Cheap, natural outings for fresh graduates
Print Edition
SENIOR students just finished their college entrance examination and are starting to yearn for their university life. June is the graduation month when students leave campuses and turn a new page in life.
During this parting season, a post-graduation trip is a common way to end campus life in a happy and relaxing way. Since most students have not yet started to earn money, they usually choose to sightsee at some nearby tourist spots or go hiking together. Shanghai Daily has picked four places in Zhejiang Province worth visiting that won’t dent your pocketbook severely.
Wuyue Ancient Road
Dating to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (AD 907-979), a 35-kilometer-long mountain road composed of numerous steps was the only main path connecting Wuyue (the present-day Zhejiang Province) and Nantang (Anhui Province) kingdoms. Although the road is no longer in use, it offers unique scenery composed of lofty trees, creeks, valleys, waterfalls, quirky stones and precious herbs that remains an allure for hikers today.
Hiking along the beautiful road almost gives the impression of walking into a Chinese ink painting. Backpackers consider it one of the best hiking routines in China.
Hikers usually start to climb the ancient road from the exit of Data Village, Ningguo County, Anhui Province. Walking for several kilometers, they will reach Qianqingguan, a mountain pass that delineates the old boundary of Wuyue and Nantang kingdoms.
Another exit to the ancient road is Zhexi Heaven Pond of Changhua County, Zhejiang Province. The pond, actually a large lake, is a protected ground for sika deer. Since Zhexi has restaurants and guest houses, backpackers can sample local delicacies and sleep there.
How to get there:
Shanghai-Kunming Expressway — Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway — Hangzhou-Rui’an Expressway — Zhexi Heaven Pond
Nanhuang Ancient Road
Unlike Wuyue Ancient Road, which was a connection for people of two kingdoms, Nanhuang Ancient Road is located entirely in Zhejiang Province and established by ancient merchants for the purpose of trade.
It begins from Qianyang Village of Tiantai County and reaches Dafan Village of Linhai County. Since its establishment in the early Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), the road occupied a high position in the commerce of eastern Zhejiang Province for hundreds of years because merchants relied on this road to deliver batches of tea, porcelain, silk and salt.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that modern transportation was upgraded in Zhejiang and the ancient road began to decline. Nonetheless, the roadside’s lush maple trees turn it into a hot tourism attraction for shutterbugs.
How to get there:
Shanghai-Kunming Expressway — Changzhou-Taizhou Expressway — Qianyang Village
Ming’ao Town
The biggest feature of Ming’ao is terraced fields. Slopes were cut into successively receding flat surfaces, forming a landscape that distinguishes it from other paddy fields in Zhejiang Province.
The hills and terraced fields are misted over in the morning and rainy days, giving the appearance of a wonderland. Such fabulous ambience lures groups of photographers all the year round. If you want to snap some breathtaking photos, early morning is recommended.
Don’t worry about the accommodation and food. Ming’ao has some family-run guest houses where you can put up for the night and taste local poultry and vegetable.
How to get there:
Shanghai-Kunming Expressway — Changzhou-Taizhou Expressway — Shaoxing-Zhuji Expressway — Zhuji- Yongjia Expressway — Ming’ao Town
Dongji Island
The island is the easternmost part of the Zhoushan archipelago. It is said to be the first place in China to greet sunrise every day. It boasts clean air, blue sea and tasty seafood.
When people step on the island, they see a huge stone statue on the hilltop called Chen Caibo.
A long story goes with the statue. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a group of fishing boats from Fujian Province went to Zhoushan waters. The boats struck reefs during a storm and all of the fishermen died except Chen. He washed onto the shore of the island and inhabited there. One day, Chen saw a dozen fishing boats. To help the boats avoid the reefs, he burned straw to guide them. The boats were saved but Chen died due to exhaustion. The crews went ashore and found Chen’s corpse. In order to commemorate the kind-hearted savior, they built a Buddha which looks like Chen. Now, the statue standing there still blesses all of the fishermen on the island.
The island is captivating not only because of the pure blue sea around it but also because of local fisher folk’s art that is characterized by ships, fish and fishermen. The beautiful island scenery and daily lives of fisher folk have created abundant inspiration for native artists.
How to get there:
Take a ferry from Shenjiamen Wharf to Dongji Island
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