Crimson Maple Leaves in Golden Autumn, Listening to Nature's Poem】Qingdao to Yunnan Self-Drive Thousand-Mile Journey【Stop 5】Me at Zhuoshui Ancient Town in Qianjiang, Chongqing【2021】

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Crimson Maple Leaves in Golden Autumn, Listening to Nature's Poem】Qingdao to Yunnan Self-Drive Thousand-Mile Journey【Stop 5】Me at Zhuoshui Ancient Town in Qianjiang, Chongqing【October 8, 2021】

Preview highlights:

Red Army's Forced Crossing of Apeng River at Zhuoshui Ancient Town

Qianjiang Zhuoshui Ancient Town

Scenery of Apeng River at Zhuoshui Ancient Town

Self-drive departure from Badong County, Hubei, 310 km expressway, 5 hours to reach Zhuoshui Ancient Town, starting a one-day tour of Qianjiang, Chongqing ▏Zhuoshui Ancient Town ▏Old Street of Zhuoshui Ancient Town ▏World's First Wind and Rain Covered Bridge ▏Naval Commander City Gate ▏Scenery of Apeng River ▏Monument to the Red Third Army's Forced Crossing of Apeng River ▏

Departed by self-drive from Qingdao on October 1, 2021, took 60 days, traveled 12,600 km, passing through: Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, 11 provinces in total, successfully completed the Qingdao-Yunnan self-drive thousand-mile plan.

About this trip:

I don't chase waves, nor board a ship; I have my own sea. Starting out is my eternal proposition. Even though I've been to many places, I'm still full of anticipation for unknown journeys.

At 6:00 AM on October 8, 2021, I set off by self-drive from Badong County, Hubei, taking advantage of the free expressway during National Day. Cruising on the highway, the road was smooth, accompanied by stunning Hubei scenery. Covering 310 km in 5 hours, I arrived at Zhuoshui Ancient Town in Qianjiang, Chongqing at 12:00 PM.

One-day tour route in Qianjiang, Chongqing:

Day 1: Zhuoshui Ancient Town, Ancient Town Old Street, World's First Wind and Rain Covered Bridge, Naval Commander City Gate, Scenery of Apeng River, Monument to the Red Third Army's Forced Crossing of Apeng River

【About Attractions】Admission ticket: Free entry to Zhuoshui Ancient Town in Qianjiang, Chongqing【Parking 10 yuan】

【About Accommodation】

Booked on Ctrip: Home Inn series—Home Inn Hotel in Zhuoshui Ancient Town, Qianjiang, Chongqing, standard room 120 yuan including breakfast for two【Room clean and tidy, breakfast good】

【About Dining】

During the self-drive trip, we experienced local cuisines, various noodles, and recommendations from online rankings, each with its own merits! Since some attractions are far apart, bring snacks and drinks. In the evening, after parking, enjoy some wine, eat local food you like, and savor the joy of life.

【Travel Equipment Preparation】

Self-carried photography gear:

Canon 60D kit (18-135mm IS)

For a travel enthusiast, Zhuoshui Ancient Town in Qianjiang, Chongqing is a place worth visiting. If you're tired of crowded scenic spots and rows of shops, and want to find a place for mental relaxation, the secret realm of Zhuoshui Ancient Town in Qianjiang, Chongqing is an option to consider.

After retirement, travel has become an important part of my life, a habit. If I don't go out for a while, it feels like something is missing, itching in my heart, like grass growing, sleep poor, appetite bad. Strange—once I go out, everything gets better. On the journey, climbing mountains, crossing rivers, visiting ancient villages, paying homage to red classics, I feel very cheerful, proud of the magnificent mountains and rivers of our great motherland.

Introduction to Zhuoshui Ancient Town in Qianjiang, Chongqing:

Zhuoshui Ancient Town is located in Zhuoshui Town, southeast corner of Qianjiang District, Chongqing, on the banks of the Apeng River, a major tributary of the Wujiang River, 26 km from Qianjiang city center. It is a national AAAAA scenic spot, a national historical and cultural town. It is a thousand-year-old ancient town integrating Tujia stilted house clusters, water transport docks, and commercial market towns.

For a Qingdao native from the coast, having seen the beauty of the sea for so long, the sea's attraction is no longer strong. I always longed for the landscapes of Qianjiang, Chongqing. I yearned for its long history, beautiful scenery, unforgettable cuisine, which constantly tugged at me, attracting me. The fantastic imagination of time travel urged me to set foot on this mysterious journey.

Qingdao-Yunnan self-drive thousand-mile route map:

Departed from Qingdao on October 1, 2021—Huaibei, Anhui—Xinyang, Henan—Xiaogan, Hubei—Badong, Hubei—Qianjiang, Chongqing—Chishui, Guizhou—Bijie, Guizhou—Liupanshui, Guizhou—Zhaotong, Yunnan—Xichang, Liangshan, Sichuan—Panzhihua, Sichuan—Lijiang, Yunnan—Dali, Yunnan—Lincang, Yunnan—Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan—Mengla, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan—Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan—Pu'er, Yunnan—Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan—Qiubei, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan—Yuxi, Yunnan—Kunming, Yunnan—Qujing, Yunnan—Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou—Baise, Guangxi—Qinzhou, Guangxi—Fangchenggang, Guangxi—Dongxing, Guangxi—Beihai, Guangxi—Yulin, Guangxi—Wuzhou, Guangxi—Hezhou, Guangxi—Chenzhou, Hunan—Pingxiang, Jiangxi—Yichun, Jiangxi—Jiujiang, Jiangxi—Nanjing, Jiangsu—Qingdao

Self-drive travel cost budget:

Based on my travel experience, long-distance self-drive travel, as long as you don't buy items, stay at budget hotels or farm stays, don't dine too lavishly, and reduce scenic spot admission fees, a couple can spend 400 yuan per day to cover all expenses.

Trip summary:【Qianjiang, Chongqing】

Time: October 8, 2021 to October 8, 2021, total 1 day

People: Couple of 2

Mode: Independent travel

Transport: Self-drive car

Cost: 200 yuan per person (including gas, tolls, accommodation, meals, tickets, etc.)

Pleasant trip:

For Qianjiang, Chongqing, due to time constraints on previous visits to Chongqing, I passed by hastily. This time, the fifth stop of the Qingdao-Yunnan self-drive thousand-mile journey was arranged in Qianjiang, Chongqing. The beautiful scenery along the road, every bit of Chongqing, intoxicated my heart. Started the Qianjiang, Chongqing tour.

This place is most suitable for couples to travel together, walking hand in hand, interpreting the magnificent and dynamic landscapes of nature. Appreciate the undulating peaks, lush and verdant forests, taste the cuisine of Qianjiang, Chongqing, and at night, walk along the Apeng River in Qianjiang, taking in all the scenery of Qianjiang, Chongqing.

1. Origin of the Qingdao-Yunnan self-drive trip

For the Qingdao-Yunnan self-drive trip, after traveling to Guizhou and Guangxi this May Day, I made a plan for the October Qingdao-Yunnan self-drive thousand-mile trip. In October, the most beautiful season in Yunnan, the couple headed south to see the beautiful scenery of Yunnan. Breathe the air of Yunnan, taste Yunnan cuisine, and also visit the cities along the way, learn about local customs, and settle our passion.

2. Preparation before departure

No worries, a trip that says go when you want. For travel, prepare all aspects, understand the weather at the destination, list the items needed.

3. Qingdao-Yunnan self-drive thousand-mile trip itinerary in Qianjiang, Chongqing:

1. Self-drive route【Badong County, Hubei — Qianjiang, Chongqing】

October 8, 2021, departure from Badong County, Hubei at 6:00 AM — arrival at Qianjiang, Chongqing at 12:00 PM, distance 310 km, 5 hours drive

I am a free and independent travel enthusiast and photography enthusiast. Usually, I take landscape photos. In my spare time, I like to run around, visit various places, and capture the beautiful scenery and local customs. As a photography lover, I never miss all the beautiful people and things on the road. I think the moments captured will form all my memories. If you want to see more of my photography and travel notes, you can follow my Ctrip travel notes: Qingdao Old Brother Self-Drive China Travel Guide

If you have any travel questions, feel free to message me.

Qingdao-Yunnan self-drive thousand-mile journey【Stop 5】Essence of Qianjiang, Chongqing:

Qingdao-Yunnan self-drive route: Badong County, Hubei — Qianjiang, Chongqing【Expressway 310 km, 5 hours】

When you lower your head, you realize the road beneath; the sky leaves no trace, but birds have flown.

My one-day tour route in Qianjiang, Chongqing:

Day 1: Zhuoshui Ancient Town【Free admission】Zhuoshui Ancient Town is located in Zhuoshui Town, southeast corner of Qianjiang District, Chongqing, on the banks of the Apeng River, a major tributary of the Wujiang River, 26 km from Qianjiang city center. It is a national AAAAA scenic spot, a national historical and cultural town. It is a thousand-year-old ancient town integrating Tujia stilted house clusters, water transport docks, and commercial market towns.

Zhuoshui Ancient Town parking lot【10 yuan parking fee】

Zhuoshui Ancient Town Visitor Center

Gate tower of Zhuoshui Ancient Town Visitor Center

Zhuoshui Ancient Town Visitor Center

Day 1: Zhuoshui Ancient Town【Free admission】Zhuoshui Ancient Town emerged in the Tang Dynasty, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and gradually declined after the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is one of the most famous ancient towns in southeastern Chongqing. As a typical old street of Chongqing, the street layout of Zhuoshui Ancient Town is relatively intact, with a strong southeastern Chongqing ancient town pattern. It reflects the differences from other urban historical districts and also carries the fusion, inheritance, and innovation of Ba culture, Tujia culture, and Han culture. Meanwhile, dock culture, merchant culture, and market town culture interweave.

Zhuoshui Ancient Town scenery

White Tiger Sculpture---Tujia totem

Tujia Heaven and Earth Conscience Culture Exhibition Hall

Day 1: World's First Wind and Rain Covered Bridge

World's First Wind and Rain Covered Bridge

Day 1: Ancient Town Old Street

Ancient Town Old Street specialties

Ancient Town Old Street Tobacco House and Money Shop

Day 1: Naval Commander City Gate

Day 1: Scenery of Apeng River

Day 1: Monument to the Red Third Army's Forced Crossing of Apeng River

Monument to the Red Third Army's Forced Crossing of Apeng River

Travel doesn't necessarily cost a lot of money, but not traveling doesn't mean you can save money or become rich. In life, the time truly belonging to you is not much. Living according to your own heart is the best life. While the sun is shining and the breeze is gentle, go see the people you want to see, the scenery you want to see—that is a beautiful life.

The mountains and rivers along the way, connected and undulating. The winding roads curling around the mountainsides like strands of ribbons wrapped among the green mountains, becoming a unique and beautiful scene. The hazy distant mountains, covered with a layer of light gauze, faintly visible, now far now near in the misty clouds, elusive. Seeing this scene, I can only sigh: "Such scenery should only exist in heaven; how often can it be found in the human world?"

Travel feeling: I am a person who loves to move around, having visited countless famous mountains, rivers, and lakes, from Suzhou and Hangzhou in the south to Harbin in the north, reaching the northernmost Mohe, from the colorful Yunnan in the west to the Yellow Sea and Bohai in the east, paying homage to Putuo in the East China Sea, continuing south to Hainan, from the Central Plains to the great southwest of Sichuan and Lhasa, and from Gansu and Shaanxi to the northwest of Xinjiang. I will love and yearn for this place, find highlights of the trip, and record them carefully. Love for a place is mostly for a certain person, a certain thing, a certain experience, and beautiful scenery. Friends, travel to Qianjiang, Chongqing.

【Crimson Maple Leaves in Golden Autumn, Listening to Nature's Poem】Qingdao-Yunnan Self-Drive Thousand-Mile Journey【Stop 5】My Travel Notes in Qianjiang, Chongqing End—Please continue to browse【Crimson Maple Leaves in Golden Autumn, Listening to Nature's Poem】Qingdao-Yunnan Self-Drive Thousand-Mile Journey【Stop 6】Travel Notes in Chishui, Guizhou