Tongshanling Ancient Trail

Tongshanling Ancient Trail

Qianwang Tongshanling Ancient Trail

Starting (and passing through) locations: Begins at the Shi Ancestral Hall in Tungkeng Ancient Settlement Village, Fangyan Town, passing through the Miaokou Ancient Village, Miaokou Wusu King Ancestral Shrine, Linkeng Ancient Village, Tongshan Ridge, the copper mine ruins of the Wuyue Kingdom, and ending at Dayangtian Ancient Village in Tongshan Village, Zhoushan Town.

Total length: 6 kilometers

Overview and main features: The “Tongshanling Qianwang Ancient Trail” lies amid lofty mountains and steep ridges, crisscrossed and interconnected, adjacent to Jinyun County in Lishui City, linking various scenic areas. The entire “Tongshanling Qianwang Ancient Trail” features verdant mountains, green waters, and secluded paths. It blends the “ancient,” “cultural,” “green,” and “revolutionary” elements. The Tongshanling Qianwang Ancient Trail connects with the “Forest Ancient Trail” in Xishi Village, Baiduzhen, Jinyun County, spanning about five li to reach the Xishi Ancient Village; it also links to the “Ancient Salt Road” in Shangzhu Village, Baiduzhen, Jinyun County, reaching the Shangzhu Ancient Village in about five li. It is suitable for long-distance cross-county outdoor exploration. It is six kilometers from the Hugong Temple in the Fangyan Scenic Area of Yongkang City; four kilometers from the Hugong Family Temple in the Huku Meiyanyan Scenic Area; and along the Dusong Ancient Village downstream, via Tungkeng Ancient Village, Xianpen Ancient Village, Houqian Ancient Village, and Pamo Ancient Village to reach Huku Ancient Village and Gushan Ancient Town, there is a stone-paved ancient road. The Dusong to Tungkeng section has been paved with cement, while the section from Houqian to Pamo has severely damaged stone surfaces, with only small remnants of stone road left. According to pages 53–54 of the 1999 volume of the Yongkang Yearbook, “The Yellow Emperor is the progenitor of China’s metalwork, and the Yellow Emperor’s Tripod is the root of Yongkang’s metal industry. Fifty-five li to the east of the city lies Tongshan, named for its copper production; fifteen li to the east lies Jing Mountain, not far from the Three August Ones’ territory. Copper from Tongshan was transported to Jing Mountain to cast the tripod, consistent with records in the Records of the Grand Historian.” The “Tongshanling Ancient Trail” and the aforementioned outdoor exploration sections were, in ancient times, essential routes for villagers from Yongkang, Jinyun, Xianju, and Pan’an traveling to the Fangyan Scenic Area to worship the Hugong King, trade at markets, and go about their daily work. The road conditions are currently well-preserved, surrounded by dense forests with excellent vegetation cover. The forest coverage rate in the areas around the ancient trail exceeds 85%, offering elegant scenery and fresh air. Measurements show the highest negative ion concentration in the air reaches 2,000 ions/cm³, making the environment pleasant. The stream water is of premium quality and serves as an excellent source for tap water in the downstream Miaokou Ancient Village, Tungkeng Ancient Village, and Xianpen Ancient Village. Some sections have collapsed areas that only require minor repairs, clearing, and removal of wild grass along the roadside to restore the ancient charm of the “Tongshanling Qianwang Ancient Trail.” It has become a great destination for nearby residents to engage in fitness, leisure, and outdoor experiences.

Information source: Zhejiang Provincial Forestry Bureau

Fangyan Town: Fangyan Town is a scenic tourism town and the site of the national key scenic area, Fangyan, renowned for its unique Danxia landform with breathtaking scenery, famous for its extraordinary mountains and mysterious caves, and also blessed by the divine presence of the Hugong King, attracting throngs of worshippers. The Fangyan Scenic Area is now not only a great place for sightseeing—with the magnificence of the Sky Bridge and the serenity of the Five Peaks offering endless appreciation—but also a popular spot for trend-chasing fans. The Shigu Liao Film and Television City, once the main filming location for famous dramas such as “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,” sees new productions filmed every month. In addition to Fangyan, the town also includes the Lingyan Scenic Area, Xianyan Scenic Area, and Meiyanyan Scenic Area... More details about Fangyan Town++

Further reading:

· Top Ten Cultural Ancient Trails in Zhejiang