Live Your Best Lives
I first met Shenxianju on the eve of the Spring Festival in 2003. That quick encounter has made me long for Shenxianju for a long time. So I chose a sunny and windy early summer day to visit Shenxianju again.
Day 1 Check-in at Shenxianju: Shenxianju South Gate - Nantian Cableway - Guanyin Peak - Buddha Shadow and Lotus Melody - Escalator - Nantianding - Nantianding Cafe - Lotus Terrace - Tai Chi Terrace - Nantianyuan Restaurant - Skywalk - Ruyi Bridge - Beihai Cableway Accommodation: Shenxianju Junlan Resort Hotel
Day 2: Tongjiang Academy - Return to Pantan Ancient Town
The freshest painting style and the beauty of summer are not unique to Hayao Miyazaki.
When the early summer wind blew through Taizhou's Shenxianju, it brought news of summer. A warm breeze, mingled with the chirping of cicadas, a gurgling stream, lingering white clouds, and the sky a captivating summer blue. The mountains don't see me, so I go to see them! The cloudscape is beautiful these days, the water is green, the mountains are clear, and I'm back at Shenxianju!
Shenxianju was formerly known as Tianmu Mountain, also known as Weiqiang Mountain. The numerous magical scenes described by Li Bai in "Dreaming of Wandering on Tianmu Mountain and Chanting a Farewell" are all matched one by one in the Shenxianju Scenic Area, which is amazing.
Shenxianju boasts a unique geological structure, with each mountain, river, cliff, cave, rock, and peak forming its own distinct character. The north and south sides of the scenic area embody the Jiangnan canyon scenery, with forests and springs nestled between them. The area is renowned for its unique rock formations, majestic waterfalls, secluded valleys, numerous caves, clear water, and beautiful mist. Thousands of peaks stand in awe, creating a magnificent atmosphere.
Shenxianju Scenic Area has two main entrances, one in the south and the other in the north, connected by two cableways: the South Sky and the North Sea. The southern section, centered around Guanyin Peak, and the northern section, centered around Smooth Sailing, are the two core scenic areas of Shenxianju Scenic Area. These areas showcase nine key scenic areas: the South Sky Sun and Moon, the North Sea Sails, the Assembly of the Immortals, the Tathagata's Wish, Guanyin's Blessing, the Creation of the World, the Tadpole Book, the Fairyland Dream Come True, and the Painting Screen of Smoke and Clouds. Along the way, visitors will discover a variety of scenic spots and fascinating stories.
If you're staying at the Shenxianju Junlan Resort Hotel near the north gate of the scenic area, the most convenient route is the north-south route. Of course, if you're looking to save energy, the south-north route is ideal. The cable car and escalator make the ascent effortless!
Must experience: Buddha Shadow and Lotus Melody: When the clouds and mist are swirling, the fairy air is floating, and it is a good camera position to take photos with Guanyin Peak.
South Zenith: A glass observation deck built on a cliff at an altitude of 869 meters. It is made of fully transparent glass. People who are afraid of heights are not allowed to enter!
Lotus Terrace: The quiet lotus flowers blooming in the mountains look beautiful no matter how you photograph them.
Tai Chi Platform: Tai Chi gives birth to two opposites, two opposites become three talents, three talents become four images, Yin and Yang are the beginning of everything Tai Chi.
Ruyi Bridge: The most popular internet-famous bridge in Shenxianju. A jade Ruyi lies between two mountains. From a distance, it looks like a ribbon, connecting you and me, and connecting the two mountains.
Tips:
Detailed address: Baita Town, Xianju County
Cost per person: Ticket price: 110 yuan/person Cableway ticket: 120 yuan/person round trip, 65 yuan/person for the uphill route, 55 yuan/person for the downhill route
PS: The Shenxianju Scenic Area is large, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes for sightseeing; the temperature is high in summer, so it is recommended to bring sunscreen and a hat; there are many mountain roads in the scenic area, so do not climb them at will.
When traveling to Xianju County, you must visit Tongjiang Academy. Tongjiang Academy is located in Shanxia Village, Paotan Township, Xianju County, only 11 kilometers away from Shenxianju Scenic Area.
During the Qiandao and Daoguang periods of the Song Dynasty, Fang Zhuo, the eighth-generation grandson of the late Tang poet Fang Gan, funded the establishment of Tongjiang Academy. Because his ancestor Fang Gan was from Tonglu, the academy was named after Tongjiang. With a history of over 800 years, Tongjiang Academy is the best-preserved academy in Jiangnan, earning it the nickname "the premier academy in Jiangnan."
Tongjiang Academy, an ancient academy integrating culture, history, and architecture, faces a mountain and is nestled beside a stream, offering expansive views and pleasant scenery. The academy boasts simple and elegant architecture, shaded by lush trees and fragrant flowers, making it a perfect place to learn literature and cultivate one's character.
As you walk up the steps, you will see the secluded stone path, the blooming Gesang flowers, the white clouds in the sky, the intoxicating blue, the charming green, the ripe bayberries, the fragrance of flowers and the chirping of birds. It makes you feel as if you are in a paradise, and you can feel the profound cultural heritage and the atmosphere of farming and reading culture.
Zhu Xi, a Neo-Confucian philosopher of the Southern Song Dynasty, had a close relationship with Tongjiang Academy. Not only did he lecture here, he also sent his son to study in this beautiful place. The plaque at Dingshan Hall is a calligraphy piece left by Zhu Xi. The quaint school, with its neatly arranged wooden chairs, is filled with the lingering sound of reading.
Surrounded by ancient trees, the academy boasts a beautiful setting, nestled against the backdrop of mountains and water. Sunlight penetrates the trees, nourishing every inch of the grounds. Tongjiang Academy is small, yet winding paths lead to secluded areas, offering breathtaking scenery at every turn. The stone archway, the Champion Bridge, the stone tablet inscribed with the inscription "First Academy in Jiangnan," the Castanopsis bittersweet trees, Dingshan Hall, the Censorate Cultural Center, and Jianhu Lake all fill the academy with the rich atmosphere of a Jiangnan garden.
The 800-year-old Castanopsis sclerophylla tree is said to have been planted here by Zhu Xi. Castanopsis sclerophylla, also known as "Castan," means "hardship," and it seems to constantly remind these students that only by enduring hardship and being willing to endure loneliness can they wait for the flowers to bloom.
Tips:
Detailed address: Shanxia Village, Paotan Township, Xianju County
Business hours: Winter 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Summer 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Recommended play time: 2 to 4 hours
PS: Wearing Hanfu or ancient costumes will make you look more attractive in photos in the quaint academy.
Hayao Miyazaki's summer is an adjective. It uses the freshest painting style and just a few strokes to outline the perfect summer. During this trip to the ancient town of Paotan, I had a full encounter with Hayao Miyazaki's summer.
There is no need to retouch photos when you encounter this kind of scenery. In such scenery, your mood becomes cheerful, and even the telephone poles that seem messy when taking photos usually become graceful.
At this time, I really want to stay in a house facing the sun, relax, lie down, sip a cup of tea, and read a good book. Or I can walk into the old streets and alleys of Baotan Ancient Town, see this ancient town that has not been over-developed by commercialization, and experience the natural and quiet leisure time.
The ancient town of Paotan is very close to Tongjiang Academy, only a 5-minute drive away. The Yong'an River in front of Paotan Ancient Town is as clear as a gem, its surface as calm as a mirror, reflecting the sky and emitting an intoxicating blue.
Entering the ancient town of Baotan and walking along the country road, you will see lush greenery along the way, with the summer heat and coolness coexisting.
Yingyue Lake is the confluence of five rivers on Yong'an Creek. Because it is located at such a water and land intersection, the ancient town of Pantan became a famous commercial port in the ancient mountainous area of southeastern Zhejiang.
Pantan Ancient Town preserves a wealth of ancient architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including ancient streets, wells, and bridges. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Hu Gong Temple, and He Clan Village each possess unique characteristics. Most of these academies, charity schools, ancestral halls, and temples are open to the public for viewing. Strolling along the narrow streets of Pantan Ancient Town, shop signs on both sides still bear faint traces of ink. The once bustling market town, renowned throughout the south of the Yangtze River, has shed its former bustle, leaving only the vicissitudes of history.
Tips:
About taking photos: The ancient buildings and natural scenery here are very photogenic and suitable for taking photos.
Transportation: Self-driving is the most convenient. Search for "Pantan Ancient Town" and follow the navigation to arrive. Friends who do not drive themselves can take a bus at Xianju Bus Station, which takes about 50 minutes and is also very convenient.
Detailed location: Paotan Town, Xianju County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province
Average cost per person: 35 yuan per person
Business hours: Winter 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Summer 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
PS: The ancient town of Pantan is mainly composed of country roads and cobblestone roads, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.
Shenxianju Junlan Resort Hotel is located just a 300-meter walk from the north gate of Shenxianju. The setting is beautiful and the scenery is pleasant, nestled in the shadows of verdant mountains and surrounded by trees, offering cool days and tranquil nights. For a unique holiday experience, you can also choose to stay in an RV campground.
There is no shortage of delicious food around Shenxianju. You can find any food you can think of to satisfy your picky taste buds.
From Hangzhou, it takes 3 hours to reach Shenxianju Scenic Area; renting a car at Taizhou West High-speed Railway Station only takes 1 hour.
Take the train to Xianju South Station and get off. At Xianju Bus Station, you can transfer to the Shenxianju Scenic Area shuttle bus and directly arrive at the north gate of Shenxianju Scenic Area.
