Xiak Ancient Trail Autumn Hike

🍁Xiak Ancient Trail Autumn Hike｜A Healing Journey of Red Maples, Ancient Temples, and Human Warmth✨

Catching the last warm sunny days of late autumn, we set off from Guoqing Temple to hike the Xiak Ancient Trail. The 8-kilometer path weaves between stone steps and roads, with two steep slopes climbed exhilaratingly. Along the way, red maples blaze like fire, yellow leaves drift like gold, every step treads on the poetic "quiet beauty of autumn leaves"～

🏯 Highlights of the Ancient Trail:

✔️ Zhizhe Pagoda Courtyard: The ancestral temple of the Tiantai Sect hidden in the mountains, housing the flesh pagoda of Master Zhizhe. The entrance is framed by red maples like rosy clouds, and inside the courtyard, four ancient plum trees stand strong and aged, evoking thoughts of the winter plum fragrance.

✔️ Unexpected Encounter at Xiuchan Temple: The temple was under renovation, so we couldn’t explore in detail, but by the roadside, we stumbled upon a tea shop. The owner’s mother served two bowls of hot vegetarian noodles, the owner brewed Tiantai black tea, and even gave us a ride to Gaomingjiang Temple, chatting all the way about local legends, warming both stomach and heart!

💡 Hiking Tips:

▪️ No supplies along the way, bring your own snacks!

▪️ Photos taken in the afternoon sun tend to be overexposed; it’s best to shoot red maples early or late in the day～

👉 Ancient trail, red leaves, ancient temples, human warmth—this hike is like opening an autumn mystery box, full of surprises everywhere. If you love encountering stories on the road, this ancient trail is worth a special trip! 📍Tiantai Mountain, Zhejiang

Post by maevryn_5364 | Oct 22, 2025