Mogan Mountain

This weekend we went to a summer resort area that is about 45 minutes south of us.  In the early 1900's many Europeans who were living in Hangzhou built summer houses in the Mogan Mountain area.  After the communists took over in the 1940's they had to leave the country and their homes were taken over by government officials and the communist party.  Today the area is still a popular place for tourists and some wealthy Chinese who go there during the hot summer months.  It has been listed as one of the 'Four Best Summer Resorts' in China. 

 Old homes from the early 1900's

 Candles burning outside the Buddhist Temple

 Inside the temple.  It was very small and I don't think that it was used much.

 The English on their signs is always hilarious

 Refrigeration in China

 The endearing legend of Mogan Mountain is another attraction. It is said that in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) a couple named Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, who were expert sword makers, were asked by the king to make their best sword in three months. For the work they chose a spiritual place in the mountain. But they had problems during the process, so Mo Ye, the wife, cut her hair and nails and threw them into the furnace. Finally, they cast two swords and named them Gan Jiang and Mo Ye. The husband dedicated Sword Mo Ye to the king. The king killed him to prevent another sword to be made that would beat Sword Mo Ye. After hearing the tragic news, the wife jumped with Sword Gan Jiang into the pond that had been used to temper the swords. To commemorate the couple, the mountain was named Mogan and the pond Sword Pond.

 Kenz and Sabrina

 Bamboo was everywhere!

 This guy is filling tins with tea

 Lunch

 Overlook of the mountains.  It had a glass floor.

These guys carry people up and down the mountain.

Wild raspberries growing along the paths.

It was a beautiful day and mountains were much cooler than in the city.  The mountains were incredibly steep but the kids did really well and we had a great time.

China mountains.  A little pollution?  haze?  fog?  who knows, the locals say it is pollution, I don't know but I always wish for a clear day, I can only imagine how beautiful it is when it is clear.