The Stunning Mountain Residence in the Misty Clouds of Lushan

🌿August Lushan Self-Drive Guide with Dogs｜Isn’t staying at the foot of the mountain better? It’s actually amazing, live on-site report!🐶 “Escaping the heavy rain in Beijing to Lushan’s ‘furnace,’ only to find out—staying at a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain + self-driving around the mountain is the right way to spend summer with kids and dogs!” 🚗 Itinerary Overview｜2 days 1 night, save your legs + avoid pitfalls + walk the dog all included : Arrive at the North Gate, discover the Ctrip farmhouse (recommended “Lushan North Gate · Mountain Residence Cottage”) with a great environment, half the price of mountain homestays! Let the dog run freely in the yard, and the owner even gave homemade bayberry juice~ • Evening: Eat local dishes in Jiujiang city (“Old Brand Xunyang Fish Restaurant” stone pot fish + radish cakes, about 50 RMB per person), play billiards and drink tea back at the homestay, dog chasing fireflies on the grass (yes! There are fireflies in Lushan in August!) 📍 Day 2: Bus up the mountain → Hike the west line → Avoid pitfalls at Hanpoukou → Relax at Meilu → Descend and eat • 6:50: Drive to North Gate parking lot (free), take the 7:00 bus up the mountain (50 minutes to transfer center, ticket 70 RMB/person, dogs must be held or in a pet carrier). • West line complaints: • Huajing/Jinxiugu: Crowded, steep stone steps, dog too tired to continue, the “Fairy Cave” in Jinxiugu is actually just a small rock cave… • Datianchi: Expected a dammed lake, actually a temple courtyard! Returning tourists laughed at us for “not suffering through” 😂 • Hanpoukou: The only spot worth the ticket! The viewing platform is super cool with the breeze, perfect for photos of the sea of clouds and Poyang Lake together (but don’t trust the “must-see sunrise” guides, it’s mostly cloudy in August). • Great Waterfall: Got off and walked 10 meters then retreated! The water flow is as small as a creek, not as good as the fountain at the Meilu villa entrance… • Meilu Villa: Husband toured alone, my son and I sat on stone stools petting the dog, unexpectedly found a bamboo forest in the villa’s backyard, dog went crazy chasing squirrels~ • 15:00: Bus down the mountain, eat “Four Sisters Pancakes” in Jiujiang city (radish cake + meat cake set 15 RMB), back to homestay to pet the dog and stargaze. 🌟Why staying at the foot of the mountain is truly amazing 1. Affordable price: Mountain homestays cost 800+ RMB/night in peak season, farmhouse at the foot of the mountain 200-300 RMB, breakfast included! 2. Dog-friendly: Many mountain hotels ban pets, but the farmhouse yard lets dogs run freely, and the owner lent us a dog leash~ 3. Leg saver: Self-drive to North Gate, bus directly to core scenic spots, avoid queues and transfers on mountain shuttle buses. 4. Nightlife freedom: Eat local dishes and play billiards after descending, much more fun than the quiet nights on the mountain! 🐶 Tips for bringing dogs to Lushan • Transportation: Buses allow small dogs (must be in pet carrier or held), medium and large dogs are recommended to self-drive near the scenic spots and walk (e.g., 10-minute walk from Hanpoukou parking lot to viewing platform). • Scenic spot choices: Avoid Jinxiugu with many stone steps, recommend Hanpoukou lawn and Ruqin Lake loop trail (flat). • Must-have items: Pet wipes (for paws), collapsible water bowl, insect repellent spray (many mosquitoes and bugs on the mountain)