Day 1 Hangzhou → Lu Yu Ancient Trail → Nanxun Ancient Town → Hangzhou
All day
7:30 Check in at Huanglong Seafood Stall
We set off at 8:00 AM sharp. Along the way, the tour leader organized the group and briefed them on the itinerary. There was laughter and chatter all along the way, and before we knew it, we arrived at our destination.
Lu Yu Ancient Trail | Green mountains and rivers
We arrived at the hiking point around 9:30 AM. After disembarking and regrouping, we passed through the village and arrived at the Xiamushan Reservoir. The path up to the reservoir was a sea of bamboo forests, the chirping of birds, and the gurgling of springs in the trees, evoking a sense of wonder.
Around 10:30 AM, we reached the summit, where a pavilion stood. Looking south from the pavilion, a lush green landscape enveloped the people. In front of the pavilion lay a large valley, embracing the Xiamushan Reservoir, fed by mountain spring water. To the west of the Wanshou Pavilion stood the thirteen-story Jinling Thousand Buddha Pagoda. Down the slope to the north lay Yunlin Zen Temple, and to the east, Gucheng (a traditional Chinese city) was visible. We rested here for lunch.
After lunch, we continued our journey, descending along the ancient incense-burning trail. The path twisted the mountain, revealing lush trees and the chirping of birds. Soon, we reached the winding mountain road, where endless tea fields appeared before us. We then turned onto the bamboo forest hiking section, where we wandered through the narrow paths.
Nanxun Ancient Town | Daily Life
We arrived at the exit of the ancient road around 12:30. The bus was waiting for us at the entrance of the village. We got on the bus and headed to Nanxun Ancient Town.
Arrive at Nanxun Ancient Town around 1:30 PM. As a 5A scenic spot, Nanxun boasts a rich history, with a river running through the town. Nanxun has long been home to affluent residents, and its architecture is reminiscent of the elegant mansions of the wealthy. Due to the prevalence of Western influences, Nanxun boasts a fusion of Eastern and Western styles, creating a sense of elegance and refinement. The town offers several small attractions with paid admission: Liu's Ladder (20 yuan/person), Xiaolianzhuang and Jiaye Library (25 yuan/person), Zhang Shiming's Former Residence (20 yuan/person), and Yiyuan (10 yuan/person). Combined tickets can be purchased on-site or through the platform. The Silk Industry Guild Hall is also free. The entire town takes about half a day to explore.
Stroll along the waterside streets, gaze at the moonlit lotus pond, savor the swaying lotus blossoms in the breeze, and experience the tranquil and refreshing slow life of the ancient town! A unique rowboat ride and the vibrant atmosphere of the ancient town await! Enjoy delicious carbohydrates like double-glazed noodles, plum blossom cakes, and lotus root starch cakes!
The return trip will take approximately 1.5 hours to the Hangzhou departure point, where everyone will be reluctant to leave with a tearful farewell!
