Nestled in the heart of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province in China, the Moshan Hill Scenic Area (磨山风景区) stands as a testament to the region’s stunning natural beauty and cultural heritage. This picturesque destination encompasses four distinct characteristics: breathtaking landscapes, diverse plant life, unique sub-gardens, and a rich Chu culture ambiance. With an area spanning 33 square kilometers, this scenic area is truly a gem, surrounded by the serene waters of East Lake on its eastern, western, and northern sides, resembling a beautiful peninsula. Visitors to Moshan Hill can ascend to its peaks to enjoy clear vistas, explore the lush greenery, and experience the intricate beauty of various landscapes.
Moshan Hill is blessed with ample rainfall and sunlight, creating the ideal conditions for over 250 different species of ornamental trees, totaling more than 2 million trees. It has earned the nickname of “Green Treasure” in Wuhan, showcasing the region’s natural beauty. Additionally, Moshan Hill is a haven for flower enthusiasts, boasting a multitude of flower varieties that number in the thousands.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Moshan Hill Scenic Area
- Vlog about Moshan Hill
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Attractions near Moshan Hill
- Attractions around East Lake
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | Half a day |
| Ticket Price | Admission is free, but you need to pay an extra price for the various gardens |
| Cable Car | One-Way: 30 RMB Round: 50 RMB |
| Sight-Seeing Bus | One-Way: 20 RMB Round: 30 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-027-87510179 |
Location and Transportation
Moshan Hill Scenic Area is situated at 56 Yanhu Avenue in the Hongshan District of Wuhan, China. It is conveniently located in close proximity to East Lake, making it easily accessible for locals and tourists alike. To get there, you can choose the following way:
Bus: Take bus 401, 402, 413, or 682 and get off at Lumo Road Moshan Hill Stop (鲁磨路磨山站).
Metro: Unfortunately, there is no metro station near the Moshan Hill Scenic Area.
Highlights of Moshan Hill Scenic Area
Cherry Blossom Garden
One of the most renowned attractions in the Moshan Hill Scenic Area is the East Lake Cherry Blossom Garden. Supported by significant contributions from Japan’s Mutsu Oigawa Bank, this garden perfectly marries the classical Chinese garden style with Japanese landscaping techniques. The garden comes alive with the vivid colors of cherry blossoms, resembling a dawn’s first light or a fresh blanket of snow. The highlight of this garden is the Hirosaki Five-story Pagoda, a symbol of the enduring friendship between the Chinese and Japanese people. The garden boasts over 5,000 cherry blossom trees and officially opened to the public in 2001. As the East Lake Cherry Blossom Garden continues to flourish and evolve, it aims to solidify Wuhan’s position as one of the world’s top three cherry blossom destinations, alongside Japan’s Aomori Prefecture and Washington, D.C. in the United States.
Plum Blossom Garden
Another jewel in Moshan Hill’s crown is the East Lake Plum Blossom Garden, which serves as the home of China’s Plum Blossom Research Center. This garden, covering an area of over 800 acres, is the only specialized garden in Wuhan dedicated to the city flower – the plum blossom. The garden is home to more than 320 varieties of plum blossoms, with over 20,000 plum trees gracing its landscape. Additionally, it features a dedicated Ancient Plum Garden spanning 150 acres, housing nearly 200 plum trees that are over a century old, some even dating back 800 years. During the Spring Festival, as the plum blossoms bloom in all their glory, local and international visitors flock to the garden to witness this spectacular sight.
Lotus Garden
Moshan Hill Scenic Area also houses the East Lake Lotus Garden, serving as the location for the Chinese Lotus Research Center. This garden, occupying a substantial area at the southern foot of Moshan Hill, features over 700 different varieties of lotus flowers in more than 830 individual ponds. With over 200 types of aquatic flowers, including water lilies, this garden is possibly home to the most diverse collection of lotus flower varieties in China and even the world.
Chu Culture Display
Moshan Hill Scenic Area is not only a haven for natural beauty but also a testament to the rich Chu culture of the region. Chu culture, established over nearly a millennium on the lands of Jingchu (Hubei’s ancient name), holds a special place in Chinese history. The scenic area’s Chu culture exhibition features various significant points of interest. These include the magnificent Chu City Gate, an area where Chu people engaged in trade and commerce, a statue of Chu’s legendary progenitor Zhu Rong, Chu Tian Tai (a structure rivaling the famous Three Great Towers of the Jiangnan region), the “World’s Number One Monument”, the largest stone sculpture garden featuring “唯楚有才” (Only Chu Has Talent), and the Southern Nation’s Garden of Philosophical Thought. These sites vividly and intuitively display the profound economic and cultural history and achievements of the ancient Chu Kingdom.
Vlog about Moshan Hill
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Entrances and Attractions: Moshan Hill has two main entrances, the South Gate and the North Gate. If you plan to visit attractions like Donghu Cherry Blossom Garden or the Donghu Ferris Wheel, enter through the South Gate, especially during the cherry blossom season in mid to late March. If you’re only interested in taking the cable car, use the North Gate, as it’s closer to the cable car station. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the South Gate to the cable car station.
Transportation: For the best experience, it’s recommended to take the cable car uphill and enjoy the scenic views. Then, for a thrilling descent, try the toboggan slide. It’s not only fun but also provides an alternative way to enjoy the hill’s beauty as you glide down.
Chutiantai: Make sure to visit Chu Tian Tai (Chu Heaven Terrace) while you’re there. The ticket costs around 20 yuan per person and includes access to a five-story tower where you can enjoy stunning views of Donghu (East Lake). The breeze from the lake adds to the experience, making it a relaxing spot to take in the scenery. Additionally, the ticket includes a chime bell performance, so check the schedule for the timings.
Weather Consideration: Keep in mind that if the weather is nice, the cable car line can get quite long, with an average wait time of about an hour. Plan accordingly and factor in this wait time when scheduling your visit.
Take the bus to Luoyan Road and walk to the fork in the road. Then, head into Huzhong Road (湖中道), and enter the Moshan Scenic Area from the north entrance. Ascend to Chutian Terrace, then move to Zhurong Viewing Platform. Exit the Moshan Scenic Area from the south entrance and enjoy a leisurely walk in the sun; it’s very pleasant.
The slide at East Lake Moshan Scenic Area is really exhilarating! I bought a ticket at the bottom of the mountain and took the cable car up. The scenery is absolutely stunning!
The Chutian Terrace requires an entrance fee of 20 yuan to watch the bianzhong performance and access the rooftop. If you don’t want to see the performance, you can still go up and down the stairs from either side of the ticket hall, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Donghu Lake.
The visual appeal of East Lake during the transition from summer to autumn is not very strong; the flowers are rather homogeneous, resulting in a less striking visual effect.
The most famous features of the Moshan Scenic Area are undoubtedly the cable car and the slideway. Tickets for the slideway can only be purchased before 12 o’clock, so make sure to buy your tickets and manage your time wisely. Remember to buy your ticket; don’t make the mistake of waiting in line only to find out you can’t ride because you didn’t buy one!
Today I visited Donghu Lake, where the wind was super strong ️, there were very few people around, walking by the lake under the shade of trees was not particularly hot, quite pleasant overall.
1️⃣ As you enter the south gate of Moshan Hill area, you will encounter the lotus pond, stretching all the way to the bonsai garden. Currently, the lotus flowers are in full bloom, so it is recommended to come early in the morning to avoid the hot afternoon sun, which can cause the lotus leaves to curl up.
2️⃣ The lotus pond is equipped with flower-viewing boardwalks and resting pavilions for shade, allowing visitors to appreciate the flowers up close and enjoy the scenery.
3️⃣ The pavilions and traditional Chinese-style garden buildings in the lotus pond area complement the structures in the bonsai garden, creating an interesting contrast. Some parts are connected, perfect for a leisurely stroll and photo opportunities.
4️⃣ Not far from the Heyuan Restaurant (和园餐厅), there is a large water lily pond worth visiting alongside the lotus pond.
Walking from the “Moshan Scenic Area – South Gate” to “Chutiantai” is a delightful experience. The lush green trees along the way create a natural oxygen bar atmosphere, making every step invigorating. There are many picturesque S-curves along the route, perfect for photo opportunities.
“Heyuan Garden” boasts a pond of water lilies, reminiscent of stepping into Monet’s garden. From the South Gate, continue straight for about 200 meters, then turn right to reach Heyuan.
My itinerary and timing:
9:00 Enter Liyuan and head to East Lake ➡️ 9:40 North Gate of Mo Mountain (take the East Lake Greenway sightseeing car) ➡️ 10:10 Chutian Platform (take the Mo Mountain cable car uphill) ➡️ 12:00 Chucheng (take the Mo Mountain slide downhill).
The East Lake Eye Ferris wheel is also worth a visit, a 10-minute walk from the North Gate of Mo Mountain. We did not visit it because we had to hurry to the Luoyan Scenic Area.
Moshan
Hiking up the mountain with no pressure for both the elderly and children, along the green trail to the mountain top at Chuwangtai. Witness a unique sunset and enjoy a chime-bell performance.
Chucheng
Rich in Chu culture, climb the city wall to feel the beauty of the surrounding lake and take photos in a set of unique Warring States robes.
Youyilin
Like a real-life version of “The Wizard of Oz”, very picturesque.
Botanical Garden
During this season, go and see hydrangeas and roses, resembling Monet’s garden. Entrance fee is 10 yuan.
Moshan Lanchui
Spend a day fishing here, feeling like entering an earthly paradise.