Escaping to the mountains................

After a few more days of exploring the shopping malls and markets of Shanghai Mr. Xu took us all (Grannie, Grandad, Mum, Dad, a five year old and a one year old) to stay on Mogashan Mountain for a long weekend.

The area was popular with missionaries and western settlers in the early part of the 20th century. Mountain retreats were built, along with churches and hotels, to escape the heat and turmoil of the city. Many of the buildings have been refurbished and after a period of use during the Chinese Cultural Revolution are now available for rent for holidays. The area has become a National Park area and still often frequented by the Shanghai expat community.

We arrived to find our little house in the bamboo forest. There was no vehicular access so everything had to be carried uphill through the woods.

The area is mostly bamboo forest with steep stepped paths and spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately the whole long weekend was misty and quite cold but also very enjoyable. The kitchen in the house was less than adequate so we walked down to the village every evening to have our dinner.

Spending a few days out of the city was a great idea. Fresh air smells very good. We all managed plenty of short walks and the only thing missing was the view.

The walks were well sign-posted and scattered in the woods were pagodas and old temple buildings.

We ate most of our meals at The Lodge which is in Moganshan village and seemed to be frequented mainly by expats but was warm and cosy and sold good coffee. There were a few hotels also in the village to which the Chinese bus-parties went.

The weather, of course, improved on the morning we had to leave and drive back to Shanghai. Mr. Xu arrived just after lunch.

I don't remember much about the trip 'home', I think I slept most of the way....along with the rest of the family.....