While the desolation of winter has already arrived in northern
China, those living in the south can still enjoy the splendor of
autumn. Here are three places around Shanghai with the "most"
opportunities to enjoy the last of autumn.
Netizens claim Tachuan Village boasts the most famous autumn
scenery, Xichang Dafo Temple boasts the fall landscape with the
most zen flavor, and Badujie boasts the most romantic autumn view.
So for those living in the south, take some time out to enjoy the
beautiful scenery before winter comes. Catch the end tail of
autumn.
The most famous autumn view
Chinese netizens were once asked to pick four of the most
beautiful autumn views in China, and Tachuan Village is one of
them. The other three are the Fragrant Hill in Beijing, Kanas in
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Miyaluo in Sichuan
Province.
Tachuan Village is located in Yixian County in Anhui Province.
The layout of the village aligns with the mountains to create a
pagoda shape. Clear creeks wind their way through the village
lighting up the whole village in the mountains. The combination of
the pagoda shape and the tinkling creeks give the village its name
"Tachuan", meaning "pagoda and creek" literally in English.
Each autumn Tachuan is a favorite place of photographers with
its colorful views. It boasts many old trees, including maples and
camphors. The autumn colors create a land of wonder.
Ticket: 20 yuan
Traffic: Take Huhang highway first, then switch
to Hanghui highway, then Hehuangtong highway. Take Tunxixikou exit
and head for Xiuning until you arrive at Yixian County. Follow the
signs leading to Hongcun. Tachuan Village is just next to
Hongcun.
The most romantic autumn view
A typical scene in romantic movies is when lovers walk hand in
hand walk through a road lined by trees and covered by fallen
leaves. If you also want to experience this romance, go to the
Ancient Gingko Corridor in Changxing County, Zhejiang Province.
This place is located at Xiaopu Badujie and it is 12.5
kilometers long. Thirty thousand gingko trees line this corridor
and some of these arbors are thousands of years old.
Besides the golden gingko trees, Badujie also has a strong
cultural and mythical flavor. It's said that Liu Xiu, the founding
emperor of East Han Dynasty (25-220), once hided here to evade
enemies. Wuzhan Mountain at Badujie is a dreamy place made famous
by an ancient astrologist.
Ticket: free
Traffic: Take Huqingping highway to reach Jinze
Township. Then take 318 National Way and drive past ancient towns
like Lili, Luxu, Zhenze, and Nanxun to get onto Shensu Zheyuan
highWay. Then switch to Hangning highway and head towards Nanjing.
Get off at Changxing exit and then head for Xiaopu. It's a
20-minute drive from there to the Ancient Gingko Corridor.
The most zen Buddhist autumn view
Dafo Temple or Grand Buddha Temple, is located in Xinchang
County, Zhejiang Province. The temple has a history of 1,600 years
and it hosts a Buddha statue crowned as the number one Buddha in
southern China. The 16-meter tall Buddha is carved into a mountain
and is surrounded by red maple leaves.
At Dafo Temple visitors can also find the longest lying Buddha
in Asia. The statue is 37 meters long. About 300 meters west of
Dafo Temple is Qianfoyuan, or House of a Thousand Buddhas hiding in
the woods. It houses 1,000 normal-sized Buddha statues, 1,000
small-sized Buddha statues and a single large Buddha statue.
At the gate of Dafo Temple, tourists may also find a clear pond
for devoted Buddhists to free captive animals.
Ticket: 80 yuan
Traffic: Take Humin highway, then switch to
Huhang highway. Continue to Hangzhou Ring Road, then to Hangyong
highway. Drive past Shaoxing and get off Hangyong highway at Guzhu
exit. Then take Shangsan highway and head towards Shengzhou. It
takes around three hours to get there. Finally take 104 National
Way and follow the Wozhou Lake Scenic Spot signs to reach
Tianmushan Scenic Spot.
(pigtour.com via China Daily December 12, 2007)
