Depart from Wuxi to Xinchang: Scenic Landscapes | Hike the Hanfei River and Explore the Anshan Ancient Trail

Day 1 Wuxi → Xinchang

All day

Meeting time: 07:00-07:15, Metro Line 1/2 - Sanyang Square Station, Exit 11A. Please wait for the bus. Please do not be late. (You can park at Yunfu Building with your own car. The fee is 4 yuan/hour starting from the 3rd hour.)

The tour guide will lead the group in a lively interaction, ensuring a pleasant and enjoyable journey to the destination. Lunch will be provided at the service area (at your own expense).

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 were met by breathtaking scenery, including dramatic red cliffs, towering cliffs, undulating peaks, and a Thousand-foot Valley, reminiscent of the Wizard of Oz. This is a rare hiking experience in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. Exiting the canyon at the right time, we followed the path to a village at the top edge of the canyon. From there, we could gaze down at the Hanfei River as it makes its Omega bend, and in the distance, the Nineteen Peaks of the Rocks stretch out in a breathtaking, breathtaking landscape.

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!

Driving time: about 3.5 hours

Hiking: about 8km, with a cumulative ascent of about 300 meters, taking about 4 hours

Notes: 1. This afternoon's hike is approximately 8km, of moderate intensity. Tourists who prefer not to hike can join the bus directly to Xiayanbei. 2. Camping tourists can leave their gear on the bus, eliminating the need to carry it on foot. 3. In the event of traffic restrictions in Xiayanbei, the bus will be unable to enter the village. You will need to take a local shuttle bus or hike approximately 1.2km. 3. During holidays, accommodation in the village is limited, so accommodation will likely be split among several properties, requiring some walking distance. Please be aware of this and exercise caution when photographing.

Day 2 Xinchang → Wuxi

All day

Of course you have to get up early in the morning to see the sea of ​​clouds. Xiayanbei is most 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 those houses on the top of the mountain in the clouds just appear in Xiayanbei, where there are idle clouds and dark mountains.

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 Wuxi.

We returned to Wuxi around 19:30. Everyone was reluctant to leave, said take care to each other, and looked forward to meeting again at the next event.

Driving distance: about 10km, cumulative climbing of about 450 meters, about 4 hours

Hiking: About 10 km

Notes: 1. Today's hike is approximately 10 km. 2. The time listed in the itinerary description is for reference only. Please be aware of the actual schedule. 3. If the Anshan Ancient Trail is closed due to reservoir construction, we will choose to detour or adjust the route. Please be advised.

Xinchang is located in eastern Zhejiang Province and is a county under the jurisdiction of Shaoxing City. It borders Fenghua District and Ninghai County of Ningbo City to the east, Tiantai County of Taizhou City to the south, Dongyang City and Pan'an County of Jinhua City to the southwest, and Shengzhou City to the west and north. Together with Shengzhou, Xinchang and Shengzhou are located within the Xinsheng Basin. Major attractions include the Xinchang Big Buddha Temple, the Nineteen Peaks of Chuanyan, the Thousand-foot Valley, Chongyang Palace, Wozhou Lake, Tianmu Mountain, Tianzhu Lake, Xinchang World Trade Plaza, Qipan Fairy Valley, and the Zhenjun Temple of Wozhou Mountain.

The Anshan Ancient Trail stretches approximately 6 kilometers, alternating between bluestone steps and mountain paths, with the mountains and rivers as its backdrop. The unique Danxia landforms and the crystal-clear stream complement each other, creating a poetic and picturesque scene with its winding beauty. Within the canyon lies an ancient trail, the only way from Pan'an's Panxi River and the neighboring Waipokeng Village to the Jingling Market. Known as the "Anshan Ancient Trail," the trail begins at the foot of Qiandianling in the south, passes through Xiaoquanxi Village, and ends at Anshan Village. The trail alternates between bluestone steps and mountain paths, stretching approximately five kilometers. Along the way, the trail alternates between bluestone steps and mountain paths, with the mountains and rivers as its backdrop. The unique Danxia landforms and the crystal-clear stream complement each other, creating a poetic and picturesque scene with its winding beauty. The stream tumbles through the canyon, and nestled between the verdant mountains on either side lies a stone arch bridge. Built in 1928, the Jinsuo Bridge captures the lush greenery of the mountains and the translucent water. The stone lions on the bridge piers have left traces under the erosion of time. Walking on the bluestone, I recall the past and think about the present.

Anshan Village, an ancient village steeped in quaint charm and rich cultural heritage, lies at the end of the ancient trail. Anshan Village's well-organized, scattered stone houses have earned it the nickname "Little Chongqing in Jiangnan." Newly constructed structures like the "Anshan Courtyard," the "Anshan Eighteen Stovetops," and observation platforms have further enhanced the village's charm, making it a popular online destination. The Ten-Li Heavenly Ladder is a hidden gem for mountaineering enthusiasts. From the foot of the mountain to Changwan, the winding steps stretch ten miles, resembling a stairway suspended above the ancient village, hence its name. The legend of the Red Army's march along the Ten-Li Heavenly Ladder remains here.

The small village of Xiayanbei, nestled on the ridge of a mountain, is named Xiayanbei. Because "bei" and "bei" sound similar, it's spelled Xiayanbei. It belongs to Dongming Township, Xinchang County. This area is home to the Danxia landform, and the Hundred Miles Danxia Road has become a favorite among hikers.

The Hanfei River, located in the upper reaches of the Chengtan River in Xinchang County, lies between Hanfei Village in Chengnan Township and Zuoyu Village in Chengtan Town. It is named after the story of Yang Bai, the "Prince Rong" and grandson of Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty, and Concubine Han. The area is renowned for its scenic beauty, including lush green mountains and clear waters, cliffs, and unusually shaped rocks. Legend has it that at the end of the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Yang was assassinated by Yu Wenhuaji. His son, Yang Tong, succeeded him, but was later deposed and executed by Wang Shichong. Tong's son, Prince Rong, Yangbai, fled south with Concubine Han. Following the ancient Shan River, they arrived in Shan County with Concubine Han. They heard that Caiyan Mountain, southwest of Shan, offered a shortcut to Fujian. Upon reaching the foot of Caiyan Mountain, Yang Bai found his boat impassable and abandoned it, venturing into the jungle. Concubine Han left the palace and journeyed deep into the mountains. Exhausted from the journey, the frail woman, unable to endure the arduous journey, jumped into the river in despair. After Concubine Han's death, the villagers, sympathetic to the loss of their country and family, erected a temple and statue, offering sacrifices in spring and autumn. The mountain where she stands is called Hanfei Ridge, the river in front of the temple is called Hanfei River, and the village next to the temple is called Hanfei Village. Walking along the Hanfei River is like taking in the sights, with each step bringing a new scene, making it a breeze. Furthermore, the bizarre rocks and boulders are truly breathtaking.