Built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Huihang Ancient Trail winds and twists through the spectacular mountains and waters of Zhejiang and Anhui provinces. This trail was an important trade route for merchants from Anhui and Zhejiang in ancient times, and played an important political, economic and cultural role in history. It also serves as a corridor combining natural scenery and culture.
An undated photo shows the view of Xin'an River in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. /CFP
Today, as a world-class natural and cultural tourism corridor known as the Huihang Ancient Trail, it connects Zhejiang's Hangzhou and Anhui's Yellow Mountain, stringing together six 5A scenic spots and more than 50 4A-rated scenic spots.
Apart from the well-known West Lake and Mount Huangshan, there are many other "hidden gems" along the corridor.
One of these gems is the actual place where the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) painter Huang Gongwang created the masterpiece "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" and spent his later years. The scenery in Huang Gongwang Village in Fuyang, Hangzhou, is as captivating as in the painting.
"Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" by Yuan Dynasty painter Huang Gongwang. /CFP
Walking among the dappled shadows of trees and the babbling brooks, a small courtyard built along a creek comes into view. This is "Nanlou," which served as Huang Gongwang's study. Here, it’s not hard to imagine the old man carrying his painting tools, traveling along both sides of the Fuchun River, sketching and painting the mountain scenes, and then returning to create his art in earnest.
As well as the local landscape, visitors can enjoy other scenic sights along the waterway. The Xin'an River, which originates in Huangshan City, provides more than 60 percent of the inflow to Qiandao Lake downstream in Hangzhou. The crystal-clear river reflects the lush green mountains on both sides, and various Hui-style buildings are scattered along the banks.
A photo shows the view of Mount Huangshan in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China. /CFP
The transportation network between Hangzhou and Huangshan is becoming denser, and the people of Hangzhou and Huangshan are working together to create a world famous tourist destination. Eight tourism routes of the Hangzhou-Huangshan natural and cultural tourism corridor have been established, offering visitors a variety of routes.
Wu Xiaoguang, a tour guide in Huangshan, has been in the business for 10 years. He said the key to building the Hangzhou-Huangshan Corridor is to make more people aware of some of the lesser-known “hidden gems” along the corridor and more of the beneficial resources along the route can be discovered and explored.