Mt.Yandang Resort, Zhejiang, China

4xamhayana 5:00 PM Aug 31, 2011

Gorgeous scenery, easy access... toll gates everywhere
This is a report of a two-day trip to North Yandangshan. It will be more useful to travelers pursuing independent exploration and good value than to those who opt for organized bus tours and quick sight-seeing. From Yandangshan train station a Y5 minivan ride took us to Xianglingtou village at the base of the mountain trails. Visitors with little experience in China might be baffled by the storm of offers from rickshas, hotels, restaurants, drivers, tour agents and guides. It's hard to stay focused when crowds run ahead and around you - some drive slowly behind you - but not impossible. Solicitations are not necessarily scams, but they are not your best options. In Xianglingtou every house is a lodge or a restaurant, so there's no need to book ahead or even consider rooms on the main drag promoted by your van driver. We found a quiet and impeccably clean inn on a side street, amid local houses and next to the misty mountain. We paid Y100 for a room that comfortably accommodated the three of us. We ignored seafood (it's there because it's expensive, but cooking techniques in villages tend to be basic) and ate at 'xiaochao' restaurants where other locals eat. These places are marked with vegetable baskets, not crab tanks, propped to the front. One can pick a healthy combination of fresh greens, potatoes and noodles served on white rice. We were determined to do our own hiking and steered clear of bus tours zipping between the sights. It was disappointing to find every access point to the mountain trails blocked by some paid attraction, complete with a turnstile gate and uniformed bouncers. But we found two excellent trails that I can recommend for their great value and scenery. The first one begins as a stair up the mountain, left of the toll gate to Spiritual Peaks (Lingfeng zone), marked with an arrow to Chaoyangmen. We followed the trail up and down for about four hours and ended up at the grand waterfall right above the village (very convenient). I'm afraid this trail will soon become paid at least one way: we saw a toll gate being installed at the base of the waterfall with a price tag of Y40. The next day we went through the Three-Step Waterfall area (paid the inevitable Y15 a person) and followed the trail that's also long enough to make for an excellent day walk. The trail returns to the village after passing three magnificent waterfalls. I'd easily give 5 stars to the whole experience if not for the hassle in the village and crafty toll gates in the park.

4TonyChao 5:00 PM Apr 12, 2015

3 major scenic areas - Lingfeng, Lingyan, and Big Dragon Pond Waterfall
When people mention Yandangshan (Yandang mountains), they usually refers to North Yandangshan, where the popular and AAAAA scenic areas are located. You'll need to stay 3 nights, having 2 whole days to explore the scenery. The most popular scenic areas are 2 Ling's (Lingfeng, Lingyan) and 1 Dragon (Big Dragon Pond Waterfall), so check those 3 places out first, then explore the others. There are plenty of photos already here to give you an idea what to see. Be prepared that Yangdangshan is very much authentic Chinese - if your diet is western food, you're in the wrong place. I missed my coffee and ham & egg breakfast so bad when I was there, the hotel breakfast is nothing compared to McDonald's. Also, credit cards are pretty much useless here, make sure you have local cash.