Taiping Ridge Ancient Trail

Taiping Ridge Ancient Trail

Taiping Ridge Ancient Trail (Lingkou Ancient Trail)

Starting/Ending (Passing) Points: Begins in Xiaoxi Village, Shatou Town, Yongjia County, passes through Lingkou Village, Yongjia County, and ends in Daitou Village, Danxi Town, Yueqing City.

Total Length: 10 km

Overview and Features: Built during the Ming Dynasty, the ancient trail is rich in both natural and cultural resources. The surrounding scenery is remarkably beautiful, featuring clear streams, layered green mountains, and towering peaks, as well as many historical sites and legends. The starting point, Daitou, was historically known as Daiqiu and is an ancient village dating back to the Song Dynasty. It is surrounded by stunning natural and cultural landscapes: towering peaks, numerous caves, and serene valleys can be found everywhere. Along the trail, ancient trees thrive, and in late autumn and early winter, more than ten maple trees—some two to three hundred years old—are tinged with frosty red. In autumn, ginkgo trees turn golden yellow; the over 900-year-old “Ginkgo King of Yueqing” stands out. At the foot of the high peak to the north of the village lies the Temple of the Black Dragon Goddess. Traveling west from Daitou, you’ll walk alongside a clear stream, through layered green hills and towering peaks. A series of uniquely shaped rock formations appear one after another—shaped like goat horns, turning deer, candles, dragons, eagles, rhinoceroses… Pine and fir trees stand proudly, lush bamboo sways, birds chirp overhead, springs murmur softly, and mountain breezes gently blow—a pristine ecological environment that is truly enchanting. After walking two or three li, on the southern side rises a massive peak that hosts a variety of scenic sights. Looking up from here, two rock formations resemble a pair of peacocks, one above the other, perched on the ridge—they are called the “Twin Peacocks.” Continuing along the path, you’ll reach the foot of Yan Shang Liang Ridge. The section from Lingkou Ao Tou to Lingkou, about 100 meters high, is steep and is called Che Tong Ridge. Halfway along the southern side, there is a spring of water that is cool in summer and warm in winter, situated at roughly shoulder height, so that porters didn’t need to set down their loads to drink the refreshing water while standing. Some people jokingly call this ridge the “Death Ridge,” but the spring is known as the “Life-Saving Spring.”

Source: Zhejiang Forestry Bureau

Further Reading:

· Top Ten Classic Ancient Trails in Zhejiang