Into Anhui: Embracing the Serene Beauty of Peculiar Peaks and Graceful Valleys — A 7-Day National Day Road Trip Journal of Anhui and Jiangsu

Into Anhui: Embracing the Serene Beauty of Peculiar Peaks and Graceful Valleys

— A 7-Day National Day Road Trip Journal of Anhui and Jiangsu

During the 2019 National Day holiday, I took my family on a long road trip, following the route of Jixi Longchuan in southern Anhui — Tianzhu Mountain in Qianshan, Anqing — Jinzhai in Lu'an — Wanfo Lake — Nanshan Bamboo Sea in Tianmu Lake, and finally returning to Shanghai, covering about 1,800 kilometers in 7 days.

On the morning of October 1st, we set off from Shanghai, took the G50 Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway, passed through the bustling Wujiang in Suzhou, entered Nanxun in Huzhou, Zhejiang, and passed through Changxing. As the car entered the Huzhou area, the road gradually opened up. On the three-lane road, there were almost no parallel vehicles. The sky was very blue, and the air carried a hint of coolness, giving a refreshing and joyful feeling.

From Changxing, we turned onto the Lishui-Ningde Expressway and entered Xuancheng City in Anhui. Shortly after, we exited onto National Highway 233, then took County Road 092 and Provincial Road 346. After driving 400 kilometers and spending 5.5 hours, we arrived smoothly at the Jixi Longchuan Scenic Area in the mountainous region of southern Anhui.

Considering the congestion during the National Day holiday, we started at 5 a.m. The highway conditions that day were quite good; we encountered no traffic jams, and the journey went smoothly, giving this National Day trip a great start.

Over the years, whenever holidays come, it's a happy time for the whole family to travel together. As early as the beginning of August, we began planning where to go for the National Day in October. We had already visited all the core areas of East China, so we wanted to go a bit farther to see a broader outside world.

These years of travel have brought much novelty and breadth to Long Prince's vision and experience. We have felt the child's rapid growth, gained a lot, and his knowledge and speech have also become richer.

During the 2016 National Day holiday, we drove to Fujian for an 11-day road trip around the province. We experienced the dense forests and high mountains of the coastal mountains in Fujian and Zhejiang, the bright sun and clear breeze, the magnificent seaside sunrise at Tianmu Mountain, the beautiful sunset over Xiapu's tidal flats, and the tall and graceful circular structures of Hakka tulou in Longyan—all still vivid in our minds. The Hakka people in Fujian are simple and hospitable, full of the optimistic and open-minded spirit of "only those who dare to fight can win," which deeply touched us.

We even happened to encounter a strong typhoon making landfall on the coast of Fujian. That day, I drove through the typhoon's fury on the expressway from Fuzhou to Quanzhou in pouring rain, with only three cars on the road. The typhoon interrupted our original plan to visit the Mazu Temple in Meitan, so I adjusted the itinerary on the spot. Taking things as they come has been a good travel mindset we have cultivated over the years.

During the May Day holiday in 2015 and the National Day holiday in 2017, we drove to the North and South Yandang Mountains in Wenzhou and Dongtou, experiencing a different kind of Zhejiang landscape: the beautiful and majestic Yandang Mountains, the poetic charm of the clear and clean Nanxi River, and the rustic yet revitalized old houses and villages, making time stand still and making us forget to move on.

The coastal residents of Fujian, Zhejiang, and Wenzhou suffer from typhoons and natural disasters all year round, living a hard life.

During the 2016 National Day holiday, we drove to Longhu Mountain in Yingtan, Jiangxi, and Guifeng in Shangrao. The world of red color, the geological structure of red sandstone, the clever and exquisite rocky landforms scattered all over, the pristine green natural ecology, and the good and cheap local cuisine left us many beautiful memories. In the course of walking, Long Prince absorbed many beneficial knowledge of natural geography and human society, accumulated in his heart, and over time, it will merge and become a reservoir of knowledge. With time, the scenery will grow, and one should look far.

The itinerary for this trip was discussed and planned together with Long Prince. We initially thought of going to Henan to show the family the ancient landscapes and culture of the Central Plains, but we gave it up because the 7-day holiday felt a bit tight. In the end, we chose central and southern Anhui as the highlight of this trip.

We took a circular route: Shanghai — Jixi Longchuan — Tianzhu Mountain — Tiantangzhai — Wanfo Lake Scenic Area — Nanshan Bamboo Sea — Shanghai, lasting 7 days and covering 1,800 kilometers. Along the way, we fully enjoyed the beauty of mountains, waters, and deep valleys, filled with a cheerful and breezy mood.

In Jixi Longchuan, Long Prince saw exquisite Huizhou-style architecture and ancient residential culture. The ancient village of Longxi, built against the mountain, is nestled in this dense forest surrounded by mountains. A clear and transparent Longchuan stream flows slowly in front of the ancient village. The entire mountain area boasts exceptional feng shui.

Strolling along the ancient streets at the head and end of the village, dim lights cast a glow on the shiny stone slabs, illuminating not only a faint nostalgia but also the way home to visit relatives.

Tianzhu Mountain, with its granite structure resembling Huashan Mountain, is white and noble, magnificent and majestic. The entire mountain is a huge granite mass, showing uniqueness in its grandeur, beauty in its vastness, new life in its antiquity, and tranquility in its steepness. Long Prince climbed up and down entirely on his own, revealing a tenacity and persistence that matched the mountain. This is what we witnessed in our child's growth during these years of climbing mountains together.

Tiantangzhai, a summer resort hidden in the mountains unknown to many. Although it was already golden October, the weather was still hot under the clear sky. Walking through the mountain ridges with dense forests and towering ancient trees, we could hear the sound of mountain springs and waterfalls from time to time, adding a touch of quietness to this cool forest. In the Baima Gorge Grand Canyon, the winding plank road, the flowing turquoise mountain stream, and the huge rocks scattered everywhere in the narrow canyon all exude the area's pristine ecology.

Wanfo Lake, a large artificial lake built by damming, covers a scenic area of 135 square kilometers, with a lake surface of 50 square kilometers. Standing on the bow of the boat and looking around, the vast lake surface glistened with ripples, the sky high and the water wide, misty and vast, surrounded by mountains.

A dense curtain of rain splashed onto the lake surface, creating layers of fine mist, adding a touch of hazy charm and beauty to the autumn rain scene of Wanfo Lake. Long Prince chatted with me about Qiandao Lake we had visited before—the same lake and mountain scenery, dotted with small islands, shrouded in blue water and sky.

Nanshan Bamboo Sea is a place Long Prince likes to visit. Taking a sightseeing bus and a cable car, boating on Jinghu Lake and looking up at the starry sky, experiencing the tranquility and relaxation of a quiet summer; hiking to Jiming Ancient Village, experiencing slash-and-burn farming life, and listening to the rustling sound of the vast green bamboo sea.

The endless sea of bamboo paints every valley and crevice with emerald green. The lush green bamboos stand gracefully there, full of charm, swaying in the wind, with beautiful scenery.

Climbing to the First Peak of Wu and Yue, overlook the land of Eastern Wu, feeling the majestic momentum of being level with the mountain. By the hot spring pool, savor the tinkling sound of the flowing spring, and count the shining stars in the sky.

A road trip is a journey of spiritual rest and purification. Using nature as a duster, and mountains and waters as pure land, it cleanses dust, clears the mind, purifies the soul, elevates the spirit, lightens worldly troubles, cultivates the mind, and achieves tranquility and inaction.

Isn't such a trip a practice of self-cultivation and purification? On the road, let the pictures show the sights and experiences along the way.

Feel the movement of wind and nature in the embrace of nature. Presented in chapters in order, each chapter introduces the places visited and their local customs and scenery.