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August 13, 2014

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Take an ancient road less traveled for great scenery

By Wu Huixin | August 13, 2014, Wednesday | Print Edition

DOZENS of old flagstone roads wind around various hills around Zhejiang Province. Most of them were paved centuries ago with some dating back more than 1,000 years.

These roads played a significant role in social and economic development. They are also known for gorgeous scenery and cultural relics.

Shanghai Daily takes a look at four ancient roads that make for an interesting drive on weekends. Just remember to stop, get out of the car and take a leisurely stroll.

Longma Ancient Road

This path is less known across Hangzhou compared to nearby Huihang Ancient Road. However, famous Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) traveler Xu Xiake once wrote extensively about the road in his book, “The Travels of Xu Xiake.”

In ancient times, Longma Ancient Road was one of two thoroughfares connecting Huizhou in Anhui Province and Yanzhou (today’s Jiande, Tonglu and Chun’an counties of Hangzhou).

It started from Wanshi Bridge and ended at Maling Hill. Xu wrote that Longma Ancient Road was surrounded by oddly shaped stones, lush bamboo forests and plenty of waterfalls. The picturesque scenery left a deep impression on the nature lover Xu.

During his travels, Xu also wrote about his affection for local people. He wrote, “folks give me food and candles and in return I give them the pictures I paint.”

Xu also wrote about Linying Cave, which is alongside the ancient road. He described it as a deep cave with a complex geological structure. Once inside, he said it felt as though he had been cut off from the outside world for ages.

How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway—Hangzhou-Rui’an Expressway—Xugao Road

Meitian Ancient Road

It was pivotal to the development of ancient Chuzhou, now Lishui in southern Zhejiang. Although people believe it was established in the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618), the earliest record of it dates to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Meitian means field of the Mei’s in Chinese. It was said that there was a village half-way along the road and all the villagers were surnamed Mei. They ran guest houses and travelers soon started calling the ancient road Meitian.

In ancient times, the 90-kilometer road connected Lishui and Jinyun. Only 40 kilometers remain today as most of it was replaced by a modern road.

The road ends in Xiandu Town, which is famous for its peach blossoms in the spring. Hikers love visiting at that time of year as the area turns into a pink paradise.

How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressway—Changchun-Shenzhen Expressway

Xianjin Ancient Road

The road, also called Cangling Ancient Road, links Hu Town of Xianju and Hengxi Town of Jinyun. Today, this 40-kilometer-long stretch is popular with hikers.

The road dates back to the late Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). At that time, residents of Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi provinces largely depended on the salt trade. It was made in coastal Huangyan County. The salt was transported from Huangyan to Fantan Fair in Xianju. However, with no other water routes going further inland, salt merchants gathered money to build the road.

For at least 1,000 years, stevedores traveled back and forth delivering bags of salt. The road quickly became a key commercial route in southern Zhejiang with traders also using it to transport cotton and porcelain.

Hikers like this road because of the beautiful scenery. The section between Canglingkeng Village and Nantian Village is highly recommended.

How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Changzhou-Taizhou Expressway—Shaoxing-Zhuji Expressway—Zhuji-Yongjia Expressway

Dongpo Ancient Road

The original name of this ancient road was Gexi, but it was later renamed due to Su Dongpo, a great poet and statesman during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

At the time, Su was the mayor of Hangzhou. Meanwhile, the mayor of Fuyang County, Chao Duanyou, had a son who wrote some popular poems. Su was a fan of the poems and became a family friend.

Invited by the Chao family, Su traveled from Hangzhou to Fuyang along Gexi Ancient Road several times a year. On one occasion, Su was inspired by the roadside view and created a couple of poems.

How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Hangzhou-Nongbo Expressway—No. 320 National Road

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