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Mogan Hill
Mogan Hill, lying 60 kilometers from Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, is filled with rolling hills of evergreen trees, bamboo forests and soothing streams that resound through the woods.It is touted for its tranquil scenery and soothing atmosphere, especially among city slickers in need of a break from Shanghai's noise, overcrowding and often hazy air.The hill is about 200 km away from Shanghai.
Foreigners began seeking refuge in these hills back in the 1900s to escape the stifling summer heat in Shanghai. These immigrants built country homes and villas, swimming pools and churches to provide themselves with a home away from home.
Now they are returning in droves to savor the fresh mountain air and green landscape, just as Shanghai is returning to the prestige it enjoyed back in the 1920s.
The relaxing atmosphere may make it hard to venture far, maybe while lost in a book, but Moganshan does offer many interesting, cultural and scenic attractions. Be sure to take some comfortable walking shoes, however.
If the bamboo forests and sea of green aren't enough to marvel at, try a hike to the villas formerly occupied by some of China's most renowned leaders. The villa of Chiang Kai-shek is worth the trek, while those up for a longer hike can go all the way to his home village of Wulin. Others may opt to check out the Mao Museum, built at a site where Chairman Mao Zedong once allegedly took a nap.
There are several more natural sights worth seeing nearby. Sword Pond lies many stairs below the town center and ranks as one of the area's more famous attractions. Meanwhile, there is a collection of curiously shaped rocks at Weird Stone Corner, at the top of the peak, which also serves as one of the prime spots for viewing the surrounding hills and Mogan Lake.
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