Spring of 2021 comes earlier than normal. Flowers are in bloom and willow trees are in bud almost everywhere. And the dancing heart is eager to go out! Here are 6 less-traveled trails that are perfect for springtime. Any of them shall arouse your adventurous spirit to go out for a hike.
Wu Yue Ancient Road | Lin'an Hangzhou
With a total length of about 35 kilometers, Wu Yue Ancient Road was the main passage between then Wu Yue (now Lin'an, Hangzhou) and then Southern Tang (now Ningguo, Xuancheng) during the period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. After thousands of years, the stone path is still well preserved.
Every stone and every old tree here have a story behind it. The stone steps tell the vicissitudes of time and the moss-covered pines witness the changes of world.
Further ahead, it is the Heavenly Lake in Western Zhejiang, which is known as the “No. 1 Lake in Jiangnan.” At an altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level, the water of the lake is very clear and blue. And recently, because of the early cherry blossoms, spring here is well worth exploring.
Anshan Ancient Road | Xinchang Shaoxing
If you want to go on a nature trip without any commercial traces, then Ansan Village is sure to meet your requirement. Built in Yongle reign of Ming Dynasty, Ansan Village has a history of more than 600 years. There are many old houses built with stones, and flower beds and ponds made of cobblestones. The dwellings amid the beautiful nature show a sense of ancientness.
Anshan Ancient Road is right here. It starts from the foot of Qiandian Ridge in Xixi Village in the south and winds all the way to Anshan Village, totaling about 5 kilometers. The road alternates between green stone steps and mountain paths, and the unique Danxia landform tells the old stories of the village.
Putiling Ancient Road | Yinzhou Ningbo
Located at the foot of Baiyan Mountain, Tongxiajia Ancient Village has gone through ups and downs for 400 years. Most of the houses are century-old dark red wooden structures. Walk through the doors and alleys between the old houses. The stone roads are covered with moss, and behind the houses is a bamboo forest. When the wind blows, the rustling sound of bamboo leaves breaks the stillness of the tranquil village.
Putiling Ancient Road was named after Puti Zen Temple in the valley on the south side of the ridge, and it was the essential passage for ancient people to go out and in. The ancient road is paved with cobblestones, winding and circling upwards, and is still well preserved.
Shiniu Ridge Line | Jinyun Lishui
Among the sublime mountains in southern Zhejiang Province, Shiniu Ridge Line is known as the "Trail on Clouds" because it has an elevation of more than 1,150 meters, and the top of the mountain is often shrouded in clouds. Since few people have ventured here, it is full of wildness.
As the most classic and beautiful ridge line in Jinyun, Shiniu Mountain is strange, dangerous, beautiful and secluded. There are hundreds of oddly shaped and stacked rocks of different sizes, which are rare to see. When you stand on the top of the mountain, it is like you are having the world at your feet.
Feilong Mountain Heavenly Ladder | Yongkang Jinhua
Feilong Mountain, located on the outskirts of Yongkang City, is a mountain with exposed ridges stretching and forming the shape of a dragon about to take off, and there is a lush green forest as far as the eye can see.
As you go up the stone steps to the mountain, you will come across a "heavenly ladder", which is the highlight of the mountain. It is only two to three hundred meters long but the steepest slope is almost 80°, and even the relatively gentle ones are 60°. It is almost vertically hanging on the cliff and is very dangerous.
There are wild roads between the ridges and valleys. They are mostly covered with weeds because no one has walked on them for years. Please pay attention to safety while you are enjoying the scenery!