Revisiting the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway After 2.5 Years

The opening chapter of 2022: setting off with a couple of friends to Mount Jiuhua, praying for smooth work, a thriving career, harmony in the family, success in children's studies, and good health.

On the eve of departure, we deliberately chose a day with heavy snowfall to head to Mount Jiuhua for worship and pilgrimage. The four of us set off together. The weather was bad at the start, with heavy snow falling. We thought we wouldn't make it, but following the principle of majority rule, we embarked on the journey to Mount Jiuhua. Normally, 500 kilometers would take 6 hours, but due to the heavy snow and the fact that it was the eighth day of the first lunar month—when many were returning to work—the roads were congested, and there were constant accidents. After more than 4 hours, we had only covered half the distance, so we got off the highway at the midpoint to rest for the night.

The next day, the snow was still falling heavily outside. We set off again for Mount Jiuhua. When we reached the Mount Jiuhua area, the mountains, trees, flowers, and grass were all covered by heavy snow. The scenery was truly beautiful, and our mood instantly lifted. Due to the weather, cars were not allowed to drive up the mountain, so the four of us chose a popular guesthouse to stay at. By the time we arrived at the guesthouse, it was already past 4 PM. We checked in and prepared to rest.

What attracted us to this guesthouse was its courtyard, which would be perfect for sitting together in summer, eating, chatting, and drinking beer. But because it was too cold outside, that wasn't possible.

The small courtyard was still very pleasant.

If we had nothing to do, we could sit down and have some tea.

The room was quite nice, with great value for money.

After washing up, the four of us ate, drank, and chatted in the guesthouse, thoroughly enjoying ourselves. Although it's a tourist area where many places overcharge, this guesthouse was good—it had clear pricing and decent food.

I have been to Mount Jiuhua four times, but I still can't figure out the routes in the scenic area. Many guesthouse owners nearby have tour guide licenses, so we asked our host to be our guide. He told us that because of the heavy snow, the scenic area might not open. Our hearts sank—if it didn't open, wouldn't our trip be in vain? We prayed 🙏 that the scenic area would open. The next morning, the host called us and said we could enter. So we packed some simple essentials and set off.

I was amazed that this guesthouse seemed to be doing quite well. The host, acting as our guide, drove his own Audi Q7 to pick us up and drop us off, serving us throughout the entire trip. It was really great.

After half an hour's drive, we arrived at Mount Jiuhua. Every previous visit was in summer; this was the first time in winter, and with such heavy snow. Such a scene I had only seen in my childhood—beautiful memories. The scenery in photos is completely different from what you see with your own eyes; the real view far surpasses the photos.

It was like a scene from a movie.

It felt like a pastoral scene after snowfall—beautiful, indescribably wonderful.

I've never been to the primeval forests in the northeast, but here I could also feel the sensation of a snowy, icy forest.

A touch of warmth in the winter.

You could see the atmosphere of the New Year everywhere.

Such scenes reminded me of nothing but childhood memories.

Chinese classical architecture is inherently solemn, grand, and majestic. But against the backdrop of heavy snow, it appeared even more awe-inspiring and imposing.

I had only seen icicles under eaves when I was a child.

The lush greenery and the white snow created a breathtaking view.

The scenery at the foot of the mountain was already beautiful, but the snowscape on the mountain was even more stunning.

Walking on the mountain plank road, the scene before me was beyond words.

Everything in sight was a painting.

Nature's beauty is already a masterpiece of craftsmanship, and the heavy snowfall added another layer of charm to the scene.

Silly peace sign.

It was so cold, but after walking around, I was completely immersed in nature and didn't feel cold at all. Instead, I felt a surge of warmth and thought how lucky we are to live in this country.

After coming down from the mountain, we went to admire the Great Buddha and pray. Having been here so many times, this was the first time I stood before the Great Buddha and realized how tall it really is.

Seeing this picture suddenly reminded me of a children's song lyric: "Amitabha sits in the center, the four Heavenly Kings stand on both sides, Bodhisattva, bless us."

Due to time constraints, this scene was just a quick stop on the trip.

Our original plan was to burn incense and pray at Mount Jiuhua and then return. But before ending the trip, I had an idea: the Southern Anhui 318 National Highway (the Sichuan-Tibet Highway) wasn't far away, and it would also be covered in snow, surely very beautiful. I persuaded the others, and the four of us set off for the 318 Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway.

The two places are about 100 kilometers apart. We set off in the afternoon and arrived in the evening. We checked in in Ningguo City, very close to the east entrance of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. The next morning, we set out and entered the Southern Anhui 318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway. The last time I came here was in the summer of 2.5 years ago. This time, it felt both familiar and unfamiliar—familiar because I had been here before, unfamiliar because the scenery had become different. Covered in heavy snow, it looked even more beautiful, and some new guesthouses had been added, which was nice.

Yesterday, there was still snow everywhere. But at Chujiatan, it was already a lush green scene.

The stream after the snow was clean and clear in spring.

The traces of snow could still be seen, slowly fading away.

I skipped many parts in the middle: there was no snow at the foot of the mountain, but there was still a lot on the mountain, which was hard to photograph. Besides, the main purpose was to drive this road again, so I didn't stop much.

The six bends—I took a photo. Comparing the winter of 2022 with the summer of 2.5 years ago in 2019, I couldn't help but feel how fast time flies.

For safety reasons, I didn't take many photos of the remaining sections. But the snow-covered Mount Jiuhua and the Sichuan-Tibet Highway are worth exploring. Different seasons, different experiences.