With the arrival of autumn, it seems that the color palette of nature is overturned and the mountains and forests are all dyed and become colorful overnight. You can smell autumn in the air. Now it is high time that we went mountaineering! If you still have no clue where to go for mountaineering, come to Zuokou Town!
First Stop — Viewing Clouds in Fengping Village
Early in the morning, the morning sun in Zuokou Town has not yet risen, but this period is the best time to appreciate the clouds and mists on the mountain.
While hiking up to Fengping Village (丰坪村), you can see a mountain wall on the left side of the winding mountain road, and on the mountain wall are trees that grow wildly.
The best cloud viewing point on the mountainside of Zheshan Mountain (蔗山) is the Fengping Viewing Platform.
The soft white clouds in the sky gather to form a huge cloud “quilt” covering the world. With the morning wind blowing, the clouds will move up and down like waves and surge forward like the tide surging towards you in slow motion, which quite likes the Qiantang River tide.
Looking up from the viewing platform, wisps of smoke rise from the ancient dwellings, which, with black tiles and yellow walls, retain the most primitive dwelling structure of Southern China. You will see the elders in Fengping Village get up early to start their day's work and from time to time, you will hear dogs’ barks accompanied by dialectic dialogues.
Standing in Fengping Village to enjoy the morning scenery, you will see the farmland orchard is bred with autumn crops and fruits, and ships float on the water surface of Qiandao Lake in the distance.
Second Stop — Seeking Serenity in Tiantang Hill
The Tiantang Hill (天堂山) in Longyuanzhuang Village (龙源庄村) features a serene environment and gentle sounds from ancient temples. From the Yeqi Second Bridge (叶琪二桥) in Qiaoxi Village (桥西村) by driving about 10 minutes forward, you can reach the foot of Tiantang Hill.
Tiantang Hill is a branch of Zheshan Mountain. Its highest peak is Guandao Peak (关刀尖). Below the peak is the historical site of Tiantang Temple (天堂庵) built in the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. The temple was originally named “Han Feng Yuan (汉峰院)” and is now called Yaowang Temple (药王寺).
Standing quietly on the slope, you can have a panoramic view of the distant mountains, close waters and pastoral scenery. You can see the Northeast Lake Area of Qiandao Lake in the distance, and Yaowang Temple nearby.
The Yaowang Temple, which witnessed the historical changes, is hidden in the woods, quietly telling the stories of thousands of years. Autumn days, mountains, forests, lakes, ancient temples... The tour, so much more than just a mountaineering trip, is a journey of meditation.
The main building of Yaowang Temple consists of two Huizhou-style buildings, which are divided into the front, middle, and back halls. The main hall has a stone arched round gate and mainly enshrines the Buddha of Guanyin and Gautama Buddha. Due to historical reasons, the original temple has been destroyed and the Yaowang Temple that we see now is that after repaired.
Inside the main hall, joss sticks and candles are burning, filling the hall with incense smoke, and the abbot in the temple kneel on the futon reverently, turning the Buddhist beads and chanting with his eyes closed with the sound of the wooden fish knocking. The sound of bells, the sound of wooden fishes, chanting … enter our ears and dispel the impetuosity in our hearts.
Third stop — Exploring Jinzi Peak
Jinzi Peak (金紫尖) is the highlight of the Zuokou Town tour itinerary. The Shiban Stream (石板溪) at the bottom of the mountain is crystal clear. The water system originates from Jinzi Peak. The water quality is clean, clear and pollution-free. Walking up from the foot of the mountain, you will see a lively stream running on the quiet autumn days.
Ginkgo, metasequoia, locust tree, maple and other trees shake off their green clothing in spring and summer, and quietly put on the autumn-limited yellow clothing. The place belongs to the northern subzone of the mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest and features a wide variety of biological species and rich resources. There are dozens of wild animals and hundreds of wild plants here.
At the mountainside area, the mountain road narrows and becomes more dangerous. The slope is steep and the road is narrow, only allowing one person to pass. Along the way up to the mountain top, soothing and thrilling feelings coexist.
You can have a panoramic view of the blue of the sky and the yellow of the mountains and forests; by reaching out your hand, it’s as if you could catch a passing-by cloud; looking down, you can see the houses and the fields in the valley. These are perhaps the comfort that we are seeking through climbing high and looking into the distance.
This weekend, come to Zuokou Town to store romance, and gift the beauty of the waters and mountains and your affection to your family and friends~