From Southern Fujian to Southern Anhui (A Trip to Xiamen, Huangshan, and Hongcun) (May 19-24, 2020)
At the beginning of the new year, an unexpected epidemic swept across China, and everything around seemed to have pressed the pause button. In response to the nation's call to prevent the spread of the epidemic, I stayed at home quietly and spent a special Spring Festival. After the Lantern Festival, I returned to the city where I work, but the familiar city had lost its former hustle and bustle. Then began nearly three months of remote work from home. After a period of static management and the joint efforts of the whole country, the epidemic in China was effectively controlled. The sudden epidemic severely affected our daily lives and also disrupted my travel plans for this year. I had originally planned to travel to Japan in May this year and had applied for a Japanese visa early last year. Now I can only watch the visa expire. So we decided to change our plans and travel domestically. Finally, we chose two main cities: Xiamen and Huangshan. We made a few days of preparation and planned a six-day itinerary. We flew to Xiamen on the evening of May 19th and returned to Beijing on May 24th. Although the time was tight, every day was fulfilling. It was tiring but joyful, and our long-suppressed hearts were finally released!
DAY1 (Tuesday, May 19, 2020) —— Beijing — (train) — Tianjin — (plane) — Xiamen, stayed in Xiamen
To save time on the road, we chose the latest flight. After work, I headed straight to the train station to catch the train to Tianjin Airport (after comparing prices, it saved about 300 yuan per person compared to departing from Beijing. Saving money is the hard truth). It is very convenient from Beijing to Tianjin Airport. Take the high-speed train from Beijing South Station to Tianjin Station, then transfer to the subway. There is no risk of traffic jams on the road. The whole journey took only about an hour, similar to the time it takes to go to Beijing Airport. The plane arrived in Xiamen at around midnight.
DAY2 (Wednesday, May 20, 2020) Stayed on Gulangyu Island, Yundang Lake, Bailuzhou Park, Gulangyu Island (Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, Haoyue Garden, Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall, etc.)
Before this, due to the epidemic, there was not much choice of exercise, so I often jogged in the residential area and surrounding areas to resist the growing body fat. Coming to Xiamen, a famous running destination in China, I naturally wanted to experience the local running environment. So I chose a hotel near the pier to Gulangyu Island, close to Yundang Lake, which was convenient for both running and traveling. I set the alarm for 5:30 before going to bed. In the morning, I got up, pulled the curtain to check the weather, and saw it was a bit cloudy. I struggled to get out of bed, washed up briefly, and went out. Although I had only slept for about three hours, thinking about the upcoming lake run, I was still a bit excited.
In the early morning, Yundang Lake was quiet and peaceful, with a faint smell of seawater in the air.
The walking path around the lake was very comfortable for both walking and running.
The road surface was slightly uneven, suitable for jogging. On one side were green grass and flowers, on the other was the sea, which could relieve the boredom of running.
The White Egret Goddess statue in Bailuzhou Park is one of Xiamen's landmarks.
Running around the lake was about 12 kilometers. I ran and stopped along the way, taking photos. Although tired, it was worth it with the beautiful scenery along the way.
After running, I returned to the hotel around 8:00, hurriedly packed up, and had a quick breakfast in the restaurant. Then I stored my luggage at the hotel and went to the Cruise Center Pier with a small backpack, ready to go to Gulangyu Island. Due to the epidemic, the Xiamen municipal government required that ferry tickets to Gulangyu Island and tickets for attractions on the island be reserved in advance. According to the reservation time, we arrived at the pier. The 9:30 ferry had few people, no queue, and after about ten minutes, the boat docked at Sanqiutian Pier on Gulangyu Island. After a five-minute walk, we arrived at the hotel. The hotel guy was very enthusiastic. He not only introduced the route for sightseeing but also gave us a hand-drawn map of the island. When we checked out the next day, my wife left her necklace behind. The guy contacted me in time and helped send it by express. An honest shopkeeper, thumbs up. This was my third time in Xiamen, so I didn't take many photos along the way. During the epidemic, many attractions in Xiamen, such as Hulishan Fort and Sunlight Rock, were free of charge, only requiring advance reservation. The discount was valid until June 30, 2020.
There was an observation deck on the roof of the hotel, overlooking Sunlight Rock in the distance.
Sunlight Rock, the highest point on Gulangyu Island, takes only about ten minutes to climb to the top. During the epidemic, the top level was temporarily closed.
Shuzhuang Garden is a building left over from the last century. The trestle bridge built along the coast is the best place to enjoy the sea view.
Zheng Chenggong's stone statue in Haoyue Garden looks very majestic. The national hero stands on the front line of the coast defense!
The vegetation on the island is lush, the air is fresh, and the whole place is filled with the fragrance of grass.
The bronze cannon in the Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall is exquisitely crafted and looks very grand.
Most of the buildings on the island are European-style, unique in style.
This church is also one of the characteristic buildings on the island. Many wedding couples come here to take photos.
Coming out of Shuzhuang Garden is a beach. Sitting on the shore and blowing the sea breeze can drive away the fatigue of the day.
The lighthouse on the sea and the Yanwu Bridge are clearly visible. The Xiamen Convention and Exhibition Center in the distance towers into the clouds.
The stone paths on the island are clean and tidy.
DAY3 (Thursday, May 21, 2020) - Hulishan Fort - Zengcuoan - Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street - Xiamen Airport - Huangshan Tangkou Town Hotel, stayed in Huangshan
Hulishan Fort is also a characteristic scenic spot in Xiamen. The fort was built in the Qing Dynasty more than a hundred years ago. It once resisted foreign invasion and was the ancient coastal defense front of our country.
Looking down from Hulishan Fort, you can see Baicheng Beach and Yanwu Bridge. The sky was drizzling with light rain, and visibility was low.
Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street is a famous commercial street in Xiamen. The architecture is similar to Haikou's arcade old street and Shanghai's Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.
Due to the epidemic, Xiamen University and Nanputuo Temple were not open. So after Zhongshan Road, we went to yesterday's hotel to pick up our luggage and headed straight to the airport. There are three direct flights from Xiamen to Huangshan every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. It took about an hour to arrive at Huangshan Airport. The driver we booked in advance on Ctrip was already waiting at the airport. The driver was very talkative and a local native. He kept introducing his city to us all the way. The epidemic has greatly affected tourism and related industries. The driver also had many feelings, but he was very optimistic. He believed that everything would pass. Although winter is cold, spring will eventually come, and everyone will soon live a normal life. The highway took us directly to the hotel at the foot of Huangshan Mountain, about 60 kilometers away. We arrived at the hotel around 9:00 p.m. Although the journey was tiring, staying at the foot of the mountain ensured we could set off early the next day to climb Huangshan. We looked forward to the hiking trip tomorrow.
The highway from the airport to Huangshan Mountain passes through many tunnels. The decorative lights in the tunnels are very beautiful and colorful.
There are many hotels in Tangkou Town at the foot of Huangshan Mountain. It is very lively at night. It is very convenient to buy things and eat, and the prices are not expensive. The hotel is less than two kilometers from the transfer entrance for climbing Huangshan.
The decoration of the hotel is also good. The lobby is hung with characteristic Anhui landscape paintings. It costs about 200 yuan per night, not expensive, and the environment is quiet and comfortable.
DAY4 (Friday, May 22, 2020) One-day tour of Huangshan Scenic Area, stayed in Huangshan
Huangshan was the most anticipated attraction of this trip. I got up before six in the morning. After breakfast at the hotel, I arrived at the hotel lobby at 7:00. The hotel provided a free car to take us to the entrance of the scenic area. It was a bit cloudy, and the temperature was very comfortable, just right for climbing. Because we only arranged one day, the advance preparation was still necessary. I bought the relevant tickets and cable car tickets online in advance to save time. After comparison, the chosen route was: go up from the back mountain, come down from the front mountain, take two cable cars and one ground tram. The specific itinerary is as follows:
Hotel departure (7:15) - Transfer Center (7:30) - (must take the scenic area shuttle bus into the mountain) - Yungu Temple (8:05) - (cable car) - White Goose New Station (8:30) - Beginning to Believe Peak (8:45) - Harp Pine (8:55) - Black Tiger Pine (9:15) - Beihai Hotel - King Pine (9:35) - Xihai Hotel - Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion (9:50) - (First Ring) - (Second Ring) - Xihai Grand Canyon bottom Paiyunxi Station (11:45) - (ground tram) - Tianhai Station (12:05) - Lunch break 40 minutes (until 12:50) - Bright Summit (13:10) - Enjoy the scenery on Bright Summit for 50 minutes (until 14:00) - Qunfeng Summit (14:10) - Flying Stone (14:45) - Return the same way to Bright Summit (15:20) - Haixin Pavilion (15:35) - Hundred-Step Cloud Ladder (16:15) - Welcoming Pine (17:00) - Yuping Cable Car (17:20) - Ciguang Pavilion (17:30) - Hotel (waited about 30 minutes for shuttle bus, arrived at 18:40). The whole journey took about 11 hours. The cost per person for tickets, cable cars, and shuttle bus was 498 yuan. To visit more attractions, we took all three cable cars along the way. The price was a bit expensive.
The sign at the entrance of the scenic area clearly displays real-time data such as weather and number of visitors.
One of Huangshan's Ten Famous Pines - Harp Pine
One of Huangshan's Ten Famous Pines - Black Tiger Pine
There were many squirrels on the mountain. They were not afraid of people. When they saw people coming, they would come up to ask for food.
It was the season for azaleas on the mountain, colorful and gorgeous.
One of Huangshan's Ten Famous Pines - King Pine
Looking down from Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion at Xihai Grand Canyon, it was quite spectacular.
Camel Peak looming in the mist.
The bottom of Xihai Grand Canyon.
The trendy ground tram in Xihai Grand Canyon.
Emperor Kangxi's imperial brush near Tianhai.
The hardworking porters. All the supplies on the mountain were carried up by them bit by bit. They walked very fast.
Bright Summit Meteorological Station.
The helipad on Bright Summit. If I become rich in the future, I can take a helicopter directly to Bright Summit.
It felt like 'the mountains are dwarfed by the summit.'
One is the fairy bloom in the fairyland, the other is the flawless jade – the melody seemed to echo in my ears. The prototype of the Flying Stone from 'Dream of the Red Chamber'.
A pool of clear water behind the mountain.
Looking closely at the Flying Stone, it was really big.
The clouds and mist dispersed, revealing grotesque rocks.
Viewing Lotus Peak in the distance (due to time, we didn't climb it).
The symbol of Huangshan - Welcoming Pine.
DAY5 (Saturday, May 23, 2020) Hongcun - Mukeng Bamboo Sea Scenic Area, stayed in Hongcun
After a full day of intense exercise yesterday, my calves were very sore. Today's itinerary was relatively relaxed, a leisure and health day.
After breakfast and checking out, we took a shared car for 40 minutes to reach Hongcun scenic area.
Corner of South Lake, as the sun set.
Blue sky, white clouds, green mountains, and clear water.
Characteristic shops in Hongcun.
Scenery like postcards.
Due to the epidemic, there were not many people in the market. The craftsmanship was average and not very distinctive, but the dried bamboo shoots, bamboo fungus, tea, and other local products were genuine and of great value for money.
The characteristic homestay we stayed in.
Mukeng Bamboo Sea Scenic Area (about four kilometers from Hongcun).
Glass bridge across the bamboo sea.
Self-service unmanned shopping cart.
Filming location of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' starring Chow Yun-fat and Zhang Ziyi.
When a gust of wind blew, it seemed as if I could hear the sound of Li Mubai wielding his sword.
Rest area for tourists at the foot of the mountain.
Bamboo breezes refreshing and cool.
DAY6 (Sunday, May 24, 2020) Huangshan North - Beijing
In the morning, after checking out, we took a shared car at the entrance of Hongcun scenic area to Huangshan North Railway Station, about 70 minutes by car. Then we took the high-speed train back to Beijing, ending almost a week of joyful journey. Looking forward to the next trip.
