All is Well: A May Day Self-Drive from Hangzhou – Explore Longmen Ancient Town in Fuyang within One-Hour Travel Circle, In-Depth Tour of Surrounding Villages

All is Well: A May Day self-drive from Hangzhou, explore Longmen Ancient Town in Fuyang within one-hour travel circle, in-depth tour of surrounding villages – key looking for lock travel (Hangzhou) LV.22

As Tao Yuanming wrote: 'Long confined within a cage, I now return to nature.' So I came again, to Longmen Ancient Town in Fuyang. This is the grand archway of Longmen Ancient Town, a landmark. After entering the town, you see an old street paved with cobblestones, the area with the most restaurants and shops. The most charming thing is to stroll along Longmen Creek and watch the life of waterside households. Honestly, I'm a little envious.

Unlike my previous visits where I always focused on architecture and snacks, this time, on May 1st, I came to see the flowers. These beautiful blooms, set against the town's signature white walls and black tiles, are truly delightful. Occasionally, a few girls in Hanfu drifted by in the alleys. They are part of the scenery, and they are also enjoying the scenery. The scenery gazers gaze at the scenery, and the scenery gazes back.

The 400-meter-long cobblestone ancient street is a must-visit. The alley is breezy and cool, the cobblestones polished smooth by time, and shop signs from the old days can still be seen on both sides. The little shops are dimly lit, with old abacuses, candy jars, and red firecrackers placed on heavy, old-fashioned wooden counters. The shopkeepers lounge lazily in rocking chairs, humming along to old operas from the radio. A few thin, elderly folks sit with a relaxed air on a smooth, cool stone slab at the corner; it's said that the village elders like to chat about daily life there. In front of these kind and calm old people, the fickleness of the world seems like a passing cloud. Perhaps one can suddenly realize: better to hold onto what you have than to overfill it. Keeping the success you've already achieved is the greatest happiness in life.

These yellow roses are particularly eye-catching. They have a creamy feel, as if slowly melting and spreading on the bread-like walls. Isn't that a perfect match?

The pretty landlady is playing with her niece at the door. They look quite alike, with the same style of dimples.

Here are a few red roses peeping at you through the fence, gently swaying in the breeze, as if waving, 'Come on, come on.'

These little hibiscus flowers are very pretty, like the little girls from the neighborhood playing in the alleyway.

Longmen Ancient Town is the hometown of Sun Quan, the Great Emperor of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. It has a long history and deep cultural heritage, retaining a strong clan atmosphere and unique folk customs. The vast ancient architectural complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties is well preserved, rare in China, including ancestral halls, halls, residential houses, ancient pagodas, stone bridges, and memorial archways. The scenic area covers 2 square kilometers with over 7,000 residents, more than 90% of whom bear the surname Sun, making it the largest settlement of Sun Quan's descendants. Such a concentrated family lineage is extremely rare.

During the pandemic, entering the ancient town is free, but after May 1st there will be an admission fee. The main ticket covers all gated attractions, including the finest ancient buildings in the town—not just residences but also ancestral halls, courtyards, opera stages, archways, and pagodas, a complete range. Notable sites include the Baibu Hall (Hall of a Hundred Steps) and the Sun Clan Ancestral Hall. The town is open all day, and after 5 p.m. when ticketing ends, entry is free.

'Here the hills and waters are clear and elegant, surpassing Longmen in Lüliang.' Longmen Ancient Town lies at the foot of Longmen Mountain by the Fuchun River and is one of the 'Ten Scenes of Fuchun.' The town is surrounded by mountains: Dashantou Peak squats to the west, Longmen Mountain rises in the southeast, and the Shanxi and Longmen Creeks converge north of the town. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Yan Ziling was full of praise when he traveled here, hence the town's name. Walking upstream along Longmen Creek, the mountain path winds, rocks stand in rows, and strange peaks and stones jut out on both sides, resembling bells and drums. The valley is threaded with streams and lush with green woods; strolling here, your body and mind feel light.

I had long heard that Chen Yifei's film 'The Barbershop' was shot here. With the bright weather, compared to other expensive and bland ancient towns, its architecture, history, culture, mountains, and waters blend together to create Longmen's unique scenery.

Longmen Ancient Town has not only many halls but also many ancient bridges, such as Yuelong Bridge, Wan'an Bridge, Wanxi Bridge, Wanqing Bridge, Qingxi Bridge, and Taipo Bridge. But Taipo Bridge is the most memorable for me. It is about two zhang high, spanning Longmen Creek. On the east side of the bridge is a small pavilion called 'Zhenchuan Pavilion' (Boats-Resting Pavilion), and on the west is the 'Inkstone Pond.'

The TV station is doing a live broadcast, with prizes of local specialties. The roads of Longmen's old streets and lanes are mostly paved with fist-sized cobblestones set on end. Legend has it that the town's overall layout was designed by Sun Quan's descendants and strategists in the pattern of a maze. Apart from the main street, the town consists of long, narrow alleys with halls and lanes packed closely, walls and eaves linked, corridors connected. Stepping in feels like entering a labyrinth where you can't tell east from west—quite intriguing. The maze-like layout carries profound historical and cultural meaning, adding a touch of mystery to the town.

The most atmospheric experience is strolling along Longmen Creek, watching the waterside life. The best spot for viewing ancient architecture is near Inkstone Pond, where a ring of Ming and Qing buildings encircles the lush green pool, creating a serene scene.

The town is roughly divided into ten sections: Tracing the Town's Origins, Old Street Nostalgia, Waterside Homes, Traces of a Hundred Steps, Moonlit Inkstone Pond, Sun Clan Ancestral Hall, etc. The town is not large; you can walk through it in about two hours. But just wandering around feels good; deep, quiet old alleys make for artsy photos. On the streets, you often see locals leisurely drinking tea, playing cards, and chatting, so many visitors find the local vibe more interesting than the architecture itself.

Not far from the ancient town, there's a vast sea of flowers. Every year at this time, flowers bloom everywhere in the fields: various cosmos flowers, unknown little blossoms, and various peonies. You'll be too busy snapping photos to keep up.

This flower is so pink, it reminds me of a teenage girl of seventeen or eighteen, her long hair blown by the wind, sitting quietly by the sea, eating a milkshake.

This flower seems like a new variety, a bit darker, like a mature woman who has everything under control. A bee has come to gather nectar. Did the bee come on its own, or was it attracted?

In Zhujiawu Village, Huanshan Township, Fuyang, Zhejiang, within the Qing Dynasty private garden 'Liusheng Garden' (the site was originally the shrine of Hu Qian, a filial son from the Qianlong reign of the Qing, five generations earlier), there is the Memorial Hall of Hu Zhen, a master of seal carving from the Qing Dynasty. The hall has a wealth of detailed and precious historical materials.

The exhibits are exquisite and abundant, including works and materials by Hu Zhen, as well as the life story of filial son Hu Qian and displays of filial piety culture. It showcases the masterpieces of the Eight Masters of Xiling Seal-Engravers' Society and the style of Fuchun Seal Society. The museum also houses seal stamp albums and collections from hundreds of contemporary members of the Xiling Seal-Engravers' Society. If you pass by, it's really worth a visit.

Longmen is also a production base for badminton rackets, including tennis rackets. This is the showroom of the Fuyang Industrial Park, showing its large scale.

Shangguan Township in Fuyang is known as China's Racket Homeland. Its racket industry is massive, famous in China and worldwide. According to incomplete statistics, rackets made in Shangguan account for more than 70% of the domestic market. From early bamboo badminton rackets to today's aluminum alloy and carbon fiber ones, it has integrated the entire racket production chain.

Shangguan Township in Fuyang, Hangzhou, is designated as the 'Home of Moso Bamboo' by Zhejiang Province. It is a mountainous township with beautiful scenery; the natural landscape is primitive, with stone-step mountain trails. Shangguan also has many lovely rural scenes—wildflowers, wild grasses, wild fruits—making it a good place for locals to enjoy.

Changlv Mountain Residence is absolutely scenic, with patches of bamboo forests and a strong Jiangnan countryside feel. It's perfect for relaxing on a weekend or short holiday, easing the stress of daily life.

The food here is also decent. In Changlv mountainous area, the meals use quite natural ingredients, like large tofu, dried bamboo shoots, and the local 'Changlv Old Three Delicacies,' all very tasty, great for those who like healthy eating.

The home-cooked dishes are also very authentic, just a bit on the salty side.

The stir-fried pork liver is exceptionally tender—everyone in our group of six loved it. I wonder what secret recipe the chef has, and at what heat it's cooked.

Dazhang Village in Fuyang feels simple and natural, with no tourists, just people living quietly. Passing through occasionally, it's filled with a sense of peaceful moments.

A family husks bamboo shoots in the alley.

These are dried ones, looking quite tempting.

This has become a local snack, cooked with peanuts, chewy and nutritious.

This is manual piecework done at home: 60 yuan for 1,000 pieces, just enough to finish in a day.

Dashansi Reservoir is one of the many reservoirs in Fuyang. It's slightly remote, perfect to combine with the Shangguan Township walking trail. From the trail, walk all the way and cross the mountain to reach Dashansi Reservoir. I've been to many mountain villages, but Dashansi Reservoir is a place I quite like, with no tourists, where you can stroll quietly and breathe the fresh air.

It is said that there is also a Dashan Zen Temple in the mountains, located in Shenli Village, Shangguan Township. It was built in the Ming Dynasty, where eminent monks once lived in seclusion, cultivating and teaching. After centuries of change, the ancient temple still stands, undamaged.

Behind the mountain is the Stone Step Ancient Trail, which complements the reservoir beautifully. You can visit both spots in one day, or just one. If you have strong legs, you can hike the whole trail. This time, due to time constraints, I won't go up, so I'll just post a few aerial photos.

The Stone Step hiking trail is in Huangdan Village, Changlv Township, Fuyang. It starts at Changgengli in Huangdan Village and ends at Yemaoling, with a total length of 4,200 meters. It passes by Fengtongwu Entrance, Shiti Lane Entrance, Dahuangwu Entrance, Shiti Natural Village, etc. Along the way, peaks rise one after another, cliffs stand steep, clouds and mist swirl. Among the natural sights are: Stone Pillar, Stone Fish, Zongzi Stone, Lion Peak, Stone Step Line of Sky, and Stone Cloud Ladder.

On this ancient trail, there are quiet little mountain villages, fresh mountain fields, simple customs, scattered stone-walled houses with tile roofs, bamboo forests covering the hills, an ancient rubble stone path, and stone steps cut as if by knife or axe... It passes through three townships— Huyuan, Changlv, and Shangguan— very ecological and primal.

Maple Woods Swallowing Spring: Passing through a quiet mountain village, carefully squeezing through a patch of thatch and bamboo groves, you'll reach the 'Fenglin Yequan' (Maple Woods Swallowing Spring), a curious spring surrounded by karst landforms. The water gushes from a crevice in the limestone, emerging into a natural stone trough about a meter long, where it forms two small waterfalls. The water in the trough sometimes overflows and sometimes recedes in a cycle of about ten minutes. Nearby, there are ancient buildings like the Zhang Family Old House, of great historical value—worth a visit if you're passing by.

All is well with the land, peace reigns in the world. People prosper with spring, and spring accommodates them.