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Reaching the pinnacle of Yuling Pass | A new challenge in Tianmu, a high-intensity traverse of the ridge

D1

Day 1 Shanghai → Shunxi Village

All day

12:00 PM Check-in at the designated location of China-TravelNote. (Regular weekends, Friday evening 18:30-19:00. New Year's Day, May Day, Dragon Boat Festival, and National Day are the first day of the day. The meeting time is 12:00 PM and the departure time is 12:30 PM.)

We set off on time at 12:30. The team leader on the bus communicated with everyone and played interactive games, and there was laughter and joy all the way.

We arrived at a farmhouse in Shunxi Village around early morning and stayed there to rest and recharge our energy for the next day's journey.

Note: (You will stay at the same farmhouse for two days. Luggage not used during the hike can be left in the room.)

Driving time: about 4.5 hours

Notes: 1. We recommend bringing a small backpack (packs 40L or larger are not recommended) and a suitcase. Autumn mountain temperatures can reach around 15°C, so you'll need a fall jacket and pants. Also, please bring a headlamp and power bank. 2. No part of your body should be exposed; wear long sleeves, long pants, a hat, and gloves. If you have a face mask, it's recommended to protect your face from vegetation. Knee pads and trekking poles are also recommended. 3. The trail is steep, so please wear non-slip hiking shoes.

D2

Day 2 Foot of Daming Mountain → Haochuan Village → Yuling Four Peaks → Foot of Daming Mountain

All day

5:30 Breakfast. Pack your luggage before breakfast and bring water and dry food.

We boarded the bus at 6:00 AM and arrived at the starting point, Haochuan Village, around 6:45 AM. We participated in warm-up exercises with our team leader and began our hike once we were ready.

Around 10:00 AM, we reached the first peak, Gechuanjian (1,481 meters). Legend has it that in ancient times, due to devastating floods, the Jade Emperor's treasure boat moored at this peak, hence the name. Gechuanjian houses the world's only remaining Manichaeism (Mingjiao) altar site. Research suggests it's the Guangmingding Summit, the setting for the historical drama "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber." It's also one of China's most remarkable karst landforms.

At around 11:15, we arrived at the second peak - Umbrella Peak (1450 meters).

Around 12:30, we arrived at the third peak - Daling Tower (1430 meters).

Around 1:30 PM, we arrived at Qianmutian (1,160 meters). This was once the campground for those hiking the Yuling Sijian and Damingshan loops, and even now, many hikers still camp here. We rested briefly here and had a snack to recharge.

At around 15:30, we arrived at the fourth peak - Qianniugang (1480 meters), which is the location of the meteorological station. From the observation deck here, you can clearly see Qingliang Peak, Taizijian, Daming Mountain... and the Tianmu Mountain Range is right in front of you.

Then we started to go down the mountain.

Around 17:30, we returned to the farm, put down our equipment, washed our faces, and had a meal at the farm arranged by the team leader.

After dinner, everyone is free to play games under the guidance of the team leader, but be sure to rest early because there is another day of itinerary waiting for everyone tomorrow.

Driving time: 30-45 minutes

Hiking: The total distance is about 31km, with an ascent of about 2400m.

Note: Set up a withdrawal point at Qianmutian (20km)

D3

Day 3 Shunxi → Yusanjian → Gechuanjian → Haochuan Village → Shanghai

All day

Today's itinerary is the Daming Mountain loop. Depending on the situation, there will be a long section of the route that overlaps with the previous day (the direction may be opposite).

6:00 Breakfast. Pack your luggage before breakfast and bring water and dry food.

6:30 Fully participate in warm-up exercises under the guidance of the team leader, and start hiking when you are ready.

Climb up along the wild climbing route of Daming Mountain and reach Daming Mountain Waterfall, where you can take a photo.

Around 8:30, we will reach the small loop descent point, and the descent team members can go down the mountain along the same route as yesterday. (Full journey)

Continuing up, we arrived at Qianniugang around 9:30 and then retraced our previous journey from Qianmutian to Qianniugang.

Around 11:00, we arrived at Qianmu Field and started to go down the mountain.

Around 13:00, we returned to the farmhouse. We were starving, so we had a hearty meal there.

Around 14:00, board the bus for the return journey.

Around 19:00, we returned to the starting point in Shanghai. We said goodbye with tears and kissed each other, and agreed to continue the fun next time!

Driving time: about 4.5 hours.

Hiking: The total distance is about 17 km, with an ascent of about 1,200 meters.

1.Why didn’t I receive a text message notification after registering?

2. What if it rains during the event?

2-3 days before the event, we will decide whether the event will proceed as scheduled based on the weather forecast and route conditions. Please pay attention to our notifications. Most activities can proceed as usual even if there is light rain. There is still fun to be had on rainy days. If heavy rain is forecast, the event will be cancelled and a full refund will be given to everyone.

3. Is this route crowded?

Most of our routes are natural and niche, with relatively small traffic. Of course, it also depends on the registration situation for each period. Generally, ordinary models are 37-seat buses, and a few large models are 53-seat. Each car has a certain proportion of tour leaders to ensure the quality of the event.

Yuling is located south of Anhui Provincial Highway 102 and Zhejiang Provincial Highway 2. It lies west of She County, the ancient Huizhou region, and borders Lin'an, Zhejiang, to the east. From west to east, it boasts Gechuanjian, Yusanjian, Dalingta, and Qianniugang, along with numerous peaks over 1,400 meters. The Yuling Pass Crossing is a new and challenging route following the Qianba Pass. Yuling Pass crosses to Daming Mountain. Starting from Haochuan Village, it ascends approximately 600 meters along the valley to Fuquan Village. From behind the village, it ascends to Gechuanjian (1,477 meters), then passes Danyanggang to Yusanjian (1,459.8 meters). Passing Dalingta (1,446.5 meters) and Linghou Mountain (1,446 meters), it reaches the Qianmutian Camp on Daming Mountain. Leaving Qianmutian Camp, it climbs Qianniugang (1,489.8 meters), then traverses the challenging Daming Mountain reverse route to the final destination, Damingshan Village (350 meters). The route is approximately 40 kilometers long, with a cumulative elevation gain of 2,500 meters, and takes about 20 hours to complete. The intensity is comparable to the Qianba, Qijian, and Dushujian traverses, but the trail is more rugged than any of the three.

Qianmutian, the alpine wetlands of the Qianmutian Basin, is a wonder of nature. On one side lies a chasm, on the other, a vast expanse of plains. Climbing up from the deep ravine, one feels lost, only to find a new path once one reaches Qianmutian. Qianmutian's narrow basin, 200-300 meters wide, stretches for 1.5 kilometers, covering a total area of ​​approximately 0.7 square kilometers, with a slope of less than 15 degrees. Qianmutian was the site of the Huizhao Temple on Daming Mountain, built as early as the Tang Dynasty by Wukong, the "Anshi of the Country." The temple was a popular attraction, and Wukong was deified for his abilities to "subdue dragons and tigers" and summon wind and rain. Legend has it that when Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Chen, was ostracized, he visited Damingshui to discuss Buddhism and poetry with Wukong. Later, upon ascending to power, Emperor Xuanzong allocated substantial funds and ordered Wang Yanqing, the Minister of Works, to personally visit Qianmutian to oversee the construction of the Huizhao Temple. Qianmutian still houses the remains of the Huizhao Temple and a stone tablet inscribed by Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty. This tablet, gifted by Zhu Yuanzhang to General Xu Da, bears the inscription "Rest with the Country." Qianmutian also retains historical sites such as the Jingmagang Hill and the Dianjiangtai.

Gechuanjian, located in Jinchuan Township, She County, Huangshan, borders Lin'an and Chun'an Counties in Zhejiang Province. It belongs to the Tianmu Mountain Range and boasts 36 peaks. Zhu Yuanzhang, the Ming Dynasty emperor, rested and trained his troops here. A fairy goddess enlightened him to the key to a treasure hidden within the "Ten Gates, Nine Locks." He inscribed the key, "Nine of the Ten Gates Are Unlocked, the Heavenly Gate Is Never Closed at Night," a mystery passed down through generations. Emperor Qianlong further named the mountain "Fuchuan Mingshan," bringing it widespread fame. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Fu Dashi, after realizing the meaning of the Chinese character "She," inherited the teachings of Vimalakirti Bodhisattva and founded Vimalakirti Zen (Mingjiao), establishing the earliest prototype of Neo-Confucianism.

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