Self-Drive to Tonglu: Experience a Thrilling, Refreshing 'Summer'

Life is a journey brimming with warmth.

There are moments of joy and sorrow, touches of romance and poetry;

sometimes reunions and partings, sometimes rooms filled with laughter.

That’s why we often hear people say, since life is so colorful,

why confine yourself to a tiny apartment, absorbed in daily chores and mundane routines.

Time flies swiftly, so why not seize the chance to go out and explore? The world is vast, and somewhere out there must be the home of your dreams. But when we pick up our backpacks full of passion, we often stand there blankly, wondering: where to go? Which place is truly worth visiting?

Yet for those of us already on the road, the meaning of travel lies in unexpected scenery and sudden shocks of awe.

That unforeseen delight is the real beauty. And so, in this scorching summer, we discovered a perfect summer retreat—Shanwanwan in Tonglu.

This is a summer road trip,

and here’s a “lazy traveler’s” guide to enjoying a laid-back journey~

Documents: ID card, bank card, student ID, retirement card, cash, etc.

Daily necessities: masks, thermos, umbrella, skincare travel set, makeup, tissues, etc.

Gear: Nikon Z6, phone, power bank, data cables, etc.

Clothing: a pretty dress, trendy straw hat, light jacket, umbrella, etc.

The slightly amusing name combined with the beautiful scenery of green hills and clear waters made me fall for it at first sight.

Fans of the show Back to Field must know that this seemingly remote mountain area possesses a beauty akin to a fairyland.

Lush mountains mirror crystal waters; when it drizzles, it’s like a ribbon fluttering among the peaks, like fairies dancing, and the breeze hums softly, putting on a splendid show of colors across the open wilderness.

This distinctive Jiangnan-style delicate beauty, like a modest maiden, enchants you in an instant, making it hard to pull yourself away.

Wild mountains dance, wind carries willow fluff; you can calmly watch an idler sweep fallen blossoms.

I thought there was only rustic romance here, but I never expected so many of nature’s passions hidden.

With the unique natural advantage of interwoven mountains and waters, the locals have created many unexpected attractions.

These scenes, by nature’s uncanny craftsmanship, hide quietly in every unexpected mountain nook, melding, colliding, and blossoming into a different kind of beauty under the veil of hills and streams.

We arrived at noon after a long drive, finally stepping on this unfamiliar land. We hurried with our luggage to the booked homestay, and ‘Qinran Xiaozhu’ came into view. After the rush from the bustling city, all the fatigue seemed to melt away at that sight. After a short rest, I went out to explore the surroundings with Mr. Luobo.

The spacious, bright room instantly made me completely relaxed. Lying on the clean, soft bed, enveloped in comfort, I felt the day’s weariness slowly dissipating. The spacious room with warm, cozy lighting made me feel as if I were lying on a sunlit lawn. The snow-white walls and the starlit lights of the wooden house almost made me think I was drifting through the starry sky.

In the corridor, scarlet starflowers and morning glories vied to bloom along the railing. Emerald green like jade, fiery red like flame, passion and clarity blended perfectly under nature’s carving. This interplay of nature and artifice gave us a unique beauty. Looking out, verdant hills encircled us like guardians, and playful white clouds joined in, drifting around the peaks, creating a fairyland scene.

A rustic house, surrounded by green hills, clouds rolling and mist unfurling~

Enjoy the serene freedom of Tonglu’s countryside, the elegant environment, the soothing nature.

This was probably our first self-drive trip, to see the green hills, emerald bamboo, clear waters, and the most thrilling adventures.

Have you ever seen a mountain crossed with only wooden planks and ropes?

Without hesitation, the moment I saw that high-altitude suspension bridge in Tonglu Shanwanwan, waves of dizziness washed over me.

If walking on water is a martial arts fantasy, then this high-altitude bridge must be a ‘Fairy Crossing’.

You could see two lush mountains facing each other, with no path originally, but two narrow wooden bridges had been built between them.

Because of the height, the bridge had no pillars, suspended only by several steel cables.

The planks were not connected, spaced 50 cm apart, so you could clearly see the scenery under your feet—the green valley and winding river below.

Verdant trees climbed layer upon layer along the hills, standing close to the bridge, as if curious about this new arrival, peeping out, and fearing it might suddenly vanish, they wrapped it with their branches and leaves, creating a unique green landscape. When a gust of wind blew, the bridge would sway with the branches, looking both thrilling and amusing.

As I watched all this nervously, a staff member came up, softly reassuring us and saying that the suspension bridge might look dangerous but was actually extremely safe. Everyone crossing wears a safety harness, and the bridge has been reinforced many times. Apart from the swaying that adds excitement and fun, there’s no danger at all.

Hearing that, I felt much relieved. With the safety harness on, I gingerly stepped onto the bridge you dare not close your eyes on. The first few steps felt like years—the ceaseless swaying, the heart-pounding height, the narrow planks, every step so difficult.

But as I gradually adapted to the gentle rock, my heartbeat slowing, the moment I looked up, I was awestruck again.

I, who once reveled in the verse ‘When reaching the great peak, all other mountains appear small,’ and sought ‘beyond hills and streams, another village appears in willows and flowers,’ found all my dreams’ destinations the moment I looked up here.

The mountains at my feet, winding roads and overlapping peaks in full view, the azure sky, the green hills—everything constantly dazzled my eyes, too much to take in.

With the breeze and sway, I strolled along the bridge, as if lying in nature’s cradle, breathing the freshest air.

Feeling playful, I could strike a few unique poses high up, leaving my mark in the sky—surely a never-before experience.

Summer needs a bit of coolness. Taking advantage of the weekend, we drove all the way to Tonglu, this "International Garden City"～ Check in at the internet-famous glass bridge in Tonglu Shanwanwan!

[Cloud Fluttering – Glass Bridge]

360° panoramic view. Standing on the bridge, blue sky and white clouds above, you can clearly see the lush green valley on both sides below and the Fuchun River, as if suspended in the air～

The glass bridge spans between two mountains, connected at both ends, the whole bridge crossing and hanging in the void. Standing on the glass surface is very thrilling, with a feeling of riding clouds and walking on thin ice～

The moment I stepped onto the bridge, I finally understood why it’s named Cloud Fluttering. Puffs of cloud like cotton candy drifted back and forth beside the bridge, giving a real sense of strolling among clouds.

This glass bridge among the mountains unapologetically incorporates sky, green trees, and peaks, turning the entire transparent bridge into a painting—colorful and bizarrely beautiful.

Below, the winding river shuttles back and forth, faint gurgling sounds reaching the ear, like the music of heaven and earth, bringing utmost comfort. Walking barefoot on the glass bridge, I felt a coolness slowly seep into my entire body through the soles. Strolling with my beloved on this glass bridge, experiencing what it means to be an immortal couple, perhaps this is romance and happiness.

First time experiencing this Instagrammable transparent glass slide, zooming through forests and trees, a chill in the heart and spirits soaring～ The scenic area provides a free raincoat. There are many bends, but you won’t get too wet, and you can still take selfies with your phone!

As we slowly walked in along the gravel path, the soft pebbles felt like tender little hands gently massaging my feet, tickling, and the day's fatigue seemed to dissipate with that soothing touch.

Looking up, the glass slide was like a transparent dragon spiraling up to the clouds. Hearing the shouts of visitors sliding overhead, my heart pounded like a deer, eager to rush forward and have fun on that slick slide.

Putting on the raincoat and approaching the slide, I suddenly heard the sound of rushing water. Huh, how could there be water on a glass slide? A closer look revealed a rapid current flowing continuously on the glass track. A rubber raft was ready and waiting. Seeing the raft, I realized this was actually a glass water slide! Almost instantly, I couldn’t contain my excitement and hurried to the raft.

Settling into a seat steadily, I felt no nervousness at all, only anticipation for the thrilling rafting ahead.

At the signal, the raft shot forward like a colorful lightning bolt down the glass slide, and my body lurched backward uncontrollably. The breeze seemed to get excited too, picking up the spray from the raft and splashing it against my face, blowing my long hair.

That moment, I finally understood why raincoats are needed on a sunny day—without one, you'd be soaked.

The coolness wasn’t just a sensation; it became a suit of clothes tightly wrapping around you, bringing constant refreshment.

Splashes burst continuously around the raft. The lush green trees beside the slide formed a green curtain. Occasionally, when sunlight and blue sky broke through, they created a kaleidoscopic scroll, with light and shadow disarrayed, as if walking into a tunnel of time.

A sudden spin, and the uncontrollable rocking brought a thrill that made you scream—probably a unique kind of exciting and cool joy.

The season of popsicles, watermelon, Arctic soda, BBQ, cold beer, and air-con coolness, of shorts, sunglasses, flip-flops, water basins, buckets, and water guns～ Of course, you need a place to beat the heat and play with water!

Perfect score recommendation 💯: Shanwanwan Rafting

'Big drops, big thrills, big scenery, big speed'—bringing you a 'big' rafting experience like no other!

The entire rafting route boasts beautiful surroundings and fresh air; the feeling of returning to nature and unleashing oneself bursts forth here!

Drifting down through forests of flowers and seas of green, you experience natural fun among mountains, waters, and woods, savoring the unique sensation of forest rafting~

Green hills and clear waters line both banks, picturesque scenery. Riding a rubber boat downstream, you can enjoy the beautiful nature while feeling the thrill of rapids and risky shoals.

When there are many people, you can have water fights and feel the cool. Also remember sun protection—carrying waterproof sunscreen is important. Haha~

After the rope bridge, when I saw a flagstone path thick with historical charm, with scattered leaves on the steps, precipitous mountains, bizarre peaks, and rushing streams—a suspension bridge reaching into the clouds, deep primeval forest, moss-covered stones—a peculiar feeling surged in me. I couldn’t help wondering: 'What place is this? What has it gone through? Why does it have this time-traveling, bizarre sensation?' This profound historical flavor cannot be created by human effort alone; without the carving of time, how could such unique beauty exist?

A staff member introduced it—this is the famous Huizhou Ancient Trail. The old Huizhou road was first built in the Tang Dynasty and perfected during the Ming and Qing dynasties with the rise of Huizhou merchants.

The well-preserved section runs from Xindian Village in Shitai County in the north to the Yuantong Nunnery ruins at the foot of Jugen Ridge, totaling 7.5 km. The entire trail is paved with long rectangular bluestone slabs, 1.5 meters wide.

Every three li or so, a stone pavilion spans the trail, with stone benches inside and side rooms on both wings, for travelers to rest or dine. Well-preserved pavilions include 'Qiyuan Pavilion,' 'Yuquan Pavilion,' 'Guxi Pavilion,' 'Jibao Pavilion,' etc.

Each pavilion has stone inscriptions from when it was built. The many steles and carvings along the way provide invaluable evidence for studying Huizhou culture, especially ancient Huizhou merchants. In 2004, it was listed as a key cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province and is being applied for national-level protection. Since the Ming Dynasty, students from Huizhou have taken this trail to Anqing for provincial exams, and even to the capital for the imperial exam; merchants transported local tea and other products via this trail through Xianyu Mountain to the capital and beyond.

Jagged rocks, leisurely path, the damp and cool air made every breath so comfortable. The refreshing freshness made smiles bloom on our faces.

Wooden fences, stone roads; ancient green trees, an old suspension bridge; a beauty about to cross, and I, too, stroll swaying. This antique beauty made every step feel like stepping across time, carefree between heaven and earth.

I thought only this ancient trail had such unique historical charm, but unexpectedly, even modern structures could feel mottled with time's carving. A few steps further, we saw a dam upstream in the scenic area from afar.

If the verse 'Green hills face each other on both banks, a solitary sail appears from where the sun sets' conveys vast solitude, then this worn dam emerging from green hills and mist is like a simple, honest middle-aged man, staring blankly into the distance, letting water flow slowly, forming clear curtains, reflecting every person and event on the bridge.

Through wind and rain day and night, it silently watches. Maybe one day, it too will become a millennium-old dam, calmly observing the sea change into mulberry fields and the traces of comings and goings.

As the saying goes, food is the first necessity of the people. When traveling, food and clothing are of utmost importance.

A day of fun left us famished. Before even going downstairs, we smelled a natural fragrance mixed with rich food aromas wafting through the air.

What could have such a unique smell?

We quickened our pace and saw a plate of dark green food, like jade, sitting quietly on the table. It had a distinct natural fragrance and came in dumpling-like shapes or round cakes. We were told it's called Qingming Fruit, made by mixing a wild plant with dough to create a unique pastry, filled with special ingredients. There are sweet ones, soft and chewy like desserts, and savory ones with crispy, fragrant fillings like crunchy biscuits. Different shapes carry different flavors, and the natural scent constantly tickles the nose and mouth—a really special delicacy.

Looking to the side, golden corn tempted us to take a bite. This nature-given treat, paired with sweet potato porridge, was extremely healthy and delicious.

Nature's cuisine didn’t fully satisfy my craving for new things. To my delight, the delicacies of Yanchun Farmhouse arrived as eagerly awaited.

Dishes were laid out one after another, flavors bursting on the tongue with a hint of sweetness;

slices of firm, juicy lamb and beef, tight in texture and rich in meaty aroma—a rare treat.

Not to mention the local crucian carp, savory and tender, healthy and delicious.

Chicken and duck dishes followed like snowflakes.

If the earlier dishes were natural gifts from nature, these were nature's presents. As a meat lover, it was an ultimate indulgence.

Homemade potato cakes from the farm—Mr. Luobo’s favorite~

Life is like this, with its sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and daily necessities, but as long as you search and discover, you’ll always find life’s warmth.

In this sweltering summer, why not take a relaxing road trip to Shanwanwan in Tonglu?

Go see the outside world, fully embrace its beauty, and believe that somewhere, at some unexpected moment, a special feeling will come to you.