An Unforgettable Road Trip to Lushan Mountain
During my two-month summer road trip, I stumbled upon the enchanting Lushan Mountain in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province. A friend had mentioned this local gem, and I’m so glad I took the plunge. With our car and dogs in tow, the journey was hassle-free. After purchasing tickets and completing a lengthy form for our green mountain code, we were ready to embark on our adventure.
Driving up Lushan is an adventure in itself. The fog that enveloped us made visibility nearly impossible, and the winding roads felt like a wet noodle. Despite the challenging conditions, locals zipped around with surprising speed. Unfortunately, our dog Ellie experienced some car sickness due to the twists and turns.
Once we reached the summit, we checked into our pre-booked hotel (we used trip.com with the pet filter) and explored the charming mountaintop town, complete with a police station and school. Parking was tricky due to the crowds, but we eventually found a paid underground garage—albeit at a steep price since we had to purchase a parking ticket along with our entry.
A Dog-Friendly Wonderland
Lushan offers a plethora of activities, and everything seemed to welcome our furry friends. On our first day, despite the rain, we planned a hike to a lesser-known waterfall. To our surprise, we discovered that a cable car was our only option for reaching the site, but dogs were allowed! We happily boarded with our pups and soaked in the views.
Once at the top, we took our dogs off-leash, and nobody batted an eye. The staff even engaged us in conversation about our dogs, thinking they were foreign breeds. Behind the waterfall, we found a lovely walking path where the dogs could roam and explore.
WuLao Peak
WuLao Peak was a highlight of our trip, even shrouded in fog. Eager to experience the scenic hike, I opted to walk the route from the tourist bus drop-off instead of taking the bus with my dog, Hugo. The hike starts with a sign and a steep staircase. After already walking 10 km to reach the trailhead, we continued onward into the fog.
I paused at the first peak to rest, and fellow hikers, intrigued by my ability to speak Chinese, struck up a conversation. I ended up hiking with a friendly family for the next few peaks, and their kids adored Hugo.
San Die Quan (三叠泉)
From WuLao Peak, we made our way to San Die Quan (三叠泉), also known as the Lushan Waterfall. We followed the signs and opted to walk the easy but scenic route to the tram station instead of taking the tram.
Reaching the base of the waterfall involved a daunting 1,300 steps. My legs were already weary from hours of hiking, but the breathtaking view made it all worthwhile. We spent time admiring the waterfall, as fellow hikers admired Hugo in his adorable doggie backpack.
After conquering the steps back up, I was exhausted. Hugo even dozed off on the stairs! To avoid walking back, I sweet-talked the tram workers into letting Hugo ride with me. If you have a small dog, I assure you, the tram is no problem.
Lushan is an incredibly dog-friendly destination with numerous lakes and hiking trails waiting to be explored. We only scratched the surface during our visit, but I can’t wait to return and discover more of this stunning mountain. Highly recommend Lushan for anyone looking for an unforgettable outdoor experience with their furry companions!
