Day 1 Hangzhou → Pingtian Village → Chenjiapu → Songyin Creek → Songyang
·morning
07:00~07:30 Check in and gather at Huanglong Seafood Stall, then take a bus to Songyang, stopping at a service area for lunch.
Arrive at Pingtian Village around 12:00
When approaching Pingtian, you can see two century-old cedar trees standing at the entrance of the village from afar. This is Pingtian. Most of the loess houses are no longer inhabited. There is only one cafe, a gallery and a homestay in the village. Only the indigenous elderly people gather under the ancient trees to chat and play cards, letting time pass. Order a cup of coffee and sit under the patio, with the sunlight shining through the window, looking at the blue sky and white clouds in the distance, and overlooking the alleys of the ancient village. It is very pleasant.
·afternoon
13:00 Drive to the starting point of Songxuan Ancient Trail in Chenjiapu Village
We walked along the Songxuan Ancient Post Road, a path carpeted with pine needles that snaked through the mountains. Villages nestled on the mountainside could be seen from afar, seemingly scattered haphazardly and embedded within the hills. If the villages rising along the waterways of Jiangnan possess a delicate aura, then those nestled against the hills directly blend that aura into nature. Surrounding the ancestral home, layers of yellow walls and green tiles, high and low, stacked one above the other, a single alley often teeming with several old houses, their gates staggered, their walls seamlessly bonded by the wear and tear of time. Here, there are no shops or guesthouses, but occasionally you'll encounter local men and women working in the fields, detached from the world, as if time has slowed down.
14:00 Arrive at Chenjiapu Village
Chenjiapu is a traditional cliffside village nestled on a precipitous cliff at an altitude of 825 meters, surrounded by terraced fields, forests, and mountains. Founded in the late Yuan Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty, the village boasts a history of over 600 years. Taking advantage of the existing terrain, houses were built on stone platforms along the cliff face, creating a spectacular terraced traditional village. Its appearance has earned it the nickname "Little Potala Palace." The most beautiful bookstore on the cliff, Pioneer Bookstore, is located on the outskirts of the village, offering a panoramic view of Xikeng and the faintly discernible mountains in the distance. Originally the village assembly hall, the bookstore's architectural style exudes a quaint elegance that perfectly complements the village's character. Visitors can relax and unwind with a book, gaze out the window, or sip tea, all amidst the delicate fragrance of books.
16:00 Arrive at Songyin Creek Scenic Area, kayaking in the summer evening
Arriving at the stream, Songyin Creek, like a ribbon, its waters flowing clear and emerald. It is the largest tributary of the upper Oujiang River and the mother river of Songyang, Lishui. We each picked up our own kayaks. While touring Songyin Creek, we could also gaze out over Dushan. For the people of Songyang, seeing Dushan is synonymous with seeing Songyang. If you're not in the water, you can simply stroll along the stream and experience the slow pace of life in Songyang.
·night
Go to Songyang Hotel in the evening
Drive to Songyang County and arrange accommodation. After checking in, you can plan a visit to Songyang Old Street to explore the local cuisine. Songyang Old Street at night offers a unique atmosphere. The street is lined with two-story wooden buildings dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Famous dishes include Xu Ji's salt-braised chicken and Baixian Noodle House's hand-rolled noodles. Alternatively, order from Wang's Kitchen, where the tofu is a specialty.
Day 2 Songyang → Yangjiatang → Youtian → Songzhuang → Hangzhou
All day
08:00~08:30 After breakfast at the hotel, we took a bus to Yangjiatang Village
Arrive at Yangjiatang around 09:00
The villagers of Yangjiatang Village are not surnamed Yang. They have to worship the Camphor Tree Goddess. The big camphor tree is not only a popular check-in spot, but also the spiritual sustenance of the villagers. The big camphor tree that blocks out the sun and the adobe huts complement each other. The village built on the mountain extends in a stepped manner, presenting a huge building facade in the field of vision. The mottled walls are golden in the sun, which also makes the village known as the "Golden Potala Palace".
After touring the village for a while, we continued our journey, following the guidance of the Zhejiang Ring Trail, along the path where tea farmers picked tea, and went up to the tea mountain. Looking around, the tea garden was unusually well-maintained, and tea farmers were busy picking tea leaves on the hillside. In early spring, the plum blossoms were in full bloom, and from a distance it seemed like snow was falling in spring. Spring is coming in big strides!
Arrived at Youtian Village at noon
The 400-year-old Welcoming Pine at the entrance of Youtian Village beckons visitors from afar, towering over the surrounding landscape. Yellow walls and green tiles are layered one after another. Songyang boasts yellow and red soil, which villagers use to rammed earth exterior walls. This gives the ancient village a rich, rustic feel, with its rough texture and rustic charm. Enjoy a meal along the way or at one of the village's farmhouses.
·afternoon
Arrive at Songzhuang around 13:00
Built in the late Qing Dynasty, the village boasts only a century-plus of history, but its scenery and historic buildings exude a richer sense of history than even the ancient town itself. Unlike the Ming and Qing-style architecture found in other ancient villages and towns, the two-story earthen buildings with yellow walls and green tiles are made of adobe bricks. Stone-paved paths and steps, nestled against the backdrop of verdant mountains and clear waters, create a picturesque scene, akin to a paradise. Climbing the National Geographic-themed stone arch bridge over a stream is a must-see photo opportunity. Climbing the steps, you'll be captivated by the sight of elderly people leading cattle or carrying farm tools as they pass by in the drizzle. The pictures taken at this time are particularly captivating.
14:00 Return to Hangzhou by bus, expected to arrive at Huanglong at 19:00 and disband, everyone kissed goodbye with tears
