With over a thousand photos, 47 self-composed poems, more than a hundred calligraphy and seal engraving works, and totaling 214 pages in full color, Liu Fengming, a resident of a community in Xiayuan, Wanbailin District, Taiyuan City, showcased the contents of his photo album “An Old Shanxi Hiker’s Journey Through Shanxi” to reporters on November 18. As early as two years ago, our newspaper featured an article titled “62-Year-Old Liu Fengming Is a Super Hiker,” introducing his over 20 years of hiking experiences. Two years later, he has compiled these journeys into this album.
The album is divided into seven categories: An Old Hiker’s Journey Through Taiyuan, An Old Hiker’s Journey Along the Yellow River, An Old Hiker’s Journey Along the Zhongtiao Mountains, An Old Hiker’s Journey Along the Taihang Mountains, An Old Hiker’s Journey Along the Great Wall, and others. “Over the past three years, in order to publish this album, I backpacked alone through more than 70 counties in Shanxi, gathering and organizing some new photo materials,” Liu said as he flipped through the pages of his album, introducing his work.
Liu Fengming said that he was the first to explore spots around Taiyuan such as Yixiantian, Zhenzhu Slope, and the ancient plank road in Siyu Gully—places that hikers now flock to. He also discovered that the entrance to Beitianmen Cave on Juewei Mountain in Taiyuan resembles the shape of the Shanxi map. The “Monkey Gazing at the River” by the Yellow River was a scenic spot he found after climbing up a steep cliff over 40 meters high. The ancient plank road from Wofo Temple in Xiyang County to Heshun County, which had not been traveled for many years, was step by step rediscovered by him.
A photo of the Longtanghui Waterfall in Lingqiu caught the reporter’s attention—a waterfall dozens of meters high cascading straight down. Liu Fengming said that he went there with companions and stayed overnight in nearby Dagao Shi Village. That evening, they heard that a young man in the village had had a high fever for seven days without relief. A doctor who was part of their hiking group immediately went to provide treatment, and by the next morning, the young man’s fever had subsided. The entire village saw them off and gave them bags full of walnuts and eggs.
“I’m willing to share the new sights I’ve discovered on foot with everyone, so that more hikers can see these hidden gems of Shanxi with their own eyes,” Liu said. One of the purposes of publishing this album is also to encourage everyone to get out more and appreciate the beautiful landscapes around us.
New Hiking Routes Discovered by Liu Fengming
1. Yellow River Qiankun Bay: Liu Fengming said that hiking along the Yellow River is a delight. The grand canyons of Shanxi-Inner Mongolia, Shanxi-Shaanxi, and Shanxi-Henan are majestic, like a golden dragon surging toward the sea. He took in the Yellow River scenery in four segments, walking over 50 kilometers a day, with breathtaking views along the way including canyons, cliffs, temples, peculiar rocks, ancient towns, mountain villages, date orchards, and fields. Qiankun Bay is located in Pianguan, on the way to Laoniuwan, where the Yellow River flows through surrounded by mountains.
2. Guangling White Marble Mountain: Guangling is a wonderful place, home to the grand Shengquan Temple, the vast Dadian and Erdian Mountains, and the rare White Marble Stone Mountain. About 8 kilometers from Liangzhuang via Muchang, a milky-white mountain shines brightly, its steep and unique marble body standing out amid lush greenery.
3. Dingxiang Yixiantian Chafo Canyon: Located deep in the mountains south of Lijiazhuang in Dingxiang, it’s a place where a rooster’s crow can be heard in three counties. Heading south from Baifo Hall Mountain and then turning east leads into Yixiantian Chafo Canyon. The western side of the canyon features sheer cliffs, while the eastern side boasts beautiful mountain scenery, with small bridges over flowing streams, bluestone-paved paths, and a tranquil stone mountain village. A clear irrigation channel runs through the village, giving one the feeling that time has stopped.
4. Xinzhou Tuo Luo Mountain: Located in Hesuo Township, Xinzhou City, it is the foremost of the ancient Eight Scenic Spots of Xinzhou. The mountain features peculiar pines, strange rocks, ancient towering trees, and numerous temples. At the foot of the mountain, clear springs flow through lush vegetation.
5. Qinxian Huashan: Although not as famous as the Western Sacred Mountain (Huashan), this Huashan in Qinxian is still steep, rugged, and picturesque. Temples are nestled among its scenery, which is particularly beautiful in spring and autumn.
Reporter’s Note: These places have no roads, vehicles can’t enter, and most require hiking. Enthusiastic but inexperienced hikers should proceed with caution.