Exploring Hidden Wonders! This Lesser-Known Route in Dinghu Mountain Helped Me Rediscover the True Meaning of Travel

As a seasoned visitor coming to Dinghu Mountain for the third time, I decided to avoid the usual paths and explore places that tour groups don’t go. This off-the-beaten-path route showed me a completely different side of Dinghu Mountain and helped me find the original joy of traveling—the surprise and emotion of discovering the unknown.
🗺️ Secret Route Revealed
My route was: walking from the main gate toward Old Ding. This path is rarely traveled by tourists and the ecosystem is more pristine. Along the way, you can see many rare plants, including the Dinghu Rhododendron unique to Dinghu Mountain. The trail crosses several streams, requiring stepping on stones to get across, adding a lot of wild charm.
The biggest surprise was discovering a small waterfall known only to locals, which requires descending a steep slope from the main path. Although the waterfall is small, the environment is extremely tranquil. Sitting on a big rock by the waterfall, listening to the water, it feels like the whole world has quieted down. It’s best to go with companions and ideally have a local guide.
🌅 Stunning Sunrise Viewing Spot
Besides the usual viewpoints, I found an excellent spot to watch the sunrise—a platform behind Qingyun Temple. You need to start at 5 a.m., climbing the mountain with a flashlight for about 40 minutes. But when the sun rises from the sea of clouds and golden light spreads across Dinghu Mountain, all the effort is worth it. Few people know this spot, so you can enjoy the view in solitude.
📚 In-Depth Cultural Tour
Dinghu Mountain is not only a natural wonder but also rich in cultural heritage. This time, I did my homework and visited with questions in mind:
- Asked monks at Qingyun Temple about the temple’s history and learned about the story of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng.
- Searched for cliff inscriptions; Dinghu Mountain has over a hundred stone carvings from various eras, like an open-air calligraphy museum.
- Visited the biological research station to understand Dinghu Mountain’s ecological scientific value.
🍜 Food Exploration
Besides the famous Dinghu vegetarian dishes, I found several local favorite restaurants:
- Farmhouse restaurant at the foot of the mountain: ingredients are homegrown, flavors authentic, highly recommend the steamed mountain pit fish.
- Old-established restaurant in Zhaoqing city: wrapped steamed rice dumplings are a must-try, with solid ingredients and a unique aroma.
🎒 Hiking Gear Recommendations
For this off-the-beaten-path route, gear is important:
- Professional hiking shoes: the trail is slippery, so shoes with good grip are necessary
- Trekking poles: save a lot of energy on uphill and downhill sections
- Headlamp: essential for watching the sunrise
- Lightweight raincoat: mountain weather is changeable
- Plenty of water and snacks: few supply points on the trail
💭 Travel Reflections
This deep exploration made me realize that the beauty of Dinghu Mountain lies not only in the famous spots but also in the journey of discovery. When you slow down and truly feel it, you’ll find surprises everywhere. Perhaps this is the meaning of travel—not how many sights you check off, but how during the process, you find a way to connect with nature, culture, and your inner self.
If you want to visit Dinghu Mountain, try this lesser-known route. Maybe you’ll have your own unique discoveries.