3-Day 2-Night Poetic Journey Through the Misty Lushan Mountains

A mist-shrouded mountain town, the cascading Sandie Spring, the picturesque sunrise at Hanpokou, the international architecture of Guling Street, and the "three-thousand-foot waterfall" described by Li Bai—this 3-day trip will take you into the "most spectacular mountain under heaven," a summer retreat where you can find a refreshing and poetic encounter amidst sea of clouds and pine waves.
📍 Destination: Lushan Mountain, Jiujiang, Jiangxi (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
📅 Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
💰 Total Budget: Approximately ¥2,780/person (including round-trip transportation)
🎯 Keywords: Summer retreat | Sea of clouds sunrise | Cultural mountain | Natural wonder | Great value

✅ Detailed Budget (per person)
| Item | Cost (¥) | Description
| 🚄 Round-trip transportation | 600 | High-speed rail to Jiujiang Station (Beijing→Jiujiang: 6h/¥450; Shanghai→Jiujiang: 4h/¥280; Guangzhou→Jiujiang: 6.5h/¥580; Hangzhou→Jiujiang: 3.5h/¥260)
| 🚌 Mountain transportation | 220 | Lushan scenic area entrance ticket + sightseeing bus pass (¥160 + ¥60, valid for 7 days, all-inclusive)
| 🏨 Accommodation (2 nights) | 800 | Boutique guesthouse or comfortable hotel in Guling Town (¥400/night), with mountain views
| 🍜 Meals | 600 | ¥200/day, including Lushan stone frog, stone ear, misty tea, and farmhouse dishes
| 🎫 Tickets + Experiences | 360 | Sandie Spring ticket ¥65 + one-way cable car ¥80 (optional) + Five Old Peaks free + Meilu Villa ¥25 + Lushan Museum free
| 🚐 Local transportation | 80 | Taxi from Jiujiang Station to Lushan transfer hub + mainly walking on the mountain
| 🎁 Souvenirs/Emergency | 120 | Lushan misty tea, stone ear, bamboo crafts, postcards, etc.
| Total | ≈¥2,780 | Fully controlled under ¥2,800! |

🗓 Itinerary: Relaxed pace · Misty walks · High photo potential
🏞️ Day 1: Arrive in Jiujiang + Check-in + Guling Street night views + Hanpokou sunset
- Morning/Noon: Arrive at Jiujiang Station by high-speed rail
- Take a taxi to Jiujiang Lushan Transfer Center (15 mins, ¥30)
- Purchase scenic area ticket + sightseeing bus pass (¥220, valid for 7 days)
- Take the sightseeing bus up the mountain (~40 mins) to Guling Town
- 🏡 Recommended accommodations:
- Songmen Villa · Artsy Guesthouse | Renovated century-old building, vintage charm
- Or Lushan Hotel | State-run classic, central location
- Or Yunmanli Mountain Retreat | Modern design, sea of clouds views
- Price: ~¥400/night
- 🌅 Afternoon: Stroll Guling Street
- Lushan's "mountain town," with cobblestone paths, cafes, bookstores, and post office
- Highlights:
- Lushan Post Office (send a postcard from the sea of clouds)
- International Architecture Cluster (old villas in British, German, and Russian styles)
- "Flying Stone" legend
- 🌄 Evening: Head to Hanpokou for sunset (direct sightseeing bus)
- Altitude: 1,286m, overlooking Poyang Lake and Five Old Peaks
- At sunset, the sea of clouds rolls, creating a picturesque scene 🌅
- If weather permits, return at dawn (5:30-6:00) for sunrise
- 🍽 Dinner: "Old Street Restaurant" or "Cloud Guest" in Guling Street
- Must-try:
- Lushan stone frog (actually a type of frog, tender meat)
- Stone ear scrambled eggs
- Misty tea stir-fried bamboo shoots
- Chicken stew with yam
- Average: ¥80/person
- 🌙 Night: Walk Guling Street, sip "Lushan misty tea" 🍵, and fall asleep to the sound of pine waves

🌊 Day 2: Sandie Spring Waterfall + Five Old Peaks sea of clouds + Meilu Villa exploration
Lushan's most iconic natural and cultural journey
- 🌞 Morning: Challenge Sandie Spring ("No visit to Lushan is complete without Sandie Spring")
- Take the sightseeing bus to Five Old Peaks Station → Walk or take the cable car down (one-way ¥80, saves energy)
- After the cable car, walk ~30 mins to the waterfall base
- 🎫 Ticket: ¥65 (included in scenic area pass)
- Highlight: Inspiration for Li Bai's "three-thousand-foot waterfall"
- Three-tiered waterfall cascades down, with refreshing mist
- Stand directly under the waterfall to feel the "Milky Way falling from the sky"
- 🍱 Lunch: Packed snacks or simple meals at the cable car station
- Bring bread, energy bars, and hot tea
- 🌄 Afternoon: Hike Five Old Peaks (free, accessible by sightseeing bus)
- Five peaks resembling seated elders, majestic and grand
- Fourth peak offers the best view, overlooking Lushan's peaks
- If clouds roll in, it's like a fairyland ☁️
- 🏛️ Evening: Visit Meilu Villa (¥25)
- Former residence of Chiang Kai-shek, blending Chinese and Western architecture
- Serene gardens, ivy-covered walls, rich in history
- 🍜 Dinner: Guesthouse meal or "Lushan Flavors" in Guling Street
- Average: ¥70/person

🏔️ Day 3: Lushan Museum + Lulin Villa + Return trip
Experience Lushan's cultural heritage and historical echoes
- 🌅 Dawn (optional): Return to Hanpokou for sunrise
- If clouds were absent the previous day, arrive before 6:00 for a better chance
- 🏛️ Morning: Visit Lushan Museum (free, reservation required)
- Former "Lushan Conference Site," showcasing modern history
- Detailed exhibits, ideal for history lovers
- 🏡 Explore Lulin Villa + Lulin Lake
- Free entry, emerald lake mirroring the mountains
- Lakeside walkway offers stunning photo ops 📸
- ☕ Stop by: Old Villa District near the cinema + Huajing Park
- Bai Juyi once wrote here: "Flowers fade in the human world in April, but temple peach blossoms bloom on the mountain."
- 🍽 Lunch: "Stone Ear Noodle Shop" or self-service meals in Guling Street
- Recommended: Stone ear chicken noodles, misty tea eggs
- Average: ¥50/person
- 🎒 Before checkout: Buy souvenirs
- Recommendations:
- Lushan misty tea (fragrant green tea, great for elders)
- Stone ear (wild fungus, perfect for soups)
- Bamboo baskets, postcards, handwritten blessing cards
- 🚌 Noon: Take the sightseeing bus down → Taxi to Jiujiang Station → Return trip

📌 (Tips to Avoid Pitfalls)
1. 🌤️ Weather determines the sea of clouds! Hanpokou and Five Old Peaks are foggy at dawn; best after rain.
2. 👟 Expect ~15,000 steps/day. Sandie Spring path is steep—wear anti-slip shoes.
3. 📸 Top photo spots:
- Hanpokou sunrise/sunset
- Sandie Spring waterfall from below
- Five Old Peaks sea of clouds panorama
- Meilu Villa ivy walls
- Lulin Lake reflections
- Guling Street night cobblestones
4. 🍽 Dining notes:
- Lushan "stone chicken" is actually a frog, similar to bullfrog.
- Taste misty tea before buying; avoid overpriced low-quality tea in scenic areas.
5. 🚐 Transport tips:
- Sightseeing buses cover all spots; no need for taxis.
- For Sandie Spring, take the cable car down and walk up to save energy.
6. 💡 Cultural tidbits:
- Lushan is a "microcosm of modern Chinese history," visited by many famous figures.
- Poets like Bai Juyi, Li Bai, and Su Shi left masterpieces here.

📷 Final thoughts:
Lushan isn’t just a mountain—it’s poetry floating in the mist. With its pine waves, waterfalls, ivy-covered villas, and Hanpokou sunrises, it reminds us that some views belong only to those willing to climb. For less than ¥2,800, you can enjoy a refreshing, culturally immersive, and poetic summer escape.