Guangming Temple Reservoir Short Loop Hike

Cycling Park Parking 骑行公园停车点 → Cycling Park Parking 骑行公园停车点

Easy~2 km30–45 minFlatPushchair OK
👪 Families 🌟 First-time visitors 📷 Photographers
Published:

Plan Your Hike

Climb Ridge Descent
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S Start · 4–5 Key viewpoints · F Finish

Quick Facts

Start Cycling Park Parking 骑行公园停车点
Finish Cycling Park Parking 骑行公园停车点
Area Longwu Tea Village
Best season March–May, September–November
Transport Metro + bus / taxi / car
Crowd level Moderate on weekends — the area is popular with local visitors

Route Summary

The Guangming Temple Reservoir Short Loop is the easiest walk in the Longwu trail network — a flat 2 km circuit around the reservoir’s edge on a paved pushchair-friendly path. With zero elevation gain on the main loop, it is designed for families with toddlers, casual visitors who want a tea-field view without a climb, and photographers seeking the signature reservoir-and-terraces composition. An optional 15-minute stone-step climb to Guangming Summit (光明顶) adds an elevated perspective for those who want a quick vantage point.

The path is fully accessible for pushchairs and suitable for all fitness levels. Chinese place names are included for navigation and communication with local drivers.

Getting There & Back

Getting to the trailhead

By metro + bus

Best

Take metro Line 6 to Xiangshan Campus, Meiyuan 美院象山站 (Exit A or D), then transfer to bus 331, 395, or 1407. Alight at Longwu Tea Village 龙坞茶村站 or Hejia Village Committee 何家村委站 — both are a 10–15 minute walk from the Cycling Park Parking 骑行公园停车点. Alternatively, take metro Line 3 to Liuxia 留下站 (Exit D) and transfer to bus 331 toward Longwu.

By metro + taxi

Take metro Line 6 to Xiangshan Campus, Meiyuan 美院象山站, then taxi approximately 15 minutes to 骑行公园停车点 (Cycling Park Parking) or 光明寺水库 (Guangming Temple Reservoir). This is the most practical option for families with young children.

By car

Navigate to 何家村骑行公园 (Hejia Village Cycling Park) or 光明寺水库停车场 (Guangming Temple Reservoir Parking). Parking costs 4 RMB per hour with a daily cap of 30 RMB. On weekends, arrive before 10:00 am to secure a spot.

Weekend shuttle bus

On weekends and public holidays, a free Longwu sightseeing circulator C-line (龙坞大茶壶观光环线 C 线) connects the tea village and reservoir area. It runs approximately 8:30–18:30 with 20-minute intervals. Check local notices for current routes.

Getting back

Exit options

Return

The loop returns to the same parking area. From the Cycling Park, buses 331, 395, and 1407 run back toward the metro. Taxis can be hailed via ride-hailing apps from Hejia Village.

Chinese names to save

Save these in your phone before starting: 光明寺水库 (Guangming Temple Reservoir), 骑行公园停车点 (Cycling Park Parking, start/finish), 光明顶 (Guangming Summit), and 美院象山站 (Xiangshan Campus metro, Line 6).

Key places — tap to copy

Step-by-Step Route

Route notes are based on local knowledge and will be refined with field checks. Approximate times assume a relaxed pace with short photo stops.

Cycling Park to the reservoir shore

~10 min

From the Cycling Park Parking 骑行公园停车点, follow the wide paved path heading south past the edge of Hejia Village. The path is flat and pushchair-friendly. Within 10 minutes you reach the shore of Guangming Temple Reservoir 光明寺水库 — the blue-green water appears suddenly between the tea terraces. The reservoir dam on your left is a good first photo stop, with the water framed by tea plantations on both sides.

Photo suggestion: Guangming Temple Reservoir from the dam — blue-green water framed by tea terraces.

Reservoir loop — the shoreline walk

~20–25 min

The main loop follows the paved path around the reservoir edge. The walking is flat throughout. The reservoir stays on your left for the first half, with terraced tea fields rising on your right. As you round the far end, the view opens across the full expanse of water toward the Cycling Park and the ridge beyond. The path continues past a small bridge and returns along the opposite shore. This section is the most photographed part of the walk — the combination of blue-green water and layered tea terraces is the signature view of the area.

Photo suggestion: Paved path along the reservoir shore with tea terraces rising on both sides.

Optional: Guangming Summit ascent

~15 min (optional)

From the midpoint of the reservoir loop, a short stone-step path climbs through tea bushes to Guangming Summit 光明顶 — a small flat area with an elevated view over the full reservoir and surrounding tea fields. The climb is brief (approximately 50 m elevation gain) and the steps are well-maintained. The summit view gives a different perspective than the shoreline — the reservoir appears as a blue-green jewel set in a green tea-terrace landscape. Return the same way to rejoin the reservoir loop.

Photo suggestion: View from Guangming Summit overlooking the full reservoir and surrounding tea fields.

Return to the Cycling Park

~10 min

Complete the reservoir loop by continuing along the paved shore path back to the dam area. From the dam, retrace the short path back past Hejia Village to the Cycling Park Parking 骑行公园停车点 where you started. Total time: approximately 30–45 minutes for the reservoir loop alone, or 1–1.5 hours with the Guangming Summit option.

Practical Notes

🎒Essentials — Pack & Prepare

Food and water

Bring your own water and light snacks — there are no permanent food vendors on this route. Hejia Village nearby has small shops for supplies before or after the walk.

Toilets

Public toilets are available at the Cycling Park Parking area at the start. No toilets along the reservoir path itself.

Phone signal

Reliable throughout — the area is close to village infrastructure.

Trail surface

Paved path for the entire reservoir loop — flat, even, and suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and balance bikes. The optional Guangming Summit detour is stone steps.

🗺️Logistics — Route & Access

Pushchair accessibility

The main reservoir loop is fully pushchair-friendly — the path is paved, flat, and wide enough for standard pushchairs and strollers. The Guangming Summit climb is steps only and not accessible with wheels.

Guangming Summit option

The short climb to Guangming Summit (光明顶) adds approximately 50 m of elevation gain via well-maintained stone steps. It is suitable for children aged 3 and up who can manage basic stairs. The summit is a small flat area — not a large platform — but the view over the reservoir is the best on the entire loop.

Parking

Paid parking at the Cycling Park lot: 4 RMB per hour, 30 RMB daily cap. Arrive before 10:00 am on weekends.

Safety Notes

  • The reservoir shoreline path is unfenced in places — supervise young children near the water's edge.
  • Summer sun exposure is strong on the open reservoir path — bring hats and sun protection.
  • The Guangming Summit stone steps can be damp in shaded sections after rain. Wear grippy shoes for the optional climb.
  • Save Chinese place names on your phone before starting for navigation.

Best Time to Go

Spring

Recommended

Ideal season. Tea terraces are bright green, the reservoir water is clear, and temperatures are mild. Highly recommended.

Summer

Hot and exposed on the open reservoir path. Start before 9:00 am and carry water. The paved path retains heat in the afternoon.

Autumn

Recommended

Comfortable temperatures and clear skies. The reservoir reflections are particularly good in autumn light. Recommended.

Winter

Cool and less crowded. The reservoir views are still pleasant on dry, clear days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Short answers to common planning questions about transport, Chinese place names, timing, and safety for this route.

  • Is the short loop suitable for pushchairs?
    Yes. The main 2 km reservoir loop is fully paved, flat, and wide enough for standard pushchairs and strollers. The optional Guangming Summit climb is steps only and not accessible with wheels.
  • How long does the short loop take?
    The reservoir loop alone takes 30–45 minutes at a relaxed walking pace. Adding the Guangming Summit climb extends this to 1–1.5 hours. It is designed as a quick outing.
  • Can I combine this with a longer walk?
    Yes. The short loop shares its start point with the full Guangming Temple Reservoir Loop (5 km, 460 m climb) and the medium loop (3–5 km, gentle climb). You can start with the short loop and decide on the day whether to extend.
  • What Chinese place names should I save for this route?
    Save these: 光明寺水库 (Guangming Temple Reservoir), 骑行公园停车点 (Cycling Park Parking), 光明顶 (Guangming Summit), and 美院象山站 (Xiangshan Campus metro, Line 6).
  • What time should I start this walk?
    The short loop is flexible — it only takes 30–45 minutes. In summer, start before 9:00 am to avoid heat. In spring and autumn, any time of day works well.

Nearby Routes

Other trails starting from the same area, worth combining or visiting on another day.

Guangming Temple Reservoir Loop

The full 5 km ridge loop — steeper, longer, with panoramic views from the Observation Deck. 460 m climb.

ModerateRidge walkViewpointLongwu
Planned

Hejia Village Cycling Park Loop

A 5 km family loop through tea fields and ridge pavilions from the Cycling Park. Gentle climb.

FamilyTea fieldsEasyCycling Park

Tofu Skin Ancient Path Family Loop

A historic trading path loop from Dayangwu Reservoir through bamboo forest. 4-5 km, 350 m climb.

FamilyHistoric pathBamboo forestReservoir

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