Kuaiji Mountain

Located in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, Kuaiji Mountain is well known not only for mountain sceneries but also for its important role in Chinese history, for it is regarded, to some extent, as a symbol of Chinese civilization. It was on the mountain that Yu the Great founded the first Chinese dynasty, Xia Dynasty (21st-17th century BC). On the mountain, there are three sites visitors must not miss:
 

At the foot of Kuaiji Mountain, the whole mausoleum consists of three main parts: the Stone Stele, the Sacrificing Square, and the Memorial Temple of Yu the Great.
 
There are three Chinese characters on the stone stele, meaning the mausoleum of Yu the Great. Visitors may take a photo here so that you can recall the mountain easily.
 
The Sacrificing Square is used for people to worship Yu. On the square stands the totem pillar and the Nine Tripod platform, on which people have carved the life stories of Yu the Great. The square is connected with the mausoleum by a 380-yards-long road.
 
To the north of the stone stele is the Memorial Temple of Yu the Great, where the royal family, the governors and the local people would make sacrifice to Yu. The temple is constructed by the Liang State of Southern Dynasty (502~557), and is more than 1,400 years old.
 
The Bird’s Paradise is a park about 300 yards (274 meters) to the east of the Mausoleum of Yu the Great. There are more than 130 kinds of birds in the park and more than 10,000 in all. The entrance area is about 32, 292 square feet (3,000 square meters), including the pigeon square, the art carving hall of birds, the bird feeding center, as well as the beast admiring area. Additionally, the main part of the park is about 30, 857 square yards (25,800 square meters), with the Chinese gardens, the swan lake, the ostrich farm and the peacock garden located here.
 
Since the peak of the Kuaiji Mountain looks like a censer, it is named the Censer Peak. There are more than 1700 stairs leading to the top, with an elevation of about 1,160 feet (354 meters). It takes about 40 minutes to climb to the top. The most famous sights on the peak are the rocks of various shapes and the mountain scenery in the rain. The mountain is embraced by mist and cloud when it rains, with the flavor of incense, looking like a wonderland.
 
In the spring, visitor may take part in the cherry blossom festival (Mid-March~ Mid-April) and tulip festival (March~ April) to admire the flowers.
 Visitors are recommended to bring some food because it is not so convenient to buy food on the mountain.
Please wear hiking shoes and check the weather in Shaoxing in advance.
Use rain capes instead of umbrellas to avoid being hit by lightning.
 

 Take bus line 2, 136 and get off at Mausoleum of Yu the Great Station.
 From the bus station, one can walk to visit the Mausoleum of Yu the Great and the Birds' Paradise. Afterwards, walk to the main entrance of the scenic area and take a free shuttle bus to Censer Peak.

Admission Fee	CNY 50, including Mausoleum of Yu the Great, Birds' Paradise Park, and Censer Peak. * Children of 3.9 – 4.9 feet (1.2 - 1.5 meters) entrances are half price. * Children below 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) entrances are free.
Opening Hours	8:00~ 16:30