Day 1 Guangzhou → Xijing Ancient Road → Daqiao Town → Guangzhou
07:00
Meet and sign in at Exit B of Kecun Subway Station.
07:30
Before we set off, the tour leader introduced the itinerary and precautions on the bus. The tourists got to know each other and sang and laughed all the way to Shaoguan.
11:00
Arriving at the starting point of the hike, Ruyuan Daqiao Town, the team leader led a warm-up exercise before starting today's hike. We continued along the cement road in the township for about 1.5 km and then entered the ancient trail. The trail had a steep uphill slope, so we walked slowly to experience the history of the past.
The Shaoguan Xijing Ancient Road was built in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is an important transportation route connecting Lingnan and the Central Plains. The existing relics include stone roads, ancient pavilions, bridges, etc., which have witnessed ancient trade and cultural exchanges. It is known as the "No. 1 Ancient Road in Lingnan."
12:00
Choose a platform/pavilion to start lunch time. After half an hour of eating, continue on your way.
2:50 PM
Arrived at Tongtianluo Tiankeng and took a short rest~
Tongtianluo is an extremely rare, completely enclosed, descending cave, 97 meters deep. It's narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, with a 73-meter diameter at the entrance and a maximum diameter of over 140 meters at the bottom. Known as "China's No. 1 Cave," the cave's walls are shaped like an inverted trapezoid, resembling a giant, narrow-mouthed farmer's basket for grain, hence the name "Tongtianluo."
3:30 PM
After reaching the summit, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the karst peaks and forests from all angles. Continue hiking along the ancient trail, passing through villages and through the woods. (Some sections are densely covered with ferns, so bring sleeves or long sleeves to avoid getting cut. Trekking poles are also recommended.)
5:30 PM
Arriving at Daqiao Town, we freely checked in at Guanlan Academy. The river, ancient bridge, and murals near the village are all quite beautiful. The quaint little village is very suitable for relaxing, soaking your feet, and checking in. We returned around 18:15
Guanlan Academy: A Qing-era Hakka academy in Shaoguan, built by the Wujiang River, boasts a simple and elegant aesthetic, built with blue bricks and black tiles. Once a training ground for the imperial examinations, its lecture halls and inscriptions still remain, showcasing the cultural heritage of Lingnan. Surrounded by tranquil bamboo forests, it offers a cultural stop along the Xijing Ancient Road.
10:00 PM
We are back in Guangzhou now, and the trip is over. We will meet again next time in the tourist world.
