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Rural scenic spots to excite the eyes and taste buds
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WHEN traveling, many of us seek out picturesque landscapes and delicious delicacies we can’t find at home. Luckily for visitors, east China’s Zhejiang Province is home to several scenic spots characterized by both their tasty food and unforgettable views. Today, Shanghai Daily is here to introduce four such spots.
Shi Li Lang Dang
The mountain range tracing the western edge of Longjing Village and the northeastern side of Meijiawu Village was named Shi Li Lang Dang during ancient times.
Centuries ago, traveling merchants rang bells along the paths of the mountain to announce their presence and drum up trade. With time, the roads became filled with itinerate pedlars suppling items to local villagers.
The ancient shi li (1 li equals 500 meters) road was a shortcut that connected Qiantang River and Longjing Village, while lang dang is an onomatopoeia referring to bell ringing. People eventually joined these words to summarize the place’s distinguishing characteristics.
Today, it is one of the most picturesque hiking routes near Hangzhou by virtue of its terraced tea gardens, lush vegetation and Zhejiang-style folk houses.
Visitors to the area can also sample authentic Hangzhou cuisine in family-run restaurants, many of which serve dishes prepared with freshly picked wild herbs like malantou (Indian Kalimeris herb) and jicai (shepherd’s purse). Boiled malantou is typically mixed with shredded tofu curds, bamboo shoots, sesame oil and salt, and served as an appetizer. Meanwhile, jicai is often shredded and mixed with pork and seasonings to make dumplings or wontons.
This area is also well-known for its Longjing tea.
How to get there: Tiyuchang Road — Shuguang Road — Longjingzhi Road — Longjing Road
Huang Gongwang Village
This village in Fuyang County was named after the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) painter Huang Gongwang.
Inspired by the surrounding scenery, Huang created the painting “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains,” which today is one of the master’s few surviving works.
The painting’s last private owner loved it so much that he wanted to take it with him into the next life, so he set it on fire in 1650. His nephew rescued the work, but not before the flames split it into two pieces.
One piece made its way into the Zhejiang Province Museum in Hangzhou, while the other went to the Palace Museum in Taipei.
The painting has also made the village famous. To commemorate the master and improve tourism, the local government rebuilt Huang’s original studio and located the scenic spots that appeared in his images.
In addition to lingering over the master’s former residence, visitors can savor the area’s cuisine at local farmhouses, many of which are also guesthouses and restaurants.
The village’s location near Fuchun River makes the freshwater fish and shrimp worth trying. Also, this area produces quality asparagus.
How to get there: Nanshan Road — Lianhuafeng Road — Hupao Road — Zhijiang Road — Lingzhou Road — Fuyuan Road — Shanju Road
Yun Zhong Da Ji Scenic Area
This scenic area in Jingning County of Lishui City is shrouded with mist all year around due to geographic and climate factors. It is often called the “garden in the clouds” by virtue of its surrounding hills, serene creeks, galloping waterfalls, meandering mountain roads and an ancient temple with an intriguing history.
The Shisi Temple integrated Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism and dates to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). According to historical records, it was built in honor of a six-year-old surnamed Mei, who stood by his father’s tomb for three years without leaving.
When the emperor at the time heard this story of devotion, he was so touched that he ordered local officials to construct a temple in honor of the child’s filial character. The original temple was small, but gradually expanded with time.
In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Mei family erected an ancestral hall beside the temple to worship their forefathers. Today, the temple and the ancestral hall provide precious insight into the area’s religious and architectural history.
As for hungry visitors, they can’t miss one local signature dish: pig’s feet braised with soy sauce. The best pigs come from free-range stock fed with natural fodder.
How to get there: G60 Expressway — S26 Expressway — G25 Expressway
Fuzhi Mountain
This mountain is situated between Shangyu, Yuyao and Shengzhou counties. It boasts a variety of glacial landforms that were created millions of years ago. One highlight of the area is the undulating terraced fields.
The mountain’s landscapes have provided scientists with an enriched understanding of the climate and geological history of eastern Zhejiang Province.
The climate of Fuzhi Mountain is suited to cultivating a rich array of fruit and berries. Local crops include strawberries and cherries in spring, waxberries and grapes in summer, kiwis and peaches in autumn and persimmons in winter. The cherries produced there are distinguished from their succulence and strong sweet taste.
How to get there: G92 Expressway — G15 Expressway — 801 County Road
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