Two hours west of Nanchang, where the hills of western Jiangxi roll toward Hunan, a granite ridge catches the dawn in a way that gave it its name — “Bright Moon Mountain.” Mingyue Mountain (明月山) is a national forest park above Yichun city, famous for a crescent-shaped summit, long glass-floored cliff plank walks, and a ribbon of open-air hot spring resorts at its foot fed by selenium-rich geothermal water. We’ve sent travellers here as a slow alternative to the crowded mountain circuits, and the combination — a cool ridge walk by day, a hot spring soak by night — is exactly the kind of easy, restorative China stop our clients come back talking about. This Mingyue Mountain guide covers the cable car ticket, the hike from Nanchang, the hot spring hotel zone, and the plank walk.
Why Visit Mingyue Mountain
Mingyue Mountain rises to about 1,735 metres at its highest point (Taiping Mountain / 太平山), though the scenic summit ridge most visitors reach sits around 1,500 metres. It is granite, not the red Danxia of the south, draped in bamboo, pine and seasonally a sea of cloud. The draw is twofold. First, the Qingyun Plank Road (青云栈道), a cliff-hugging walkway with a glass-floor section that runs for several kilometres along the escarpment, giving big views without a hard climb. Second, Wentang Town (温汤镇) at the base, a hot-spring resort strip built around a natural selenium spring that has run for centuries — locals still fill thermoses at the public spring pavilion. For a traveller who wants a mountain without the Huangshan crowds, plus a real spa evening, it is hard to beat. It fits neatly into a Jiangxi loop, and our Yichun Jiangxi travel guide covers the city, the food and how to pair the mountain with the nearby Mingyue Lake.
Best Time to Visit Mingyue Mountain
April to June — the best window. 16–26°C on the ridge, lush bamboo, and the best chance of a sea of cloud at dawn. This is the best time to visit Mingyue Mountain for the plank walk and for photography.
September to November. 14–24°C, clear, with autumn colour in the lower forests. Mid-October to mid-November is excellent and less rainy than spring.
July to August. Warm (24–32°C lower down, cooler up top), the domestic summer-holiday peak. The ridge is a popular escape from Nanchang’s heat, so arrive early.
December to February. Cold (2–10°C), occasional ice on the plank road and snow on the summit; the hot springs are at their best. The glass walk can close in heavy ice.
How to Get to Mingyue Mountain from Nanchang
Mingyue Mountain sits about 15 km south of Yichun city centre, in Yuanzhou district. High-speed rail makes the approach simple.
| From | Mode | Duration | Approx. cost |
|—|—|—|—|
| Nanchang West → Yichun | High-speed train (G/D) | 40–75 min | ¥50–95 (US$7–13) |
| Changsha South → Yichun | High-speed train | 1 hr – 1 hr 30 min | ¥80–140 (US$11–19) |
| Yichun station → Wentang Town | Taxi / ride app | 30–45 min | ¥50–80 (US$7–11) |
| Yichun → Mingyue Mountain scenic gate | Taxi | 25–40 min | ¥50–90 (US$7–13) |
| Nanchang direct (private car) | Car | 2 hr 15 min | ¥600–800 (US$83–110) |
From Nanchang we book clients on a morning G-train to Yichun, then a taxi straight to Wentang Town to drop bags at the hot-spring hotel before heading up. The mountain and the spring town share one road, so you never backtrack. Trains are booked with your passport on 12306; our Nanchang travel guide has the station and city notes for the start of the trip.
Things to Do at Mingyue Mountain
The Cable Car and Summit Ridge
A large cable car (the “Mingyue Cableway”) lifts you from near the gate to the upper station in about 20–25 minutes, removing most of the vertical grind. From the top, paved paths lead to the Moon Lake (明月湖) and the crescent summit viewpoint. The Mingyue Mountain cable car ticket is sold as a combo with entry: peak about ¥150 (US$21) including the upward cableway, with a small discount if you walk part way. A second, shorter cable car links the ridge to the plank road. Allow 3–4 hours for the full loop if you include the walkway.
Qingyun Plank Road (青云栈道)
The headline walk. This cliff-edge boardwalk runs several kilometres along the escarpment, with a glass-floor segment where you look straight down the granite face. It is well railed and not technical, but the height is real — we warn clients with vertigo to skip the glass part. The walk connects to the Moon Lake and the Elephant Trunk Rock viewpoints. It is smooth, gentle walking and a strong entry in our China hiking treks guide for travellers who want views without a summit push.
Wentang Town Hot Springs (温汤镇)
At the foot of the mountain, Wentang is a dedicated hot-spring resort town. The water is naturally selenium-rich and around 60–70°C at source; the public Gudai Hot Spring pavilion (古鼎温泉 / town spring) lets you watch locals fill jugs, and dozens of hotels run outdoor pools. Soaking after the plank walk is the point of the trip. Resort pools cost ¥120–260 (US$17–36) for a public session, more for private tubs. Our China hot springs resorts guide compares Mingyue with the bigger spa regions if you want to chain several.
Mingyue Lake and the Mountain Villages
Below the ridge, Mingyue Lake (明月湖) is a reservoir with a lakeside walk and a few stilt restaurants. Nearby restored villages such as Nanmu Village offer quiet tea houses. Good for a half-day if you stay overnight in Wentang.
Where to Stay: The Hot Spring Hotel Zone
The sensible base is Wentang Town, at the mountain’s foot.
- Hot-spring resorts (¥500–1,200 / US$70–166). Tianmu (天沐), Weijing (维景) and similar run indoor-outdoor pools, including selenium soaks; book a room with a private tub if you want quiet.
- Mid-range spa hotels (¥280–500 / US$39–70). Smaller Wentang properties with shared pools, clean and friendly.
- City business hotels in Yichun (¥220–450 / US$30–62). Cheaper, but you lose the evening soak; 30 minutes from the gate.
- Budget (¥140–220 / US$19–30). Basic guesthouses in Wentang; fine for the spring, thin on comfort in winter.
Book the resort hotels mid-week in peak season (July–Aug, National Holiday, New Year) — the Mingyue Mountain hot spring hotels area sells out on weekends. Foreign passport registration is handled at all licensed hotels.
What to Eat
Jiangxi food is among the hottest in China — bring tolerance.
- Yichun rice noodles (宜春扎粉), stir-fried thick rice noodles with chili, ¥15–25.
- Wentang free-range chicken hotpot, simmered with mountain herbs, ¥80–150 for two.
- Hakka-style stuffed tofu (酿豆腐), a local mountain-hamlet dish, ¥30–50.
- Bamboo shoots and ferns, foraged in spring, ¥28–45.
- Selenium rice from the Wentang fields, a local specialty side.
Sample Itinerary: One Day from Nanchang
- 08:00 G-train Nanchang West → Yichun
- 09:15 taxi to Wentang Town, drop bags
- 10:00 cable car up, summit ridge and Moon Lake (2 hr)
- 12:30 Qingyun plank road, glass section (1.5 hr)
- 14:30 late lunch in Wentang
- 16:00 hot-spring soak (2 hr)
- 19:00 train back to Nanchang, or stay over
Practical Tips
- Ticket combo. Buy the entry + upward cableway combo at the gate; a round-trip cableway costs a little more but saves the knees.
- Plank road first. Do the Qingyun walk in the morning for clearer air and fewer glass-floor queues.
- Soak timing. Pools are busiest 18:00–21:00; a late-afternoon soak is calmer.
- Passport. Train and hotel both need it.
- Cash. Small village stalls may not take cards; keep ¥150.
- Combine. The mountain is one stop in a wider Jiangxi plan; the Yichun Jiangxi travel guide links it to Mingyue Lake and the city’s yuanzhou snacks.
For the regional setting and the city that serves as the gateway, the area is summarised at Wikipedia’s Yichun, Jiangxi page, useful context before you ride out.
FAQ
Is Mingyue Mountain worth it?
Yes for a relaxed ridge walk plus a real hot-spring evening, especially as a Nanchang weekend. Skip it if you want a raw, untouristed summit — this one is groomed and popular.
How do I get there from Nanchang?
High-speed train to Yichun (under 75 min), then a 30–45 minute taxi to Wentang Town at the mountain foot. Simple as a day trip.
Is the plank walk dangerous?
No, it is railed and paved. Only the short glass-floor segment is unnerving, and you can step around it.
When is hot-spring season best?
Winter (Dec–Feb) is the classic soak season, but the springs run year-round. Summer weekdays are quiet.
Can I visit without a car?
Easily — train plus taxi. A car only helps if you add Mingyue Lake villages or Wugong Mountain.
Written by Karl, China Travel Places — updated August 2026.