Sandanling Ancient Trail

Sandanling Ancient Trail

Sandanling Ancient Trail

Starting and ending (via) points: Shangzhuang Village, Shadi Village, Luoyang Town – Banlingting Pavilion, Sandan Village, Luoyang Town.

Total length: 10 kilometers

Overview and main features: The Sandanling Ancient Trail starts at Shangzhuang Village, Shadi Village, Luoyang Town in Taishun County and ends at Banlingting Pavilion, Sandan Village, with a total length of 10 kilometers and an average width of 1.5 meters. It connects to the Yeshanliao Ancient Trail in Baitang Town. Originally built during the Jingtai era of the Ming Dynasty, the trail is paved with irregular stone slabs. It served as a major overland route connecting five counties in southern Zhejiang and northern Fujian with the county seat and Wenzhou, making it one of the busiest transportation routes of its time. Towering and continuous ancient sweetgum trees line both sides of the trail, earning it the nickname “Red Maple Ancient Trail.” Natural attractions along the way include Feifeng Luoyang, Matougang, Makou, Baibu Xun, Hongyan Peak, Zhengleng Rock, Xiyin Waterfall, Caiyin Cave, Cliff Corridor, Baihou Peak, and Hongyan Waterfall. The forest scenery is unique — with numerous maple trees planted along the trail, interspersed with pine and yew trees, the tall and graceful tree canopies present different views in each season. In spring, flowers bloom; in autumn, fruits ripen, and frost-kissed leaves turn redder than February blossoms. In summer, dense foliage provides cool shade; in autumn, the crimson maples blaze like fire, winding like a long dragon through the mountains — a spectacular sight. The most famous Daganling Red Maple Belt in Taishun lies along this trail, which is why it is also called the Red Maple Ancient Trail. The trail is flanked by bamboo forests and thousands of acres of secondary evergreen broadleaf forests. The forest vegetation is lush, with rare tree species found throughout. The forest is mature, with a neat and orderly appearance, resembling a primeval woodland.

Source: Zhejiang Provincial Forestry Bureau

Luoyang Town: Luoyang Town is the political, economic, cultural, and information hub of the county, serving as the seat of the county Party committee and government. The town covers a total area of 102.82 square kilometers, including a built-up area of 4.6 square kilometers. It governs 20 administrative villages and 5 neighborhood committees, with a permanent population of 55,000, including 40,000 registered residents.

In 2004, the total industrial output value was nearly 200 million yuan (mainly from food, wooden toys, and chemicals); local fiscal revenue was 11.7924 million yuan, and per capita rural income was 3,428 yuan. Schools under the town’s jurisdiction include Chengguan Middle School, Luoyang No. 2 Middle School, Luoyang... More detailed information about Luoyang Town++

Further reading:

· Top Ten Scenic Ancient Trails in Zhejiang