Xianyong Ancient Trail

Xianyong Ancient Trail

Shangzhang Section of the Xianyong Ancient Trail

Starting and passing points: The Xianyong Ancient Trail starts from Xianju County in the north, passes through Qingkouyuan Ancient Ferry, Stone Bride, Stone Pile Mountain, and then enters the Shangzhang section including Wang’ao Reservoir, Short Pillar Rock, Bold Head Rock, Tian?? Waterfall, Salt Bamboo Basket Rock, Tangkou Ancient Bridge, Dazhang Village (hometown of an imperial scholar), Stone Carving Ridge, Shangzhang, Yao’an Village (hometown of a minister), Fangshan, Liumutian, Dong’an, Banpeng, Xiashantou, and leads into Yongjia and Yueqing.

Total length: 20 kilometers

Overview and main features: The Xianyong Ancient Trail was carved during the Tang Dynasty. It served as a vital transportation route connecting ancient Yongjia, Yueqing, Wenzhou, and Huangyan with inland areas such as Xianju, Jinhua, and Jiangxi. Historically known as the “Xianyong Ancient Trail,” “Ancient Private Salt Route,” or “Bamboo Leaf Road.” The Shangzhang section is the essence of this millennia-old trail. The entire trail winds through mountain forests, rugged and steep, with surfaces paved entirely in cobblestones and slabs, some sections even carved directly from rock. It was the only shortcut from Xianju southward to Yueqing and Wenzhou along the Maritime Silk Road. The Xianyong Ancient Trail traverses jungles, crosses lofty ridges, spans valleys, and passes small bridges. Along the way, there are steep cliffs, cascading waterfalls, lush pines and cypresses, and dense bamboo forests. Highlights include Short Pillar Rock, Bold Head Rock, Tian?? Waterfall, Salt Bamboo Basket Rock, Tangkou Ancient Bridge, and stunning scenery. The trail also passes by historical sites such as the ruins of the Tonglin Academy from the Song Dynasty, the hometown of an imperial scholar in Dazhang Village from the Song Dynasty, the hometown of a minister in Yao’an Village from the Ming Dynasty, the former site of the Xianju County Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the hometown of Zhang Daniu—a leader of the anti-Yuan armed resistance during the Xinhai Revolution in southern Xianju from the Qing Dynasty in Mikeng Village—and Xitang Village, home to national-level cultural relics such as ancient rock paintings in a historic village.

Source: Zhejiang Provincial Forestry Bureau

Further reading:

· Top Ten Scenic Ancient Trails in Zhejiang