Day 1 Suzhou → Anji → Suzhou
All day
Meeting point 1: 07:00-07:10, intersection of Jintang Street and Zongguantang Road (near Exit 6 of Pinghe Road Station on Metro Line 2. Self-driving cars can park at Yaosheng Building, capped at 20 yuan/day)
Meeting Point 2: 07:30-07:35, Suzhou City Toll Station (G1522 Changtai Expressway Entrance), 200 meters south, waiting for the bus under the elevated road (if you drive, you can park at Huadong Decoration City, the maximum fee is about 25 yuan/day)
Around 11:00 AM, we hiked to the thousand-year-old Futuo Temple, originally built during the Liang Dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and flourishing during the Northern Song Dynasty. The temple is nestled deep in a bamboo forest, with only houses visible from two or three kilometers away. Its location is truly tranquil. The central axis of Futuo Temple, from south to north, runs through the Heavenly King Hall, the Great Hall, the Huayan Hall, and the Xiao'en Pagoda. We can visit them in order.
Around 12:00 PM, we hiked to Banshan Village, known as "China's No. 1 Bamboo Village," with a bamboo coverage rate of 91.6%. We had lunch there. In Anji, we couldn't miss the local Anji dishes: free-range chicken, fish head stew, and stewed meat and bamboo shoots stew. (We split the bill; those who don't eat can also find their own food or prepare a meal for the trip.)
Around 1:00 PM, after lunch, we continued our journey, following a beautiful countryside trail to Dusong Pass, a key stop on the Hangxuan Ancient Road. Dusong Pass is one of the most well-preserved ancient passes in Anji, documented in historical documents. It's also one of the most intact Song Dynasty passes still standing in Zhejiang. (The afternoon's itinerary is more challenging, so tourists can choose to continue hiking or rest at the café before descending.)
Around 2:00 PM, we enter the second half of the climb, which may require the use of both hands and feet, making it a bit challenging!
Around 3:00 PM, we hiked down to the Banshan Village bus stop, packed up, and headed back to Suzhou.
Around 19:00, we returned to Suzhou. Everyone was reluctant to leave and looked forward to seeing each other again!
