#Houliuzhen Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Ancient Towns
Address:
Houliuzhen, Shiquan, Ankang, Shaanxi, China
Opening times:
Open year round, 24/7Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
0.5 day
I was already amazed by the most beautiful self-driving route along the upper reaches of the Han River before even completing it
I don't believe there is a more beautiful self-driving route near Xi'an!
After so many years in Shaanxi, I finally took a 'national-level' self-driving route that connects the Qinling Mountains and the Bashan Mountains—the 'Qinba No.1 Highway'.
Some time ago, I heard by chance that Ankang City had launched a new self-driving road called the 'Qinba No.1 Highway'.
Taking advantage of its recent completion and before it becomes wildly popular, I drove a short section (Han River section) with my friends. All the photos are taken by myself, and the Han River did not disappoint!
🌈 About the 'Qinba No.1 Highway':
The 'Qinba No.1 Highway' is a new self-driving route launched by Ankang City in Shaanxi,
mainly following 'National Highway 210' and 'National Highway 541',
starting from Guanghuo Street in Ningshan County, Ankang City in the north, to Zhenping County, the 'southern gateway' of Shaanxi in the south,
with a total length of 500 kilometers,
traversing the Qinling Mountains, Han River, and Bashan Mountains from north to south,
it can be said to be the most maturely developed, with the best road conditions,
and the most outstanding scenery of any Qinba mountain self-driving route in Shaanxi.
The 'Qinba No.1 Highway' is not only a major north-south thoroughfare,
but also a national scenic route in China. Its emergence
marks the creation of a 'national-level' self-driving route that connects the Qinling Mountains and the Bashan Mountains in Shaanxi!
🌈 Route:
Guanghuo Street in Ningshan County (National Highway 210) — Ningshan County — Shiquan County — Lijiaba in Shiquan County (switch to National Highway 541) — Ziyang County — Langao County — Baxian Town in Pingli County — Zhenping County.
Here, I also share our 3-day and 2-night 'Qinba No.1 Highway' reverse journey experience of the 'Han River section'. Without exaggeration, there is no river view in Shaanxi that can surpass this section.
❤️ Day 1: Xi'an-Ankang City Hanyin District (Baomao Expressway + National Highway 211, 286 kilometers, 4 hours 00 minutes) Stay overnight in Langao County, experiencing the night scenery and local cuisine of southern Shaanxi;
❤️ Day2: Langao County Town—Langao Guest Road Hometown—Ziyang Donghe Town—Ziyang County Town—Ziyang Huangu Town (National Highway 541, 92 kilometers, 2 hours 20 minutes) Stay overnight in Huangu Town, falling asleep to the sound of the Han River;
❤️ Day3: Ziyang Huangu Town—Hanyin Xuanwo Town—Shiquan Xihe Town—Shiquan Yanshan Waterfall—Shiquan Houliu Water Town—Shiquan East Expressway Entrance (National Highway 541, 91 kilometers, 115 kilometers, 2 hours 16 minutes) End of the trip, return to Xi'an.
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The misty water towns and forested secret realms of Shiquan around Xi'an
📍The misty water towns and forested secret realms of Shiquan around Xi'an
There are many places suitable for holiday outings around Xi'an. Summer is here, come and feel the refreshing pleasure brought by the little Jiangnan.
🗺️Route:
Day 1️⃣: Xi'an → Shiquan Old Street → Han River Gorges → Houliu Water Town → Yan Mountain Waterfall
Day 2️⃣: Yanxiang Cave → Ironing Board Ancient Town → Return to Xi'an
Day1
⛩️Shiquan Old Street (about 2.5 hours from Xi'an)
Leave early in the morning, play in the old street first, and find a place to eat at noon nearby. There is a parking lot near the east gate of the old street. When there are not many tourists, you can visit the quiet old street, such as the Jiangxi Guild Hall, Shiquan County Office, Xinhua Bookstore, and the opera building with flying eaves and corners. After exiting the west gate of the old street, walk north to the Han River, where you can see the famous red stone bales of Shiquan. It is said that in the past, the red stone bales were where cargo ships docked, and the boatmen loaded and unloaded goods there, but now it has become a place for swimming enthusiasts to swim. It is not recommended to eat in the old street, you can find one outside the old street.
⛩️Han River Gorges (about 15 minutes from Shiquan Old Street)
Take a boat tour of the Han River for about 1 hour, passing through the misty layers of mountain gates, and indulge in the mountains and clouds of the Han River Gorges.
⛩️Houliu Water Town (about 20 minutes from Han River Gorges)
Houliu ancient town is surrounded by water on three sides. Although it cannot be called a peninsula, it has a strong water town atmosphere, with pavilion houses with wooden pillars and green tiles and a strong folk customs.
⛩️Yan Mountain Waterfall (about 15 minutes from Houliu Water Town)
This is indeed a niche and less crowded secret realm, with bamboo rafts, water wheels, pavilions, swings, wooden plank bridges, and emerald-like pool water, etc. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes, because the stones inside are slippery with moss, but most places are still easy to walk, and the big waterfall above is the most liked.
🚘Then return to Shiquan County for accommodation (about 40 minutes)
‼️To sum up, it is more reasonable to go to Yan Mountain Waterfall, Houliu, and Han River Gorges first, and then go to Shiquan Old Street to see the night view and stay.
Day2
⛩️Han River Yanxiang Cave Scenic Area (about 1 hour from Shiquan)
Upon entering the scenic area, you can choose to walk the lake loop road, mountain road, or take a bamboo raft. It is recommended to choose the lake loop road, where you can see more beautiful scenery and breathe fresh air, very primitive. Yanxiang Cave is a Cambrian limestone karst cave group, with rich landscapes inside, it is the largest volume of karst caves, with stalactites, stone waterfalls, stone boats, stone pillars, stone stalagmites, and various strange stones, very worth seeing.
⛩️Ironing Board Ancient Town
Ironing Board Town has a history of thousands of years and is an ancient post town on the Sichuan-Chu ancient road. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides, located at the southernmost end of Shiquan, and has no commercial atmosphere. If you don't like the hustle and bustle, you can come here for an experience.
🚘Return to Xi'an with a full heart (about 3.5 hours)
You can choose between Zhongba Grand Canyon and Yan Mountain Waterfall.
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Ankang's Graceful Waters
Among the three cities in southern Shaanxi, Ankang is the most 'graceful' when it comes to water. It boasts the most abundant water resources in southern Shaanxi. Tributaries of the Han River crisscross the region like blood vessels. The 'S'-shaped Xun River in Xunyang City, the 'U'-shaped Lan River in Langao County, and others form standard water towns such as Yundou Town, Houliu Town, Xunyang Taiji City, and Shuhe Town.
Historically, south of Chang'an was the private garden for nobles to escape the summer heat, and further south was Ankang. Looking down on Chang'an from Ankang, the town became a retreat for officials weary of worldly vanity, creating a haven for hermits. Geographically, Ankang is not as remote as areas beyond the pass or Sichuan. Should the political winds in Chang'an change, the reclusive officials could still retreat or advance at will.
The mystique of Ankang is also related to its folk beliefs; Ziyang County is the only county in the country named after Taoism.
Ankang is a leisurely city, located in a hilly and river valley area. The city streets undulate, and in recent years, the rise of high-rise buildings has made it appear quite prosperous. The railway transportation is very convenient, with connections in all directions. Entering Ankang from the south through the Bashan Mountains, the long and tiring tunnels will surely leave you with a unique impression of the city.
There are not many attractions within Ankang city, but there are some old houses and churches still standing on Da and Xiao North Streets. Worth mentioning is the Gu family residence at the north end of Xiao North Street, a Huizhou-style building from the Tongzhi era of the Qing dynasty, built by the descendants of Gu Yanwu, now a famous restaurant in Ankang. The mansion looks time-honored and quaint, with courtyards, corridors, carved railings, and large red lanterns. Dining in the old house, one can't help but feel the chivalrous spirit of martial arts movies. The specialty dishes are mainly steamed bowls, and other dishes are also good. The embankment of the Han River is also a nice place to walk, with many people exercising and walking birds in the evening. Below the embankment, there are dragon boat stands, tea gardens, and beer barbecue spots. Photography enthusiasts can cross the Han River Bridge to the Anlan Tower in Anlan Park to overlook the city of Ankang.
Anlan Tower is a high point on the riverbank, built in 2002. The name of the tower is likely related to the great flood of 1983. The tower features a corridor embracing the building, with multiple eaves and a rigorous structure. Its appearance is majestic and spectacular without losing delicacy, simple and elegant without losing grandeur. It is a crystallization of the Han River's culture, formed by a collection of cultural essences from the Han River.