Day 1 Shanghai → Maotian Mountain → Gujiaolou → Shanghai
07:45
From 07:15 to 07:30, meet at the designated location of China-TravelNote and sign in. Depart at 07:30 sharp, and interact with your tour leader, enjoying the fun along the way!
11:45
Arrive at Maotian Mountain, which is a remnant of Huangshan Mountain. It is famous for its abrupt mountains, rugged rocks, and towering cliffs. It is also known as the "Little Huangshan Mountain in Jiangnan" for its tall trees, forests and green bamboos.
We followed our guide up the mountain path. Though the path was steep and rugged, every step was filled with beautiful scenery. Along the way, we saw towering ancient trees and lush bamboos. The canyon scenery unfolded, and the autumn rice paddies dyed the sky and the earth a golden color.
After a while, you can reach the top and visit the ruins of Maotian Zen Temple to feel the vicissitudes of history; there are also those lifelike rocks: "Green Lion Looking at Golden Dragon", "Nine Dragon Eyes", "Rhinoceros Looking at the Moon", etc., which live up to the reputation of "Little Huangshan".
The downhill road is sparsely populated, with lush vegetation and a wild path. We strongly recommend wearing long sleeves and long pants and watch your step.
2:00 PM
Gather down the mountain at the right time and head to the Drum Corner Tower.
The Drum and Horn Tower was first built in the fourth year of the Zhiping reign of the Northern Song Dynasty. Drums, horns, bells, and clepsydra were once used to announce time and warn the night. The idiom "replacing drums and horns to warn the night-time, and clepsydra to mark the day and night" was used to represent the sound of horns and drums. Despite repeated damage and reconstruction during wars, the existing brick and stone tower still bears witness to a millennium of history.
Strolling slowly through the building, you'll experience the remnants of a millennium-old history, feeling as if you've traveled back to the heyday of the Song Dynasty. A tea and coffee shop has been added upstairs, transforming it into a cultural landmark that blends history with cultural tourism. Here, you can relax and soak in the blend of past and present. Alternatively, you can wander the city streets and discover the unique cuisine of southeastern Anhui.
Recommended food: Corner rice cake, Zhang's pancake, spicy vermicelli, old duck soup...
3:50 PM
Gather at the appropriate time and return by bus.
7:30 PM
When we arrived near the departure point in Shanghai, everyone was reluctant to leave and kissed goodbye with tears in their eyes!
