Hang-Hui Ancient Trail

Hang-Hui Ancient Trail

Hang-Hui Ancient Trail

Start and passing points: Yinxilongwu in Lin’an, Zhejiang – Zheshan Village – Yongle Village in Jixi, Anhui – Lingguan Temple – Lantian’ao – Shangxue Tang – Xiàxue Tang – Huangmaopei – Jiangnan First Pass – Foot of the mountain (Yankou Pavilion).

Total length: 25 km

Overview and Features: The Hang-Hui Ancient Trail was first built during the Tang Dynasty and has a history of over 1,000 years. It served as an important link between Huizhou and Hangzhou in ancient times. The best-preserved section is the mountain path with stone steps located within Jixi County. The trail features steep and rugged mountain terrain, with towering rocks and peaks flanking either side and the Xiaoyao Stream meandering through the middle. Major attractions along the way include the Zhangshan Grand Canyon, the Hu Family Ancestral Hall, the Qingliang Peak National Nature Reserve, and the Jiangnan First Pass. Before the completion of the Hang-Hui Highway, this trail was the shortcut for people from Huizhou, especially those from Jixi, to travel to Shanghai and Hangzhou. Teahouses were set up every five li along the trail for travelers to rest. Today, many well-preserved historic features remain, including ancient stone paths, traditional villages, old passes, bridges, teahouses, stone inscriptions, and ancient trees. The young Hu Xueyan, a famous Qing Dynasty merchant, once carried goods on his back and struggled to make a living while traveling along this trail to trade in Zhejiang.

Source: Zhejiang Provincial Forestry Bureau

Further Reading:

· Top Ten Classic Ancient Trails in Zhejiang