Day 1 Shanghai → Lanxi → Songyang or Suichang
All day
11:15 Everyone gathered at the designated location of China-TravelNote and signed in.
We set off at 11:30 AM. Along the way, staff briefed us on the activities and team members, and we played interactive games, creating a joyful and cheerful atmosphere.
Around evening, after arranging accommodation, you can stroll around the county town, have dinner in time, and taste the local dishes of Songyang.
Day 2 Suichang/Songyang → Yangjiatang Village → Youtian Village → Songzhuang Village → Sandu Township
·morning
07:30 Have breakfast and pack your luggage
08:00 Gather at the hotel downstairs and head to Songyang County - Sandu Township
08:00 -09:00 Arrive at the foot of the mountain, organize equipment, warm up and set off
·morning
Secret Place in Jiangnan [Yangjiatang]
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".
We continue our journey, following the guidance of the Zhejiang Ring Trail, and following the path where tea farmers pick tea, we go up to the tea mountain. Looking around, we can see that the tea garden is well-maintained and tea farmers are busy picking tea leaves on the hillside. In early spring, the plum blossoms are in full bloom, and from a distance, it seems like snow is falling. Spring is coming in big strides!
Yellow Walls and Black Tiles [Youtian Village]
When you arrive at Youtian Village, the 400-year-old giant welcoming pine tree at the entrance of the village waves to tourists from afar. It is high above, with yellow walls and green tiles stacked layer upon layer. Songyang has yellow and red soil, and the villagers use this soil to ram the outer walls, so the ancient village is full of yellow and red, rough to the touch, and full of rustic flavor.
Enjoy meals along the way or at the village farmhouses.
·afternoon
【Songzhuang】Stone Arch Old House
We arrived at Songzhuang around 2:00 PM. Founded in the late Qing Dynasty, the village boasts only a century of history, but its scenery and historic buildings evoke a richer sense of history than even the ancient town itself. The two-story earthen buildings, with their yellow walls and green tiles, are unlike the Ming and Qing-style architecture found in other ancient villages and towns. Songzhuang's houses are all made of adobe bricks, while the stone 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.
Niche【Lizhuang】
Generally, there are not many hiking teams in Sandu Township that come to Lizhuang Village. This is the treasure village of this loop route.
After over an hour of climbing over mountains and trekking through hills, Lizhuang Village finally appeared before our eyes. Nestled at the foot of the mountain, nestled beneath a verdant bamboo forest, this small village boasts a dense, sparse arrangement of mud-walled houses. The yellowed walls, like the title pages of an ancient thread-bound book, stand silently, awaiting interpretation.
Return down the mountain in time and arrive at the starting point.
Note:
During the May Day and National Day holidays, the local vehicle shuttle capacity is full, and the hike ends at Songzhuang. The total hike is 10 kilometers, and a local designated shuttle bus will take you down the mountain (the fare is 20-30 yuan at your own expense).
On regular weekends/Tomb-Sweeping Day and Dragon Boat Festival holidays, the hike ends at Lizhuang, and a local minibus will take you down the mountain (the fare is 30 yuan at your own expense).
·night
Food and Taste [Songyang Old Street]
Today, we'll hike to Songyang County and then take a bus to Songyang County to arrange accommodations. After some rest, we'll head to Songyang Old Street for some delicious food. Songyang Old Street has a unique atmosphere at night, with two-story wooden buildings lining both sides, dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Two popular dishes are Xu Ji's salt-braised chicken and Baixian Noodle House's hand-rolled noodles. You can also order dishes from Wang's Kitchen, where the tofu is quite special.
Check in to the hotel and rest, and continue to appreciate the scenery of Sidu Township tomorrow.
Day 3 Songyang → → Songxuan Ancient Road → Chenjiapu → Pingtian Village
·morning
07:30 Have breakfast and pack your luggage
08:00 Gather at the hotel downstairs and head to Songyang County - Sidu Township
[Chenjiapu] Explore [Jiangnan Little Potala Palace]
Arrive at Chenjiapu Village around 10:00 AM. This traditional cliff-dwelling village is nestled on a precipitous cliff face 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 are 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, perfectly complementing the village's charm. Visitors can relax with a book in hand, basking in the gentle fragrance of books, gazing out the window, or enjoying a leisurely cup of tea. Lunch is at their leisure in Chenjiapu.
【Hirata】
While the urban space is filled with steel, concrete and the hustle and bustle of traffic, Songyang in slow time is still full of tranquility and simplicity. After lunch, we left Chenjiapu and drove to the next stop. From a distance, we could see two century-old cedar trees standing at the entrance of the village. This is Pingtian. Most of the loess houses are no longer inhabited. There is only one cafe, one gallery and one homestay in the village. Only the elderly indigenous people gather under the ancient trees to chat and play cards, letting time pass. They order a cup of coffee and sit under the patio, with the sun 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.
We said goodbye to the village around 14:00 and left the mountains. We took a quick glance at the appearance of Songyang that remained in our memories. What will the disappearing village look like when we see it again next time?
Return to Shanghai and arrive at the starting point around 20:00
