Shima Metro to Guangming Temple Reservoir Hike

From Shima metro station 石马站 (Line 6, Exit A), follow the road south through the village of Shima. The path is paved and flat — a warm-up before the climb. After about 20 minutes you reach the Shangxinyumu Archway (赏心悦目牌坊), a decorative entrance gate marking the start of the Wuchao Mountain trail. The surface transitions from paved road to packed dirt and stone steps as you enter the forest.

Photo suggestion: Shangxinyumu Archway at the start of the Wuchao Mountain trail.

From the archway, the trail climbs steadily through mixed forest on a combination of stone steps and wild dirt paths. This is approximately 50% stone steps and 50% natural trail — the surface varies as the path winds up the mountainside. The forest canopy provides good shade for most of the ascent. After about 45 minutes you reach Wuchao Pavilion (午潮亭), a rest pavilion on the mountain's upper slopes. This is the first significant landmark on the ridge and a good water-break stop.

Caution: The ascent is sustained — approximately 300 m of elevation gain concentrated in this section. Pace yourself and take breaks at the pavilion. The trail can be uneven in places; watch your footing on the wild-path sections.

Photo suggestion: Forest trail climbing through Wuchao Mountain with mixed stone and dirt surfaces.

From Wuchao Pavilion 午潮亭, the trail continues along the ridge with gentler gradient. The path undulates across several small high points, with occasional openings in the trees revealing views over the surrounding hills. This section is the most remote-feeling part of the traverse — you are unlikely to encounter many other hikers on weekdays. The ridge path leads to Dade Ridge (大德岭), a broad saddle where several trails converge. This is an important navigation point: the trail from the Tofu Skin Ancient Path (豆腐皮古道) joins here from the south.

Photo suggestion: Ridge path on Wuchao Mountain with forested hills stretching to the horizon.

From Dade Ridge 大德岭, the trail continues south toward the Feifengyan fork (飞凤岩岔口). The path remains on the ridge with similar mixed-surface conditions. At the Feifengyan fork, the trail splits: the left branch climbs to Feifengyan Observation Deck (飞凤岩观景台, add 15–20 minutes), and the right branch descends directly toward Hejia Village 何家村 and Guangming Temple Reservoir. Take the right branch unless you want the Feifengyan summit detour. The descent path begins immediately after the fork.

Caution: At the Feifengyan fork, the left path goes up to Feifengyan summit and the right path descends toward the finish. If you are low on time or energy, take the right fork — the descent to the reservoir is the most efficient way to finish.

Photo suggestion: Trail junction at the Feifengyan fork with ridge views.

From the Feifengyan fork, the descent path drops through forest and tea-field edges toward the Longwu valley floor. The surface is predominantly stone steps with some packed-earth sections. As you lose elevation, the tea terraces of Longwu become visible below. The path emerges at Hejia Village 何家村, from which a short flat walk along the access road leads to Guangming Temple Reservoir 光明寺水库 — the finish point. Total traverse time: approximately 3.5–5 hours at a moderate pace with breaks.

Caution: The descent steps are sustained and can feel long after the ridge traverse. Take breaks as needed. The last section through Hejia Village is flat and easy.

Photo suggestion: Descent path opening onto Longwu tea terraces with the reservoir visible below.