booking systems (Ctrip, Meituan) do not accept foreign passport numbers. This may add 20-30 minutes to your entry time.
No advance booking needed for the trail itself. Guesthouses on the ridge (¥80-120/person including basic meals) are available on a first-come basis — weekends fill up by midday. For the tent festival (usually August-September), reserve through the scenic area's WeChat account or Ctrip. YouDuoDuo International Travel Agency offers English-speaking guided hikes from Pingxiang.
Alipay and WeChat Pay widely accepted at the scenic area, cable cars, and summit vendors. Some ridge guesthouses accept cash only. Carry ¥200-300 cash as backup. International credit cards NOT accepted. Budget: ¥150 (entrance) + ¥65-130 (cable cars, optional) + ¥80-120 (guesthouse) + ¥100 (meals) = ¥395-500/person.
High-speed train to Pingxiang North Station (萍乡北站). From the station: scenic area shuttle bus ¥27/person, 1.5h to the Longshan trailhead or main entrance. Taxis from the station: ¥150-200. From Shanghai: 4h by high-speed train. From Nanchang: 1.5h. From Changsha: 1h. Pingxiang is well-connected — this is one of China's most accessible trekking destinations.
On the ridge: basic guesthouses (客栈) at Fayunjie, near Despair Slope, and at Golden Summit — ¥80-120/person including simple meals (shared bathrooms, no hot water). Camping: bring your own tent or rent from guesthouses (¥50-80/tent). During the tent festival, thousands camp at Golden Summit — a unique cultural experience. In Pingxiang city: comfortable hotels from ¥150-300/night.
Limited English. YouDuoDuo International Travel provides English-speaking guides. Ridge guesthouse owners speak Mandarin only. Useful phrases: 金顶 (jīn dǐng) = Golden Summit; 发云界 (fā yún jiè) = Fayunjie; 绝望坡 (jué wàng pō) = Despair Slope; 客栈 (kè zhàn) = guesthouse; 缆车 (lǎn chē) = cable car
4G signal at Golden Summit and near cable car stations. Signal is weak or absent on the meadow ridge between Fayunjie and Golden Summit. Download offline maps before starting. WiFi not available on the ridge. Power bank recommended — no charging at guesthouses.
Wugong Mountain Scenic Area emergency: 0799-7636666. Pingxiang People's Hospital: 0799-6832120. Ambulance: 120. The ridge is well-traveled with many hikers — help is usually nearby. Main risks: thunderstorms on the exposed ridge, hypothermia at summit in cold weather, and ankle injuries on steep descents.
The meadow ridge at sunrise was pure magic — golden grass as far as the eye could see with clouds flowing between the peaks. The tent city at Golden Summit was surreal, like a festival. Beginners: take the reverse route from Longshan, it's much gentler.
Incredible views but the summit area was packed — we camped at Fayunjie instead and had the meadow almost to ourselves at dawn. The 'Despair Slope' is tough but short. Bring warm clothes — it was 5°C at the summit at 5 AM.
No special permits needed. Foreign visitors purchase tickets at the on-site window with passport (online booking not available for foreigners — allow ~30 minutes extra). Entrance + sightseeing bus: ¥150/person. Cable car (optional): ¥65 one-way. The reverse traverse route (Longshan Village → Fayunjie → Golden Summit) is the most popular for trekkers.
Last verified: August 1, 2026