SmartShanghai | Leaving It All Behind

Leaving It All Behind

By Hien Huynh, Apr 22nd, 2008 | In Wellbeing

Ask anyone in this town about 'the need to escape' and you'll most likely get the same reaction: 'God, yes!' Problem is, often is the case that said escape means dealing with the same factors that got you to the breaking point in the first place: crowded buses and trains, overpriced food, visa and ticketing hassles, bad accommodations, and traveling stress.

So what were we left with? Parks that you get yelled at for sitting on the grass? When it gets to the point that you consider walking around the courtyard at O'Malley's 'getting some fresh air,' it might be time to rethink your options.

Moganshan is an ideal getaway for people living in Shanghai and Hangzhou. It's roughly 60km away from Hangzhou and 200km from Shanghai -- a three-hour drive. It's far enough from the hustle and bustle, the smoggy city air, and the stress of city life to make it worth the effort to plan out the trip. Moganshan offers natural relaxation in the form of fresh air, and the pristine beauty of the mountains and the bamboo forest. "Naked Reteats" in Moganshan is the newest weekend getaway deal offered in this scenic location, and a great option for people looking to simplify their lives for a few days.

No, "Naked Retreat" is not a hippy commune where you're expected to take it all off and rally in orgies or partake in cultist exercises. The "Naked" refers to the 'no frills,' simplified character of the package: guests rent rustic wooden cabins (or "cottages," if you're from Ontario) with their friends, and spend the weekend eating home cooked meals, hiking and biking around the mountains, enjoying the fresh air, sitting by a roaring fire, and just generally leaving all the concerns of city living behind.

In those oft-mentioned glory days of Shanghai in the early 1900s, the mountains of Moganshan were a popular summer destination. The area provides a naturally cool climate and was a great way for city dwellers to beat the scorching heat of a Shanghai summer. The area was frequented by foreigners living in Shanghai, and by 1910 an estimate of about 300 foreigners (mostly Americans and Brits) had set up holiday homes in the hills. Most were abandoned and passed on to worker communities with the rise of the communist party in 1949. Remnants of older settlements remain and are points of interest along the many hiking trails in the area. These days with air conditioners, most people remain in the city during the summer and Moganshan has remained pristine and, for the most part, undeveloped.

Moganshan in general is perfect for hikes along the forest trails. These trails can be tough but achievable and fully rewarding, especially when you make it all the way to the top of the mountain passing old abandoned cottages, the hill-top towns, tea houses, and smiling old ladies. Walking down to in the valleys, you pass streams, tea farms, and bamboo forests.

We chatted with Gabriela Lo, one of the women behind Naked Retreats, and it was easy to understand why the weekend packages were gaining popularity amongst Shanghai residents. Basically, the retreat is designed to offer the comforts of home (the cabins come replete which TVs, DVD players, and an ayi, who is, apparently, the town mayor's wife), in the natural and invigorating mountain surroundings of Moganshan. They currently offer lodges which can cater to both large groups (12 to 17 people), smaller groups (6 to 10 people), and couples. A wide range of activities are also available: more laid-back guests can partake in group Yoga sessions and guests looking for more thrills can go raise hell biking through the maze of bamboo forests. The lodges themselves also incorporate environment-sustaining aspects, which seems like the trendy thing to do at the moment, but that's a good thing. What's more, if you have dogs, you can bring them along.

Moganshan is an enriching location and "Naked Retreats" is a great way to experience it for families, couples, or groups of friends. It's a great place to clear your head. Also, as an added bonus, it's a great place to turn your head upwards and remember what the stars look like.

Rental rates vary depending on the size of the cabin and the date of your stay (weekdays are cheaper than weekends). Rates include an ayi and breakfast baskets, as well as various other amenities. Head off to www.nakedretreats.cn for more information and booking.

Tagged: Hotels Healthy Activities