Wushan to Bagua Tian via Fenghuangshan and Yuhuangshan Hike

From Wushan Square Metro Exit D (吴山广场站 D口), walk 20 m along the main road and take the stone steps immediately on the right-hand side. The path climbs through shaded forest past a small SVM (Shangcheng District Forest Fire Command post). At the first fork, bear left and continue climbing. After ~15 min you reach Chenghuang Ge (城隍阁) — a 7-story Ming-Yuan-style tower (optional, 30 RMB admission; free if you skip the tower). Pass the tower and continue to Jianghuihuiguan Pavilion (江湖汇观亭), Wushan's high-point viewing pavilion at 98 m. The name means 'River-Lake Panorama Pavilion' — on clear days you see West Lake to the north and the Qiantang River to the south. This is the best free viewpoint in the Wushan area.

Photo suggestion: Jianghuihuiguan Pavilion framed by tree branches with Chenghuang Ge visible behind — classic Wushan postcard shot.

From Jianghuihuiguan, follow the stone path south toward Jiyi Pavilion (积义亭). The trail descends gently through a forest of camphor and privet trees. Jiyi Pavilion itself is covered in a thick blanket of creeping fig and Chinese wisteria vines — a favourite local photo spot nicknamed 'Hangzhou's Secret Fairy-Tale Pavilion'. From the pavilion, continue downhill to Wan Song Ling Road (万松岭路). Cross the road carefully and enter the Baishé Feidu (白蛇飞渡) boardwalk — a curved white steel-and-timber pedestrian bridge that arcs through the treetops. The bridge has become a well-known local photo spot for its dramatic leading lines through the forest canopy. At the far end of the bridge, a small vendor stall sometimes operates on weekends.

Caution: Wan Song Ling Road has moderate traffic with no dedicated crossing point. Cross at the natural gap near the bridge entrance and watch for scooters.

Photo suggestion: The curved Baishé Feidu boardwalk arcing through treetops — shoot from the small slope beside the bridge for the classic 'dragon-back' composition.

From the far end of the boardwalk, take the stone steps immediately beside the path (not the Wan Song Academy entrance gate, which charges 10 RMB). The path climbs steadily through mixed forest — this is the steepest ascent of the day. After ~15 min, pass the Sheng Guo Si (圣果寺) ruins site on your left, then continue past the Yue Yan (月岩 / Moon Rock) — a natural rock arch that was part of the Southern Song imperial garden where the emperor watched the moon. Climb further to reach the ridge crest and Fenghuang Pavilion (凤凰亭 / Phoenix Pavilion), the high point of the Fenghuangshan section. The pavilion offers a filtered view of West Lake through the treetops — less panoramic than Jianghuihuiguan but with a palpable sense of elevation. This entire ridge formed the backbone of the Southern Song imperial city (1138–1276 CE), and you are walking above buried palace foundations.

Caution: This section has the steepest sustained climbing of the day. Take breaks as needed. The stone steps can be uneven — watch your footing, especially if descending in the opposite direction.

Photo suggestion: Moon Rock (Yue Yan) natural arch — a framed view through the rock opening toward the forest canopy.

From Fenghuang Pavilion, follow the undulating ridge path south toward Jiangtaishan (将台山). The walking is easier here — gentle rollers with brief level sections. After ~15 min you reach a junction: the left fork descends toward Ci Yun Ling (慈云岭), a 5th-century Wu-Yue kingdom Buddhist cliff-carving site (free, worth 5 min). The main path continues straight, passing through bamboo groves before arriving at Laoyuhuang Palace (老玉皇宫). This Taoist temple sits at the base of Yuhuangshan and is famous for its massive ancient wisteria vine (千年油麻古藤) that coils around the entrance — one of the most photographed trees in the Hangzhou hills. The temple serves simple vegetarian noodles (素面) during opening hours and has free drinking water.

Photo suggestion: The thousand-year-old wisteria vine at Laoyuhuang Palace entrance — massive twisting trunk framing the temple gate.

From Laoyuhuang Palace, follow the stone steps ascending Yuhuangshan (玉皇山 / Jade Emperor Mountain). After ~10 min you reach Zilai Dong (紫来洞) — 'Purple Mist Cave,' a natural limestone cave that was once a Taoist meditation site. The cave is cool year-round (a welcome respite in summer). At midday, shafts of sunlight penetrate the cave opening, creating visible Tyndall-effect light beams through the dust. The viewing terrace immediately outside the cave is the highlight of the entire route — a wide stone platform with unobstructed panoramic views over Bagua Tian spread out directly below, with the Qiantang River visible beyond. This is the best city panorama in the southern West Lake hills and the primary reason most locals do this hike.

Caution: The cave floor can be damp and uneven. Watch your step inside. The viewing terrace has no railings on some edges — keep children close and avoid the edge after rain.

Photo suggestion: Bagua Tian from the Zilai Dong viewing terrace — the perfect eight-sided field pattern directly below, with the Qiantang River on the horizon.

From Zilai Dong, follow the descending path south. The trail winds through bamboo and tea shrubs before opening onto the northern edge of Bagua Tian (八卦田遗址公园 / Eight Trigrams Field Park). This flat 4-hectare plot was the Southern Song emperor's personal farm — he would plough the first furrow each spring as a Confucian ritual. Today it is planted in eight wedge-shaped sectors that rotate between rapeseed, rice, lotus, and vegetables depending on the season. Walk the perimeter path (15 min circuit) or follow the internal paths between the crop wedges. The park exit at the south-east corner leads to Huyu Road (虎玉路), which has several noodle shops and small restaurants — a natural post-hike meal spot. From the park, it is a 12-minute walk to Shuichengqiao Metro Station (水澄桥站), Line 4, Exit A or B.

Photo suggestion: The full Bagua Tian field pattern shot from the Zilai Dong terrace above — the ideal composition.