A friend told me that Shennongjia has a mysterious beauty, where there are clouds within reach. So I longed for that scene and wanted to go there to explore the primordial mysteries and experience what it was like to reach for the clouds.
However, as fate would have it, my friend who agreed to go with me was never heard from again. But the anticipation in my heart didn't drop at all. I always wanted to go there, perhaps for a tie, an expectation, a surprise, or an end.
So, in this early summer, we started our 5-day trip to Hubei Shennongjia with my sister who just had the desire to travel.
Hubei is quite far from Shanghai, so if you choose to travel freely, it's hard to ensure the safety of the journey for two people when traveling on the rugged mountain roads. It is easier to join a 5-day group tour on Ctrip (the tour fee of 2550 RMB per person includes all transportation, accommodation, all tickets, boat tickets and meals for the middle three days). Apart from time constraints and freedom of movement, saving and convenience are the biggest advantages. Besides, visiting the Three Gorges Dam and the scenery along the Yangtze River is another experience.
There is always a gap between imagination and reality. The Shennongjia in my imagination should be a vast expanse of mountains. Pedestrians walk along the streams in the canyons, surrounded by dense vegetation and sometimes infested with golden monkeys. They mischievously ask tourists for food and play along the way, accompanied by the gentle mountain breeze. Fresh air is sucked into the nose. The further you go into the mountains, the more comfortable and peaceful it becomes. But the reality is that tourists ride in tour buses, driving along the mountain highway, stopping briefly at the attraction, and then heading to another attraction, without the freedom of walking, and the wild and uninhibited nature of close contact with the wild mountains. Driving time is long, but also more or less disturbed the tour's commitment and concentration. It's not like going to sunset and dusk is more fascinating.
Perhaps, Shennongjia is vast, wide and deep, and the attractions are so star-studded that it needs such a coiled mountain road to realize. But no matter what, I finally unveiled her mysterious veil and finally appreciated her unique beauty.
DAY 1
Shanghai - Yichang
D2216 departed from Shanghai at 8:39 and arrived at Yichang at 16:38. Because of my sister's company, my long journey arrived without realizing it in chatting. After the tour guide Ctrip picked me up at the train station, I checked into the Guomao Hotel.
Because of carelessness on the train, my sister's left neck was accidentally sprained, painful and swollen. Rested for a while, went to a nearby pharmacy to buy Yunnan Baiyao aerosol, and then enjoyed the first Yichang dishes in the restaurants around the hotel.
After dinner, I walked west along Jiyun Road to Riverside Park, which was at sunset. Looking as far as the end of the Yangtze River, the sun was setting slowly in the west, with red clouds piling up, coloring the western sky and the river red, giving off a soft golden glow, bloody as fire, extremely spectacular.
On the Independence River, I unintentionally recalled a saying, "People say that the setting sun is the horizon, forget the horizon, you can not see your home." People who are far away from home will think of their families when they see the sunset. Who am I missing at this time?
The most beautiful sunset
The most beautiful sunset
DAY 2
Yichang-Sanxia Dam-Shennongjia Tianshengqiao
After a simple breakfast at the hotel, a group of 14 people traveled by car along the special highway of the Three Gorges Dam to the reservoir area of the Three Gorges Dam.
The Three Gorges Dam is the largest water conservancy project in the world today. construction began in 1994 and was completed in 2006. The dam is a concrete gravity dam with a total crest length of 3,035 meters, a crest elevation of 185 meters, a normal storage level of 175 meters, and a total reservoir capacity of 39.3 billion cubic meters, which can withstand a one-in-a-century mega-flood. Currently, there are three attractions open to visitors in the Three Gorges Tourist Area: Tanziling, Platform 1
Tanziling Steel Book
85 Observation Deck
Dam
Five-stage Dam Locks
The lower Yangtze River view taken from Memorial Park
After lunch, the vehicle travels on a bumpy road, then on the highway. finally arrive at Shennongjia Scenic Spot via Eco Road. The whole journey takes about 4 hours.
Shennongjia is known as the "Roof of Central China". The forest area is characterized by overlapping mountains, ravines, deep valleys and steep slopes. The terrain is high in the southwest and low in the northeast. It is a primitive forest scenery as the background, the legend of Shennong and simple mountain culture as the connotation, set of strange trees, strange flowers, strange holes, strange peaks, strange folk as one, reflecting the primitive ancient, adventure, adventure. In addition, Shennongjia is also a natural oxygen bar with 160,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic centimeter.
The attraction to visit in the afternoon is Tianshengqiao. Tianqiao waterfall from the wall Tianshengqiao pouring down, just like the Milky Way, jade beads splash, show thousands of flavors; Tiantan Di Tan, crystal clear, a variety of strange stones in the pool, schools of fish swimming freely, let a person relaxed and happy.
Tianqiao Scenic Spot
Tianqiao Scenic Spot
Tianqiao Scenic Spot
Tianqiao Scenic Spot
Walking around Tianshengqiao Scenic Spot has been nearly dusk. After dinner, arrive at the Shennong Villa in Muyu Town. The hotel belongs to the second largest hotel in Muyu Town. Located on a high slope, the overall hardware facilities are better and the rooms are spacious. From the hotel, I can overlook the opposite side of the green hills.
Muyu TownMuyu Town is located in the southern part of Shennongjia, 1200 meters above sea level, with a long history. It is an important node and tourist distribution center on Hubei's "One River, Two Mountains" golden tourism line, where you can buy some local specialties to take home. The main local specialties are: organic tea, walnuts, kiwis, chestnuts, mushrooms, honey and medicinal herbs.
Muzhen Town
Muzhen Town
Muzhen's only five-star hotel is built on the hill.
DAY 3
Shennongjia-Shennong Valley, _Watchtower, Shennong Peak, Cool Breeze Cliff, Slate Rock, Dajiu Lake, Xiaolongtan.
Wake up and look out the window, you will still see the azure spotless sky.
After breakfast, take the shuttle bus and drive along the Pan Mountain Highway for 20 minutes, arrive at the visitor center and transfer to the scenic tour bus. The first stop is Golden Monkey Creek. There are quiet valleys, winding paths, mountain flowers everywhere, lush trees entwined with green vines, and gurgling springs accompanied by chirping birds. It reminds you of the moonlight in the pine forest and the crystal stone in the brook.
Jinxi
Jinxi
Second stop--Shennong Valley
The blue sky is clear and high, and the azaleas in the mountains are open and charming. Because the weather is unusually clear and sunny, the visibility is naturally excellent. As far as the eye can see, the peaks are breathtakingly beautiful, and the strange rocks and peaks are delightful.
Shennong Valley
Shennong Valley Alpine Azalea
The rainbow also radiates under the ten thousand lights.
Third stop - Shennong Peak
At 3,106 meters above sea level, it is the top peak. Taking a photo with the blue sky and white clouds as the background, the mood is so refreshing.
Shennong Peak
Shennong Peak Scenic Area
Shennong Peak Scenic Area
Fourth Stop--Liangfeng Ya
The cool breeze here is fresh and clean. Even on a hot summer day, standing in the pass is cool and pleasant, and the summer heat is gone.
Xuzhou
White azaleas dot the green hills.
Endless green hills
Fifth stop-Plankton Rock
The scenic area is dotted with oddly shaped rocks in different postures. Whether you look at them from the front or from the side, the images and postures are different, but all of them are lifelike. You can give full play to your imagination.
Shennong Dome
Shilin Landscape
Shilin Landscape
Shilin Landscape
Shilin Landscape
Shilin Landscape
Shilin Landscape
After lunch, you will head to the sixth stop of the day - Dajiu Lake Wetland.
The Great Nine Lakes is the largest and highest alpine wetland in central China. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, there is a stream with nine lakes, hence the name Great Nine Lakes. Here, far from the hustle and bustle, calm and quiet, the lake surface breeze sparkling. The grassland is full of cows and sheep, and the surrounding hills are green and lush. Here the water is bright, the lake is like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds, and the delicate flowers of begonias, far away, quiet and beautiful. In such an environment, all the unpleasant
Leaving Dajiu Lake, I drove along the mountain road, surrounded by cliffs, deep valleys, winding roads. In a daze, I finally arrived at the seventh stop: the Xiaolongtan Wilderness Examination Station.
This is the base camp of the Shennongjia Wilderness Expedition; it is also the main observation point for golden monkeys and a wildlife rescue station.
The noble golden monkeys in cages, without freedom and liberty, actually made me sympathize.
DAY 4
Shennongjia Tianyan Scenic Spot - Xiling Gorge - Yichang
The first stop - Yanzia: it is a pass at 2200 meters above sea level. Pine and birch trees spread their green color on the cliffs, and the mountains on both sides of the cliffs look like swallows with their wings spreading and flying. It is called "Swallow Cliff" because of the famous Swallow Cliff Cave nearby.
In early summer at Swallow Cliff, azaleas and lilacs bloom, and green spreads in the distant mountains.
Yanzia
Yanzia
Yanzia
Yanzia
Yanzia
Yanzia
Second Stop--Xiangxi Garden
Legend has it that Wang Zhaojun was born in a small village at the source of Xiangxi. Around the source of Xiangxi, there are beautiful peaks, misty clouds, clear springs, spectacular waterfalls, sky-high ancient trees and blooming mountain flowers. It is a beautiful place in Zhongling.
Xiyuan
Xiyuan
Xiyuan
Xiyuan
Xiyuan
Third stop: Xiling Gorge
After lunch, by 1:30 I arrived at the Xingshan Gorge Tourist Pier. Waiting for the 15:00-17:30 cruise ship Yangzi River set sail. The first floor of the boat offers free seating, while the second and third floors are basically paid cafes offering tea and snacks for 80 yuan per person.
The pier
River view
River view
There is no more beautiful view than a smiling face.
Beautiful Scenery Along the River
Yichang Jetty
Two and a half hours of cruising time, while blowing the river breeze and enjoying the beautiful scenery, passed by without realizing it. After disembarking from the boat (you can walk ashore or take the free cable car ashore), take the one-hour ride back to Yichang city according to the designated tour vehicle broadcasted on the cruise ship.
DAY 5
Yichang-Shanghai
After breakfast at the hotel, we went west along Jiyun Road to the Riverside Park. The riverside in the early morning was a picture of leisurely life. Square dancers, social dancers, and fitness crowds were everywhere. People living here are supposed to be comfortable and enjoy life, not full of repressed desires like the bustling crowds in big cities.
Yichang Riverside Park
Yichang Riverside Park
Yichang Riverside Park
1:30 travel agency will special car to the East Railway Station, ready to take D2218 back to Shanghai.
And tired and engaged in long-distance travel, came to seem to have lost the enthusiasm to chat, so the novels and videos became the best companion of the trip. At 9:20 p.m., the train finally pulled into Hongqiao. It seemed like a lifetime ago to be in the middle of a crowd. All the peace and comfort seemed to have left me, and I would be plunged into a busy life again. But the fond memories of this trip will stay in my mind, comforting me in times of exhaustion. The spotless skies there will erase the haze in my heart in my memory.
When and where is the next departure? Maybe it's Xinjiang, maybe it's Inaccessible, maybe it's just a view from anywhere.
: Summary
1. Cost: tour fee 2550 yuan / person, 80 yuan / person in addition to the group meals outside the meals, shopping (mushrooms, fungus, snacks, etc.). In 300 yuan. 2. Total ****, 930 yuan. Group tours are less free, but still cheaper.
2. Because I want to visit Yichang and Three Gorges attractions, I chose a 5-day tour to reach Yichang. For short vacationers, you can fly directly from Shanghai to Shennongjia, but the plane is uncertain and there may be a backup.
3. Even in the hot summer, Shennongjia is a good place to escape the heat as it is cooler in the morning and evening. In case of bad weather, you should consider bringing down jackets.
: Pre-trip Preparation
1. Bring a thick jacket and umbrella and pay attention to the weather. On the first day of departure, we looked at the weather and it rained for three days. On the day of departure, we found that the weather was clear and the sun was heard to be poisonous, so thick coats and umbrellas were a must. went to Shennongjia on May 19th. The summer resort is still quite cool at this time of year, but it was windy on the mountain when I played and the temperature was much lower, about 15 to 25 degrees. Might as well bring a thicker jacket (I was wearing pants and a short-sleeved thin jacket that gave me a runny nose at night)
2. Prepare for motion sickness medication (it's best to buy the kind that won't make you sleepy, and the scenery along the way is good). From Shiyan to Shennongjia, almost all of the mountain roads can be played all over again, up and down all the way. When we came back
3. It is best to wear sports non-slip shoes. There is a lot of riding along the way, but also a lot of walking.
4. Of course students should bring their student IDs ~ the Scenic Pass (including Shennong Dome, Tiansheng Bridge, Shennong Altar, Guanmen Mountain, Dajiu Lake, and Tianyan Scenic Area) enjoys a half-price discount of 269 RMB! That's $135! This ticket is for you. Don't lose it. You can go to these attractions within five days (it's not clear if you can re-enter the same attraction)
5. The bus from Shiyan to Muyu doesn't leave until 9am! Only the bus terminal in Three Eyes has a bus and the fare is 84.If you book a hotel in advance, if you are not in Muyu, make sure you tell the driver uncle in advance and he will remind you where to get off and how to transfer.
6. Driver uncle said their hotel 80 nights (Muyu town) have a car can take you half a day 50 hours, 100 people a day. But I think this should be with others. You can ask for details before deciding. We booked the hotel in Dajiu Lake in advance and didn't stay there.
7. Tourism off-season, that scenic area bus service is rare, long gone. I heard that Shennong top scenic spot only five big attractions, the rest are non-stop, and it seems to take only tour groups. The specific situation is not clear, because two days did not go.
8. To Shennongjia, no bus, had to rent a car. The price was 400 RMB, but I don't know how much it is in peak season. It is very expensive! By private car, the driver was very skillful and the ride was not that bumpy. If you want to charter a bus, I think it's cheaper to ask a few people (three or four, not too many people in a private car) to split it evenly. The good thing about the chartered car is that you can stop at a small spot to take a picture, and the driver will wait for you. Anyway it's like vip haha, but expensive!
9. The Dajiu Lake scenic area is on the other side of Shennong Ding. After visiting Shennong top, you can stay at Dajiu Lake and wait until the next morning to see the morning mist.
(The scenic spot ticket lady told me that the morning fog is not every day. It depends on the luck. We were lucky.) 1
10. The earliest 6 o'clock shuttle bus from Dajiu Lake scenic area. If you want to see the morning mist, you'd better get up early to catch this bus. We caught the 7 o'clock bus and saw the morning mist too, but it was very short.
11. The Dajiu Lake scenic area still costs 60 yuan. If you go in, take a bus to the scenic area. Scenic area has a small train (scenic bus) 20 minutes, will take you to a few lakes (not every lake stop).
12. Dajiu Lake to Muyu bus at 8:30 in the morning is gone, or we can charter 400 to Muyu. A few people together can be considered, but Muyu to Shiyan car at 8:30 in the morning to open. You can choose to go back to Muyu to play around the Tiansheng Bridge, Shennongtan and other attractions. The first thing you need to do is to stay overnight and then hitchhike back to Shiyan.
13. The next day at Dajiu Lake until noon, we chose to stay in the hotel another night. The next day, there is a 7:00 bus from Pingqian Ancient Town (outside of Dajiu Lake where we stayed) to Baisong Town (the largest town in Shennongjia) that arrives at about 10:00. We took the 11:30 bus (last bus back to Shiyan, fare 70) and arrived around 4:00 pm.
Shennong top scenic spot at 9:00 am from Shiyan, 12:00 pm stop at a small restaurant for dinner (a little expensive, 15 dishes, 20 eggs, 25 meat, 2 dollars a bowl of rice). More than three o'clock in the afternoon, to the wooden fish. Because I didn't make an appointment with the driver for the hotel at Dajiu Lake beforehand, I paid 10 yuan to take the inter-village bus to the transfer center, and there was no bus before 4 o'clock, so I had to pay 400 yuan.
1. The golden monkeys at Xiaolongtan (wildlife rescue station) are very nice~ I hope there is less poaching, and there are also golden eagles and bears.
2. Golden Monkey Ridge (see the waterfall, the water is as cold as ice water)
3. Shennong top has too many steps. I didn't want to climb and didn't go directly.
4. Shennong Valley (must go, it's spectacular and not good for photography)
5. Small attractions on the road
6. Slate, not deep.
The night to live outside the Dajiu Lake scenic area of the hotel, off-season price of 78.
The price of the food is more expensive, but the price is basically the same over there. I thought it would be cheaper to find a small restaurant that night, but I didn't realize it was expensive and tasted bad. I would recommend eating at a better restaurant, the price should be about the same.
Huda Scenic Area
The alarm went off at 5:30 in the morning, but Moxiang didn't
Then I took the little train out~
4. Pingqian Ancient Town at night.
On the third day, the master driver came to pick us up at 7am. It was a nine-seater van, 50 per person, one more person. It was a bit crowded. Today, Shennongjia had light rain and it was very cold. On the way back, Shennong Ding scenic area is quite beautiful.