Tangqi's New Year's atmosphere: A light hike halfway up the mountain | Explore and eat in Tangqi Ancient Town, and hike the trails of Tianmu Mountain

Day 1 Shanghai → Tangqi Ancient Town → Mid-Levels → Shanghai

All day

07:15-07:30 Meet and check in at the designated location of China-TravelNote, and depart on time at 07:30. Interaction and itinerary explanation will be provided on the bus, and you will be full of laughter and joy all the way to your destination.

10:30-11:00 Arrive at Tangqi Ancient Town, one of the ten most famous towns in Jiangnan! Tangqi boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous scholars and a legacy of learning. Its renowned Langyan Street exudes a rich waterside charm, a true wonder of Jiangnan. Tangqi boasts numerous cultural heritage sites, including the Guangji Bridge, the Guo Pu Ancient Well, the Qianlong Imperial Stele, the Qixi Lecture Hall Stele, Taishi Lane, and the Shuinan Temple.

Walking across the Guangji Bridge, etched with the vestiges of history, and experiencing the unique waterside streetscape and rich historical and cultural atmosphere of Tangqi Ancient Town, is truly a delight. As lunch approaches, we're free to explore the diverse Tangqi snack scene, featuring dishes like Xisha Lamb Tail, Cuimao Meatballs, Pressed Duck, and Huichang Zongzi. We can stroll and eat at our leisure, wandering the streets and bridges, unfettered and free to do as we please. Today, there are no rules; just be yourself.

Arriving at Banshan National Forest Park at 1:00 PM, we warmed up together. Our leader explained the route and precautions, and after a fun group photo, we set off on our hike! We ascended the steps through the lush green park and soon arrived at Cuifeng Pavilion. From there, a panoramic view of Hangzhou was revealed! Continuing up, we reached the summit of Wangchen Pavilion, a towering landmark echoing the Chenghuang Pavilion on Wushan Mountain. This has become a popular check-in spot in Hangzhou, boasting breathtaking views and a 360-degree panoramic view of the city's scenery. We then descended the mountain path at the right time, enjoying the stunning scenery. Everyone helped each other and made their way down to the foot of the mountain.

Around 16:30, we return, singing all the way, and drive back. On the way back, we can share every detail of this trip.

Around 19:30, we arrived at Mingshen Building and took our spoils, marking the end of a pleasant day. Everyone was still reluctant to leave and kissed goodbye with tears in their eyes!


Driving time: Shanghai-Hangzhou 3.5 hours

Hiking: about 6-7 kilometers, cumulative climbing about 400 meters, 70% bluestone + trail

Tangqi Ancient Town, located 20 kilometers north of downtown Hangzhou, is a strategic hub on the waterways connecting Suzhou, Shanghai, Jiaxing, and Huzhou. The Grand Canal traverses the town, creating a dense network of canals and waterways, making it the gateway to Hangzhou since ancient times. Originally a small fishing village, Tangqi only began to take shape after Zhang Shicheng widened the Guantang Canal in the late Yuan Dynasty, allowing people to settle along the canal. During the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty, the construction of the Guangji Bridge connected the two banks of the town, gradually developing it into a substantial market town. The Guangxu Chronicle of Tangqi records: "After the Yuan Dynasty, the canal was opened, the bridge was built, and the market began to gather." It also states: "Tangqi's official road led to sailboats and tugboats. Those traveling from Hangzhou would stop here for a short rest, and those coming from Jiaxiu would also stop here for the night. Land and water businesses converged, with merchants lining the riverbanks and shops clustering." Tangqi Ancient Town was once ranked among the ten great ancient towns in Jiangnan during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Hangzhou Banshan National Forest Park, covering a total area of ​​1,002.88 hectares, is a national forest park in Hangzhou's main urban area. It is also a national ecological civilization education base and a dual-national forest park in Hangzhou. It is known as an "urban forest," "city's green lung," and "living museum."