The most beautiful scenery is on the road (A review of our spring flower-viewing road trip through Jiangnan)

    Preface: In March 2012, I posted an event on the Lüye (Green Field) website titled“From Beijing — Down to Jiangnan in the Blooming Season, a Self-Drive Flower-Viewing Tour from April 2 to 8””. Time flies so fast — the rapeseed flowers are in bloom again, and the azaleas are once more flaming red. Recalling last year’s trip to Jiangnan fills me with both excitement and longing… The golden rapeseed blossoms and crimson azaleas were truly intoxicating and unforgettable. I’m sharing my travel experience with everyone as a memorable record and tribute, and also to inspire those planning a trip to Jiangnan…

     When the northern lands are gradually turning green, the south is already vibrant with spring, full of life. Everyone is eager to rush to Jiangnan to feel the breath of spring and catch a glimpse of the golden rapeseed flowers.

    Merging into the misty drizzle, the hazy fog, the dancing willow branches, and the petal-strewn air of March in Jiangnan, stepping onto the small paths through fields and hills, immersing oneself in the dazzling sea of golden rapeseed flowers, eagerly seeking that inner beauty, feeling that rare sense of freedom, and attaining heartfelt satisfaction has always been a dream pursued in my heart.

    During the Qingming holiday, the five of us set off with dreams in our hearts and luggage in hand, embarking on a journey that would let our spirits soar with every turn of the wheel. We gave our activity a lovely name:ColorfulSpringSeason.Season.VibrantLifeDreamTime -------- Combo”

       Now, please follow our footsteps and join us on this joyful journey.……

Day 1

       On the early morning of April 2, we set out from Beijing, heading south along the Jingkai Expressway (G45Daguang Expressway). Passing through Gu’an, Bazhou, and Renqiu in Hebei, we turned onto the Hengde Expressway (Hengshui–Dezhou) at Hengshui. As the Hengde Expressway had not yet been connected to theG3(Beijing–Taipei) Expressway, we had to take a section of provincial road, which gave us the chance to buy the famously delicious Dezhou Braised Chicken at a century-old shop in Dezhou. At noon, after crossing the Yellow River in Jinan, we had lunch at the Jinan Service Area — a buffet plus some noodle dishes, along with the fragrant Dezhou Braised Chicken, which replenished the energy of our tired travelers.[attach]1450514[/attach]                                                    Century-old Shop

       Due to the limited holiday time and the long distance to cover, the main goal on the first day was to make progress,using the convenience of the expressways to reach Jiangnan as soon as possible. But just after leaving the Jinan West Service Area, light rain began to fall, so we had to slow down for safety.

       Around 4 p.m., while passing the Jiangsu–Anhui Provincial Boundary Toll Station on the Lianyungang–Horgos Expressway, we had traveled 778.5 km from Beijing. There was quite a line of cars waiting to pay tolls (at the provincial border). In the toll plaza, many locals walked among the vehicles, selling strawberries in small plastic buckets for 10 yuan per bucket. We bought one casually. We didn’t think much of it at the time, but half an hour later, while resting at Zhuangli Service Area in Anhui, we washed the strawberries and ate them — they were incredibly sweet and fragrant. Everyone said that if we had known how tasty they were, we should have bought another bucket.

       Shortly after leaving Zhuangli Service Area in Anhui, a road sign indicating “30 km to Fuliji” caught our eye. The lingering taste of Dezhou Braised Chicken was still fresh when the aroma of Anhui Fuliji Roast Chicken beckoned once again.Though the road was long, our hearts were eager,time was limited,and it was drizzling again,We had to give up one chance to taste something delicious.

      As night fell, our group crossed the Yangtze River and arrived in Wuhu City, Anhui Province. The rain had stopped, and it was completely dark. Everyone’s wish to see the mighty Yangtze River in full flow turned into a regret. We decided to stay in downtown Wuhu, but the few hotels we checked were all fully booked. Near the edge of the city as we were about to drive out, we finally found lodging at the Changjian Hotel, run by the military. It was already past ten in the evening when we checked in. There were no restaurants nearby, so we had to buy several packs of instant noodles and pickled vegetables from a small shop for dinner. Fortunately, we had the braised chicken from lunch to tide us over, and since it was rather late, everyone’s primary need was rest—so no one minded much about the meal.

The first day of hurried travel ended in a deep, sound sleep.

On the first day, we set off from Beijing, passing through Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces, covering a total distance of 1,175 kilometers for the day.

Day 2

      On the fresh morning after the drizzle, accompanied by moist air, we bid farewell to the chill and dryness of the north, feeling as if we had entered another world. At 7 a.m., Brother Lu began washing the vehicle. The car, which had been driven through the rain all day, was extremely dirty. While we didn’t have the conditions to give it a thorough cleaning, at least we could make the windows crystal clear. Brother Lu and Xiao Wu used large cola bottles to fetch water from the hotel. After some busy work, they managed to get the car much cleaner.

      At half past seven, Sister Gao and Brother Lu were the first to arrive at the hotel restaurant. Breakfast hadn’t started yet, and the eager Sister Gao proactively helped the waitstaff carry the main dishes, soups, and porridges to the serving counter. After bustling about for a while, she saved herself some time.

      At eight-five, we set off from our accommodation and continued on our journey. Our destination was Shitan Village in She County. The milestone by the road indicated the location as National HighwayG205 KNo. 1376.

      It was Qingming Festival that day, and an endless stream of vehicles for tomb-sweeping formed long lines. Almost every car going in the same direction had a large white flower tied to the front—a local custom for tomb-sweeping, it seemed. As more and more vehicles joined the flow, the road became completely packed. The speed was very slow, and eager to press on, we drove briefly in the opposite lane to overtake. At one intersection, we were rerouted due to restrictions. First, we tried to explain our destination to the traffic police on duty, hoping that an out-of-town passing vehicle might be given some leeway—but to no avail. We had to take a detour. Fortunately, after driving about 5 kilometers, we returned to the original route.

      After passing through Nanling County and entering Jing County, we passed a junction where the golden rapeseed flowers in the fields were dazzlingly bright.Everyone had come for the flowers, and these were the first rapeseed blossoms we’d seen on this trip. We were instantly excited and immediately pulled over to dash into the rapeseed fields, snapping photos wildly. Looking back later, compared to the even more stunning rapeseed flower scenes we would see, these didn’t seem like much. But at the time, everyone’s moodwas genuinely exhilarated and thrilled, feeling that the trip had already been worthwhile.[attach]1450546[/attach]The first rapeseed flowers we saw

   At noon, while passing through Jingde County, the car odometer read 1,310 km. Jingde County is very small, with just one street running both lengthwise and widthwise. Small shops by the roadside served stir-fried local home-style dishes.Sister Gao and Xiao Zhu thought the food tasted good, so they ordered two portions of fast food. The other three of us walked further into the town, hoping to find something better to eat. After nearly exploring the entire county town and finding nothing particularly special, we settled for ordering three random dishes at a fast-food joint to fill our stomachs. We also bought some of Anhui’s famous Dangshan crisp pears.[attach]1450562[/attach]Savoring the cuisine

    [attach]1452009[/attach] On the way from Jingde County to She County, the fields and hillsides along the road were covered with rapeseed flowers, a dazzling and overwhelming sight. When people raised their cameras again, they weren’t just snapping whatever they saw—they were selectively capturing what they considered the most beautiful scenes. [attach]1450653[/attach]Setting the spirit free[attach]1450718[/attach]Beaming with joy

         [attach]1450677[/attach][attach]1450678[/attach][attach]1450680[/attach][attach]1450684[/attach] Rural scenery

    At four in the afternoon, on the way to Shitan Village, the car drove onto a stone bridge. A sign at the bridgehead reading “Huangshan City’s Top 100 Photography Spots – Fengyu (Wind and Rain) Corridor Bridge” caught our attention. We parked the car at the bridgehead and walked upstream along the river. Looking along the river, a corridor bridge came into view. The scattered Huizhou-style houses along the riverbank, the willow branches sprouting green by the water, the peach blossoms blooming by the roadside, the white geese playing in the water, and the rapeseed flowers stretching across the distant mountains were all reflected in the clear water, forming a perfect ink-wash painting.

[attach]1450742[/attach]Laughing heartily[attach]1450596[/attach]Ink-wash corridor bridge[attach]1451650[/attach]

On the way to Shitan Village

     [attach]1452104[/attach] [attach]1452040[/attach]But to see the best views, you needed to hike up the mountain, which was strenuous, and the place was overcrowded with tourists, chaotic like a market—nothing like what we had imagined before coming. Everyone agreed to skip visiting Shitan Village and instead spend our limited time at places we liked better. On the way back, we encountered a traffic jam near the exit of the small road leading to Xiakeng Town, where we were stuck for about twenty minutes. Around seven in the evening, we arrived at ShenDu Town in She County and decided to have dinner and stay the night there.

    Since ShenDu Town is upstream from Qiandao Lake and it was peak tourist season, accommodations were tight and prices high. We stayed at a farmhouse, paying 250 yuan for two rooms. Food was also expensive. Allegedly Qiandao Lake fish heads or a two- to three-pound bighead carp were priced at over a hundred yuan each, and they didn’t look fresh either. We ate at a restaurant recommended by the owner of the farmhouse where we were staying. We casually ordered a few stir-fried dishes, which were fairly reasonably priced, though the southern-style rice was too coarse and hard for us to get used to.

    After dinner, back in the room at our accommodation, we could finally relax after a tense day. Everyone sat together, sharing thoughts about the journey, copying photos. Every time we saw an amazing photo, we couldn’t help but exclaim “Great, great!” The fatigue from the continuous journey seemed to melt away.We left our worries behind and immersed ourselves in laughter and joy, having spent a tense yet happy day...[attach]1450784[/attach][attach]1450788[/attach][attach]1450850[/attach][attach]1450856[/attach][attach]1450855[/attach][attach]1450854[/attach][attach]1450853[/attach][attach]1460380[/attach][attach]1450857[/attach][attach]1450851[/attach]

The next day, we traveled through Wuhu City, Nanling County, Jing County, Jingde County, and She County in Anhui, covering a total of 249 km in a day and staying overnight in ShenDu Town, She County. The car’s total mileage reached 1,424 km.

Day Three

    The owner of the farmhouse had prepared breakfast early. There were also tourists from Hangzhou staying at the same place, and they were already having breakfast when we got up. After asking the owner, we were told that we could join them for breakfast.At 7:30, we started breakfast at the farmhouse — rice porridge, fried peanuts, and a few side dishes. The porridge was thick, almost like a meal on its own, and the side dishes were quite tasty. We paid tenyuanand set off at 8:00 for the Xin’an River Scenic Area. [attach]1450777[/attach] Capturing wonderful moments [attach]1450873[/attach] [attach]1450879[/attach] Xin’an River Scenic Area. At 8:15, we arrived at the scenic area entrance (ticket: 50 yuan/person — keep it safe as you’ll need it to enter Zhangtan Village inside). This scenic area mainly consists of a riverside road that leads to She County, used freely by locals but requiring a ticket for tourists. As soon as we passed the entrance, we saw the Xin’an River and began driving along it. The landscape was stunning, with mountains and water in perfect harmony, and everyone was excitedly taking photos. Sister Gao learned at the ticket booth that a folk ritual — the consecration of the statue (deity) of King Wang in Zhangtan Village — would be held that day, so she urged us not to miss it. Reluctantly, we put our cameras away and hurried back to the car.

At 9:00 sharp, we arrived at Zhangtan Village. The event site was lively, with balloons in the air, colorful flags fluttering, and a steady stream of people and vehicles. The consecration ceremony hadn’t started yet. None of us had ever seen such a ritual before, so we dashed around, snapping photos of the deity and offerings like pig heads, chickens, and fish. Someone brought a child to the front of the deity — a neatly dressed boy and girl, who looked perfectly matched, with serious expressions and proper postures, resembling a pair of child deities. Naturally, we and some unidentified reporters rushed to take more photos.

At 9:50, the dragon dance team kicked off the event. After speeches by officials, incense lighting, a Taoist priest unveiling the deity, and the consecration ritual, over ten strong men, amid deafening firecrackers, carried the deity. Led by the offerings, accompanied by the dragon dance and surrounded by the crowd, they proceeded to the King Wang Temple to enshrine the statue. Later, a cultural performance was held at the theater next to the temple. A Huangmei opera piece opened the show, while outside, drums thundered and firecrackers exploded, bringing the consecration ceremony to a climax... [attach]1451380[/attach]

At 11:00, we left Zhangtan Village for Zhangtan Village. Less than a kilometer away, the road was blocked due to reconstruction of a small bridge over a creek. We had to park the car by the roadside and cross a makeshift footbridge. The riverside scenery after the bridge was also beautiful — Zhangtan Village across the river was clearly visible. The wide waters of the Xin’an River reflected the iconic Huizhou-style houses with white walls, gray tiles, and upturned eaves, along with fields of rapeseed flowers, prompting us to take out our cameras and snap photos as we walked toward the ferry. [attach]1450906[/attach]Viewing Zhangtan Village from across the river

Soon, we reached the ferry on the opposite bank of Zhangtan Village. There was only one small ferryboat, which was on the other side. The boatman ferried people across when requested. We waved enthusiastically, and at 12:20, the boat arrived. Everyone happily boarded the small vessel (one-way fare: 1 yuan/person), and after about ten minutes, we reached the other side and began exploring Zhangtan Village. [attach]1451612[/attach]

Right in front of us were the Red Dress Museum and the village school of Zhangtan Village. The grand Huizhou-style buildings gave off a majestic and reverent vibe. Inside the Red Dress Museum, classic wooden bridal furniture transported us into a festive wedding atmosphere. One chair was ingeniously designed — flipped over, it could be used as a ladder, truly multi-functional. A bridal bed even had a back door, meant for escape in emergencies. The exquisite designs, fine craftsmanship, and beautiful appearance intrigued everyone. We not only admired them closely but also took turns sitting on the bridal bed for photos, filling the air with laughter and constant camera flashes. [attach]1451620[/attach] [attach]1451611[/attach]

It’s worth mentioning that they also had a bridal sedan chair on display — not only oversized but also exquisitely crafted to the point of being breathtaking, truly a luxurious bridal sedan...

Zhangtan Village is home to a giant camphor tree, known as the “No. 1 Camphor Tree in the World.” Its age is unverified, but you can imagine its thickness just by seeing that four of us couldn’t even reach halfway around it with our arms...

After a quick tour of Zhangtan Village, it was already past 1:00 pm. Eager to keep moving and with no easy dining options, we bought some eight-treasure porridge to tide us over. While waiting for the ferry, we noticed a hexagonal pavilion by the dock labeled “Yingqin Pavilion.” We had been so captivated by the grandeur of the Red Dress Museum that we’d overlooked it. It turned out to be a perfect spot to rest while waiting for the ferry. With the ancient village behind us and the river before us, reflecting on the activities — visiting the Red Dress Museum, sitting on the bridal bed, admiring the bridal sedan, ascending the Yingqin Pavilion, all during the peak of peach blossom season — everyone felt as if they were touched by good fortune...

We ferried back to the other side, crossed the makeshift bridge where the road had been blocked earlier, and began our return trip, now taking the time to admire and photograph the scenery we had rushed past earlier.

    [attach]1452109[/attach][attach]1452147[/attach][attach]1452145[/attach][attach]1452146[/attach][attach]1452144[/attach] [attach]1452142[/attach][attach]1452141[/attach][attach]1452135[/attach][attach]1452136[/attach][attach]1452137[/attach][attach]1452143[/attach][attach]1452138[/attach][attach]1452139[/attach]Xin’an River Scenic Area

The car slowly drove along the riverside road. Whenever we spotted something worth seeing or photographing, we stopped — stopping and going intermittently. At one photo spot, we happened to park right in front of a farmhouse. Brother Lu went inside and saw leftover rice and freshly dug bamboo shoots, which only made his hunger harder to ignore. He quickly spoke to the hostess, and they started cooking together. Truly making do with what was available, we cooked whatever we had — Xiao Zhu washed vegetables, Xiao Wu stoked the fire, Brother Lu did the chopping, and the hostess helped out, as if we were all at home. We stir-fried eggs with the only tomato and one cucumber the farmhouse had, paired fresh bamboo shoots with pork bought that morning for a bamboo shoot pork dish, turned a section of lotus root into sweet-and-sour lotus root, and even found tender sprouts on a toon tree at the door to make toon egg stir-fry. The kind and hospitable hosts also served us plate after plate of their homemade braised bamboo shoots and offered us pomelo flower honey from their neighbor’s beehive (the hillsides by the river are planted with loquats, famous locally as “Three Ponds Loquats”). We drank cup after cup, always wanting more. After paying 100 yuan for the meal — which the hostess insisted was too much and tried to give us the leftover bamboo shoots as well — we had to decline, worried they might spoil. Faced with such sincerity and kindness, we could only express our gratitude repeatedly. We hoped tourism would bring them business opportunities and a better life, but also that they wouldn’t lose their simple, kind nature in the face of profit.

After leaving the farmhouse, we arrived at ShenDu Port. This is a major dock and ferry terminal upstream of Qiandao Lake and the starting point for water tours along the Xin’an River Scenic Area. Boats, travelers, and tourists came and went non-stop, creating a bustling town. We arrived in the late afternoon, and the day’s busyness had already subsided. With overcast skies and light rain, it wasn’t ideal for sightseeing or photography. We snapped a few photos for memories and then left quickly.

About one kilometer from ShenDu Port, there’s an open area with a scenic parking lot — a perfect spot to view the Xin’an River. Despite the rain, everyone got out of the car to take photos. Sister Gao led us in taking “twin mirror selfies,” sparking great interest. We jumped and moved around until everyone had taken a satisfying shot. [attach]1451991[/attach] [attach]1451987[/attach] [attach]1451988[/attach] [attach]1451990[/attach] [attach]1451989[/attach] [attach]1451995[/attach]

Xin’an River Scenic Area

Around 6:00 pm, passing through She County, we were near the Tangyue Memorial Archways and Bao Family Garden, just three kilometers away, so we decided to take a quick look. By the time we got to Bao Family Garden, it was too late for entry, so we only took a photo at the gate. Visiting the memorial archways and garden wasn’t part of our plan anyway, but we might come back another time if we’re interested.

Since we had eaten lunch late, we decided not to have a full dinner. By the time we passed through Huangshan City, it was already 6:40 pm. We stopped at a supermarket and bought bread, cookies, and local specialties like Mohzi cake. By then, it was completely dark, and light rain continued to fall...

Guided by the navigation system, we smoothly exited Huangshan City and entered Xiuning County.

The roads in Xiuning County were pitch dark. Although there were still quite a few vehicles, the light rain made driving difficult. At 9:00 pm, passing through Wucheng Town in Xiuning County, we decided to stay there for the night. By the time we arrived, the rain had stopped. We drove slowly along the street, looking around for a place to stay, but couldn’t find one. We had to stop at a shop to ask for directions. The shop owner pointed across the street and said there was a hotel there. It turned out our gut feeling was right. The room was fairly clean, though we had to park on the roadside, which felt a bit insecure. But since we needed to continue our journey and explore along the way the next day, we stayed anyway.

After settling in, we gathered again to look through the photos, reminiscing about the day’s journey and enjoying the day’s experiences. Every time we saw a great photo, someone would exclaim, “Great, great!” With joy and satisfaction, we bid farewell to another pleasant and fulfilling day...

On the third day, we explored She County in Anhui, passed through Huangshan City, and entered Xiuning County, covering 109 km for the day, with the car’s total mileage reaching 1,533 km.

Day Four

Wucheng Town woke up earlier than we did. When we stepped out onto the street, the town was already bustling with people. The aroma of breakfast wafted from nearby food stalls. We had a quick breakfast and hit the road again — every day was a tight schedule.

As soon as you exit Wucheng Town, you come to a bridge. Looking down at the water from the bridge, mist rises up, resembling the misty, rainy, and flowery scenery of the Jiangnan region in March.

[attach]1451999[/attach][attach]1452000[/attach]As planned, we drove along the small path by the bridge toward Yuetaan Village. We had learned about this village from the map before our trip. Its pleasant-sounding name is associated with a river called Shuisha, which already sounds beautiful. Because it had rained the day before and the sky hadn’t cleared yet, the mist-shrouded scenery along the riverside path was poetic. On the slopes by the road, the bright azaleas were strikingly vivid. These were the first azaleas we had seen in the Jiangnan area, and compared to those in the mountainous suburbs of Beijing, they were extremely similar in both shape and color.

In Yuetaan Village, some old Huizhou-style houses are still preserved, bearing distinct characteristics of their time. Phrases such as “Red heart toward the Party,” “Sunflowers toward the sun,” and “Sailing the seas depends on the helmsman” are clearly visible on the walls. Based on the paintings and inscriptions, these houses are estimated to have been built during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. [attach]1452008[/attach][attach]1452007[/attach]

[attach]1452403[/attach][attach]1452418[/attach][attach]1452402[/attach]The road after Yuetaan Village became bumpy, so we decided not to go any further. On our way back, we chose the road on the other side of the river, which was just as scenic. Along the way, there were even more azaleas on the slopes than we had seen earlier, as well as bright red flowers resembling camellias that bloomed vibrantly and richly on the hillsides. When we asked the locals, due to the language barrier, we couldn’t figure out what they were called.

After leaving the small path of Yuetaan Village, we returned to Wucheng Town. Our next destination, Wulong Mountain Scenic Area, was recommended by the shop owner when we inquired about accommodations the night before. It’s apparently still under construction. The sign pointing to the scenic area also indicated that it is one of the “Top 100 Photography Spots in Huangshan City.” Not long after we entered the road leading to the scenic area, we were blocked by an excavator. Due to the construction of a highway, rocks were being blasted and the road widened, causing other vehicles to stop and wait as well. Seeing the severely damaged road ahead, we decided to give up and head back the same way.

At 1:06 PM, we exited Anhui (S220 K52) and entered Jiangxi (S201 K0), with the total mileage at 1,589 km.

After a tough journey, we finally set foot on the land of Wuyuan, Jiangxi. This trip’s primary destination was Wuyuan. Due to its fame and influence, whether for sightseeing, flower viewing, painting, or photography, it has become the top choice for many, much like how the Badaling section of the Great Wall represents the iconic experience in Beijing, as if other parts of the Great Wall aren’t the real thing. We, too, came here drawn by its reputation.

[attach]1452420[/attach]The rapeseed flowers along the way were still in bloom, but we also noticed that the azaleas here covered the hillsides. Unlike the ones we saw in Anhui, these were predominantly white with pink edges and larger in size. This made us stop the car to admire them. We happened to meet some other travelers, and it was then that the first “family photo” of our “Dream Time Group” was taken.

[attach]1452384[/attach]Sister Gao suggested picking some flowers to make flower crowns for everyone, making the ladies look even more beautiful. Everyone pitched in to gather flowers, and soon Sister Gao had created a unique and wonderful flower crown.

With the flower crowns, it goes without saying how photogenic the ladies looked—“overjoyed” doesn’t even begin to describe it. There were very few cars on the road, so whenever we came across a scenic spot, we’d stop. The ladies changed poses and outfits, blending their beautiful faces, radiant smiles, graceful figures, and the vibrant flowers and scenery into perfect harmony. After bursts of enthusiastic picture-taking, those colorful, wonderful moments were captured forever in the camera’s memory. [attach]1452417[/attach]

[attach]1452394[/attach][attach]1452392[/attach][attach]1452387[/attach][attach]1452393[/attach][attach]1452416[/attach][attach]1452415[/attach][attach]1452391[/attach][attach]1452390[/attach] To enjoy the flowers, take in the scenery, and take photos, it was already 2 PM and we hadn’t even had lunch yet—we were truly neglecting meals. Passing through Dafan Town in Wuyuan, we quickly grabbed some lunch. Starving, we ate with great relish, each of us like a bottomless pit. The restaurant even served rice in actual rice buckets, and the owner kept explaining that calling it a “rice bucket” wasn’t an insult—in their area, that’s what they used to serve rice, and everyone could serve themselves as much as they wanted. At first, everyone was too busy eating to pay attention to the unusual rice bucket, but after filling up, they took a few mock-serious photos for the memory.

[attach]1452419[/attach]At 2:30 PM, after traveling 1,600 kilometers from Beijing, we entered the Wuyuan Scenic Area. The first place to greet us was Jiangwan, the starting point of the eastern route of Wuyuan’s conventional tourism. It mainly consists of attractions such as Xiaojian Source, Jiangling, Xiaojian Ancestral Hall, Jiangwan, Shangxia Xiaqi, Likeng, and Moon Bay. The eastern route attractions, having been developed earlier, are quite commercialized.

Jiangwan is a picturesque ancient town with a history of a thousand years, surrounded by mountains and water, blessed with excellent feng shui. It is a model of ancient Huizhou feng shui culture and is well-deserved as the representative of Wuyuan’s “hometown of literature.” It’s said that during the Qingming Festival, the number of vehicles and tourists in Wuyuan was so overwhelming that the roads were completely jammed. Cars couldn’t move at all, and tourists had to ride motorcycles through the congested traffic to get where they wanted to go. As a result, motorcycle fares soared to 200–300 yuan per person. Fortunately, we were wise enough to visit other places first and only came here after the Qingming holiday, enjoying a relatively peaceful experience.

In Jiangwan, we first visited the Xiaojian Ancestral Hall. The architectural scale and carving artistry of the Xiaojian Ancestral Hall are first-class, and the preserved Huizhou-style ancient buildings are of great historical and aesthetic value.　　

Next, we arrived at Xiaqi, known as the “village in a painting.” Originally an ecologically harmonious homeland where humans and nature coexisted, the line “Ancient trees stand tall and low beside houses, slanting sunlight shines over distant mountains, smoke on treetops resembles belts, and water outside the village flows in circles” (a five-character poem written on a wall in Xiaqi, Jiangwan, author unknown) is a true depiction of the once simple and elegant Ming and Qing residences. But times have changed—the once winding, quiet streets, stone-paved paths, pristine green environment, and towering ancient trees have been replaced by bustling shops and endless vendor calls. Xiaqi today feels like a lively market set up in a village. Its current state is a sad result of excessive commercial tourism development.

After leaving Xiaqi, we also visited Jiangling Terraces, known as a top spot for rapeseed flower viewing, and Qingyuan Village. [attach]1460454[/attach][attach]1460417[/attach] Because we lingered to enjoy the scenery and took a lot of photos along the way, we only reached Jiangling Terraces at dusk. There were still many photography enthusiasts setting up their “long guns and short cannons” and tripods, busy capturing their ideal shots. We only stayed briefly before heading straight to Qingyuan Village. [attach]1460502[/attach] By then, the light was fading, and it was almost impossible to take photos when we arrived. Outside the village, a farmer was selling entry tickets. We had purchased the Wuyuan Tourist Pass for 180 yuan per person, which allowed unlimited fingerprint-entry to Wuyuan scenic spots for two days—but it wasn’t valid here, and we had to buy a separate ticket. After two days of walking through fields of rapeseed flowers, we were already somewhat visually fatigued, feeling like everything we saw was golden. The local Huizhou-style houses weren’t much different from those in other areas. It was getting late, and entering the village would mean staying overnight. After much discussion, we decided not to go in. This way, we could use the saved time in Wuyuan to visit Sanqing Mountain instead.

Thinking that our travel plans had expanded and that we could now visit Sanqing Mountain, everyone became excited. Amid laughter and chatting, the drive back felt much lighter. Going downhill most of the way, we quickly returned to Jiangwan.

After checking into a hotel in Jiangwan, having dinner, and following our usual evening routine of backing up photos and sharing the joy, the day’s experiences played back through the photos, bringing everyone’s thoughts back to the laughter and fun along the way...

On the fourth day, we set off from Wucheng Town in Xiuning County, Anhui, entered Wuyuan County in Jiangxi, visited Jiangwan in Wuyuan, traveled a total of 132 km that day, and reached a cumulative mileage of 1,665 km.

Day Five

After several days of travel and two rainy days, the car was so dirty it was hard to recognize. Seeing a car wash area at the parking lot in Jiangwan, Brother Lu got up early to wash the car.

The parking lot at 6:30 AM was empty except for our car and the unattended car wash tools. The power distribution box was locked, so Brother Lu called the car washer using the number on the box. The person said they wouldn’t arrive until after 7 AM. Seeing that it was still early and that there were tools and a full bucket of water, Brother Lu decided to do it himself. With the spray gun not working, he used a basin to splash water and managed to clean up the dirty car.

There were many breakfast options in Jiangwan, but nothing really appealed to us, so we thought we’d just have a bowl of congee nearby. The owner and his wife were busy, and when we tried to serve ourselves, the owner’s wife stopped us and insisted on giving us smaller bowls. We thought the bowl she picked wasn’t much smaller than the one we wanted, and when we looked at the congee pot, we realized there wasn’t much left—enough for maybe three bowls. Yet, the owner’s wife managed to serve us five smaller bowls. Greedy owner’s wife—once again showing what it means to be a money-grubbing swindler. Tourism and opening up have turned once-simple farmers into profit-driven, conscience-less crooks.

After leaving Jiangwan, we headed toward Wuyuan County and Sanqing Mountain. The first scenic spot we passed was Wangkou, but we didn’t want to waste time there, so we just took a photo at the entrance. Then we passed Likeng Scenic Area, known for its picturesque small bridges, flowing water, and quaint houses. [attach]1460539[/attach] Sister Gao and Brother Lu had been to Wuyuan before but never entered Likeng Village. The promotional descriptions—“village surrounded by mountains, ancient buildings throughout, streams running through the village… a shining pearl on Wuyuan’s premium route”—were so enticing. Plus, we had the tourist pass, so everyone agreed to go in and take a look.

Entering Likeng, it really was surrounded by streams and scenic beauty. But the increasing number of visitors had robbed the small village of its tranquility, and the many boats and bamboo rafts on the stream disrupted the traditional harmony. The usual commercial stalls found in nearly every scenic area also detracted from the originally serene atmosphere. After a quick walk-through, it felt like eating flavorless gourmet food—neither enjoyable to eat nor satisfying to give up. [attach]1460540[/attach]

Not far from leaving Likeng, we arrived at Moon Bay. [attach]1452645⟧ True to its beautiful name, Moon Bay was indeed a picturesque place. The water of the Xing River seemed to flow from the horizon, with the graceful shadows of bamboo rafts on the water complementing the Huizhou-style houses by the riverbank—a breathtaking view.

To reach our goal of visiting Sanqing Mountain, we shortened our time at each scenic spot as much as possible to save time for the rest of our itinerary.

After leaving Moon Bay, we headed toward Sanqing Mountain. At 10:50 AM, passing the border between Jiangxi and Zhejiang, we stopped to refuel and ask for directions. The odometer showed that we had traveled 1,720 km from Beijing. Here, we entered Zhejiang Province, with the milestone readingS202 K0 locations.

    We stopped by the Basha Pass, a key stronghold along the Zhejiang–Jiangxi border, for a visit. The shop owner by the roadside took a group photo for us.

    [attach]1460328[/attach] Passing through Basha Pass and entering the dedicated Sānqīng Shān tourism highway, we found that the previously installed toll booth had been removed. The drive was smooth all the way, and we arrived at the main gate of Sānqīng Shān at 12:45 PM. The parking fee here is almost the highest among scenic area parking lots nationwide—just parking costs 30 yuan, whereas most scenic areas typically charge 5 to 10 yuan, with additional fees only applied for driving into the scenic roads. At first, we thought the toll collector was overcharging, but the posted sign confirmed the price. Well, you play by the rules when you’re in someone else’s territory. By the way, although we had just entered roads in Zhejiang Province, we were now back in Jiangxi Province, under the administration of Shangrao City. In less affluent areas, they seem to find all sorts of ways to make a buck.

We purchased discounted tickets through our guide (original ticket prices: 155 yuan for entry, 130 yuan for the round-trip cable car, with a combined discounted price of 270 yuan), and then began our ascent via the cable car.

    As the cable car climbed higher, offering a bird’s-eye view, we looked down at the lush pines and cypresses drifting beneath us, and a feeling of standing atop the world naturally arose. Gazing into the distance, we saw the strange rocks and peaks towering at the mountaintop, as well as the magnolia, azalea, and camellia flowers blooming vividly and conspicuously amidst the greenery, dotting the sea of pine waves and filling our eyes with joy. Even Sister Gao, who is usually timid in cable cars, forgot her fear, taking in the beautiful scenery along the way and feeling deeply moved. “Sānqīng Shān, here we come!” [attach]1452605[/attach][attach]1452602[/attach][attach]1452603[/attach]

    After getting off the cable car, we began our gradual ascent along the mountain-side plank walkways. At every turn, seeing the steep cliffs below with man-made footholds and the suspended walkways built into the air gave us a sensation of floating midair. Strolling between the mountains, looking around, we saw jagged rocks, abrupt peaks, sturdy pines, and swaying trees. One particular rock formation known as “The Giant Python Emerging from the Mountain” captured everyone’s attention—it looked incredibly lifelike, a rare and spectacular sight, and is the iconic landscape of Sānqīng Shān. [attach]1452604[/attach] At an elevation of 1,819.9 meters, Sānqīng Shān, the fifth highest peak in Jiangxi and a famous Taoist mountain, is renowned worldwide for its “four natural wonders”: peculiar peaks and rocks, ancient trees and famous flowers, flowing springs and waterfalls, and seas of clouds and mist. It has long been one of the scenic destinations we’ve admired from afar, and this time, having the fortune to immerse ourselves in its embrace, it truly was an unforgettable journey. Since we were in a hurry and hadn’t eaten lunch, at a small shop along the hike, each of us had a bowl of instant noodles (or rice vermicelli). After recovering some energy, we continued climbing and finally reached Yùhuáng Dǐng (Jade Emperor Summit). From here, we could fully take in the peculiar peaks and rocks of Sānqīng Shān. The area open for exploration on Sānqīng Shān is vast, but due to limited time, we could only experience a part of its beauty. [attach]1452615[/attach][attach]1452614[/attach]

    Taking the cable car back to the scenic area entrance, we still felt hungry. Spotting local specialty sweet potato starch sausages being sold at a small stall, we each immediately ordered a bowl. After all, lunch had only been a single bowl of instant noodles (or rice vermicelli) per person, and the climbing up and down had long since burned through those calories. Hearing that the local sweet potato starch sausages tasted good, and with everyone quite famished, they naturally tasted even better. We even helped the vendor recommend them to two other tourists from Beijing.

After visiting Sānqīng Shān, the azaleas in Wǔhàn were waiting for us to admire. Planning this trip, we had made viewing the azaleas in Wǔhàn a key highlight, calling it a flower-viewing journey of “seeing the yellow flowers before the red.” Because Xiao Zhu and Xiao Wu had to return to Běijīng a day early due to prior commitments, our already tight schedule became even more rushed. To avoid disrupting the travel plans, everyone agreed not to delay any further and to drive nonstop on the highway to Wǔhàn, aiming to arrive that very evening. With two skilled and confident drivers taking turns at the wheel, we were full of confidence about achieving our goal. And so, we got on the highway, chasing the gradually setting sun, driving westward through the glow of the sunset, passing through Jǐngdézhèn, Jiǔjiāng, and other places, and arriving safely in Wǔhàn after 11 PM.

       On the fifth day, we entered Kāihuà County in Zhèjiāng Province from Wùyúan County and Déqīng City in Jiāngxī Province, then returned to Jiāngxī Province. We passed through Wùyúan County, Jǐngdézhèn City, Jiǔjiāng City, Huángméi County in Ānhuī Province, and Huángshí City, finally reaching Wǔhàn City in Húběi Province. We drove a total of 588 km that day, bringing the vehicle’s cumulative mileage to 2,253 km.

Day Six and Day Seven

    On the sixth day, we split into two groups. Xiao Zhu and Xiao Wu handled errands in Wǔhàn, while the other three of us visited Yúnwù Shān on the outskirts of Wǔhàn to see the azaleas we had been looking forward to.

    We left the hotel at 8:30 AM, and shortly after getting on Wǔhàn’s Third Ring Road, we crossed the Yangtze River for the second time via the Tiānxīngzhōu Yangtze River Bridge in Wǔhàn. Since we were on the highway, for safety reasons, we only stopped briefly by the roadside to take one photo. [attach]1452550[/attach]Tiānxīngzhōu Yangtze River Bridge in Wǔhàn

    Passing through Huángpí District, we finished breakfast at a roadside shop and continued on to Yúnwù Shān. Though the roundabout road signs were clear, we somehow mysteriously took the wrong exit, leaving the roundabout one intersection too early. Sister Gao’s intuition really deserves praise—by that point, we had already gone about 7 km. It was her insistence on asking for directions that saved us from going even further out of our way. At 11 AM, we arrived at Yúnwù Shān Scenic Area, with the vehicle’s total mileage reaching 2,329 km.

    Yúnwù Shān is a natural scenic area, with its main peak at an elevation of 709 meters, making it the highest peak in Wǔhàn. It is known throughout the Jianghan region for its overlapping ridges and majestic presence. It serves as the transitional zone between the Dàbǎi Mountain Range and the Jianghan Plain, and is also the longest continuous mountain range in Wǔhàn. Every spring, while most areas of southern China are painted golden by rapeseed flowers, the azaleas here quietly bloom, competing in splendor and painting the mountains red.

    Upon reaching the scenic area entrance, you can’t see the azaleas yet. After purchasing tickets (80 yuan per person), there is still over ten kilometers to go before reaching the flower-viewing spots. To reduce the strenuousness of the climb and save time, we took the scenic area’s sightseeing bus up the mountain (40 yuan per person for a round trip). The sightseeing bus wound its way up the mountain road, and gradually, clusters and bunches of azaleas appeared along the slopes, shining brightly amidst the greenery. Along the way, we saw some young tourists hiking up the mountain, stopping occasionally to admire and take photos. [attach]1452518[/attach][attach]1452438[/attach][attach]1452439[/attach]

    After getting off the sightseeing bus, we were stunned by the sight before us. An entire mountainside was covered with azaleas—both buds and blossoms—that blanketed the hillside in a sea of red, leaving almost no space for other plants. From a distance, the blooming flowers looked like dancing flags or rising flames, decorating the mountain in exceptional beauty. The gorgeous and delicate azaleas were truly worthy of their reputation as “mountain-fire flowers.”

    [attach]1452444[/attach][attach]1452440[/attach][attach]1452437[/attach] The scenic area had built a wooden walking trail through the azalea bushes, allowing visitors to stroll and admire the flowers. Walking along the path, surrounded by blossoms, it felt like being immersed in a sea of azaleas. The petals reflected onto visitors’ faces, giving them a rosy glow filled with cheer.

    [attach]1452441[/attach][attach]1452440[/attach][attach]1452442[/attach][attach]1452445[/attach] At 1:30 PM, we bid farewell to the scenic area and headed back to Huángpí District. The distance from Yúnwù Shān Scenic Area to Huángpí District is 69 km (total vehicle mileage: 2,398 km). We had arranged to meet up with Xiao Zhu and Xiao Wu here. With plenty of time before our rendezvous, we used the opportunity to have lunch.

The center of Huángpí District is bustling, with major street malls, specialty stores, a Walmart supermarket, and KFC fast food, among others. To save time and find something unique, we chose a local-flavor fast food restaurant.

    After lunch, we wandered into a bakery. Although we had just eaten, the aroma of freshly baked bread was still irresistible. Thinking about the limited dining options on the highway ahead, we bought a lot of bread to prepare for dinner.

Xiao Zhu and Xiao Wu arrived as promised. At 3:40 PM, our group of five completed all the planned sightseeing activities and began our journey back to Běijīng via the roundabout in Huángpí District, Wǔhàn City, Húběi Province.

    On the Húběi Provincial RoadS310After driving 33 km, we entered the national highway via the Yangdián entranceG4(total vehicle mileage: 2,431 km).

Once onG4thehighway,the sign ahead clearly displayed the name: Běijīng. How familiar and affectionate those characters seemed, as if home were just around the corner. In reality, though, we were still 1,100 km away from Běijīng.

The feeling of heading home is something only those who have traveled far can truly understand. Although the journey is accompanied by beautiful scenery, the longing and attachment to home remain an irresistible pull. As the distance to home grew shorter, we couldn’t help but press down a little harder on the accelerator.

     At 5:40 PM, we arrived at Jiuliguan on the border of Hubei and Henan provinces (total vehicle mileage: 2,526 km).At 9:50 PM, we crossed the Liujian Yellow River Bridge (total vehicle mileage: 2,881 km). Just like the first time crossing the Yangtze River Bridge, and since it was nighttime, stopping randomly on the highway was too dangerous, so we had no choice but to drive straight through.At 11:55 PM, we reached the toll station at the border between Henan and Hebei provinces (total vehicle mileage: 3,048 km).

    To ensure safety, we stopped to rest every two service areas, taking turns driving. For dinner, we made do with the bread we bought. Traveling day and night, at 5:58 AM on the seventh day, we arrived at the final toll station of the whole journey—the Beijing Dujiakan Toll Station.

After seeing off Xiao Xia, Xiao Zhu, and Xiao Wu along the way, at 7:00 AM sharp, the vehicle safely and smoothly returned to the starting point—Beijing Sanyuanqiao.

      On the sixth and seventh days, we set off from Wuhan, Hubei Province, passed through Henan and Hebei, and returned to Beijing, covering 1,298 km in two days, with a total vehicle mileage of 3,551 km.

    Over the course of seven days of long-distance travel, we passed through eight provinces and cities: Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Hubei, and Henan. We crossed the Yellow River twice and traversed the Yangtze River twice.3551 Km.

    During this trip, our group of five enjoyed the landscape gallery of Xin’an River in Anhui, and were fortunate enough to participate in the folk event of the consecration of the statue (Bodhisattva) at Wangwang Temple. We visited the rural scenery and historic residences in She County, Anhui, and Wuyuan, Jiangxi. We also climbed the famous Sanqing Mountain in Jiangxi and admired the azaleas on Wuhan’s Yunwu Mountain. While enjoying the beautiful scenery of the scenic spots, we were even more captivated by the views along the way. Each stunning scene and unforgettable moment made us pause and admire them during our journey.

    The “Colorful Spring. Diverse Life—Dream Time Combo” spring flower-viewing self-driving trip that I planned and successfully carried out was a joyful journey, a happy trip, and even more an unforgettable experience. As long as the steps of travel continue, the joy of life continues. Looking forward to the next trip is the wish of us all.

      This trip made us more truly realize and appreciate: the most beautiful scenery is on the road…[attach]1452555[/attach]