[2020 Huihang Ancient Road] Two-Day Trip from Shanghai, Forward Trek, Detailed, Practical Travel Guide with [Shimen Gorge]

A scenic spot I had longed to visit for years during college, finally realized in a spontaneous trip. Due to the pandemic, I originally planned to go in spring, March or April, when flowers bloom and everything is vibrant, expecting the scenery along the ancient road to be pleasant and the climate more suitable. However, for safety, we waited until the epidemic was much better controlled before setting off.

In May and June, Anhui enters the rainy season, with more rainfall, and the scenery changes accordingly. On sunny days, the ancient road is nestled by mountains and rivers, with blue skies and white clouds, and lush vegetation; on rainy days, it drizzles, adding a touch of Jiangnan charm.

· Duration: 2 days

· People: 3

· Cost: 700 yuan/person (including all expenses, details below)

· Main transportation: High-speed rail

· Accommodation: Inn inside the scenic area

· Attractions visited: Huihang Ancient Road, Shimen Gorge

[Itinerary]

Day 1: Depart from Shanghai Hongqiao in the morning, have lunch in the county town, take a chartered car to the scenic area. The Jixi Ancient Road starts at 2:00 PM on the first day, and we stay overnight at Xiaxuetang.

Day 2: Exit the scenic area at noon, have lunch at a nearby farmhouse, then take a chartered car to Shimen Gorge Scenic Area, then go to Changhua, take a bus to Hangzhou, and then return to Shanghai Hongqiao from Hangzhou East.

(The text also mentions non-chartered car transportation tips, see the transportation section for details.)

[Writing structure]: This article is recorded in chronological order and divided into the following sections: Introduction, Transportation, Dining, Scenic Area. There are many pictures and text; the author has recorded as detailed as possible. Estimated reading time: 3-5 minutes. You can quickly view the corresponding section through the table of contents.

Here is an excerpt from Baidu's [Introduction] to the scenic area to give everyone a basic understanding.

[Huihang Ancient Road] starts from Fuling Town, Jixi County, Anhui Province, and ends at Zhejitian Village, Qingliangfeng Town, Lin'an District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, with a total length of over 20 kilometers. Before the Hanghui highway was opened, it was a shortcut for Huizhou people, especially Jixi people, to reach Shanghai and Hangzhou, shortening the distance by over 50 kilometers compared to going around Yuling Pass. Huihang Ancient Road was built in the Tang Dynasty and is the third famous ancient road in China after the "Silk Road" and the "Tea Horse Road". It was an important trade route for Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants in ancient times and played a significant political, economic, and cultural role in history. It is also a corridor combining natural scenery and mysterious culture.

[Keywords]: Over 20 km, Jixi - Lin'an, trade route between Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants.

On the map below, the white section is the hiking section of Huihang Ancient Road.

We stayed at an inn in the scenic area, without carrying tents or other gear. We kept our belongings simple for reference.

· Hat (sun protection, moisture protection)

· Sunglasses (for posing in photos)

· Hiking poles (helpful for trekking; bamboo poles are also sold in the scenic area for 1-2 yuan each)

· Cash (signal is poor in the mountains; it's best to bring some change)

· Snacks (to replenish energy, such as chocolate, beef jerky)

· Trash bags (carry out any trash; protect the scenic area; do not litter)

· Rain gear (tourist areas in Anhui generally have high rainfall, especially in May and June when showers are frequent; it's recommended to check the weather and bring disposable raincoats or folding umbrellas)

· Insect repellent (mosquito and bug protection)

· Long pants and lightweight jacket (best to wear long pants to avoid insects)

· Change of clothes (hiking makes you sweat easily)

· Sunscreen (UV rays are strong in the mountains)

· Power bank and charging cable

· Toiletries

· ID documents

During the hike, I saw some people tying [printed ribbons] to trees as souvenirs. This is a personal preference; you can customize them in advance.

We departed from Shanghai Hongqiao on Friday morning, May 29, 2020, by high-speed rail.

If choosing the [Shanghai Hongqiao - Jixi North] direct train, it is G7311, departing at 10:53 and arriving at 13:08, taking 2 hours and 15 minutes, with stops at [Shanghai Hongqiao - Jiaxing South - Hangzhou East - Jiande - Qiandao Lake - Jixi North]. Although the direct train is convenient, we felt that arriving in Jixi was a bit late, and with only two days, the schedule was too tight.

We chose the route [Shanghai Hongqiao - Hangzhou East - Jixi North], transferring at Hangzhou East, which offers more train options and allows us to arrive in Jixi earlier.

[Main transportation details] We took D3201, Shanghai Hongqiao - Hangzhou East, departing at 8:20, arriving at 9:28, 1 hour 8 minutes. Then G1603, Hangzhou East at 10:09 - arriving at Jixi North at 11:30, 1 hour 21 minutes. Total time: 2 hours 29 minutes + 41 minutes transfer waiting time. Since it was still during the epidemic, we allowed ample transfer time.

[Main transportation cost] 59 + 101 = 160 yuan.

After arriving in Jixi at noon, my college roommate (a local) took us to a Huizhou restaurant, starting our Anhui hiking trip with a taste of local cuisine. The restaurant was about 1 km from the high-speed rail station, a 20-minute walk.

Recommended three dishes: grilled fish (unexpectedly tender and smooth), stir-fried river shrimp (dry and fragrant), and braised stinky tofu (crispy outside and tender inside). Overall, Huizhou cuisine is salty, fragrant, spicy, with rich and thick sauces, and intense flavor.

I regretted not having the hairy tofu I had been craving, but fortunately, the restaurant was excellent, earning unanimous praise from our group.

Local transportation refers to the way to get to the scenic area after lunch. Two options are available:

a. [Bus] Right next to the high-speed rail station. There was a timetable posted nearby (see picture below), but it was heavily scribbled and unclear. When I asked the staff (who had poor attitude), they said the timetable is for reference only and actual departure times prevail.

Price: 10 yuan/person. Small minibus (about 10-20 people, with a strong gasoline smell). It has stops and takes about 1 hour.

This option is suitable if you have few people and ample time. Since we were three and had lunch in the county town, we didn't want to walk back to the station. For convenience, we chose to take a taxi.

b. [Taxi] Didi is available in Jixi. My roommate asked friends who had been there and said the taxi fare from the station to the scenic area is under 100 yuan.

We ordered a taxi from the restaurant, and it was quickly accepted. The platform estimated the fare at around 70 yuan. Since the driver had to return empty, he informed us in advance that he would add 20 yuan to the meter. We agreed with the driver that as long as we arrived safely and the total did not exceed 100 yuan, it was fine. The driver was friendly, introduced the sights along the way, and finally dropped us off directly at the scenic area ticket office.

[Destination GPS] Huihang Ancient Road (Jiangnan Village, Fuling Town)

[Distance] 28 km

[Time] About 40 minutes by car

[Cost] 72.62 + 20 yuan.

The picture above is a [photo of the ticket] for Huihang Ancient Road. On the back is a [scenic area guide map]. On-site ticket price is 62 yuan/person, half price for students, free for seniors and local residents. During the epidemic, medical workers are free until the end of the year, but guides need a group itinerary to be exempted.

For more details, you can also visit the [official website] of Jixi Ancient Road for inquiries and contact. The website is regularly maintained, showing good effort.

Our route (forward trek):

[Entrance - Jiangnan First Pass - Huangmaopei - Xiaxuetang (overnight) - Lantian Notch - Yonglai Village]

There are farm stays along the way for accommodation and meals.

At supply points along the route, Nongfu Spring water is 5 yuan per bottle, Kangshifu mineral water is 10 yuan for 3 bottles. Prices are reasonable.

At [Fozhang Peak], we met a网红 old man who is good at taking photos (reportedly there are short videos of him online). After buying water, he took a "group photo" for us as shown below.

We started climbing at 2:00 PM. It was the rainy season, and heavy rain posed a challenge. With stops for photos, it took us 4 hours to reach accommodation at [Xiaxuetang], checking in at 6:00 PM.

From the beginning at [Yuchuan] (the entrance) to [Jiangnan First Pass], there are many steps, surrounded by mountain streams. The latter part is mostly flat and easy to walk.

When we reached [Xiaxuetang] (there is a sign pointing to Xiaxuetang - Shangxuetang - Lantian Notch, with a supply stall and a container warehouse), there was a fork (as shown below).

Going up (left) leads to [Xiaoyao Village]; if you go that way to [Lantian Notch], you have to return the same way.

Going down (right) leads to [Xiaxuetang] and [Lantian Notch]. You need to cross a wooden suspension bridge (due to rain, the water was rapid, and the wood was a bit loose, making it a bit scary).

After crossing the bridge, turning right for 20 minutes leads to the [Xiaxuetang] cluster of guesthouses. If you turn left after crossing the bridge, you go to [Xiaoyao Lvku], taking a section of ancient road with dense trees, and after a loop, you eventually reach [Xiaxuetang] as well. The left path is a bit steep and has side trails that are easy to get lost on. At that time, we crossed the bridge and went the wrong way. It was raining heavily, and we kept climbing, expending energy. Fortunately, we eventually met the innkeeper who came to pick us up.

We stayed at a farm stay in Xiaxuetang. It was simple and clean, with a thoughtful innkeeper and a good location along the main road of Huihang Ancient Road.

In late May, during the off-season due to the epidemic, the reference price for a standard room on Friday was 88 yuan per room. For dinner, we ordered tomato scrambled eggs, braised pork (small portion), Jixi stir-fried vermicelli, and greens, totaling 165 yuan, about 55 yuan per person. Breakfast was steamed buns, pickles, hot porridge, and eggs, 10 yuan per person.

The next day, we set off at 9:00 AM. At a moderate pace, it took about an hour to reach [Lantian Notch]. The path was all uphill and narrow trails.

A brief introduction to the famous scenic spot in Huihang Ancient Road—[Lantian Notch] is located in the eastern part of Huihang Ancient Road. It is the highest point of Huihang Ancient Road, at an altitude of 1050 meters. Because the two peaks form a "concave" shape, with blue sky and white clouds embedded in it, it gets its name. It is the most open area of Huihang Ancient Road and a popular camping spot for visitors.

Near [Lantian Notch], there are many villagers selling hickory nuts. They swarm around tourists. The prices are cheap, but the quality is average. Not recommended, but they are elderly and work hard, so you can buy according to need.

After walking for 2 hours from [Lantian Notch] (the latter part included a road, about half an hour), we reached [Yonglai Village], concluding the Huihang Ancient Road itinerary.

Then we arranged for a nearby farm stay to pick us up for lunch. Possibly because my friend knows the owner (they go there almost every summer for vacation), or maybe the owner is naturally hospitable, the service was very thoughtful.

They prepared a hearty meal based on seasonal ingredients: salted pork stir-fried with bamboo shoots, soy sauce steamed fish, braised pig trotters, old duck soup with bamboo shoots, and dried beef hotpot. After a full meal, because it had rained heavily all night, the reservoir was full. The owner recommended we visit the Shimen Gorge Scenic Area, which enriched our trip.

I have to say, due to the rain, we didn't see much scenery on Huihang Ancient Road—just kept our heads down and watched our steps to avoid slipping. But Shimen Gorge Scenic Area was an unexpected surprise.

[Shimen Gorge] is a scenic spot near Huihang Ancient Road, about a 10-minute drive, and about 5-6 minutes from the farm stay where we ate.

[Scenic Area Introduction]: Shimen Gorge Scenic Area is located in Zhejiang Province. The Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve was originally the Longtangshan Provincial Nature Reserve, established in 1985. In August 1998, it was expanded and upgraded to a national nature reserve. Among them, the Longmen Scenic Area we visited is the only large waterfall group in East China. 18 large waterfalls cascade down thousand-meter cliffs, with pools and waterfalls connected, streams everywhere, and ancient trees forming forests, creating a unique landscape.

[Keywords]: National Nature Reserve, Waterfall, Unique

[Shimen Gorge Longmen Scenic Area] has a clear main road, divided into two routes: uphill (scenic route) and downhill (shortcut). Therefore, the route is simple and clear, no risk of getting lost, no special planning required, and almost no backtracking.

At the fork, we went to see [Qianlong Waterfall] (the most spectacular waterfall in the scenic area), then turned back to [Aoyu Pool], visited [Sister Waterfall], and then returned. Total visit time: 2 hours. Ticket price: 80 yuan/person.

Because it had rained heavily all night before, the water flow in the scenic area was magnificent and awe-inspiring. If you come on a sunny day or in the dry season, you might not see such a spectacular scene. The heavy rain challenged us on Huihang Ancient Road but brought us surprises at Shimen Gorge!

The local transportation on the second day was from [Huihang Ancient Road] (we were at Shimen Gorge Longmen Scenic Area) to [Changhua Bus Station]. I learned that you can also go to [Shanyang High-Speed Rail Station], but since there are fewer trains at [Shanyang], we went to [Changhua]. Two options for reference:

a. [Chartered car] to Changhua Bus Station, cost about 150 yuan, 43 km via highway, 50 minutes.

b. [Bus] mentioned in other travel notes; the author has not verified this but provides it for reference:

[Bus from Huihang Ancient Road Yonglai Village to Changhua Bus Terminal]: Monday to Saturday, board at Zhechuan Village, bus times: 6:50, 9:10, 11:50, 15:00.

Sundays and holidays, board at Yonglai Village, bus times: every hour from 6:50 AM to 3:00 PM.

[Shimen Gorge Jianmen Scenic Area] (passed by car); the groove is Jianmen Pass. Many scenic spots are just a glance away; passing by and capturing such a great photo felt like a bonus!

Mention [Changhua Bus Station], which belongs to Lin'an District, Hangzhou City. There are many buses to downtown Hangzhou, but we couldn't find the station timetable online.

When we arrived, we were told it was the last bus of the day (Saturday, 15:20), the [Changhua - Hangzhou West] route, ticket price 28 yuan, pay on board, about 1.5 hours.

Tip: Hangzhou West is a bus station; the high-speed rail station at Hangzhou West is still under construction, expected to be completed in 2022. Generally, high-speed rail stations are Hangzhou East Station and Hangzhou Cheng Station. Hangzhou East is a high-speed rail station; Hangzhou Cheng Station has mostly K and T trains, but also D and G trains. Hangzhou West Station and Hangzhou East Station are far apart, about 1 hour by bus or taxi, so pay attention to the destination of the bus.

Since we were taking the high-speed rail back to Shanghai from Hangzhou East, we asked the bus driver and were advised to get off at [Liuxia North] station and transfer to BRT B4, ticket price 4 yuan. Later, we found that even though it was a BRT, the ride still took about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Final main transportation: [Hangzhou East - Shanghai Hongqiao] has many trains. We bought tickets near the station. D and G trains cost between 59-73 yuan, about an hour.

Huihang Ancient Road is a beginner-level hiking route, about 25 km in total, mostly flat, can be completed in one or two days. Our group of three had no previous hiking experience and managed it smoothly, so don't worry too much about physical fitness.

Our two-day itinerary was well-organized, with a relaxed pace, and the multiple transfers went smoothly. It is very suitable for a [weekend getaway]. It allows you to relax, get close to nature, and add some fun and challenge to life.

Finally, thank you for your patient reading! This is the author's first travel guide, recorded for personal reference and shared for others. The author loves traveling but rarely documents it. I hope this article serves as a good start, encouraging me to record more. If there are any shortcomings, please bear with me. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below for discussion.

This article was compiled on June 2, 2020.

Travelogue Directory: 1. Preface 2. Trip Summary 3. Introduction to Huihang Ancient Road 4. Hiking Packing List 5. Day 1 Main Transportation 6. Day 1 Huizhou Cuisine 7. Day 1 Local Transportation 8. Day 1 Huihang Ancient Road Scenic Area 9. Day 2 Huihang Ancient Road Scenic Area 10. Day 2 Shimen Gorge Longmen Scenic Area 11. Day 2 Transportation 12. Conclusion

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