March 2024 Self-Drive Travel Guide to Zhejiang and Jiangsu (Part 1): Jianglang Mountain, Qiandao Lake, Moganshan in Zhejiang

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Zhejiang - Quzhou - Jiangshan - Jianglang Mountain

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake

Zhejiang - Huzhou - Deqing - Moganshan

Jiangsu - Wuxi - Yixing - Yixing Bamboo Sea

Jiangsu - Yangzhou - Sanwan Scenic Area of the Grand Canal

Jiangsu - Yangzhou - Slender West Lake

Jiangsu - Taizhou - Xinghua - Qianduo Scenic Area - Rapeseed Flower Fields

Jiangsu - Yangzhou - Ge Garden

In the sunny March, everything revives; the land south of the Yangtze River is bathed in bright spring light. In this beautiful season of spring and clear skies, we set off from Shantou, Guangdong, driving to Zhejiang and Jiangsu for a trip. The duration was 12 days from March 22 to April 2, covering 3,550 kilometers.

The main destination of this trip and the place where we stayed the longest was Yangzhou, Jiangsu. While experiencing a delightful 'fireworks in March go down to Yangzhou' and personally feeling the stunning beauty of Jiangnan, we also visited many scenic spots along the way, including Jianglang Mountain, Qiandao Lake, and Moganshan in Zhejiang; Yixing Bamboo Sea, Xinghua Qianduo Scenic Area, and Zhenjiang Jinshan Temple in Jiangsu. Full of happiness and shared beauty.

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake

Jiangsu - Wuxi - Yixing - Yixing Bamboo Sea - Jinghu Lake

Jiangsu - Yangzhou - Slender West Lake

Jiangsu - Yangzhou - Slender West Lake - Five-Pavilion Bridge and White Pagoda

Jiangsu - Yangzhou - Slender West Lake

Jiangsu - Yangzhou - Jianzhen Library Cherry Blossom Avenue

It must be said that the invitation of the poem 'fireworks in March go down to Yangzhou' is quite reliable. Every year in March, the south of the Yangtze River is already a wonderful time of spring and blooming flowers. Especially the representative scenic spot of Yangzhou, Slender West Lake, with its peach blossoms red and willows green, is much more beautiful than at other times. After visiting, it will leave a wonderful and deep impression on everyone. Of course, if you choose to come in the lunar March, the scenery in many places might be even better, but the cherry blossoms on Jianzhen Library Cherry Blossom Avenue and at Sanwan Scenic Area of the Grand Canal, like clouds and rosy clouds, full of blossoms, might miss the best viewing period.

In addition, during this trip to Yangzhou, a slight regret was that due to tourists coming from all over the country, every scenic spot was crowded, especially several popular ones which were overcrowded. Even when we wanted to taste the famous morning tea culture here, it was said that we would have to queue for hours, so we had to give up. These situations more or less affected the mood and experience of the tour, but the flaws do not detract from the jade. Regardless, Yangzhou in March is still very worth visiting and checking in.

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Tianyu Scenic Area - Overlooking Qiandao Lake Bridge from the viewing platform

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Meifeng Island - Overlooking Qiandao Lake

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Sunset

Zhejiang - Huzhou - Deqing - Moganshan

Jiangsu - Wuxi - Yixing - Yixing Bamboo Sea - Jinghu Lake

Jiangsu - Yangzhou - Slender West Lake - Distant View of White Pagoda

Jiangsu - Yangzhou - Slender West Lake

Jiangsu - Zhenjiang - 'Three Mountains' Scenic Area - Jinshan - Jinshan Temple

D1-D4 (March 22 to March 25): Depart from Shantou City, Guangdong, and visit scenic spots along the way including Jianglang Mountain in Quzhou, Zhejiang, Qiandao Lake in Hangzhou, and Moganshan in Huzhou.

First Stop: Jianglang Mountain in Quzhou, Zhejiang (D2, March 23)

Jianglang Mountain is located in Shimen Town, Jiangshan City, Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province. In August 2010, it was inscribed on the World Natural Heritage List as part of the 'China Danxia' serial nomination. The natural landscape of Jianglang Mountain is steep and extraordinary. The main body of the mountain consists of three towering giant rocks. Legend has it that in ancient times, three brothers surnamed Jiang climbed to the top and turned into these three huge rocks, hence the name Jianglang Mountain. The three giant rocks rise straight into the sky, over 360 meters high. They resemble stone pillars and stalagmites, shaped as if cut by knives and axes, arranged in a '川' shape from north to south: Lang Peak, Ya Peak, and Ling Peak, commonly called 'Three Planks of Stone'. The great ancient Chinese geographer Xu Xiake visited Jiangshan three times and wrote about Jianglang Mountain, highly praising its 'uniqueness, danger, and mystery'. Jianglang Mountain Scenic Area is a national key scenic spot and a national 5A-level scenic area, known as 'the most spectacular in the world, the most beautiful in the southeast'.

Zhejiang - Quzhou - Jiangshan - Jianglang Mountain

Zhejiang - Quzhou - Jiangshan - Jianglang Mountain - Xiake Pavilion

Zhejiang - Quzhou - Jiangshan - Jianglang Mountain - Kanke Ridge

Zhejiang - Quzhou - Jiangshan - Jianglang Mountain - Xunv Lake

1. Although the scenic area shuttle bus takes you to the hillside, you still need to climb many steps up and down during the tour.

2. According to information, nearby there is the Nianbadu Ancient Town Tourist Area that can be visited together. Due to time constraints, we did not go.

3. On the way from Jianglang Mountain to Qiandao Lake, you can also pass by Qingyang Mao's Cultural Village, Quzhou City Wall, and other attractions.

Zhejiang - Quzhou - Jiangshan - Jianglang Mountain - Weiren Peak

Zhejiang - Quzhou - Jiangshan - Jianglang Mountain - Yixian Tian (A Thread of Sky)

Zhejiang - Quzhou - Jiangshan - Qingyang Mao's Cultural Village

Zhejiang - Quzhou - Quzhou City Wall

Zhejiang - Quzhou - Quzhou City Wall - Overlooking the ancient city from Quzhou City Wall

Second Stop: Qiandao Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang (D3, March 24)

Qiandao Lake Scenic Area, more accurately called Xin'anjiang Reservoir, is located in Chun'an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. It is an artificial lake formed by the damming of the Xin'anjiang River and is also the largest artificial lake in China. Qiandao Lake is situated in the hinterland of the Yangtze River Delta, 129 km east of Hangzhou and 140 km west of Huangshan, covering an area of 982 square kilometers, of which the lake area is 573 square kilometers. The lake is dendritic in shape, with 1,078 islands of various sizes scattered in the lake, each with different shapes, some dense, some sparse, arranged in order. The lake surface is vast, deep, and boundless, like the sea. Meanwhile, the forest coverage here reaches 95%, earning it the name 'Green Qiandao Lake'. Qiandao Lake is the lake with the most islands in the world, together with Thousand Islands Lake in Kingston, Ottawa, Canada, and Xian Island Lake in Yangxin, Huangshi, Hubei, known as the 'Three Major Thousand-Island Lakes in the World'. Qiandao Lake Scenic Area is a popular choice for leisure vacations in Jiangsu and Zhejiang and is a national 5A-level scenic area.

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Cruise Terminal

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Moonlight Island

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Meifeng Island - Cable Car

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Meifeng Island

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Meifeng Island - Overlooking Qiandao Lake

1. The town of Qiandao Lake in Chun'an County, where the scenic area is located, has developed rapidly in recent years, with numerous hotels and restaurants, offering a range of high, medium, and low-end options. Staying at a hotel or guesthouse near the lake not only offers good views but also easy access to the scenic area.

2. Qiandao Lake is divided into two lake areas: the Central Lake Area and the Southeast Lake Area. If time is limited, the Central Lake Area is a good choice for visiting Qiandao Lake, and you can arrange according to your schedule. The Central Lake Area was developed earlier and is more famous; climbing Meifeng Island allows you to overlook the entire lake.

3. Although taking a boat is the common way to visit, if possible, you can drive around the lake to better enjoy the beautiful lakeside scenery and cultural landscapes.

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Meifeng Island - Overlooking Qiandao Lake

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Sunset

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Lakeside Guesthouse

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake Town - Xiushui Street

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake Town - Cherry blossoms in full bloom by the roadside

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Tianyu Scenic Area

Zhejiang - Hangzhou - Chun'an - Qiandao Lake - Tianyu Scenic Area - Overlooking Qiandao Lake from the viewing platform

Third Stop: Moganshan in Huzhou, Zhejiang (D3, March 25)

Moganshan Scenic Area is located in Deqing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, belonging to the remaining vein of Tianmu Mountain, with the main peak Tashan at an altitude of 758 meters. It is 60 km southeast of Hangzhou and 200 km northeast of Shanghai, with temperatures 6-7 degrees lower than Shanghai and Hangzhou. It has long been known as a 'cool world' and is one of China's four major summer resorts, together with Beidaihe, Lushan, and Jigong Mountain. The mountain not only has dense bamboo forests but also over 200 charming old villas, like a paradise. Its rich natural and cultural landscapes and huge celebrity effect make it a popular summer resort in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region.

Zhejiang - Huzhou - Moganshan

1. Purchase scenic area shuttle tickets at the Moganshan Tourist Center for going up and down the mountain; it is very convenient for visiting various attractions, like taking a bus.

2. Whether to stay on the mountain or at the foot depends on your preference and budget. Staying in guesthouses on the mountain generally costs more but is the first choice for leisure and summer retreat.

On the way to Yixing Bamboo Sea in Jiangsu, we also passed by the Taihu Lake Tourist Resort and Moon Square in Huzhou.

Zhejiang - Huzhou - Moganshan

Zhejiang - Huzhou - Moon Square - Moon Hotel

Zhejiang - Huzhou - Taihu Lake Tourist Resort

Continued in 'March 2024 Self-Drive Travel Guide to Zhejiang and Jiangsu (Part 2): Yixing Bamboo Sea in Jiangsu, Xinghua Qianduo Scenic Area'