Advanced Search

The story appears on

Page B5

April 26, 2017

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Find the new gems of Zhejiang before others

By Wu Huixin | 00:01 UTC+8 April 26, 2017 | Print Edition

THE central government announced the ninth batch of national scenic areas recently. To date, 244 national-level scenic attractions spread across the country — and 22 of them are located in Zhejiang Province.

Shanghai Daily takes a look at the new list and discovers that another three Zhejiang’s scenic areas are included.

Before they rise to fame and are swarmed with tourists, take advantage of the coming Labor Day vacation and explore them with family and friends.

Dapan Mountain 大盘山

Dapan Mountain is dubbed the “father of hills” as it is the start point of the Kuaiji, Kuocang, Tiantai and Xianxia mountain ranges and the source of the Qiantang, Cao’e, Linghe and Ouhe rivers.

The area has more than 5,000 hills and 99 percent of the rivers feature top-level water quality.

The main scenic area is in Pan’an County. It comprises the Jiaxi, Juxi and Baizhangtan zones, including 71 natural attractions and 53 cultural spots. Among them, the most popular include Shibawo Canyon, Yushan Ancient Tea Plantation and the Juxi Confucian Temple.

The canyon was formed by glacial movement and geographical changes millions of years ago. The drop is 200 meters, creating waterfalls and cliffs.

The canyon is an ideal escape on hot days and a favorite among local hikers and outdoor adventurers.

The tea plantation in Yunshan could date to the Song Dynasty Dynasty (960-1279). But that didn’t bring wealth for the farmers — on the contrary, they could not find buyers.

One day a man named Xu Xun passed Yushan and sipped a cup of aromatic tea.

Xu was determined to help the farmers. He improved the making techniques and promoted the tea among Taoists and temples, which worked.

The area was renamed Wuzhou Dongbai and rose to fame throughout the country.

Nowadays, it is still a popular specialty in Pan’an County.

In addition to the glory days and long history, the plantation also features ancient buildings erected in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

These structures were used as warehouses, temples and office buildings. Today, the local residents still worship Xu in the ancestral hall.

The Juxi Confucian Temple in Juxi Village, dates back to the early Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and is protected as a national relic. Most of the Kong-surnamed residents are believed the descendants of Confucius. Kong’s temple remains intact and family members still go to worship their ancestors.

 

How to get there:

Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway — Shanghai-Kunming Expressway — Zhuji-Yongjia Expressway. Get off at Pan’an Exit.

Taozhu 桃渚

Taozhu literally means “peach islet” in Chinese. It was so named due to the lush peach trees growing on the islets in Taozhu River.

Visitors can learn about the geographic changes, oceanic knowledge and the area’s Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) anti-Japanese history in Taozhu.

Taozhu Ancient City retains intact military installations built in the Ming Dynasty, when Japanese pirates assaulted coastal areas frequently. The city wall that measures 1,366 meters long and 4.5 meters high still retains the original three gates.

Meanwhile, the ancient city boasts Ming and Qing-dynasty residential houses and temples. The Guan Yu Temple was ruined in the Qing Dynasty and then rebuilt. Guan was a general in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). In religious devotion he is a deity worshipped in Chinese folk religion, popular Confucianism, Taoism and Chinese Buddhism.

Liu’s house is another highlight. The Liu family blossomed during the Qing Dynasty and built the complex over more than 1,800 square meters.

It features carved beams, painted windows and crafted rafters.

In addition to cultural relics, Taozhu also boasts a volcano national park covering 166 square kilometers. Scientists date it to the Cretaceous period. Its lava landscape could typify China’s volcanic landform.

 

How to get there:

Hangzhou Bay Expressway — Changzhou-Taizhou Expressway. Get off at Linhai Exit.

Xianhua Mountain 仙华山

Pujiang is one of Zhejiang Province’s small counties that may be small in size but features splendid views and abundant folk customs. The county is trying to lure tourists with its long history and natural scenery.

Among the scenic attractions, Xianhua Mountain is listed as national scenic area.

It consists of 88 scenic spots with 88 percent vegetation cover. The area is shrouded with mist all year-round, which makes it a wonderland where immortals live in seclusion and peace.

The mysterious ambience lured Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. The three religions thrived in this area and built many temples. Since the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), its splendid scenery has attracted writers who inked poems and prose to praise the area’s beauty.

 

How to get there:

Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway —Shanghai-Kunming Expressway. Get off at Pujiang Exit.

Hangzhou


 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend