[2025 Deqing Hotels] Travel Guide for Baiyun Hotel (Updated Jul)

🌟 Deqing Moganshan: Republic of China Stories Hidden in the Bamboo Forest 🌟 Walking along the bluestone paths of Moganshan, the rustling of bamboo leaves fills the air. This place was once the "escapist paradise" of the Republic of China era, where 1930s-era villas are nestled among lush bamboo groves, each holding untold celebrity anecdotes. 🏡 The town where Manyue Dream·Hot Spring Resort Homestay is located is itself a living museum of Republic of China architecture. In the 1920s, Western missionaries first discovered this summer retreat, followed by political and business elites like Zhang Jingjiang and Du Yuesheng, who built villas here. Today, Manyue Dream preserves the charm of these historic buildings while blending in modern comforts. Soaking in the starlit hot spring, you might almost hear the footsteps of Huang Fu and Chiang Kai-shek discussing secrets during their recuperation here. Did you know? The most fascinating way to explore Moganshan is through "villa hunting"—follow the hand-drawn map from your homestay host to find the ginkgo tree planted by Jiang Menglin, sip Republic of China-style coffee at the former site of Baiyun Restaurant, or even discover the piano played by Soong May-ling in Linhai Villa. Standing on the terrace of Songyue Lu, overlooking the mountains, you’ll suddenly understand why Republic of China elites called this place the "Number One Mountain of Jiangnan." At night, Moganshan becomes even more mysterious. Brew a pot of local white tea on Manyue Dream’s terrace, and your host will share more secrets: Zhou Zuoren wrote "Travel Notes of Moganshan" here, Hu Shi debated the Vernacular Movement by Sword Pond, and even the mountain scenery in Yu Dafu’s novels can be found outside your homestay window. As morning mist drifts through the bamboo forest, the steam from the hot spring carries Deqing’s thousand-year-old wellness wisdom. The mineral-rich mountain spring water was said in the Republic of China era to "cure all ailments after three days of drinking." Now, soaking in the homestay’s starlit hot spring tub, enjoying a more luxurious experience than those historical figures, you might lose track of time itself.

Friends! I’ve struck gold with this hidden gem of a hotel in Moganshan! It’s right inside the Moganshan Scenic Area! Who can resist the charm of vacationing in a century-old villa? 😭 Every snapshot oozes vintage vibes 📸 Don’t miss this ultimate guide! 🏡 Step into a Republic of China-Era Tale Baiyun Hotel is made up of 8 charming Republic of China-era villas! Wooden staircases, retro carved windows, oversized bathtubs… every corner tells a story. Open the window to lush greenery 🌲 Wake up to misty mountain views from the terrace—it’s like stepping back in time! I stayed in a deluxe room with a terrace, sipping wine under the mountain breeze at night 🍷 Absolutely breathtaking! 🍽 A Taste of Moganshan Must-try: the bamboo forest chicken at the Chinese restaurant—freshly prepared and bursting with flavor! Don’t miss the seasonal bamboo shoot feast, so fresh it’ll blow your mind! Enjoy afternoon tea in a private villa ☕️ paired with mountain views—perfection! At dusk, grab a craft cocktail at the café and soak in the sunset romance~ 🎈 Relax or Play—Both Are Perfect ✔️ Unwind with mahjong or belt out tunes in the KTV ✔️ Nearby hiking trails are pure therapy! Chase fireflies in July! ✔️ Even the meeting rooms are stylish—team-building heaven! 📍 Prime Location! Just a 2-minute walk to Luhuadang 🚶 Jianchi and Wuling Village are a short taxi ride away. For a comfy and unique stay in Moganshan, this is the spot—book without hesitation!!

🏞【Destination Guide】 🧳Preparation: ✅ Documents: ID card, driver's license (if renting a car) ✅ Clothing: sun-protective clothing/hat, comfortable sports shoes, light jacket (large temperature difference between day and night) ✅ Protection: mosquito repellent, sunscreen, umbrella for sun and rain ✅ Emergency: power bank, common medicines (band-aids/stomach medicine) ✅ Others: small amount of cash (some homestays only accept cash) ⚠️ Note: Book homestays in advance! Weekends/holidays are very busy! 🚗Transportation Guide: 🚗 Self-driving (recommended) - Departure from Shanghai/Hangzhou/Suzhou: 2 hours direct, navigate to "Moganshan Tourism Distribution Center" - Parking: shuttle bus transfer required inside the scenic area (💰35 RMB/person), homestays generally have free parking 🚄 High-speed train + taxi - Deqing Station: 30 minutes direct high-speed train from Shanghai/Hangzhou, about 40 minutes by taxi to the scenic area (💰60-80 RMB) 🚌 Bus - From Hangzhou: North Bus Station → Wukang Bus Station, transfer to Y1 tourist line to the scenic area ⚠️ Note - Many mountain roads inside the scenic area, beginners should be cautious when driving - Traffic jams are common on weekends/holidays, it is recommended to arrive before 8 AM 🛏Hotel Information: 🏡 Homestays (top choice for character) - High-end design: Naked Stables, Daluo Zhiye (💰2000+/night, book 1-2 months in advance) - Cost-effective: Xipo, Yundingbao (💰800-1500/night, includes breakfast + afternoon tea) - Popular check-in spots: Tasha Dudu, Sesame Valley (great for photos, family-friendly) 🏨 Hotels (convenient choice) - Inside the scenic area: Moganshan Kaiyuan Senbo (family playground + heated water park) - At the foot of the mountain: Deqing Hyatt Place (near high-speed train station, convenient for business trips) ⚠️ Note - Prices double on weekends/holidays, try to avoid peak times - Some homestays are deep in the mountains, confirm shuttle service in advance - Off-season (November-March) some homestays close, check before booking 📌 Tip: Want to save money? Choose non-cliff rooms, the view difference is minimal! 🌟Must-visit local spots: 🌿 Natural Scenery - Jianchi Pond: Moganshan’s "soul spot," bamboo forest waterfall + legend of Ganjiang and Moye - Dakeng Scenic Area: 360° viewing platform, perfect for sunrise and sea of clouds (about 2 hours hiking) - Luhuadang Park: Republic of China villas + golden reed secret spot 📸 Instagram-worthy spots - Yiyuan Farm: little New Zealand vibe, feed cows/picnic on the lawn (reservation required) - Xiantan Art Museum: wabi-sabi style art space, great for casual photos - Rainbow Trail: rainbow road in the tea garden, navigate to "Xihu Ding Ecological Tea Plantation" 🍵 Cultural Experience - Yucun Cultural Market: artsy cafes + vintage clock tower + handmade market (busiest on Fridays and Saturdays) - Baiyunshan Pavilion: Chiang Kai-shek’s honeymoon palace, a must-visit for Republic of China history buffs ⚠️ Note - Jianchi Pond has many steps, wear comfortable shoes! - Farm/art museum may be closed on Mondays, check opening hours in advance - Free spots like Rainbow Trail are remote, self-driving or chartered car recommended 💡 Lazy tip: Stay near "Yucun" for all food, drink, play, and photo needs! 💗Travel Experience: 🌱 Maximum healing • Morning: awakened by birdsong in the bamboo forest, open the window to ink-wash mountain views • Afternoon: brew a pot of Moganshan yellow bud tea, daydream on the homestay terrace • Night: see the Milky Way overhead, summer nights have firefly parties 🚶‍♂️ Essence of slow life • Hiking in the mountains to breathe fresh air, chance encounters with wild stream waterfalls • Order a coffee in Yucun, watch the old street time as phoenix tree leaves fall ⚠️ Real Tips - Don’t chase “check-in efficiency,” this place is for lying back and zoning out - Rainy days bring the fairy-like misty Jiangnan vibe (bring non-slip shoes) - Prices are about the same as first-tier cities, but farmhouse dishes are worth trying ✨ Aftereffects: After returning to the city, you’ll always miss the breeze carrying the fresh sweetness of bamboo leaves~ 📌 Small Tips: 💡 Smart moves 1. Early bird benefit: self-driving up the mountain before 7 AM waives shuttle bus fee (fewer people + cooler) 2. Hidden viewpoint: platform behind Baiyun Hotel, few people and beautiful scenery perfect for photos 3. Foodie secret: chat with homestay owners about local dishes, might unlock private homemade chicken soup 🚫 Pitfall warnings - Be cautious buying “Moganshan specialty dried bamboo shoots,” easy to be overcharged at the scenic area entrance (better to go to the town vegetable market) - Popular restaurants have long queues, eat off-peak (arrive before 11:00 AM/5:00 PM) - Be cautious choosing cliff homestays on rainy days, fog may block the view 🎒 Mystical gear - Bring a shawl: sun protection/styling/warmth in air-conditioned rooms all in one - Foldable foot soak bucket: magic recovery tool for soaking feet after long walks at the homestay 🌤️ Weather mysticism: summer afternoons often have showers, but usually stop within half an hour, don’t panic~

Mogan Mountain, hailed as the "First Mountain of Jiangnan," is a destination worth revisiting. While renowned as a modern summer retreat, it boasts unique charms in all four seasons. Regrettably, my visits have always been fleeting, leaving me longing for an extended stay amidst its boundless bamboo forests and enchanting villas. At dawn or dusk, when the mountain falls into profound silence, staying in a restored heritage villa brings an indescribable sense of tranquility—perhaps this is the life one truly desires. The Baiyun Hotel, the highest-altitude accommodation on the mountain, derives its name from the historic Baiyun Villa and encompasses several distinctive old villas scattered across nearby slopes. This time, I was fortunate to stay in the sole surviving residence originally owned by the London Missionary Society, where stone walls, leather stools, and fireplaces exude quintessential European charm. Architecture is frozen history: reading by the window on misty winter days about the stories of its first owners—Liao Siping, Madame Yi, and others—proves deeply evocative. Even more poignant are the dramatic life experiences of Huang Fu, the subsequent owner and Republic of China's first foreign minister. Over a century of seasonal changes, the original residents have all departed, yet these serene mountain villas still stand gracefully above the clouds, awaiting new visitors to uncover their legacy...

👍️Why Visit: Moganshan, one of China's top four summer retreats, is a beloved getaway for locals to escape the heat. Leave work behind and escape into the mountains for a rejuvenating break. 📅Travel Tips: *Yinshan Street hosts a night market where misty mountain views blend with live music, creating a dreamy atmosphere. *Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek's former residences stand on separate peaks, each with unique historical significance—ideal for history buffs. *Xuguang Terrace is perfect for sunrise views and even offers postcard mailing. *Baiyun Villa and Luhuadang Park are the highest viewpoints, featuring steep, winding paths with striking vertical landscapes. *No. 450 Catholic Church showcases exquisite stone masonry and was once a meeting site for economists during China's reform era—both its exterior and interior are stunning. *Dakeng Scenic Area spans vast terrain with peculiar rock formations, best visited in autumn (prepare for a long hike). *Sword Pond has many steps and a modest pool, but local vendors sell dried bamboo shoots, pickled greens, and Huangya tea—great souvenirs. 🍜Food Guide: Downhill, "Mama Goldfish" is a must-visit for its diverse, reliable menu. On Yinshan Street, Yongli and Dongwu restaurants are long-standing favorites with warm service. Baiyun Hotel’s noodle soup is exceptional. Must-tries include bamboo chicken, free-range pork, dried bamboo shoots, bream, cogongrass root, and bamboo tube rice. 🏨Stay Tips: Stay downhill in Yucun or the international resort area, or uphill in historic villas-turned-boutique hotels (some offer free park entry). 💗Extra Tips: —Park entry: ¥95/person (¥10 discount if booked via Trip.com). Shuttle pass: ¥65/person (unlimited rides). —Scenic shuttles (¥15/day) loop one-way from Yinshan Street, allowing hop-on/hop-off access. —Strong signal; walking between nearby spots is feasible in good weather (some paths are narrow—caution advised).

Nestled in the heart of the Shanghai-Hangzhou-Jinhua triangle lies Moganshan, a secret realm hailed by The New York Times as "one of the 45 places in the world worth visiting." This mountain, just over 700m above sea level, is named after the legend of Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, who forged swords here during the Spring and Autumn period. It is renowned for its rolling hills of bamboo, clear springs, cascading waterfalls, and scattered clusters of villas from the Republic of China era. Here, the four seasons paint distinct pictures: spring bursts with mountain flowers and emerging bamboo shoots; summer boasts an average temperature of 24°C, with dense bamboo shade; autumn brings a tapestry of colorful forests and fiery red maples; and winter transforms the landscape into a crystal wonderland of frost and rime. Stroll along the stone steps in front of Song Yuelu, Chiang Kai-shek's former residence, breathe in the subtle fragrance of the rose garden at Le Passage Mohkan Shan, and enjoy panoramic views of the entire Moganshan basin from the terrace of the Baiyun Hotel. The sound of the Sword Pond Waterfall still echoes the sword-making legends of a thousand years ago. What truly makes Moganshan legendary are the more than 300 unique villas hidden within the bamboo forest. The baroque-style Queen Hotel once hosted Chairman Mao Zedong, the European castle-like Naked Retreats pioneered the concept of luxury wilderness getaways, and the Moganshan Jutu, transformed from a primary school, houses a collection of 10,000 books. These buildings coexist with the bamboo forest, their gray bricks complementing the green bamboo. Open a window to a sea of clouds, or turn around to see waves of bamboo. As night falls, the mountainside twinkles with lights. Attend a nature concert in the Firefly Forest, experience letterpress printing at the Republican Library, or simply brew a pot of Mogan Huangya tea and listen to the rustling of the wind through the bamboo leaves. This secluded mountain, just a 1-hour drive from Hangzhou, soothes the soul of every city dweller with its timeless tranquility.

I just returned from Moganshan and finally understand why even the homestay butlers say, "Time slows down here." For just over CNY 500 per person, you can feel like an immortal in the mountains. Here's a private guide to avoid the crowds~ 🍲 Mountain Delights ▪️ Stir-fried Wild Bamboo Shoots with Pickled Vegetables: Limited to April! The yellow mud shoots that emerge after the rain are so crisp and tender that you can pinch water out of them. They're perfect with porridge. ▪️ Bamboo Rice: Stall No. 9 at Yucun Market cuts and roasts on the spot. The glutinous rice is mixed with the fragrance of sausage, and even the bamboo membrane is scraped clean. ▪️ Preserved Vegetable Cake: A mobile stall next to Moganshan Station. It costs CNY 3 per piece and is so crispy that it crumbles. The local grandma has been selling them for 20 years. (Private tip: There is a wild tea garden in the backyard of Baiyun Hotel. After the meal, you can experience picking Mingqian tea.) 🎒 Light Mountain Gear Checklist 1️⃣ Mosquito Repellent Bracelet: Small black bugs in the bamboo forest target the ankles. 2️⃣ Folding Trekking Pole: There are many wild roads in the Dakeng Scenic Area. Picking up tree branches temporarily will scratch your hands. 3️⃣ Quick-drying Towel: Dries quickly after playing in the mountain spring to prevent catching a cold. 4️⃣ Ziplock Bag: The picked wild strawberries/raspberries will not be crushed. 5️⃣ Old Cotton Mask: To prevent bamboo catkins! The catkins in April are more fierce than willow catkins. 🗺️ Three Days and Two Nights Itinerary Day 1: Travel Through the Republic of China ▪️ 9:00 Feed the pigeons in Yucun Square, and take photos at the clock tower to return to the 1930s in seconds. ▪️ 11:00 Touch the century-old beauty tea at Baiyun Villa, and the honeymoon tree of Chiang Kai-shek is super effective. ▪️ 15:00 Find the Ganjiang and Moye sword casting platform in Jianchi, and pick up seven-hole stones by the waterfall as souvenirs. ▪️ 19:00 Watch fireflies on the homestay terrace, and the butler will send homemade bayberry wine. Day 2: Bamboo Sea Blind Box Adventure ▪️ 6:00 Squat in the sea of clouds at Xuguangtai, and bring a thermos cup to fill with brown sugar ginger tea cooked by the homestay aunt. ▪️ 10:00 Squeeze goat milk at Yiyuan Farm, and the freshly baked cheese tart is bursting with milk fragrance. ▪️ 14:00 Paddle a transparent boat in Dadouwu Reservoir. The water is so clear that you can see schools of fish hitting the bottom of the boat. ▪️ 17:00 Take photos of Miyazaki-style rice fields in Laoling, and the windmill wooden house is super photogenic. Day 3: Handmade Healing Day ▪️ 9:00 Experience a bamboo weaving course and take a tea caddy home. ▪️ 12:00 Eat creative dishes at Xiantan Art Museum, and the mint ribs are amazing. ▪️ 15:00 Pick up pine cones at Biwu Longtan, and the ancient road is covered with moss, which is super healing. 📸 Photo Spots ▪️ White Wall of Xiantan Art Museum: Wear a linen long skirt to take a side view, and the light and shadow cutting is full of high-end sense. ▪️ Laoling Windmill Wooden House: The backlight at 4pm is absolutely beautiful, and running and taking snapshots is like a fairy tale heroine. ▪️ Dakeng Scenic Area Suspension Bridge: The aerial view is super shocking, remember to wear bright clothes. ⚠️ Tips to Avoid Pitfalls ▪️ Don't wear light-colored shoes! After the rain, the mountain road is full of yellow mud. ▪️ Try to choose a homestay on the mountainside. It is too noisy near the highway if it is too low, and it is too tiring to carry luggage if it is too high. ▪️ The black car at Moganshan Station is a rip-off, so make an appointment for the homestay to pick you up in advance. ▪️ Be careful when going to Jianchi on rainy days, the bluestone steps are so slippery that you doubt your life. When the mountain mist covers the bamboo tips, and when the fireflies light up the night window, I suddenly understand what the homestay owner said, "Time in the mountains dozes off." Every bamboo leaf here seems to be pressed in slow motion, and even the cat in the cafe stretches with Zen. Bring some wild mountain bamboo shoots home on the return trip and take the freshness of this mountain life home~

There is too little promotion about Moganshan, and most people don't really understand it. Moganshan is a beautiful mountain with clear water, known for its 'three victories and four absolutes'! It has always been a great travel destination where cultural history and natural scenery are well combined, and experiencing it by hiking is a different kind of scenery! Walking through the bamboo forest, passing by Jiang Gong Road, and arriving at Naked Castle. The sky has cleared, and the blue sky and white clouds set off the ancient castle buildings, which have a different style. Continue to the Dakeng Scenic Area, the view from the top of the mountain to the clouds sweeps away all fatigue, the continuous mountains change the wonderful depth of daylight due to the heavy clouds, which is very beautiful. Continue to hike, pass through the villa group, Luhua Dang, Jianchi Scenic Area, and come to the last downhill section. Due to continuous heavy rain, the mountain water rushing down from Jianchi winds through the bamboo forest, and many sections of the road are flooded, and the original mud road without steps is even more muddy. But it is precisely because of this that hiking adds a lot of fun! Tips: 1 Be sure to wear shoes with non-slip soles and bring trekking poles. 2 There are many mosquitoes on the mountain, wear long pants, and bring mosquito repellent. 3 Make sure your phone is fully charged, you'll want to take pictures of every beautiful scene! 4 There are a few restaurants and coffee shops on the mountain, not many replenishment points, bring dry food. In the sea of clouds, with babbling brooks, such a Moganshan Valley is not only a paradise for children to play, but also a place for adults to relax their minds and bodies~ Moganshan Scenic Area