Day 1 Suzhou → Xinchang
All day
Meeting point 1: 07:00-07:10, intersection of Jintang Street and Zongguantang Road (near Exit 6 of Pinghe Road Station on Metro Line 2. Self-driving cars can park at Yaosheng Building, capped at 20 yuan/day)
Meeting Point 2: 07:30-07:35, Suzhou City Toll Station (G1522 Changtai Expressway Entrance), 200 meters south, waiting for the bus under the elevated road (if you drive, you can park at Huadong Decoration City, the maximum fee is about 25 yuan/day)
Meeting Point 3: 07:55-08:00, Metro Line 4 - Wujiang Bus Station - Exit 2 (free parking nearby for those driving, and paid parking lots capped at 30 yuan per day)
The tour leader will explain the itinerary and precautions to us, and lead everyone to interact and introduce themselves, so that we can laugh and chat all the way to our destination; lunch will be provided at the service area.
Activity Schedule
Arriving at the Xinchang hiking starting point around 12:30 PM, we formed a team and set off, descending to the valley floor to begin our Hanfei River-Thousand-foot Valley hike. At that moment, a massive "boot" appeared before us, a deep canyon with gurgling clear water flowing down the stream. Continuing along the Hanfei River at the valley floor, we encountered breathtaking scenery, like the Wizard of Oz, amidst the precipitous red rocks and rolling, undulating peaks. This breathtaking scenery is truly unique to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions (and clearly surpasses that of the Huihang Ancient Trail). Exiting the canyon at just the right moment, we followed the path to a village at the canyon's summit. From there, we could gaze down at the Hanfei River as it makes its dramatic Omega bend, and in the distance, the Nineteen Peaks of the Rocks stretch out in a breathtaking, breathtaking vista.
The scenery along the way was picturesque, and before we knew it, we arrived at the top of the mountain and stayed in the beautiful ancient village - Xiayanbei Village, where we would stay that night.
Camping and accommodation available
Xiayanbei Village was named Xiayanbei because it is located on the back of a mountain and the valley below is mostly rocky. Later, people felt that "Xiayanbei" was too common, so they changed it to "Xiayanbei" based on its homophonic meaning.
The winding river creates a beautiful landscape in Xiayanbei Village. Surrounding Xiayanbei Village are rolling peaks and crisscrossing valleys, with vast terraced fields dotting the hillsides, enhanced by the beauty of tea trees that blanket the mountains. These tea plantations, each of varying heights and occasionally dotted with large trees, are a breathtaking sight in themselves. When the sea of clouds rises, the scenery is breathtaking, like a fairyland, breathtaking in its beauty. Xiayanbei's unique geographical environment and stunning scenery make it one of Xinchang's most popular camping destinations.
Ancient Village Tour
After checking in, we can choose to take photos and check in at a nearby observation deck. Dinner will be shared at the farmhouse, where you can enjoy the cool air and stargaze. Stroll along the fluorescent trails in the tea gardens, escaping the hustle and bustle of the city! The starry sky at night is absolutely stunning!
Day 2 Xinchang → Suzhou
All day
08:00 In the morning, of course, you have to get up early to see the sea of clouds. Xiayanbei is more famous for its sea of clouds. The beautiful scenery described in the ancient poem "The stone path is slanting up the cold mountain, and there are houses where white clouds are born" and the people living in the clouds on the top of the mountain just appear in Xiayanbei, where there are idle clouds and dark mountains.
Activity Schedule
After breakfast, we'll travel by car to the Anshan Ancient Trail, which begins at the foot of Qiandianling Mountain in the south, passes through Xiaoquanxi Village, and ends at Anshan Village. Due to reservoir construction, the Anshan Ancient Trail may soon be inaccessible. We'll start and end at Anshan Village, exploring the highlights of the 10km hike. We'll also visit the iconic Bitan Waterfall, a popular photo spot awaiting discovery! The trail boasts a wealth of scenic beauty, including an 800-year-old Castanopsis scleractiniansis tree, a small stream with a stone bed, the ancient "Golden Lock" cobblestone bridge, and a classic donkey trail.
Anshan Secret Realm
Anshan, an ancient village steeped in quaint charm and rich cultural heritage, lies at the end of the ancient road. Its stone-built houses are arranged in an orderly fashion. Nestled on a mountain slope, the village boasts layered terraces, earning it the nickname "Little Chongqing in the South of the Yangtze River."
You can have lunch at Anshan Shiba Zao at noon. As for why it is called this name, you will have to find out after you arrive!
We ended our trip around 15:00 and returned to Suzhou.
We returned to Suzhou around 19:00. Everyone was reluctant to leave, said take care to each other, and looked forward to meeting again at the next event.
