A golden self-driving route, yet netizens complain 'it's just so-so' – what makes it so popular?

Not long ago, I posted on various media platforms the rural scenery of the first stop of the popular 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route', which has become a hit across the country. Many people said the environment was elegant and suitable for leisure vacations. However, a small number of netizens complained that such a scenic spot was just so-so, nothing fresh or novel. A very few even said that this scenic area is not as good as the area near their own homes.

If the scenery at the first stop of this scenic area is 'just so-so', and even inferior to the scenery near a few netizens' homes, then why has the 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route' become so popular? Why has it swept the entire country? And why is no one interested in 'your' doorstep?

During this year's May Day holiday, I decided not to go on a long trip, but to take a leisurely tour nearby instead. So I chose the very popular 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route' as the destination for this leisure trip. Upon entering the scenic area, I was immediately captivated by the serene environment at the first stop. Although there are many such environments in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui regions, such quiet places are rare. So I decided to spend a few more hours at this first stop.

I initially thought this was an uninhabited, pristine area, but it turned out to be a small village with several farm households. Local young people have also moved back from the city to the countryside. Such an environment is really too comfortable. So after my trip, I shared the ecological environment and beautiful scenery of the 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route'. However, some netizens said that it's just so-so, just a rural river.

To be honest, such ecological environments are not rare across the country, but that doesn't mean every place in the country has this kind of air quality, ecological environment, green vegetation, good public security, and interestingness. Perhaps such scenery is not unusual for nearby areas, but why can this 'just so-so' scenic spot become popular all over the country?

If this 'just so-so' scenic spot has no unique features, how could it become a recommended national self-driving route, starting from an area with very poor transportation? Moreover, this scenic spot is just the first stop of the 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route', which has over 13 named scenic spots, and countless unnamed ones. For example, this 'just so-so' scenic spot in front of me has no name – I don't even know what it's called. I only know it's the first stop of the 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route' in the countryside.

The 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route' is located in the western outskirts of Ningguo City, Anhui Province. Starting from Qinglong Township, it passes through many scenic spots and ends at Taoling in Jingxian County. It is a rural road connecting Ningguo and Jingxian. This road is loved by self-driving enthusiasts from surrounding areas because of its beautiful scenery, amazing mountain structures, and excellent ecology. This self-driving route is not only popular in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui but also highly recommended by self-driving enthusiasts across the country. It seems that this 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route' is not 'just so-so' as some netizens say!

On this golden self-driving route, cycling is also possible. Many people ride from far away to here. Short-distance cyclists include enthusiasts from nearby Xuancheng, Guangde, Anji, Hangzhou, Jixi, Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi, Shanghai, and other places. Self-driving and cycling have become highlights of the 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route'. I, Shanye Jun, really like the environment here, so I am happy to share the scenery with everyone. However, I cannot share the local air quality or the environmental quality here. If you want to experience this feeling, why not come and visit!

Why has this golden self-driving route, popular across the country, become so hot? Many people think it's because of the rugged and majestic mountain roads, others think it's the 'Jiangnan Kanas' redwood forest scenic area, and some say it's the laid-back weekend getaway features. These are all reasons why the 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route' has become popular, but there are also many non-negligible elements.

The poetic rural environment of 'small bridges, flowing water, and houses; ancient roads, west wind, and thin horses' cannot be ignored. Amidst the green mountains and clear waters, you breathe incredibly refreshing air. Inadvertently, you catch a glimpse of antique charm and the villas of rural households – this feeling is extraordinary.

The rapid development of the domestic urban economy and the accelerated process of urban-rural integration have turned places that were once remote and impoverished into poetic and picturesque countryside. Everywhere is the flavor of the countryside, the memories of childhood, and the breath of the primitive. This feeling can no longer be seen in the city. Especially for those with a better material standard of living, coming to such an environment is even more delightful. Even someone like me, Shanye Jun, with an ordinary material life, absolutely loves this environment, let alone the wealthy.

On the 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route', you can see many wild fruits and game. For example, this wild fruit that looks like a strawberry is edible. Locals in Ningguo call this wild fruit 'Mengzi'. As for the origin of the name, I, Shanye Jun, don't know. Anyway, I know that most of the wild fruits here are basically edible. If you're worried about poison, you can ask the local villagers.

Our original plan was to complete the entire 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route' in 2-3 days, but unfortunately, there were too many people on the self-driving route – truly worthy of being a golden self-driving route. Because it was the May Day holiday, many tourist buses from nearby cities also came in. So we decided to give up continuing forward and just stay at the first stop of the 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route'. We'll come back on a non-holiday to have a proper self-driving trip.

So we chose a relatively hidden and safe place to camp. Unexpectedly, many self-driving tourists who planned to complete the entire route gathered here to set up tents. Seeing the lively scene, I felt that camping on the 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route' is also a great way to spend a weekend. What do you think?

Of course, you can also find a suitable spot near a rural town to barbecue and cook. Although this self-driving trip on the 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route' couldn't proceed as planned, I experienced another kind of self-driving travel lifestyle. Camping in the wild and barbecuing is also a very nice experience – really good. In this way, this 'Wannan Sichuan-Tibet Route', which some netizens complained was 'just so-so', still has people who like it. For instance, I, Shanye Jun, am one of them. After I finish the entire route in the future, I will share it with everyone again. Perhaps then many people will no longer agree that this is a 'just so-so' tourist attraction, right?