الطريق الساحل الخلفي لأنهوي لـ 10 أيام النهائية: رحلة فردية خلابة

There is a quiet satisfaction in escaping the well-trodden tourist trails, especially when you find a region that seems to have frozen in time while the rest of the world rushed forward. A few weeks ago, in the early spring of 2026, I packed my lightweight gear, grabbed my trusty foldable water bottle, and embarked on my self-planned Anhui backcountry route, a journey that took me deep into the misty mountains, ancient walled towns, and forgotten stone villages of Anhui Province. For years, I had heard fellow travelers talk about the overcrowded steps of Yellow Mountain (Huangshan), but my instincts told me that the true soul of this province lay elsewhere, hidden in the silent valleys and the lesser-known peaks. My pre-existing belief was completely confirmed during this trip, modern cities are starting to look identical with their glass skyscrapers and sterile shopping malls, but these ancient Huizhou settlements possess a raw, irreplaceable character that cannot be replicated. If you are an independent traveler looking for a journey that offers both physical challenge and deep cultural immersion, this detailed log is written for you.

Why I Chose This Anhui Backcountry Route

When planning this trip, my goal was to map out a highly efficient Anhui backcountry route that bypasses the commercialized tourist traps and focuses instead on authentic local experiences. I wanted to test my physical limits on rugged granite peaks, explore ancient villages that still maintain their original layout, and understand the deep historical forces that shaped this region. Too many Western travelers come to China and only see Shanghai or Beijing, they miss the incredible depth of the provincial interior. I designed this 10-day itinerary to bridge the gap between Northern and Southern Anhui, starting in the historic northern plains of Shouxian, moving south through the dramatic heights of Tianzhu Mountain and Qiyun Mountain, and finally winding through the ancient villages of Huizhou before concluding in the provincial capital, Hefei. It was a solid plan with no issues, and it allowed me to experience the incredible transition of landscapes and local cultures firsthand.

To give you a clear overview of the journey, here is the structured itinerary of this Anhui backcountry route, which I executed with precise timing using offline GPS maps and local transport networks. I avoided expensive private tours and relied entirely on public buses, high-speed trains, and my own two feet, keeping the budget low and the adventure level high.

اليوم	الوجهة	Key Activities	Daily Hiking Distance
اليوم 1	Shou County (Shouxian)	Explore ancient city walls, Chu Culture Museum, 24 Solar Terms Museum	6 km (urban walk)
اليوم 2	جبل تيانزو	Climb the granite peaks, navigate the Mystery Valley, view Tianzhu Peak	12 km (steep ascent)
اليوم 3	Qiyun Mountain	Explore Taoist cliff carvings, Yuehua Street, watch evening dragon dance	8 km (mountain trail)
اليوم 4	She County (Shexian)	Walk Doushan Street, photograph Xuguo Stone Archway, watch fish lanterns	5 km (historic streets)
اليوم 5	Yuliang Dam	Sunset photography at the ancient river dam, explore old merchant paths	7 km (riverside trek)
اليوم السادس	Hongcun & Xidi	Early morning photography at Moon Pond, explore Ming-Qing architecture	9 km (village exploration)
اليوم 7	Chengkan	Navigate the Eight Trigrams layout, watch spectacular evening fish lanterns	6 km (maze-like lanes)
Day 8	Wanyier Village	Hike through the isolated, stone-built cliffside village	10 km (backcountry trail)
اليوم التاسع	Tongling Yongquan	Use ancient copper coins in the food street, soak in Jiubao Hot Springs	4 km (leisurely walk)
Day 10	Hefei	Visit Anhui Museum to see the Chu Bronze Ding, taste local culinary specialties	5 km (museum & market)

Day 1: Stepping into History at Shou County (Shouxian)

My journey began with a smooth high-speed train ride from Shanghai to Shouxian Station, which I booked easily through the official Chinese railway booking website. As soon as I stepped off the train, the modern world seemed to recede, I took a local bus for just 2 RMB to the South Gate of the ancient city wall. This historic pocket marked the official starting point of my Anhui backcountry route, it felt incredibly peaceful compared to the bustling coastal metropolises. The ancient city walls of Shouxian are remarkably preserved, they have stood for over two thousand years, serving not only as military defenses but also as critical flood barriers against the temperamental Huai River. I climbed up the stone ramparts of the South Gate, the view from the top was mesmerizing. Below me, narrow alleys wound between grey-tiled houses, while in the distance, the misty outline of Bagong Mountain rose against the grey sky.

I spent the afternoon wandering through the quiet lanes, stopping first at the 24 Solar Terms Museum. It was a fascinating, highly interactive space that detailed how ancient Chinese farmers used astronomical observations to guide their agriculture, the exhibition was incredibly well-designed. Next, I walked to the nearby Confucius Temple, where ancient ginkgo trees cast long shadows over the quiet courtyards. The atmosphere was thick with history, I sat on a stone bench for an hour just listening to the wind rustling through the leaves. It reminded me of my grandfather’s old study back home, which always smelled of dusty books and old vinyl records, there is a similar, comforting nostalgia in these ancient Chinese courtyards. For dinner, I wandered into a small, local eatery near the East Gate. I had been warned to avoid the local salted goose as foreigners often find it too salty, but my stubbornness got the better of me. It was indeed incredibly salty, almost painfully so, I had to drink a massive amount of H2O from my foldable bottle to wash it down. However, the local beef soup (Huainan beef soup) at a small shop called Chen’s near the East Gate was an absolute revelation, it was rich, spicy, and packed with deep umami flavor, I immediately knew I would be eating this for breakfast the next day.

Day 2: The Vertical Challenge of Tianzhu Mountain

The next morning, I took an early bus to Qianshan, the gateway to Tianzhu Mountain. Tianzhu Mountain became a physical highlight of this Anhui backcountry route, the granite peaks and deep valleys offered some of the most challenging and rewarding hiking I have experienced in East China. I arrived at the scenic area early, taking the first cable car up to the trailhead to beat the crowds, the morning air was crisp and incredibly clean. My plan was to tackle the “Great Loop” trail, a demanding 7-hour trek that covers the most dramatic sections of the mountain. I started my ascent through the Mystery Valley, which is a massive labyrinth of giant granite boulders. The trail frequently forced me to crawl through narrow stone crevices and climb near-vertical rock faces using steel chains, it was an exhilarating physical challenge that required total concentration.

As I emerged from the Mystery Valley, the landscape opened up dramatically. The famous Hundred-Step Cloud Ladder rose before me, a nearly vertical staircase carved directly into the sheer spine of the mountain. I climbed steadily, keeping my eyes focused on the stone steps ahead, when I finally reached the top and looked back, a sea of white clouds was rolling through the valleys below, swallowing the lower peaks. It was an absolutely breathtaking sight, the jagged granite pillars looked like stone islands floating in a mystical white ocean. I reached the summit platform of Tianchi Peak just before noon, where I had a clear, unobstructed view of the main peak, Tianzhu Peak, rising 1,488 meters into the sky like a giant stone pillar. I sat on the rocky ledge, eating my packed lunch of energy bars and dried fruit, feeling a deep sense of accomplishment. The descent took me past the serene Danbi Lake, a beautiful high-mountain lake whose crystal-clear waters perfectly reflected the surrounding pine trees and granite cliffs. By the time I reached the bottom, my legs were thoroughly exhausted, but the incredible scenry made every painful step entirely worth it.

Day 3: Taoist Mists on Qiyun Mountain

After the intense physical exertion of Tianzhu Mountain, integrating Qiyun Mountain into my Anhui backcountry route was a conscious decision to balance raw nature with spiritual history. Located in休宁 (Xiuning) County near Huangshan City, Qiyun Mountain is one of China’s four sacred Taoist mountains, yet it receives only a fraction of the visitors that flock to nearby Huangshan. I took a local bus from the train station to the scenic area, the weather was damp and misty, which turned out to be absolutely perfect for experiencing the mountain’s mystical atmosphere. I took the Yuehua cable car up, but instead of staying on the main paved paths, I branched off onto the old stone trails that wind through the red sandstone cliffs. The geology here is classic Danxia landform, with deep red cliffs that contrasted beautifully with the vibrant green bamboo forests.

I walked through the dramatic stone arches of the First, Second, and Third Heavenly Gates, eventually reaching Yuehua Street, a small Taoist village built directly along a narrow cliffside ledge. The white-walled houses seemed to cling precariously to the red rock, with wisps of mountain mist drifting through the narrow street. I visited the Taisu Palace, a grand Taoist temple nestled against a towering cliff face, where the sound of chanting and the scent of burning incense filled the damp air. I spent hours exploring the nearby stone caves, such as Xiaohutian and the True Xian Cave Dwelling, where the rock walls were covered in hundreds of historic inscriptions and delicate stone carvings dating back to the Ming and Tang dynasties. The lack of crowds was incredibly refreshing, I was often the only person standing in these ancient caves, listening to the slow drip of water from the ceilings. In the evening, I stayed in the nearby Qiyun Town and watched the spectacular “White Mountain Night” performance, which featured traditional dragon dances and a breathtaking display of molten iron fireworks that lit up the dark night sky like a shower of falling stars.

Day 4: The Heart of Huizhou in Shexian

On the fourth day, I traveled to Shexian (She County), the ancient administrative heart of the historic Huizhou region. Shexian Ancient City is the cultural anchor of the Anhui backcountry route, its streets are lined with some of the finest examples of Hui-style architecture in China. I started my exploration at the Xuguo Stone Archway, a massive, eight-sided stone monument built in the late Ming Dynasty. Unlike most archways which are flat, this unique structure is a three-dimensional masterpiece of stone carving, featuring incredibly detailed reliefs of dragons, phoenixes, and lions. I stood beneath the towering archway, marveling at the skill of the ancient masons, it was hard to believe that this structure had survived intact for over five centuries through wars, floods, and political upheavals.

From the archway, I walked into Doushan Street, a quiet, narrow residential lane paved with smooth stone slabs. The street is lined with the grand mansions of wealthy Ming and Qing dynasty Huizhou merchants, characterized by their towering white “horse-head” walls designed to prevent fire from spreading between buildings. The houses were quiet and mostly closed to the public, but occasionally I would catch a glimpse of a sunlit courtyard through a half-open wooden door, revealing exquisite wood and stone carvings on the beams and pillars. It felt incredibly authentic, far removed from the commercialized tourist streets of other historic towns in China. As the sun began to set, the town prepared for its nightly highlight: the traditional fish lantern parade. Around 19:30, a group of local performers carrying large, beautifully crafted paper fish lanterns illuminated from within by candles began to march through the narrow alleys. The colorful, glowing fish seemed to swim through the dark streets to the rhythmic beat of drums and gongs, creating a magical, dream-like atmosphere that felt like stepping directly into an ancient Chinese painting.

Day 5: The Silent Flow of Yuliang Dam

I decided to spend an extra day in Shexian to explore Yuliang Dam, a historic water control project located just a short walk along the Xin’an River from the ancient city center. Yuliang Dam proved that a solid Anhui backcountry route must include slow-paced, historically rich riverside walks, it is often in these quiet corners that you find the most profound connections to the past. Built during the Tang Dynasty using massive blocks of granite bound together with iron keys, the dam has regulated the river’s flow and facilitated water transport for over a thousand years. It was from this very dam that generations of Huizhou merchants boarded wooden boats to carry their tea, ink, and silk down the river to Hangzhou and Shanghai, laying the foundation for their legendary commercial empires.

I spent the afternoon walking along the ancient stone paved streets of Yuliang Village, which runs parallel to the river. The village was wonderfully quiet, with elderly residents sitting on wooden stools outside their homes, washing vegetables in the river, or chatting in the warm spring sunshine. I walked out onto the dam itself, the massive granite blocks felt incredibly solid beneath my feet. The water flowed gently over the wide stone steps of the dam, creating a soothing, continuous rush of sound that drowned out the noise of the modern world. I sat on the riverbank near the dam, watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon, casting a deep golden glow over the water and the ancient stone houses. In the evening, the gentle river breeze was incredibly therapeutic, I felt a deep sense of peace that is impossible to find in the crowded scenic spots. I realized then that my preference for these quiet, historically significant sites was entirely justified, the commercialized attractions simply cannot compete with this raw, authentic beauty.

Day 6: Early Morning Solitude in Hongcun and Xidi

No trip to Southern Anhui would be complete without visiting the famous UNESCO World Heritage villages of Hongcun and Xidi, but I knew that these popular sites could easily become overcrowded if not approached with a solid plan. I made sure that even the popular villages can fit into an off-the-beaten-path Anhui backcountry route if you time your visits right, which in this case meant waking up before dawn. I arrived at Hongcun at 6:00 AM, just as the first light of day was beginning to pierce through the morning mist. The village was completely silent, the daytime crowds of tour groups and art students had not yet arrived. I walked directly to the Moon Pond, the famous crescent-shaped pool located at the very heart of the village.

The water of the Moon Pond was perfectly still, acting as a flawless mirror that reflected the surrounding white-walled, black-tiled houses and the misty green mountains in the distance. It was an incredibly beautiful, almost spiritual sight, the symmetrical reflection looked like a classic Chinese ink wash painting come to life. I spent two hours wandering through the maze of narrow water canals that run alongside every street, admiring the intricate wood carvings on the historic residences such as Chengzhi Hall. By 9:00 AM, the first tour buses began to arrive, and the quiet magic of the village quickly evaporated. I immediately left and took a local bus to Xidi, another beautifully preserved village nearby. While Xidi is slightly more commercialized, I managed to find quiet corners by climbing up to the viewing platform on the hillside south of the village, which offered a spectacular panoramic view of the entire settlement nestled in a green valley. For lunch, I stopped at a small family-run restaurant in Xidi and tried the local specialty, Smelly Mandarin Fish (Chou Guiyu). Despite its intimidating name and pungent aroma, the fish was incredibly tender and had a rich, savory, and slightly spicy flavor that I thoroughly enjoyed, proving once again that you should never let initial biases prevent you from trying local culinary delights.

Day 7: The Mysterious Geometry of Chengkan

My next stop was Chengkan, an ancient village that is often overshadowed by Hongcun but is far more mysterious and architecturally significant. I knew that including Chengkan in my Anhui backcountry route was non-negotiable, as it is uniquely designed according to the Eight Trigrams (Bagua) of the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes). The village is laid out in a complex, maze-like pattern surrounded by eight hills, which are said to act as natural protectors. I entered the village and immediately got lost in the narrow, high-walled alleys, which was exactly what I wanted. The high stone walls cast deep shadows, and every turn revealed a new, unexpected vista—a quiet stone bridge, a small lotus pond, or a grand ancestral temple.

I spent the afternoon exploring the grand Luo Sanyi Ancestral Temple, a massive Ming Dynasty structure supported by giant wooden pillars of rare Phoebe zhennan wood. The scale and craftsmanship of the temple were awe-inspiring, reflecting the immense wealth and social status of the Luo clan who founded the village. I sat on the steps of the temple’s main courtyard, watching the play of light and shadow on the ancient stone floor. As evening approached, I joined the locals at the edge of Yongxing Lake, a large pond at the entrance of the village. At 17:38, the traditional fish lantern parade began. The atmosphere was electric as the glowing, colorful paper fish lanterns were paraded around the lake, their vibrant colors reflecting beautifully in the dark water. The sound of drums and gongs echoed off the ancient stone walls, and I felt completely immersed in a cultural tradition that has remained unchanged for centuries. It was a powerful reminder of why I travel—to witness these rare, authentic moments of human connection and cultural preservation.

Day 8: Wanyier Village – The Cliffside Stone Haven

For Day 8, I planned the most remote and physically demanding leg of my journey: a trek to Wanyier Village (万二村). Wanyier Village is perhaps the most isolated settlement on this Anhui backcountry route, built directly onto the steep slopes of a deep mountain valley with absolutely no commercial tourism. I had to hire a local driver to take me as far as the road would go, and then I hiked the remaining 5 kilometers along a narrow, rocky trail that wound through dense bamboo forests and steep mountain cliffs. The trail was rugged and occasionally slick from the morning dew, but my sturdy hiking boots and trekking poles kept me steady.

When I finally rounded a bend in the trail and saw Wanyier Village, I was absolutely stunned. The village seemed to cling almost miraculously to the sheer mountainside, with houses built entirely of rough, grey river stones stacked together without mortar. The narrow lanes were actually steep stone staircases winding between the houses, and the small terraced fields of tea and vegetables were carved directly into the rocky slopes. The village was wonderfully quiet, with the only sounds being the rush of a mountain stream below and the occasional crow of a rooster. I spent hours walking through the quiet stone lanes, marveling at the sheer determination and ingenuity of the ancestors who built this village in such a challenging environment. It was a powerful confirmation of my belief that the most rewarding travel experiences are found far beyond the reach of tour buses and paved scenic paths, in the quiet, hard-to-reach corners of the world where life is still lived in harmony with the land.

Day 9: Stepping Back in Time at Tongling Yongquan

After the rugged isolation of Wanyier Village, I designed the final leg of this Anhui backcountry route to wind down at Tongling Yongquan Valley (Yongquan Xiaozhen). Located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, this unique resort town has recreated an authentic, slow-paced ancient lifestyle. What makes this place truly special is that modern currency and electronic payments are not accepted in the ancient food street, instead, you must go to the local “Yongquan Money Changer” and exchange your money for physical copper coins with a square hole in the middle, just like in ancient China.

I spent a delightful afternoon wandering through the bustling food street, using my heavy copper coins to purchase various local snacks. I tried the freshly ground stone-mill tofu, which was incredibly silky and served with a savory, spicy sauce, as well as the hand-pulled sweet potato noodles that had a wonderful, chewy texture. The entire street was filled with the rich aromas of roasting meats, steaming buns, and sweet rice wine, creating a wonderfully warm and lively atmosphere. In the late afternoon, I checked into the Jiubao Hot Springs within the resort, which features natural, mineral-rich thermal waters pumped from over 2,000 meters underground. I soaked in one of the outdoor stone pools nestled among the quiet pine trees, feeling the deep, soothing heat wash away the physical exhaustion of the past nine days of hiking. It was the perfect, relaxing conclusion to an incredibly intense and rewarding journey through the heart of Anhui.

Day 10: Hefei’s Cultural Echoes

On my final day, I took the high-speed train back to Hefei to complete the loop. Completing this 10-day Anhui backcountry route in Hefei allowed me to connect the physical landscapes I had traversed with the grand historical narrative of the region. I spent the morning at the massive Anhui Museum, which is completely free to enter and houses an incredible collection of regional artifacts. The absolute highlight of the museum is the Chu Bronze Ding, a massive, three-legged ritual vessel dating back to the Warring States period. Standing before this giant, green-patinated bronze vessel, which weighs over 400 kilograms, I felt a profound sense of scale and history, it was a tangible link to the ancient Kingdom of Chu that once ruled these lands.

For my final meal, I sought out a traditional restaurant in Hefei to try the famous Li Hongzhang Hodgepodge (Li Hongzhang Dazhaban), a rich, complex stew named after the famous Qing Dynasty diplomat. The dish was packed with a wide variety of ingredients, including sea cucumber, squid, meatballs, ham, and mushrooms, all simmered together in a rich, savory broth. It was a wonderfully hearty and satisfying meal that perfectly warmed me up against the cool spring air. As I sat in the restaurant, listening to the lively chatter of local diners and reflecting on the incredible variety of experiences I had over the past ten days, I knew that my journey had been a complete success. I had climbed rugged peaks, explored ancient walled towns, and witnessed beautiful cultural traditions, all while staying far ahead of the tourist crowds. It was a journey that had thoroughly challenged me physically and enriched me culturally, proving once again that the true magic of travel is found when you dare to step off the beaten path.

Essential Gear Checklist for the Backcountry

When executing a demanding itinerary like this, carrying the right gear for this rugged Anhui backcountry route made all the difference between a successful, enjoyable trek and a miserable, potentially dangerous ordeal. Because I traveled solo and relied entirely on public transport and my own two feet, I had to keep my pack lightweight while ensuring I was prepared for the rapidly changing mountain weather. Here is the exact gear list that I carried in my 35-liter backpack, which performed flawlessly throughout the 10-day journey:

• أحذية: Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with deep Vibram soles. The granite steps of Tianzhu Mountain and the wet stone paths of Wanyier Village can be incredibly slick, so excellent traction is non-negotiable.
• الترطيب: A 1-liter foldable silicone water bottle. I used this to carry H2O and easily refilled it at guesthouses and temples, significantly reducing my plastic waste.
• الملاحة: A dedicated handheld GPS unit along with offline topographic maps downloaded on my smartphone. Cell service can be highly unreliable in the deep valleys of Wanyier and Tianzhu Mountain.
• الملابس: A lightweight, windproof, and waterproof hardshell jacket. Mountain weather in Anhui is notoriously unpredictable, and I was caught in sudden downpours on both Qiyun and Tianzhu mountains.
• عصا تسلق: A pair of collapsible carbon-fiber trekking poles. These were absolutely essential for saving my knees during the steep, knee-jarring descents down the granite staircases.

Navigational Tips and Pitfalls to Avoid

To avoid pitfalls on your own Anhui backcountry route, make sure to plan your logistics carefully and remain highly adaptable. One of the biggest challenges of traveling in rural China is the language barrier and the reliance on local transport networks that may not be well-documented online. Here are several critical tips based on my own firsthand experiences to help you navigate this beautiful region smoothly and safely:

First, do not rely on Western mapping applications like Google Maps, which are highly inaccurate and outdated in China. Instead, download the Amap navigation app, which is the gold standard for navigating Chinese cities and rural roads, providing highly accurate, real-time bus and train schedules. Second, always carry a physical power bank for your phone, as you will rely heavily on digital payment apps and translation software throughout the day. Third, when climbing Tianzhu or Qiyun Mountain, always aim to start your hike as early as possible, ideally by 7:30 AM. This allows you to beat the heavy midday crowds and enjoy the peaceful morning light, which is far better for photography. Finally, be highly flexible with your dining options, while some local dishes like Smelly Mandarin Fish are delicious, others like the local salted goose can be extremely salty for Western palates, so always have some simple energy bars or fruit on hand just in case.

أجراس Anhui backcountry route is not just a trail; it is a bridge through time, connecting the ancient wisdom of Huizhou merchants with the raw, untamed beauty of China’s mountain peaks.

Conclusion: The Lasting Impression of Anhui

As I sat on the high-speed train heading back to Shanghai, watching the green hills of Anhui slowly recede in the distance, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for this incredible journey. If you want an authentic, raw experience of China, this Anhui backcountry route is a solid plan that will challenge your body and enrich your soul. It completely confirmed my long-held belief that the true magic of travel lies far beyond the crowded, highly commercialized scenic spots. It is found in the quiet, misty alleys of Shexian, on the steep, lung-burning steps of Tianzhu Mountain, and in the warm, welcoming smiles of the residents of Wanyier Village. I highly recommend taking a slow life retreat in this region, perhaps checking out this detailed Anhui slow life retreat guide or exploring an 8-day journey through Anhui’s hidden treasures to help plan your own adventure. Dare to step off the beaten path, pack your gear, and discover the timeless, misty magic of Anhui for yourself, it is an experience you will certainly never forget.