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Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangsu in East China have been a land of fish and rice and a prosperous place since ancient times, with many mountains and steep cliffs. In order to facilitate transportation, the people and the government built a large number of long bluestone ancient roads. Over thousands of years, soldiers gathered here, merchants rested here, poets lingered here, monks chanted here, strolled along the winding ancient roads, looked at the blue sky and white clouds, smelled the fragrance of flowers, listened to the gurgling water, passed through layers of old times, and touched the thickness of history thousands of years ago.
"Because I didn't cultivate myself in my previous life, I was born in Huizhou. When I was thirteen or fourteen years old, I was thrown out." Ancient Huizhou was a place with poor mountains and bad water. There were more mountains than fields in Huizhou, and it was known as "seven parts mountains, half water, half fields, and two parts roads and manors."
The towering peaks and steep cliffs made development difficult. Even if efforts were made to cultivate the land and plant crops, a harvest was difficult to guarantee. After the Tang and Song dynasties, with the increasing influx of foreign populations, the harvest was insufficient to meet food needs, and 70% of the food supply came from Jiangxi, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.
Families in Huizhou were unable to support their children, so boys at the age of 13 or 14 were sent out to become apprentices, and could not return home until they completed their studies. This is the origin of the famous "Huizhou merchants" in ancient times.
When Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty moved the capital to Lin'an, the already rich "First State in the Southeast" became even more prosperous due to the migration of dignitaries, and also attracted more Hui merchants to come and learn skills and do business. This ancient bluestone road, which starts from Fuling Town, Jixi County, Anhui Province in the west and ends at Maxiao Township, Lin'an, Zhejiang Province in the east, is more than 40 miles long and was an important economic channel at that time.
Tips:
Navigation location: Starting point: Yonglai Village, ending point: Huihang Ancient Trail Visitor Center (Yonglai Village - Lantianao - Shangxuetang - Xiaxuetang - Huangmaopei - Jiangnan First Pass - Visitor Center)
Hiking details: The entire hike is approximately 16 kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of approximately 500 meters. It takes about 6 hours and is mainly done on dirt roads and bluestone steps.
Supplies along the way: There are many mobile vendors along the way, mostly local villagers, so be careful when buying pecans. There are farmhouses and small shops in Xiaxuetang, Shangxuetang, and Huangmaopei.
Tips: The Huihang Ancient Trail can be walked in both directions. The Jixi-Lin'an section has more uphill climbs, while the Lin'an-Jixi section has longer downhill climbs. Both routes can be completed in one or two days, making it a classic one-day or two-day hiking route.
Depart from Hangzhou丨1 day
East China Classics: Huihang Ancient Road Retraces the Path of Huizhou Merchants, a Must-See for Newcomers
Starting from ￥21639537 people have registeredRegister nowThe Wuyue Ancient Road is located in Yunshan Village, Wanjiaxiang, Ningguo City, Anhui Province, and borders Longjingqiao Village, Grand Canyon Town, Lin'an, Zhejiang Province. It belongs to the Qingliangfeng Mountain Range and passes through Tianchi Lake in western Zhejiang.
The main peak is Leli Peak, with an altitude of 1,363 meters. It was the main passage connecting Wu Yue and Southern Tang during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Qianqing Pass, Yuling Pass and Qianqiu Pass in it are known as the Three Passes of Northern Zhejiang.
The scenery of the ancient road is different in each season. The cherry blossoms and peach blossoms on the top of the mountain bloom one after another, dyeing the entire mountain pink when they are in full bloom. The mountain streams are clear and beautiful!
Tips:
Navigation location: There are many ways to walk the Wuyue Ancient Trail. You can refer to Zhelin Village in Lin'an, Zhejiang - Datang Village in Wanjiaxiang, Ningguo, Anhui.
Hiking details: The ancient trail is about 15 kilometers long, with about 3 kilometers of bluestone steps and the rest mostly mountain paths. The hike takes about 5-6 hours.
Tips: Leli Peak is a protected area and is generally not allowed to be visited. Camping is allowed at Tianchi Lake in western Zhejiang.
Located in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, it is a remnant of Tianmu Mountain. According to legend, it is the place where Gan Jiang and Moye forged swords. The main peak, Tashan, is 758 meters above sea level. It is known as the "No. 1 Mountain in Jiangnan" and is one of the four major summer resorts in China, along with Beidaihe, Lushan and Jigong Mountain.
Moganshan boasts a history of over 2,000 years and boasts a unique natural landscape with a 92% vegetation coverage rate. Bamboo forests, towering Japanese firs and Song Dynasty ginkgo trees blanket the mountains, and cascading springs and waterfalls are commonplace. The post-rain fog is truly breathtaking, engulfing the entire mountainside below in clouds. The summit of Tashan Mountain floats above the clouds, resembling an island in the ocean or a castle in the sky, ethereal and ethereal, akin to a fairyland.
The central scenic area of Moganshan includes Tashan, Zhonghuashan, Jinjiashan, Wujishan, Moganling, Paotaishan, etc., where you can watch the sunrise and sea of clouds, as well as waterfalls and clear springs.
Hundreds of villas built in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China are hidden in the green shade of bamboo forests. They are very quiet and are known as the "World Architecture Museum".
Tips:
Navigation location: Starting and ending points Moganshan Town
Hiking details: The entire hike is about 10 kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of about 600 meters. It takes about 5 hours and is mainly dirt roads and bluestone steps.
Supplies along the way: You can get supplies at the shops in the scenic area, and there are also restaurants on the mountain (they are more expensive)
Tips: You can buy a scenic shuttle bus at the tourist center (about 30/person one way) to save the mountain climbing section. You can eat in Moganshan Town, where there are many farmhouses. Moganshan B&Bs are very popular every summer and the room supply is tight. If you plan to stay overnight, remember to book in advance.
Depart from Hangzhou丨1 day
Little Lushan Mountain in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Province, Four Seasons Moganshan Sword Pond Waterfall, and the Republic of China Villa Complex
Starting from ￥195 4681 people have registered Register nowXinchang is located in the hilly region of eastern Zhejiang. The remnants of the Tiantai, Siming, and Kuaiji Mountains stretch across its territory, and it borders the salt-producing Ninghai region to the east. The Ancient Salt Road, once used by illegal salt dealers, is a well-preserved route stretching approximately 20 kilometers through the mountains. Along the way, the route offers breathtaking views of lush greenery and clear waters.
Tips:
Navigation location: Starting point: Qingzhai Village, ending point: Chiyan Village (if you want to take the loop route, you need to take the mountain road)
Hiking details: The entire hike is about 12 kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of about 200 meters. It takes about 5 hours and is mainly composed of ancient roads, cobblestone roads, and steps. The road conditions are very good, but your shoes may get wet from Lijia Creek to Chiyan Village.
Supplies along the way: There are farmhouses and small shops in Lijiaxi Village where you can get supplies
Warm reminder: 6 kilometers of ancient trails + 6 kilometers of light wading. You need to prepare a pair of shoes when it rains and there is a lot of water.
Depart from Hangzhou丨1 day
Mountain Traveler: Salt Gang Shibadu | Walk the thousand-year-old Salt Gang Ancient Road, surrounded by green mountains and beautiful waters
Starting from ￥160 1483 people have registered Register nowFuchuan Mountain in the southern part of Huizhou is deep, steep, and unique, making it the best mountain in our county. It is also said that it is the best mountain in the south of the Yangtze River, and that it is the reason why the Qiankun Mountain has ten gates. If we compare the height of springs, it should be the best mountain in the southeast.
The Huizhou-Zhejiang Yuqian and Lin'an Huishang Ancient Road runs through it with ups and downs, strange shapes and millions of changes. The ancient road is a 3-4.5 foot bluestone road. It is a pleasant hike to walk on this route.
Gechuanjian, the tallest mountain in southeastern China, is a beautiful Huizhou landscape lost for 600 years. It's home to the remains of the Mingjiao headquarters in western Zhejiang, along with mysterious alpine karst landforms. With mountains, water, and ancient villages, the ancient Shanyue culture is well-preserved, making it a perfect spot for hiking, exploring, and even photography.
Tips:
Navigation location: Starting and ending point: Gechuanjian Scenic Area, Jinchuan Township, She County
Hiking details: The entire route is about 12 kilometers, with a cumulative climb of about 1,000 meters, and takes about 6-7 hours
Supplies on the way: There is a farmhouse in Fuquan Mountain
Tips: Climbing to the summit and looping the route require a lot of physical strength. If you don't want to climb to the summit, you can retreat along the original route of Fuquan Mountain.
The Maling Ancient Road starts from Malingjiao Village, Yuzhai Township, Pujiang County, and goes all the way to Lucibu, Tonglu. It winds through the mountains at the junction of Pujiang, Jiande and Tonglu, with a total length of more than 20 kilometers.
This is an ancient road paved with bluestone slabs, about 1.2 meters wide, connecting the three beautiful ancient villages of Luciwan, Maoping Village, and Shishe Village. The mountains and rivers here are beautiful and the scenery is charming. The Fuchun River and a curve of green hills surround the village. When you are in it, you really feel like you are traveling in a painting.
Tips:
Navigation location: Starting point: Luci Village, end point: Shishe Village
Hiking details: The entire hike is approximately 12 kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of approximately 100 meters. It takes about 4-5 hours and is mainly based on ancient roads and cobblestone roads. The road conditions are excellent.
Verdant green bamboos, weathered bluestone slabs, and the long, winding ancient paths, with mottled bamboo shadows, are free from the hustle and bustle of scenic spots, leaving only the masterpieces of poets and writers throughout the ages.
During the Southern Dynasties of Qi and Liang, the Taoist thinker and medical scientist Tao Hongjing once lived in seclusion here. The early Yuan Dynasty poet Lin Jingxi left a poem about this ridge: "Laughingly pointing to the green vines, I asked the hermit, 'The autumn colors of the thousands of rocks are evenly divided here.' At that time, I was sitting at a banquet, but no one knew me, only the breeze and the white clouds."
During the Song Dynasty, Lu You's grandfather, Lu Dian, the Left Chancellor, also lived in seclusion here, built a pavilion and wrote books, and Lu You visited here many times. Because of the close relationship between the Lu family and Lu You and this ancient road, Wang Xiuzhu, the Chief Minister of Works of the Song Dynasty, built a Lu You Sage Temple on this ridge.
The Shangqing Ancient Road has been famous for a long time. It refers to the road from Shangzao Village to Qingtan. It is said to be the official road from Shengzhou to Shaoxing in ancient times. Some people also call it the Kuaiji Ancient Road. Along the way, there are beautiful reservoirs, lush bamboo forests, mottled bluestone ancient roads, vicissitudes of life ancient villages and wild and interesting muddy roads in dense weeds and forests.
Rizhuling is the core section of Shangqing Ancient Road. Legend has it that it was the place where ancient smelters forged swords. In ancient times, it was a land passage from Kuaiji to Tai and Wen. It was also the only way to Wanghua and Lingli's 9981 villages, and the only way for mountain people to Shangzao Pingshuibu to sell firewood and bamboo.
Tips:
Navigation location: Starting point: Suosi Bridge, end point: Jinyu Village
Hiking details: The entire hike is about 8 kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of about 500 meters. It takes about 4-5 hours and is mainly composed of bluestone steps and dirt roads. The road conditions are excellent.
Supplies along the way: There are mobile vendors at the entrances of the villages along the way, and there is a farmhouse in Shangzhu Village
Jingshan, located in Changle Township, Yuhang County, Zhejiang Province, is famous for its temple. Jingshan Temple is located on the peak of Jingshan Mountain. It was founded during the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty. It is an ancient temple with a history of more than 1,200 years. It is the last peak after the sinicization of Buddhism and has the reputation of "the first of the five major Zen temples in Jiangnan".
The Jingshan Ancient Trail is the path that Master Jianzhen traveled from Jingshan Temple in Yuhang to White Horse Temple in Lin'an on his journey to Japan to preach Buddhist teachings. The path is paved with bluestone and gurgling mountain springs. The trail is flanked by steep cliffs and towering ancient trees, the oldest of which is said to be over 500 years old. Lush, verdant bamboo forests grow straight and silently.
Tips:
Navigation location: Starting and ending point: Tongqiao parking lot (walk 10 kilometers from Jiulong Waterfall to Tongqiao)
Hiking details: The entire journey is about 10 kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of about 500 meters. It takes about 4-5 hours and is mainly composed of bluestone steps, dirt roads, and mechanized farming roads.
Supplies along the way: There are farmhouses in Jingshan Temple, and you can also eat vegetarian food
Tips: After arriving at Jingshan Temple, you can go down the mountain from the back and exit through Jiulong Waterfall. You can also return the same way after visiting the temple.
Depart from Hangzhou丨1 day
Seeking Zen on the Ancient Road · Jingshan Temple Winding Ancient Road Hike to Jiulong Waterfall
Starting from ￥135 2515 people have registered Register nowThe Bodhi Ridge Ancient Road is located between Tangxi Town in Yinzhou District, Ningbo City and Qiucun Town in Fenghua City. It is a 15-mile-long ancient road. Legend has it that it was the escape route of King Kang of the late Song Dynasty. Therefore, based on the age calculation, it has existed for at least a thousand years.
The villages at both ends of Puti Ridge are Yan Village in Tangxi to the north and Jiaao in Qiu Village to the south, but they connect to a wider area including Tangxi, Guanjiang in Yindi and Qiu Village and Tuanhu on the banks of Xiangshan Port in Fenghua.
Therefore, in the era when wheeled transportation was not yet popular, people traveled to and from Bodhi Ridge for trade, to the market, to visit relatives, to send letters, and to serve as soldiers. Mountain people from both places also relied on this road to go to the mountains to farm, pick tea, chop wood and cut bamboo. Therefore, this was once a very busy mountain road.
Tips:
Navigation location: Starting and ending point Dongxiajia Village
Hiking details: The entire journey is about 10 kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of about 500 meters. It takes about 4-5 hours and is mainly composed of steps, asphalt roads, and dirt roads.
Supplies along the way: There are farmhouses and small shops at the starting point
Warm reminder: Every year from April to May, flowers bloom on both sides of the road, and the windmills in the distance turn slowly. This is the most beautiful windmill road.
At the origin peak of the Kuacang Mountain Range in Zhejiang Province, bordering Xianju Boundary in the east and Pan'an Boundary in the north, 15 kilometers away from Huzhen Town, Jinyun County, in a secluded valley with an altitude of more than 600 meters, there is a village built of stones named Shitou Village that is still intact.
Shitou Village was founded in 1402, the third year of the reign of Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty. A more accurate name, it's Yanxia Village, derived from its location beneath the towering Baizhang Rock. Nestled between mountains and water, Shitou Village is scattered throughout, surrounded by lush bamboo and a mountain forest. Its layout is well-organized, with a clear and orderly layout. The unique and seamless stone houses, stone bridges, stone roads, and stone mills are constructed from simple, rustic materials.
The hiking process is not difficult and is suitable for all ages. The scenery is beautiful and photographers will probably be addicted to it and not want to come back, so it is highly recommended!
Tips:
Navigation location: Xianju Hengxi
Hiking details: The entire journey is about 19 kilometers, completed in two days, mainly on steps and dirt roads
Supplies along the way: There is a farm stay in Yanxia Village
Depart from Shanghai | 2 days and 1 night
Treasure Stone City · Shaobing Ancient Trail | Hike the century-old ancient trail and explore the secluded stone village
Starting from ￥390 5743 people have registered Register nowSpring is here and flowers are blooming, so pack your bags and get ready to go!
