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Finding tranquility on roads less-traveled
By Wu Huixin |
August 29, 2012, Wednesday
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HANGZHOU locals have a saying that you should take the person you love to West Lake on workdays and take the person you hate there on weekends. This is not altogether unreasonable, as the weekend crowds are enough to drive many people crazy, while the comparative quietness on workdays makes visitors feel as though they are in heaven.
However, in or near West Lake Scenic Area there are places that are peaceful all year round. But because they are a little off the beaten track, people - including locals - often neglect them.
As autumn nears and temperatures drop, now is a good time for hiking. To avoid the crowds and explore new scenery, Shanghai Daily recommends six less-traveled paths.
Meiling Road
This path connecting Lingyin Temple and Meijiawu Village is built into a mountain way, Meiling Road. The Meiling Tunnel cuts through Tianzhu Mountain dividing the road into two - Meiling Road S. and Meiling Road N.
Visitors can get a bird's eye view of the whole West Lake and faraway mountains. They can take the road to Lingyin Temple or to Meijiawu Village to have a cup of tea.
How to get there: Bus Y4, get off in Lingyin Temple or Meijiawu.
Bamboo-lined Path at Yunqi
The Bamboo-lined Path at Yunqi is the farthest mountain way of West Lake. It is located in Wuyun Hill of Yunqi Village. It is said that a long time ago, auspicious colored clouds flew from the nearby Wuyun Hill and lingered here, leading to the area being named Yunqi, which means "clouds lingering."
The path is well known for being quiet and cool on summer days. Both sides of the trail are flanked by tall bamboo, making the temperature two or three Celsius degrees lower than its surroundings.
The section between Sanju Pavilion and Yunqi Temple was the royal path for Emperor Kangxi during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The road was paved with slate and cobblestones. It is said the emperor walked on the slate while other people were only allowed to walk on the cobblestones.
Along the path, hikers can see ancient trees, as well as historic pavilions and steles.
How to get there: Bus Y4/324, get off at the Bamboo-lined Path at Yunqi.
Mailing Ancient Road
Walking from Manjuelong, passing Shiwuling and Chishanbu, walkers can reach Mailing in Santai Mountain.
Mailing is situated between the North and South Mountain of West Lake. Its name means "wheat ridge," referring to its arable use.
Before the Su Causeway was built, Mailing was a shortcut for Hangzhou locals to get between the North and South Mountain. And before the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Mailing was bustling as a pilgrim way for Buddhists traveling to Lingyin Temple.
However, after 1,000 years, the "big road" became a quiet track and is now frequented by visitors looking to see historic relics and take in the roadside view.
How to get there: Bus Y2/Y5/Y9, get off in Santai Mountain.
Ciyunling Road
Ciyunling, or Ciyun Hill, is located between Phoenix Mountain and Yuhuang Mountain, north to West Lake and south to Qiantang River.
Ciyunling Road is a 1,000-year-old path built by the first king of the Wuyue Kingdom during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (AD 907–979).
The old path features abundant relics, including two exquisite Buddhist grottoes, Tianzhen School from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the altar where the king of Wuyue Kingdom officiated at a ceremony to worship heaven.
From Ciyunling, visitors can see both West Lake and Qiantang River from a distance. Walking south, walkers can see the relics of the Southern Song Dynasty Palace.
How to get there: Bus 139, get off in Yuhuang Feiyun.
Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies
Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies is considered by many as one of the most beautiful attractions of West Lake. However, if visitors depart from it and walk along its path, they can find a rural landscape of fields and folk houses.
Continuing walking, hikers find the hills on either side close in around the path and they are in a landscape of streams and lush vegetation.
Walkers can take a breather in Linhai Pavilion by the road or survey Qiantang River from Wangjiang Pavilion.
Passing those pavilions, walkers reach Yangmeiling Village and Yanxia Hill. The roadside view has been compared to Tianmu Mountain, the famous scenic area in Lin'an, Hangzhou.
Having negotiated streams and valleys, walkers finally arrive at Longjing Village, where they can get a well-deserved cup of tea.
How to get there: Bus Y3, get off at Longjin Teahouse, then walk 1 kilometer.
Jiu Li Yun Song
Jiu Li Yun Song was one of the 18 sights of ancient Hangzhou. According to historic documents, it was the earliest wooded areas created by people, planting dating back to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).
All the pine trees were felled before the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945). However, after 1950, a path featuring lines of pines was created on the site.
Today, walkers can enjoy the fresh pine scent carried by the breeze as they walk along the path.
How to get there: Bus Y6, get off in Hongchun Bridge. Bus Y4, get offin Yuquan.
However, in or near West Lake Scenic Area there are places that are peaceful all year round. But because they are a little off the beaten track, people - including locals - often neglect them.
As autumn nears and temperatures drop, now is a good time for hiking. To avoid the crowds and explore new scenery, Shanghai Daily recommends six less-traveled paths.
Meiling Road
This path connecting Lingyin Temple and Meijiawu Village is built into a mountain way, Meiling Road. The Meiling Tunnel cuts through Tianzhu Mountain dividing the road into two - Meiling Road S. and Meiling Road N.
Visitors can get a bird's eye view of the whole West Lake and faraway mountains. They can take the road to Lingyin Temple or to Meijiawu Village to have a cup of tea.
How to get there: Bus Y4, get off in Lingyin Temple or Meijiawu.
Bamboo-lined Path at Yunqi
The Bamboo-lined Path at Yunqi is the farthest mountain way of West Lake. It is located in Wuyun Hill of Yunqi Village. It is said that a long time ago, auspicious colored clouds flew from the nearby Wuyun Hill and lingered here, leading to the area being named Yunqi, which means "clouds lingering."
The path is well known for being quiet and cool on summer days. Both sides of the trail are flanked by tall bamboo, making the temperature two or three Celsius degrees lower than its surroundings.
The section between Sanju Pavilion and Yunqi Temple was the royal path for Emperor Kangxi during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The road was paved with slate and cobblestones. It is said the emperor walked on the slate while other people were only allowed to walk on the cobblestones.
Along the path, hikers can see ancient trees, as well as historic pavilions and steles.
How to get there: Bus Y4/324, get off at the Bamboo-lined Path at Yunqi.
Mailing Ancient Road
Walking from Manjuelong, passing Shiwuling and Chishanbu, walkers can reach Mailing in Santai Mountain.
Mailing is situated between the North and South Mountain of West Lake. Its name means "wheat ridge," referring to its arable use.
Before the Su Causeway was built, Mailing was a shortcut for Hangzhou locals to get between the North and South Mountain. And before the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Mailing was bustling as a pilgrim way for Buddhists traveling to Lingyin Temple.
However, after 1,000 years, the "big road" became a quiet track and is now frequented by visitors looking to see historic relics and take in the roadside view.
How to get there: Bus Y2/Y5/Y9, get off in Santai Mountain.
Ciyunling Road
Ciyunling, or Ciyun Hill, is located between Phoenix Mountain and Yuhuang Mountain, north to West Lake and south to Qiantang River.
Ciyunling Road is a 1,000-year-old path built by the first king of the Wuyue Kingdom during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (AD 907–979).
The old path features abundant relics, including two exquisite Buddhist grottoes, Tianzhen School from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the altar where the king of Wuyue Kingdom officiated at a ceremony to worship heaven.
From Ciyunling, visitors can see both West Lake and Qiantang River from a distance. Walking south, walkers can see the relics of the Southern Song Dynasty Palace.
How to get there: Bus 139, get off in Yuhuang Feiyun.
Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies
Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies is considered by many as one of the most beautiful attractions of West Lake. However, if visitors depart from it and walk along its path, they can find a rural landscape of fields and folk houses.
Continuing walking, hikers find the hills on either side close in around the path and they are in a landscape of streams and lush vegetation.
Walkers can take a breather in Linhai Pavilion by the road or survey Qiantang River from Wangjiang Pavilion.
Passing those pavilions, walkers reach Yangmeiling Village and Yanxia Hill. The roadside view has been compared to Tianmu Mountain, the famous scenic area in Lin'an, Hangzhou.
Having negotiated streams and valleys, walkers finally arrive at Longjing Village, where they can get a well-deserved cup of tea.
How to get there: Bus Y3, get off at Longjin Teahouse, then walk 1 kilometer.
Jiu Li Yun Song
Jiu Li Yun Song was one of the 18 sights of ancient Hangzhou. According to historic documents, it was the earliest wooded areas created by people, planting dating back to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).
All the pine trees were felled before the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945). However, after 1950, a path featuring lines of pines was created on the site.
Today, walkers can enjoy the fresh pine scent carried by the breeze as they walk along the path.
How to get there: Bus Y6, get off in Hongchun Bridge. Bus Y4, get offin Yuquan.
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