Hubei Wind-Chasing Trip D3 (Part 1): A Miserable Danjiangkou Visit – Accidentally Strolled into a Military Control Zone...
On February 24, 2021, we spent a day traveling from Nanyang to the Danjiangkou Reservoir. After publishing our travel notes from the previous two days, netizens pointed out that the place we visited was Songgang Wharf in Xichuan County, Dengzhou, which might be just a newly developed Danjiangkou scenic area.
Later, while looking for a small attached scenic spot called 'Nangang Ancient Tomb,' we stumbled upon a more natural viewpoint. Then we went to the canal head of the Middle Route of the South-North Water Transfer Project. Unfortunately, probably due to the off-season, the gate was firmly closed, and we could only gaze at this long-admired project from outside the fence.
Then we followed National Highway 241 into Hubei. Originally, we planned to reach the foot of Wudang Mountain by evening and stay overnight so we could go up the mountain early the next day. However, as we passed through Danjiangkou City, we were attracted by a hotel by the roadside, so we chose to stay overnight in Danjiangkou City.
Welcome to check out my previous travel notes, feel free to scroll up:
Hubei Wind-Chasing Trip (D1): A Spontaneous Trip, First Night Sleeping at a Service Area?
Hubei Wind-Chasing Trip D2 (Part 1): Playing in Danjiangkou in the Rain – There's Even a Fighter Jet!
Hubei Wind-Chasing Trip D2 (Part 2): The Grand Canal Head of the South-North Water Transfer – This Fish is Delicious, Burp~
According to our plan, we had to reach the vicinity of Shennongjia by evening to stay overnight. Wudang Mountain was an important stop on this trip, so today's planned route was like this:
Alright, enough rambling. Let's start today's itinerary.
Last night we stayed in Danjiangkou City. When we came out of the hotel to find food, walking along the 'Construction Bridge' over the Han River toward the city center, we saw the magnificent night view of the Danjiangkou Dam. We were so impressed that we made an impromptu decision to add the Danjiangkou Dam Scenic Area to today's itinerary.
Waking up in the morning, it was already 8 o'clock. This lazy sleeping schedule might have already doomed us to problems later in the trip... But that's a story for later. Let's get back on track.
Got up and went to the restaurant for breakfast, hmm~ Remember the hotel we stayed at last night? I think it's worth mentioning. This hotel had some class. Let me show it with a few pictures below.
The restaurant was on the first floor, with nice space and decor, clean and tidy, no strange smells. That was great.
Although the hotel looked impressive, I have to say the breakfast fell short. Maybe it's because of the off-season. After rummaging around for a while, I found only this little bit of food.
My buddy said while eating, 'This might be the worst hotel breakfast I've ever had,' and stuffed half an egg into his mouth. I asked him, 'How many hotels have you stayed at?' He just chuckled...
I still wanted to say more about this breakfast, but, adhering to the principle of 'holding back complaints when traveling,' let's talk about the rest of the trip.
Finally out of the hotel. The first stop was to go see the Danjiangkou Dam that amazed us last night. Bye bye, this hotel that I both liked and disliked.
Before leaving, my buddy said we should wipe the rear license plate of the car, because after driving all day on National Highway 241, Fat Ke had turned into a mud monkey.
Because the hotel was at the southeast corner of the intersection south of the 'Construction Bridge,' we thought we should follow this riverside road toward the dam to reach the scenic area.
Unfortunately, as we went further, we encountered a guard post. We had accidentally wandered into a place where tourists shouldn't go. Further ahead was the dam management unit, a military control zone.
Under the guidance and request of the armed police guard, I deleted all videos and photos of this place, and learned that the entrance to the Danjiangkou Dam Scenic Area is on the north side of the Han River.
Due to time constraints, we had to give up on this scenic area and go check out the nearby Canglanghai Tourist Area, because my buddy said excitedly, 'There's a trendy bridge there, we can check in and take photos.' Seems like scrolling Douyin every day has its benefits, hahaha.
So we eagerly arrived at the Canglanghai Tourist Area. Actually, it was very close, just a few minutes' drive.
When we saw that building under construction earlier, we had a bad feeling. Upon arriving at the scenic area, we found barriers everywhere. So, the Canglanghai Scenic Area was also under renovation...
As for the trendy bridge, we asked a cleaning uncle, it was nearby, but the road we saw was blocked by barriers, so we had to detour elsewhere...
My buddy and I exchanged a knowing smile. It was already 10 o'clock. Let's just head out. Today's destination is Shennongjia...
After leaving Danjiangkou City, we continued on National Highway 241 toward Wudang Mountain. The mountains on both sides of the road began to increase. Since we left Zhengzhou on the evening of the 23rd, crossed the Funiu Mountains at night to reach Nanyang, we had been traveling on mostly flat terrain for the past two days, because the large area from Nanyang to Danjiangkou City is part of the Nanyang Basin. So the sudden appearance of high mountains on both sides began to pique our interest.
The closer we got to Wudang Mountain, the more the advantages of a large scenic area became apparent: smooth roads and more and more supporting leisure spots. On the road, we saw a sign, and a stretch of river on the right side of the car was pleasing, so we stopped at the observation deck ahead.
This place, whether a scenic spot or a resort, was very conspicuous. You could see it as soon as you got off the car at the observation deck.
Back in the car and moving forward, getting closer to Wudang Mountain. A weathered railway bridge appeared beside us. There is a train station at the foot of Wudang Mountain, so this should be the track leading to Wudang Mountain.
By the way, along the way we saw shops with signs for 'Shihua Wine' (Shihua Jiu). Even here we saw that name. What kind of wine is it? Yellow wine or liquor? Is it good? If any friends know, please enlighten us. Because classmate Zhang Shaoruan doesn't drink at all, we didn't get to try it on this trip...
Finally, we saw a corner of folk culture at the foot of Wudang Mountain, and then fully entered the post station area at the foot. It was really not easy (actually Danjiangkou is only 53 kilometers from Wudang Mountain)...
Less than 2 kilometers further, we arrived at the mountain gate of Wudang Mountain. We couldn't help but exclaim: 'Finally here! Wudang Mountain is Wudang Mountain!'
Here, next...
What's the usual routine?
If I type too many words at once, you'll be tired of reading, and I'll be tired of writing, hahaha.
So, see you next time~
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