Dahuiling and Daoling Ancient Trails

Dahuiling and Daoling Ancient Trails

The Dahuiling and Daoling Ancient Trails are designated as cultural heritage sites under protection by Zhejiang Province.

The Dahuiling Ancient Trail is located to the north of Danan Town in Wencheng County. It starts at Lingjiao Village in the east and extends west to Lingtou in Fujia Village, Bai Zhangting Town, running northwest. In ancient times, it served as an important transportation route connecting the northern part of Wencheng County with Qingtian, Jingning, Yunhe, and Longquan counties to the north, and reaching Rui’an and Pingyang counties to the south. The trail was first built during the Yuan Dynasty, though the exact year is no longer known. It stretches 4.8 kilometers in total, with over 4,500 steps and an average width of about 1.2 meters. Its highest elevation reaches 710 meters. The trail is lined with various species of ancient and famous trees, including maple, pine, and bamboo forests. Notably, there are more than 80 maple trees, most with a diameter of around 85 centimeters at chest height and several hundred years old. These maple trees stretch continuously from the top of the ridge down to the base, creating a spectacular sight. In summer, they provide dense shade, while in autumn, the crimson maples blaze like fire. Viewed from afar, they resemble a soaring dragon winding through the mountains, forming a unique cultural landscape that is truly beautiful. In late autumn and early winter, the trail attracts many visitors for sightseeing, earning it the reputation of being the “Number One Maple Ancient Trail in Wencheng County.”

Although the Dahuiling Trail has withstood centuries, it remains well-preserved and boasts numerous cultural attractions. Legend has it that Liu Ji, a founding hero of the Ming Dynasty, once traveled this path. Along the trail are various types of historical relics that reflect the cultural atmosphere of different eras, including Huiji Bridge, Lingjiao Pavilion, Banling Pavilion, Huiyun Temple, Yun Ting An, Yunding Temple, and the ruins of Baiyang Stockade, which was built during the peasant uprising led by Wu Chengqi at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. There are also nine stone steles and one incense burner dating from the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty to the Republican period. At Banling Pavilion, there is an ancient square stove made from well-cut peach blossom stone and bluestone.

The Daoling Trail (also called Tailing Trail) is located from the foot of the Indigo Mountain Ridge in Wudun Village, Danan Town, Wencheng County, to Lingtou Natural Village in Chengling Village, Er’Yuan Township. It was first built during the Ming Dynasty and underwent multiple renovations during the Qing and Republican periods. In ancient times, it served as a key transportation hub connecting Bai Zhangting Town, Er’Yuan Township, Nantian Town, and Danan Town.

The trail is approximately 5 kilometers long and features 36 turns along the way. Platforms are built at the corners, which are both steep and towering. Stone guardrails made of granite are installed at the steeper sections to ensure the safety of travelers. There are a total of 92 ancient maple trees lining both sides of the trail. The trail follows the mountain terrain and was originally paved with irregular rough stones. During the Republican period, local villagers replaced the initial section near the base of the ridge with granite slabs, each measuring 1.7 meters in length and 0.4 meters in width. At the top of the trail, there is the Jingfu Hall, which was built in the 16th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1890). Rest pavilions are located at both Banling and the base of the ridge, with mountain spring water available nearby for travelers. The trail also preserves five accurately dated ancient stone steles that document the efforts of local gentry and villagers in maintaining the trail and preserving historical relics. On January 7, 2009, it was announced as part of the sixth batch of county-level cultural heritage protected sites in Wencheng County.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Heritage Protected Sites in Zhejiang Province