Misty Jiangnan · Hiking the Ink-Wash Wonderland of Xuedouling | The Ultimate Early Winter Hike!

Hey everyone! I've discovered the ultimate autumn/winter hiking spot in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai! No crowds, no need to wake up early to grab a photo spot. At **Xuedouling Ancient Path** in Shengzhou, Shaoxing, I encountered a flowing ink-wash painting – redwoods like flames🔥, emerald pools like mirrors💧, thin mist clinging to the mountainside. Every step felt like walking into a Song Dynasty painting~ 📍 **Address**: Xuedouling Ancient Path, Zhutiantou Village, Shengzhou City, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province 🕙 **Best Viewing Period**: Early November to late November 🚗 **Transportation**: 1.5-hour direct drive from Hangzhou, just navigate to "Xuedouling" --- 🌲 **Why You'll Love This Ancient Path?** 1️⃣ **East China's Most Beautiful Metasequoia Corridor**: November is absolutely stunning! Xuedouling's metasequoia forest gradually transforms from near to far into wine red🍷 and golden orange🍊, reflecting in the emerald green Zhibukeng Reservoir. When the sun penetrates the thin mist✨, the entire valley looks like it's sprinkled with gold dust~ 2️⃣ **Beginner-Friendly Route**: The entire route is only **5km** (7km for the loop), with an elevation gain of 350m👌, easily completed in 2.5 hours! The stone steps are gentle, suitable for seniors and children. Along the way, there are ancient bridges, streams, and wild persimmons🍅~ 3️⃣ **Free and Secluded Gem**: Few people, beautiful scenery. Enjoy the tranquility of the entire valley, no need to edit out passersby in your photos~📸 --- 🗺️ **One-Day Hiking Guide** **🕘 Morning: Autumn Exploration on the Ancient Path** - **8:30** Depart from Zhutiantou Village, cross the stone-built ancient bridge, and find the best photo spot🏞️ - **10:00** Take stunning photos of "reflected metasequoias" at Zhibukeng Reservoir. Make sure to wait for the water to be calm!🌅 - **11:30** Reach the observation deck, overlooking the valley ablaze with autumn colors. If you're lucky, you might encounter a misty wonderland in the morning☁️ **🍜 Noon: Shengzhou Culinary Delights** - **Local snacks**: You can eat your fill for about 10 yuan per person! The Tofu Rice Cake is absolutely amazing🤤, and the Taro Dumplings are super chewy. - **Old Li's Baked Flatbread**: Crispy outside, tender inside with preserved vegetable and pork filling, perfect with chicken porridge! **🕓 Afternoon: Nearby Attractions** - **Wang Xizhi's Former Residence**: Check out the "ginkgo + calligraphy" double marvel (Address: No. 66 Jinting Road, Shengzhou City) - **Qingfeng Shijiu Du (Nineteen Crossings)**: Light hiking + bamboo raft drifting. The river scenery in autumn and winter is breathtaking! --- ⚠️ **Tips to Avoid Pitfalls** 1️⃣ **Non-slip shoes are a must**! Some stone steps can be slippery. 2️⃣ **Windproof jacket**: The temperature difference between morning and evening in the mountains is significant. 3️⃣ **Avoid weekends** or start early for a much better experience! --- 💌 **Final Thoughts** While city dwellers are still sleeping in, I'm already standing in a valley where redwoods are ablaze. The autumn and winter of Xuedouling are a love letter to hikers – poetry can be found in the Jiangnan countryside, just a 3-hour drive away💌.