A road trip along Iceland's southern route is full of surprises!

I've always longed to see the beauty of Iceland, and at the end of 2024, I finally embarked on a road trip along Iceland's southern route. 1. Preparation and route planning After deciding to drive, I booked a car online and rented a four-wheel drive SUV to better cope with Iceland's complex road conditions. The daily rental fee was about CNY 1,000 (the price fluctuates with the seasons). My route started from Reykjavik, and I traveled along Highway 1 to begin my journey along the southern route. 2. My journey and the scenery When I first set off, I was both excited and nervous. I was excited about the beautiful scenery I was about to see, but nervous about the unfamiliar road conditions. I drove from Reykjavik to Vik, which took about three hours. Along the way, I saw endless Icelandic wilderness and rolling mountains in the distance, with snow-capped peaks. When I arrived at the black sand beach near Vik, I was speechless at the sight before me. The black sand beach glistened mysteriously in the sunlight, and the waves crashed against the black sand beach, creating white spray. I walked along the beach, feeling the sea breeze, and was filled with awe at the wonders of nature. Next, I went to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, which took about two hours. The scenery along the way was picturesque, with alternating wilderness and glaciers. The lagoon was filled with huge icebergs, and the blue hues seemed otherworldly. I took an amphibious boat, which slowly sailed into the lagoon. When I got close to the icebergs, I touched the cold and ancient ice, and felt a sense of time passing, as if I was traveling through time and talking to history. Then I went to Skaftafell, which took more than an hour. The hiking trails here allowed me to experience the primitive beauty of Iceland more deeply. As I walked along the mountain path, I saw a spectacular waterfall cascading down, with mist in the air. When the sun shone, I could see a rainbow. The unique rock formations on the mountain looked like works of art carefully carved by nature. 3. Costs and time This road trip along the southern route, excluding round-trip airfare, cost about CNY 5,000 for car rental (for 5 days), about CNY 1,500 for fuel, and about CNY 10,000 for tickets, boat tickets, food, accommodation, and other miscellaneous expenses. The total trip took about 5–6 days, but if you have more time, you can stay a few more days to enjoy it slowly. There were also some small accidents during the road trip. I got lost while looking for a niche attraction, and my phone signal was bad, so I was very flustered. But it was these little episodes that made the trip more memorable. A road trip along Iceland's southern route is like a passionate love affair with nature. If you also want to get away from the hustle and bustle and explore the purity of the world's end, come to Iceland and start your road trip!