Day 1 Zhengzhou → Jianshan → Qingliang Temple → Diguling → Gulingshan Grassland → Zhaozhuang Ancient Village → Zhengzhou
All day
Meeting point (refer to the map for recommended boarding points):
6:30 Opposite to Exit D1 of Nanwulibao Subway Station | 6:40 Opposite to Exit C of Qiliyan Subway Station | 6:50 Exit H of Greentown Plaza Subway Station |
7:00 Zijingshan Subway Station Exit C | 7:10 Dongfeng Road Subway Station Exit A | 7:20 Shamen Subway Station Exit D | 7:30 Liuzhuang Subway Station Exit D2
1. Please join the WeChat travel group on the afternoon before your trip (for group entry, please see the "Travel QR Code" in the app's travel notification)
2. Please arrive at the boarding point 5 minutes before the designated time. If you are late, please take a taxi to the last stop (no waiting will be made for latecomers)
Around 10:00, we arrived near Linghu Lake, which is the former Hongwei Reservoir. The water is clear and sparkling, and the reflection of Lingguang Pavilion on the lake surface tells a dignified story. It is said that this was the place where Huang Feihu was stationed.
Around 10:15, we arrived at Guling Mountain and started climbing.
There are two hiking trails to choose from, which meet at Yinmakeng:
Route A: Start your climb from Qingliang Temple, which is adjacent to the back of Chaoyang Temple. The top of Nianzigou is said to be the summer palace of King Zhou of Shang and Daji.
If you are physically fit, you can also take photos at the stone wall of Chaoyang Temple with the word "Buddha" engraved on it, which is a good viewing spot.
Route B: From Qixian County, climb all the way to Ding Peak on your hands and feet to see the red flags waving and the mountains stacked up one after another. (The branches are too swaying at this time, so Route B is not suitable. It is suitable for autumn, so the Little Demon Trail is not available for this trip.)
This route is suitable for people with good physical fitness and hiking experience. You will eventually meet the main group at the drinking horse pit.
We reached the summit around 10:50 and arrived at the horse drinking pit, where many horses were drinking water. After drinking enough water and eating enough grass, they would gallop and roar to the sky.
At 11:00, we began to enter the Guling Mountain grassland. With blue sky and white clouds and endless yellow meadows, we checked in and took photos here, looking at the beautiful Guling Mountain scenery; there were herds of horses and sheep; here, the mountains are covered with yellow meadows in summer, golden in autumn, and snow-white in winter. The different scenery throughout the year attracts many outdoor enthusiasts to take pictures here; Guling Mountain has been a Feng Shui treasure land where immortals gather since ancient times, and it has the reputation of "Spiritual Mountain embraces Miao Temple, and Divine Spring cleanses the heart".
Arrive at Diguling Farmhouse around 12:00 PM. Lunch is a full-bodied stew for 15 RMB (please inform the tour leader and ask the farm owner to prepare the meal in advance). (You can also bring your own lunch. Recommended options include roast chicken, chicken legs, sesame cakes with meat, cold noodles, cucumbers, instant noodles, biscuits, etc. You can also bring instant noodles and a self-heating pot and borrow the farm owner's hot water.)
12:30-13:00 Horseback riding and taking photos on Diguling Grassland (10 yuan for horseback riding, not mandatory, take some cool horseback riding photos)
14:20 Depart from the grassland and go down the mountain along the winding road. The descent here is along the ridge line, and some mountain roads are steep.
At 3:30 PM, we entered the ancient village of Zhaozhuang, said to be the hometown of Zhao Gongming, the Chinese God of Wealth. Many place names and personal names from the Shang and Zhou dynasties are found here, making it a fitting location for the Battle of the Gods.
Zhaozhuang boasts over 100 houses built during the Qing Dynasty and the early Republican period. Most have gabled tiled roofs, with a few flat roofs. There are quadrangular and triple-height courtyards, most with two stories and five main rooms. The houses boast unique architectural craftsmanship, intricate carvings, and rigorous formality. Some feature intricately carved eaves and auspicious inscriptions, while others feature yin-yang fish "Tai Chi" patterns carved into their door lintels.
Around 16:00, on the way down the mountain, we passed a large area of wild persimmon trees, with red persimmons swaying on the trees; there were also sour dates, peppercorns, etc.
After arriving at the ancient village, there are fun games such as swings and seesaws. Follow the leader and forget your age and return to the joy of childhood. Finally, everyone will stretch and rest for a while, and then gather back to Zhengzhou
Arrived in Zhengzhou around 18:00 (in case of traffic jam, the return time will be slightly delayed), kissed goodbye with tears
