Where are the best places to visit in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai? 20 weekend adventures worth exploring
Preface
Why do I love the outdoors? Perhaps it’s because it allows me to experience something different from the usual tourist mode of seeing attractions, taking photos, and checking in. Instead, I can truly immerse myself in the place and feel these magical mountains and warm land with my feet and hands.
I like the thrill of wild climbing, the excitement of caving, and the freedom of cycling. These are why I am constantly trying to find new routes. This time, I have made a simple inventory of some outdoor check-in spots around Zhejiang, including Jiangxi. You can save them and check them in slowly when you have time!
01. Wild Climbing: Yongkang Gongpo Rock
Geographical location: Shiguliao, a dialect scenic area, is the filming location of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", "A Step into the Past" and "Nirvana in Fire".
I was inspired to recommend this place by a friend who particularly loves the outdoors. His circle of friends is almost entirely filled with photos of this type. You can often see people tied with a rope on steep cliffs, strange peaks and rocks, looking like martial artists who are as light as a swallow and can fly over the eaves and walls.
This cool way to do it isn't difficult at all! A descent and a climb, accompanied by a professional outdoor guide. It's fun and a great way to learn new skills. It's truly amazing!
You get a sense of wilderness survival along the way, and sometimes you'll wonder if you chose the wrong route. But seeing the blooming azaleas, redbuds, and various wild succulents along the way makes it all worth it! This kind of travel is like a love-hate relationship!
However, this route is a technical advancement route for hikers, which is quite difficult and requires people with some outdoor experience to participate.
02. Caving · Jilong Mountain
Location: Tonglu, Zhejiang
The karst landform, shrouded in clouds and mist, and rugged rocks make this an excellent spring outdoor sport. The 40-meter-plus cliff rappelling and the Leopard Cliff slope rope descent will make your adrenaline soar (people with acrophobia are not allowed to participate).
This route is of intermediate difficulty. The City Gate Cave of Jilong Mountain extends forward in a spiral shape. It is small enough for only one person to pass through, and large enough to accommodate hundreds of people. Even strong lights cannot reach the top. The sound of water waterfalls is bottomless (in summer), and there are also ever-changing stalactites that are thousands of years old.
A true heart-pounding experience that puts you in the horror of Tomb Raiders - hiking, rock climbing, rappelling, abseiling, and caving!
03. Hiking · Wuyue Ancient Trail
Geographical location: Anhui on the upper side and Zhejiang on the lower side
Qianqingguan, Tianchi, Tianlong Grand Canyon, Wild Cherry Blossom Wuyue Ancient Trail from Ningwei, Anhui to Lin'an, Hangzhou, the whole journey is 13 kilometers, 5 hours, and the intensity is moderate.
The four seasons here are really unique, with cherry blossoms in April, azaleas in May, cherries in June, canyon water play in July-August, wild hawthorns in September, reeds in October-November, and rime and ice hangings from December to February. You can come here in any month.
You can see yellow leaves, reeds and small waterfalls everywhere along the way. There is a West Zhejiang Tianchi on the top of the mountain. The scenery is so good that it can be said to be comparable to the Five-Colored Sea Milk Lake. The scenery is very beautiful!
04. Cycling · Qingshan Lake
Location: Qingshan Town, Lin'an
The lakeside greenway boasts a thousand-acre floating forest, and Dayu Valley Forest Farm boasts an even greater 1,000-acre floating forest, a rare sight in China. This forest features pond cypress trees, introduced from the Amazon in South America in the 1960s. Its lush foliage is verdant in spring and summer, gradually turning dark red in autumn and winter, creating a unique landscape with each season. It's truly one of a kind!
The entire ride is along the lakeside. The 30-kilometer ride is suitable for everyone to participate. It won't be too tiring and you can easily circle Qingshan Lake. The scenery is so enchanting!
We rode along the stunning greenway around the lake, which offered a wide view. When we reached the most beautiful section, we stopped, spread out a blanket, looked at the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, shared some delicious food, and had a picnic by the lake!
05. Hiking · East Taibai
Location: Zhuji, Zhejiang
The highest peak "Taibai Peak" and the East Taibai Grand Loop are typical Jiangnan style. The mountain road is winding and there are gurgling water on both sides. There are continuous tea gardens not far away. Now it is spring. When you arrive at the Longmending farmhouse halfway up the mountain, you can find a century-old wild azalea king.
It only takes half a day to reach the top of the mountain. Huge windmills stand on the endless alpine meadows. The misty Dongbai Lake at the foot of the mountain is popular among hikers and photographers in East China!
06. Hiking in Moganshan
Location: Moganshan Ancient Road, Deqing, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
At 785 meters above sea level, hundreds of historic villas nestle amidst verdant hills and bamboo groves, with winding paths leading to secluded retreats. Known as the "World Architecture Museum" and "Zhejiang Lushan," this route is our original ancient trail traverse, a departure from the usual tourist routes!
We will follow the path Chiang Kai-shek took into the mountains. There are bamboo forests and ancient roads along the way. We will also pass by various celebrity villas along the way and feel the charm of the literati and poets of that era!
07. Heniao Mountain · Azalea
On the Moganshan Ancient Trail in Deqing, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, a massive rock rises majestically from the summit of Heniao Mountain, 785 meters above sea level. In late April and early May, Heniao Mountain is ablaze with wild azaleas and rhododendrons, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
08. Journey to the Rock
Location: Zhuji, Zhejiang
From a distance, Douyan looks like Buddha. From a close look, the main peak of Thousand Buddhas looks like Buddha. Douyan stands steeply and towering. It is named after the four surrounding peaks that resemble the arrangement of stars in the sky. There is also the Dianjiangtai in the mountain where Zhu Yuanzhang gathered his soldiers.
In 1365, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, launched the "Battle of Xinzhou" here during heavy fog, defeating Zhang Shicheng's main force and laying the foundation for the founding of the Ming Dynasty.
The mountains are majestic and full of cliffs. It can be said that this route seems simple with 2 stars, but in fact many people feel that it is not an exaggeration to change it to 4 stars after participating in it!
More than ten kilometers of mountain roads, more than a dozen steep slopes, rock climbing, farting, cliff tree climbing, it can be said that all kinds of skills were used, in one word: worth it!
09. Sunjialing Ancient Trail
Geographical location: Dajian Mountain, Shaoxing
You can climb to the top of Xionge Peak, which is 665 meters above sea level, through the peaks of Wubaigang, Sunjialing and alpine meadows. It is called "Xionge Peak" because its shape resembles the nose of a male goose.
There are no trees on the Dajian Mountain, only grass. It is green in spring and yellow in autumn. In November, the meadow is deep and the Dajian Mountain looks like a small Wugong Mountain.
The Sunjialing Historic Trail passes through lush greenery and winding ancient vines, presenting a quaint ecological landscape. Ascending the steps, you'll find clusters of ancient maple trees. In autumn, fallen leaves blanket the stone steps, like a carpet for your feet. Walking through an ink-and-wash landscape painting brings a sense of leisure and tranquility.
This route is not difficult and has a moderate altitude difference, making it suitable for a leisurely weekend hike. As you walk along, you can see the white clouds rolling and changing unpredictably, and the Wubaigang Mountains stretching out in the distance, full of spring.
After you hike for about ten minutes, you will see a towering ancient maple tree, the trunk of which requires four or five people to hug.
10. Broken Wind Thousand Island Lake
Location: Qiandao Lake, Hangzhou
The entire cycling distance is about 150 kilometers. It is the unique and superior environment of Qiandao Lake where the Qianfen Line and Chunyang Line are combined. It has become the preferred destination for many cycling enthusiasts. The scenery along the way is beautiful, dotted with scattered ancient villages, crossing mountains, passing through tunnels, and circling mountains and lakes.
When you see professional riders passing by you, do you also feel like taking a refreshing and wind-breaking journey in the embrace of mountains and rivers?
Tips:
There are three highlights of this ride:
1. Two-day cycling trip, suitable for outdoor enthusiasts;
2. The entire journey will be accompanied by a bus with backup vehicles and medical kits;
3. The riding equipment is Xidesheng Zhuri 500L model, helmet and other equipment.
11. Wild Climbing: Qingliang Peak
Location: Lin'an, Hangzhou
The highest peak of the Tianmu Mountains in western Zhejiang, at an altitude of 1,787 meters, is home to beautiful meteorite craters and glacial relics, steep cliffs, and strange rocks. It is a very dangerous, beautiful, spectacular, and thrilling hiking route!
The climb and descent are relatively short, but you'll need to use your hands and feet to climb up and down the Stonehenge, which is quite fun! However, it's also one of the most difficult routes to the summit of Qingliang Peak.
When you have admired the stunning beauty of the peak, going down from the south, you will see the winding and steep, beautiful and majestic South Ridge. Its pure beauty, untouched by the dust of the world, is breathtaking!
In spring and autumn, you can camp or stay overnight at Qingliang Peak, gazing at the beautiful starry sky and enjoying the gentle night.
12. Xianju Gongyu
Location: Xianju, Hangzhou
This place is known as the "Shangri-La of East China". The terraced fields under Gongyubei are stacked layer upon layer, and old villages are scattered among them.
On the first day, we set out from Keng Village, with quiet mountain paths and blooming wild flowers along the way. We arrived at the camp at night and enjoyed the local specialties of "A Bite of China 3": mugwort tofu, chicken stewed in old wine, lotus seeds, houttuynia cordata bacon, pig stomach chicken, etc.
From March to April, rape flowers bloom; from May to June, azaleas and astragalus are the main flowers, and there are also various wild flowers.
This is a very relaxing and leisurely outdoor route, with forest terraces, beautiful scenery, rugged mountain roads, and a very enjoyable walk.
13. Taoyuan Peak
Location: Taoyuanjian, Suichang, Hangzhou
The 100,000-acre alpine rhododendron forest is one of the three largest rhododendron fields in China, stretching for dozens of kilometers. A single-day trek through the flower field is less than 20 kilometers long, starting at an altitude of more than 570 meters and climbing to a maximum of more than 1,400 meters, which takes about 6-7 hours.
In early May, rhododendrons in various colors such as deep red, light red, rose red, purple, white and yellow form a colorful azalea corridor, bright and vivid, covering the mountains and fields, covering the entire hill with a piece of red brocade, and the rolling peaks and ridges are like ribbons dancing in the wind.
This rhododendron area is located between Taoyuanjian and Liuchun Lake ridges at an altitude of 1,100 to 1,400 meters, and stretches for more than 10 kilometers from east to west along the mountain range. The mountain breeze blows gently, allowing you to walk in a sea of floral fragrance.
14. Yandang Twin Ridges
Geographical location: Wulaodian, Xianxi Ridge, Jingming Valley
The mountains are shrouded in mist, sometimes appearing like a raging torrent from afar, sometimes like wispy smoke up close. The precipitous mountain ridges appear like a giant dragon, appearing and disappearing in the mist. Walking on its back is a terrifying experience.
The entire hike is about 5 kilometers, the route is easy, and the climbing is quite enjoyable.
The product manager who developed the Yandang series of the Zhengtu Tour described it this way: "A crazy work of double ridges." Once you embark on this route and climb to the top of Wulao Lao Peak, enjoying the majestic beauty of Yandang Mountain no longer becomes important.
What is important is to enjoy the wonderful feeling of overcoming all difficulties and casting your life on the top of the mountain.
This route is a technical advancement route for hikers. It is quite difficult and requires people with some outdoor experience to participate.
15. Journey to Lingshan, Jiangxi
Location: Shangrao, Jiangxi
The rare inverted stone landform, Zhongtai Peak and Tianti Peak are different from the green sea of clouds in Wugong Mountain. They are the legend of huge rocks.
The huge granite is stacked up into a mountain, and most people can easily stand on it and climb it. However, near the top, the rock slope is quite steep, and ropes are needed for assistance. It is an outdoor route that combines off-road mountaineering and rock climbing of medium intensity.
The Lingshan Zhongtai Peak outdoor loop starts from Zuoxi Longjing Village. The whole route is about 6 kilometers, with an altitude difference of more than 1,000 meters. It takes an average person 8-9 hours to climb. There are 5-6 sections that require the use of ropes to climb.
Since the rock surface has many protrusions and is very rough, climbing with the help of ropes is still very safe, but looking down from above, it feels like people are stepping on rocks from the air, which is definitely a heart-pounding feeling.
Source: @Lingshan Scenic Area Official Account Jinmi La Photography
16. Journey to Seven Peaks
Location: Lin'an, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
East China's second most demanding trek, traversing seven peaks in a row, overlooking the Seven Peaks of Tianmu Mountain, is a top-tier trekking route that combines both difficulty and intensity. Walking along the ridgeline, you'll enjoy expansive views and magnificent alpine meadow scenery.
Longwang Mountain is the highest peak among the seven peaks of East and West Tianmu Mountains (1,587 meters above sea level). When you climb Longwang Mountain, you will straddle Lin'an, Anji and Ningguo, Anhui Province with one foot, and feel suspended in the air on all sides. You will feel full of passion and ambition, as if you want to break through the sky!
Tianmu Mountain Range: Qingliang Peak - Sanjian - Tianchi - West Tianmu - Longwang Mountain - Qianzhang Cliff - East Tianmu - Xianren Stone - Jingshan - Mogan Mountain, stretching for more than 200 kilometers.
This route is a technical advancement route for hikers. It is quite difficult and requires people with some outdoor experience to participate.
17. Wugong Mountain
Location: Pingxiang, Jiangxi
The hiking route from Wugong Mountain to Mingyue Mountain, a pilgrimage site for outdoor activities in East China, is known as the East China Pilgrimage Road and is well-known in the outdoor circle.
From hundreds of thousands of acres of alpine meadows to towering peaks, sunrises and seas of clouds, and romantic starry skies, it's truly a "heaven for the eyes, hell for the body" route!
The whole journey is 48 kilometers, with a cumulative ascent of 3,441 meters and a descent of 3,601 meters. The three-day journey from Jiulong Mountain to Jinding, Fayunjie and Mingyue Mountain allows you to truly feel the torture and pleasure of the Strong Donkey Line!
18. Heavy Equipment Training·K2
Location: Shangrao, Jiangxi
Crossing the second highest peak in Jiangxi and Fujian is a must-do spiritual journey in East China. 
Experience the pristine wilderness on the trail, and watch the clouds roll in from the summit. Find joy in the challenging route and savor the beauty of the deep forest on foot.
The entire journey passes through the second highest peak in Jiangxi: Dushu (2128m) and the second highest peak in Fujian: Xianglu Peak (1944m), passing through Guofengao (1887m) in Jiangxi in the middle. The total distance is 33 kilometers. There are no supply points along the way. It takes 3 days to cross with heavy equipment, providing an authentic outdoor hiking experience.
This route is a heavy-duty route. Please note the outdoor strength line you have walked on when registering.
19. Huzhou Tianzi Ancient Road
Location: Huzhou, Zhejiang
Cross the bamboo sea, pick raspberries in April, and visit Tianzi Temple. This is a circular ancient road and the longest and most complete ancient road preserved in Wuxing District, Huzhou. In spring, there are many bamboo shoots, insects chirping, birds singing, and mountain flowers blooming, which is full of vitality.
Entering the ancient bluestone road, there is a gurgling stream on one side of the road, and you can listen to the waves in the bamboo forest. You can change your steps and stroll to Tianzi Mountain. There is an ancient temple on the top of the mountain named Tianzi Temple. In ancient times, transportation was inconvenient, and Maowu and Shandang were the only merchants who traveled this road. Tianzi Temple was also very popular at that time.
Beautiful green bamboo forest, interesting ancient trails to walk through, and up and down loops suitable for beginners.
20. Daming Mountain Wilderness Survival
Location: Lin'an, Hangzhou
It was called "Sun and Moon Mountain" in ancient times and also known as "Thousand Acres of Fields". Although there are many mountains around Hangzhou, most of them are only visited by hikers. If you really want to experience the fun of outdoor adventure, then you must try wild climbing!
What is wild climbing? It's about using both hands and feet to traverse the rugged, steep mountain paths. Climbing the walls of Daming Mountain and plunging down the Baishui Waterfall is a truly wild and challenging route! For serious climbers, this route is sure to satisfy!
Daming Mountain has unique natural scenery, beautiful mountains and rivers, and the numerous species of animals and plants and well-preserved original ecological plants are even more amazing.
This is a relatively exciting and primitive mountaineering route in East China.
