Last time at the Pingxiang train station, I saw groups of college students, and there were almost enough to fill the waiting room. At that time, I was thinking that besides the Spring Festival travel rush, there should also be a "mountain rush" during the summer vacation - Wugong Mountain rush.
During the summer vacation, there are generally two types of college students at the Pingxiang train station. One type is from outside Pingxiang, preparing to go to Wugong Mountain; the other type has just come down from Wugong Mountain, preparing to go home. Some college students who have just arrived have very fair skin, but after two days of activities on Wugong Mountain, even the fairest skin will become somewhat tanned, and of course, those who are already tanned will become even darker.
In the summer of 2020, I went to Wugong Mountain with my friends once, and there weren't as many people as there are now. The weather was also very nice that day, with clear skies and a gentle breeze all day. It was windy at night, and you needed to wear a jacket to look at the stars outside the tent. The next morning, before dawn, we continued towards the Golden Summit, ready to watch the sunrise. But unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, with strong winds and many clouds, and the rising sun was covered by clouds.
In the following years, it seems that the number of visitors has been increasing. Perhaps it is due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic, or perhaps it is due to financial constraints. After these restrictions gradually disappeared, visiting Wugong Mountain became equivalent to visiting a crowded place. There are people, mountains, and even a sea, killing three birds with one stone. But along with this came various management issues. For example, in July 2023, there was a fight among tourists, and netizens jokingly called it "Wugong Mountain is indeed named after martial arts, you can't come up without some martial arts skills"; another example is the flag on the Golden Summit being waved, but in the end, it was thrown on the ground, along with the trash left by tourists.
"Wugong Mountain has 100 million people, I'm not lying to you."
Wugong Mountain is over 1,900 meters above sea level, and it requires a certain amount of physical strength and endurance to hike from the foot of the mountain to the summit. It also takes a long time. Some places have average scenery, so there's no need to waste time walking, you can just take the cable car. I believe that enjoying the process of climbing is more important than rushing ahead or competing with others. It's about slowly experiencing the scenery along the way.
High mountain meadows, clouds at the Golden Summit, and sunrise are a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, providing a visual feast for everyone. People who have been to Wugong Mountain may not want to come a second time because it's too tiring, but they will still want to come a second time because the scenery is too beautiful, with different views in different seasons.
Prices on Wugong Mountain are very expensive, 10 yuan for a bottle of mineral water, 10 yuan for a grilled sausage, 15 yuan for a bucket of instant noodles... There's a reason for the high prices. On the way down the mountain, you will see many people carrying supplies on shoulder poles, from the foot of the mountain all the way to the guesthouses on the mountainside. There is also a special service on the mountain, where sedan chair bearers carry sedan chairs up the mountain. This service is also controversial. On one hand, it is a means for the sedan chair bearers to make a living, but on the other hand, some tourists feel sorry for them. It's okay to experience it appropriately, allowing the sedan chair bearers to earn money and also experiencing the ride in a sedan chair.
By chance, I saw a classmate's photos of Wugong Mountain on my social media feed, so I asked her for the original pictures to promote my hometown.
I believe that every person from Pingxiang will proudly introduce Wugong Mountain to others, and everyone who has been to Wugong Mountain will proudly share their experiences and the photos they took.
Wugong Mountain is beautiful, and you are welcome to come and experience it.