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Good hikes for crisp autumn days
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CRISP autumn days are suitable for hiking when gingko, maple, and phoenix trees paint the hills a mix of yellow, orange, red and gold. The best hiking routes are definitely the ancient roads that wind around various hills around Zhejiang Province.
Most of them were paved centuries ago, with some dating back more than 1,000 years. They are also known for their gorgeous scenery and cultural relics. In addition to the colorful autumn view, hikers can learn their long history and their significant role in our social and economic development.
Shanghai Daily takes a look at three ancient roads that make for an interesting drive on weekends. Just remember to stop, get out of the car and take a leisurely stroll.
Changbei Ancient Road
Most Hangzhou locals only know the famous Huihang Ancient Road that starts from Maxiao Town in Lin’an County, continues to the Tianmu Mountain Range and ends at Yellow Mountain. The picturesque road lures swarms of hikers in autumn and spring, which might spoil people’s mood in some crowded weekends.
But not far from the Huihang Road, the off-the-beaten-track Changbei Ancient Road also boasts idyllic scenery but with a more tranquil environment. Roadside villages and terraced slopes are shrouded with lush vegetation, making for a memorable hike.
This ancient mountain road was once the main path connecting Daoshi, Yushan and Longgang areas in Lin’an County. Local residents used the road to trade a variety of goods.
Although the road is no longer in use, it offers unique scenery of lofty trees, creeks, valleys, waterfalls, quirky stones and precious herbs that attract hikers today. Hiking along the beautiful road almost gives the impression of walking into a Chinese ink painting. Backpackers consider it one of the best hiking routes in the country.
How to get there: G25 Expressway — G56 Expressway — get off at the Longgang exit
Xianxia Ancient Road
This ancient road starts from Jiangshan County and winds its way to Pujiang County in Fujiang Province. According to archeological research, it is dotted with more than 40 cultural relics, from the former residences of the famous and antique bridges to a prestigious traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy and old temples.
Dating to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), the road has already become a vital path to northern China. During the Tang (AD 618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, it was appointed as an official road that connected the Xianxia Mountain Ranges and the Qiantang River.
Due to the road’s location on the borders of Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces, it had been a crucial artery that armies fought for throughout dynasties. Peasant uprising troops and imperial armies fought with each other in this area to struggle for its ownership.
In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the military path gradually evolved into a commercial road. Cotton products and local specialties were transported across provinces along the road, which in return made the roadside towns bustling hubs with endless streams of merchants from other provinces.
In addition, the road was also attractive to writers because of its splendid landscape. They traveled along the path and left many poems and engraved calligraphy works. A roadside pavilion showcases more than 26 stone tablets carved with works from experts such as Xu Xiake, Lu You, Zhu Xi, Wang Anshi and Xin Qiji.
Xianxia road wound through many ancient villages along its section in Jiangshan County. Nianbadu is considered the most popular town with tourists. It boasts 11 Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) ancestral halls and temples and 36 splendid residential buildings, which mainly belonged to the wealthy Cao, Yang, Jiang and Jin families.
In 2008, the central government described the town as “home to Chinese folk ballad,” since the tradition of ballads that were sung from the Qing Dynasty has been well preserved by natives for centuries and is still performed for festivals.
How to get there: G25 Expressway — S31 Expressway — G60 Expressway — S33 Expressway —G3 Expressway — get off at the Xiakou exit
Gongyu Ancient Road
This road begins from Qiankeng Village, winds its way to Gongyu Village and ends in Linkeng Village. The area it stretches over is sometimes referred to as “the last Shangri-la in east China” due to its secluded location and poetic scenery.
The landscape is often shrouded in mist, which creates a mythical ambience that also makes it a popular backdrop for movies. Since the area is surrounded by karst mountains and cliffs, there’s no modern road that connects the villages, so visitors have to walk along this narrow, meandering footpath to get to the village.
It’s worth it though to see a village that has not been commercially developed to cash in on tourism. Villagers grow crops on terraced fields. There are no hotels or restaurants, therefore people need to bring a tent and food.
Nearby is Dalu, a prosperous fishery town. Just 50 years ago, it was a wasteland with little vegetation. The government reclaimed it and deployed volunteers, and today, Dalu is a national top-level fishery harbor and an oceanic forest park.
How to get there: S2 Expressway — G60 Expressway — S26 Expressway — get off at the Gongyuyan exit
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