Day 1 Shanghai → Ningbo → Shanghai
All day
7:15 Gather at the designated location of China-TravelNote and sign in.
We set off on time at 7:30. On the way, the team members introduced themselves to each other and helped the new members integrate as quickly as possible. The staff played interactive games and there was laughter and joy along the way.
We arrived at the hike's starting point around 11:00 AM. After warming up, we headed to Maoyang Zen Temple for lunch. Lingfeng Temple, a Buddhist and Taoist temple, combines Buddhism and Taoism. The Main Hall in the front courtyard enshrines Buddha and Guanyin, while the Taiji Xuan Palace (Gexian Hall) in the backyard enshrines Ge Hong and the Three Pure Ones—a truly rare sight! There's also a Daoist temple in front of the Taiji Xuan Palace, creating a majestic atmosphere.
After lunch, we set off for the Camellia Sea. We had free time here, mostly taking photos to admire the crimson winter colors, adding a touch of warmth to the cold winter. The second half of the trail, the Xiaoziling Ancient Trail, stretches approximately 2.5 kilometers and served as a vital ancient route connecting Daqi and Xiaogang. This trail also connects the thousand-year-old Maoyang Zen Temple and Lingfeng Temple. The name Xiaoziling stems from legend that the ancient Ge Xianweng, a healer, insisted on trekking between Lingfeng Temple and Maoyang Temple daily, regardless of wind or rain, to visit his mother. Moved by his sincerity, later generations named the trail Xiaoziling, hence the name.
Return to the bus around 16:00 and set off back to Shanghai.
We arrived in Shanghai around 19:30, and everyone was still reluctant to leave, so we said goodbye with tears in our eyes!!!
