Day 1 Hangzhou → She County
All day
7:00-7:30, meet at Huanglong Seafood Stall and depart (near: Subway Station - Huanglong Sports Center Station - Exit F)
--Huizhou Ancient City Walk--
Around 11:00, we arrived at the "Dujiangyan of Jiangnan" [Yuliang Dam]. The dam is built with thousands of huge stones using mortise and tenon joints, and it witnessed the prosperity and development of ancient Huizhou.
Walk along Yuliang Old Street and along the Xin'an River to Huizhou Ancient City. Visit the national treasure Xuguo Stone Archway (the only eight-legged memorial archway in China), explore Doushan Street, a hidden alley known as the "ancient wealthy district," and discover the weathered gatehouses that hold countless stories of Huizhou. Explore Xin'an culture at the Huizhou History Museum, where you'll delve into Huizhou architecture, Xin'an literature, and the legendary Huizhou merchants.
Today's [Ancient City Walk] route reference: Yuliang Dam - Yuliang Old Street - Xin'an River - Wengcheng - Xuguo Stone Archway - Huizhou History Museum - Zhonghe Street - Dousan Street - Toad Well - Wannian Bridge, the whole journey is about 4.5 kilometers, and the road is almost flat.
--Exploring the "Wizard of Oz" in Southern Anhui--
Among the many ancient villages in southern Anhui, Xixinan, nestled between mountains and water, boasts lush vegetation: millennia-old ginkgo trees, century-old osmanthus trees, sprawling ancient maple and poplar forests, tranquil and beautiful wetland landscapes, and a rich birdlife. This secret retreat is a haven steeped in ancient charm and natural beauty. Surrounded by the intertwined roots and branches of century-old trees, the Banben Bridge and Dingbu Bridge complement each other, while the gently flowing stream dapples the afternoon sun across the water, creating a picturesque and picturesque experience.
Entering the ancient village, one discovers numerous ancient, remarkably well-preserved Hui-style dwellings. The village's Laowu Pavilion is particularly exquisite. This U-shaped quadrangle has two floors, with the upper floor higher than the lower. This design, adapted to local conditions based on geography and climate, is also known as the "upper hall." The beauty backrests and flying chairs on the side of the attic are both ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing. The corridors and corners reveal the ingenuity of ancient design.
Here we are free to wander, explore and take photos.
In due time, gather and go to the hotel for accommodation.
Day 2 Chaji Ancient Village → Taohuatan → Jingxian County
All day
--Ancient Village of Chaji--
After breakfast, we will head to the lesser-known [Chaji Ancient Village], a secluded ancient village that is not overly commercialized but full of the flavor of life. Chaji Village originally had 108 bridges, 108 ancestral halls, and 108 temples. It is one of the most representative ancient villages from the Ming and Qing dynasties in southern Anhui.
We first followed the tour along the stone bridge of the ancient village, and learned the story behind this village step by step.
At the end of each year, villagers follow traditional customs, writing Spring Festival couplets, hanging lanterns, and making local specialties such as rice cakes, tofu, and sesame candy. The ancient village is filled with a festive atmosphere. While the New Year atmosphere in cities is fading, the festive atmosphere of Chazhi Ancient Village attracts many people who are reluctant to leave.
--Handmade Huizhou Brush--
In Zhaji, we visited a couple who have been making brushes for generations. Mr. Zha is an admirable and dedicated folk artisan. We apprenticed to him, learning the craftsmanship of Huizhou brushes and crafting our own New Year's brush. This year, we'll use it to write a new chapter in our lives.
--The water of Taohuatan is a thousand feet deep, yet it cannot compare to the love Wang Lun gave me.
Following the familiar poem, we arrived at Taohuatan. Strolling through the ancient town, we quietly savored this pure land. Arriving at the riverside pier, we couldn't help but recall Li Bai's poem "To Wang Lun": "The waters of Taohuatan are a thousand feet deep, yet they cannot compare to the love Wang Lun bestowed upon me."
We boarded a ferry at the pier and crossed to the other side, where we found well-preserved, millennia-old cultural relics. We could climb a pavilion overlooking the ancient town and explore the tomb of the great scholar Wang Lun.
If you're lucky enough, you might be able to see the wonders of the Taohuatan fog. (The fog is a new natural wonder. Taohuatan is located downstream of the Taiping Lake Reservoir. The river water flowing out of the reservoir dam bottom has a year-round temperature of around 14-17°C. The water surface of Taohuatan, 4 kilometers downstream of the dam, is cold in the morning and evening. The large temperature difference with the air causes condensation into water vapor, thus forming fog. However, the probability of fog forming is higher in the morning. We arrived in the afternoon, so be prepared.)
--Stilt houses in southern Anhui--
In the evening, we arrived at Zhangdu Ancient Town on the banks of the Qingyi River. Here, a row of uniquely shaped ancient dwellings stand, facing the river on one side and the street on the other. These wooden houses, supported by pillars, appear to hover over the Qingyi River. When the river rises, it flows through the elevated floors beneath, protecting the houses from the current. This is the famous Zhangdu Diaodong Pavilion, also known as the "Thousand Legs of Jiangnan."
After the tour, we went to Jing County to check in.
Day 3 Jing County → Hangzhou
All day
--Non-legacy oilcloth umbrella--
After breakfast, we will go to the National Oilcloth Umbrella Factory and follow the footsteps of the veteran umbrella makers to learn the centuries-old oilcloth umbrella-making techniques.
The traditional production process of oilcloth umbrellas uses aged mountain bamboo as the ribs, which undergo multiple processing steps to ensure the umbrella's toughness and waterproofness. The flower painting technique incorporates traditional calligraphy and painting into the umbrella's surface, making each umbrella a unique work of art.
Under the warm winter sun, the oilcloth umbrellas painted with yellow tung oil are brightly colored and very photogenic. Come and collect a set of retro beautiful photos!
--Exploring a thin piece of rice paper--
In the afternoon, we arrived at the [China Xuan Paper Cultural Park] to start our journey to explore Xuan paper.
Start at the Xuan Paper Experience Center and experience the fun of scooping up Xuan paper yourself! Don't shake your hands, be careful, and a piece of paper will emerge from your hands. Once you've scooped up the paper, hand it over to the staff for drying. Then, print your zodiac animal on the finished paper, package it, and take it home.
Then, visit the Xuan paper workshop and museum to observe and learn every step of the traditional Xuan paper-making process. See raw materials like sandalwood bark and liaoyuan (a type of scorching heat), semi-finished products like leather strips, paper pulp, and paper stickers, as well as auxiliary tools used in the scooping, drying, and cutting processes. In the famous "San Zhang San" workshop, you can also review the glorious history of the World Heritage application.
Return around 15:00 and disband in Hangzhou around 19:00!
--Homework--
Use your own brush and rice paper to secretly write down your wishes and blessings!!
