Best Hiking Trails Around Suzhou

There are many great places for hiking around Suzhou. The weather is getting better and better, making it a perfect time for a hike. Let’s check out some of the best hiking trails around Suzhou. For details, please see below.

1、Pingjiang Ancient Road

Pingjiang Road is located in the northeast corner of Suzhou’s old city.

It is an ancient road paved with stone slabs, about three miles long. The ancient road runs alongside Pingjiang River, with water and land running parallel, and the river and street adjacent to each other.

Stone railings meander along the road, with stone tables and chairs scattered around; ancient houses with wooden lattice windows and white walls and blue tiles are scattered along both sides of the canal; vines and creepers intertwine on the mottled walls, which can be regarded as the most water-town-like ancient street area still existing in Suzhou.

Route location: Pingjiang Road runs south from Ganjiang East Road and north to the intersection of Baida East Road and Northeast Street

Hiking distance: Pingjiang Road is a road along the river, with a total length of 1606 meters, or three miles long

2、Junzhang Ancient Road (Wuxi)

Junzhang Ancient Road is located in the hilly hinterland of the east bank of Meiliang Lake. It has a history of hundreds or even thousands of years and was the only way for mountain people to travel before the appearance of highways in the 1960s and 1970s.

The main road is paved with flagstones, about three feet wide; the auxiliary road is slightly narrower and clearly visible.

The main peak, Junzhang Mountain, was called Junjiang Mountain in ancient times. Legend has it that more than 700 years ago, the Mongol army chased the remnants of the Southern Song Dynasty army here in the dark of night. Hearing the sound of drums and shouts from the mountains, they dared not enter the mountains and retreated in a hurry. Some of the remaining troops escaped and settled down here, and to thank heaven for saving their lives, they changed the name of the mountain (mountain character with a side) to Junjiang Mountain.

Route location: Starting from Wuxi Baojie Mountain Forest Park, ending at the 9th and 82nd bus stop—Junzhang Village

Hiking distance: The first section is about 5 kilometers, the second section is about 2.8 kilometers, the third section is about 2.3 kilometers, the fourth section is about 3 kilometers, the fifth section is about 2.6 kilometers, the sixth section is about 4.5 kilometers, a total of 20.2 kilometers.

3、Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Road

Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Road was an important channel for Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants to communicate with each other in ancient times. The most well-preserved section is a winding mountain path in Jixian County, about 16 kilometers long. Along the way, you can see streams and waterfalls in the valleys and mountains.

The rugged mountains, the soft grassland, the quaint landscapes such as the carp jumping over the dragon gate and the windbreak rock, occasionally you can see smoke curling up and people farming and weaving in the mountains.

Among them, the First Pass of Jiangnan, with an altitude of 424 meters, is an important pass on the Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Road, and it is the main channel to Qingliang Peak.

Route location: Starting from Fuling Town, Jixian County, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province in the west, and ending at Maxiao Township, Lin’an City, Zhejiang Province in the east

Hiking distance: The total hiking distance is about 20 kilometers

4、Wu Yue Ancient Road

With a total length of about 35 kilometers, it was the main channel between Wu Yue (Hangzhou Lin’an) and Southern Tang (Xuancheng Ningguo) during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Follow the stone steps along the Wu Yue Ancient Road, accompanied by streams all the way, waterfalls roaring, paths leading to secluded places, ups and downs, the unity of heaven, earth, and man, like walking in a painting.

After about 2-3 hours, you will reach Qianqinguan, which is formed by two huge and smooth granite rocks, like a door blocking your way. This natural stone gate is nearly 4 meters high, about 3 meters thick, and wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Its momentum is “one man can hold the pass, ten thousand men cannot break through”. Climbing up to the stone gate, clear the branches above the stone wall, the extending undulating stone walls on both sides are the defensive works of the ancient city wall.

Route location: Zhejiang West Tianchi – Ningguo Wanjia Pagoda Village

Hiking distance: The total hiking distance is about 35 kilometers

5、Xu Xiake Ancient Road

Xu Xiake Ancient Road is located in Chaluzhen, Sangzhouzhen, Huangtan Town, and Yuelong Street in Ninghai, and the existing ancient road.

In memory of Xu Xiake’s two visits to Ninghai, it is named Xu Xiake Ancient Road according to the route described in “Xu Xiake’s Travel Notes”.

The ancient road was originally the main road from Ninghai to Tiantai Prefecture. It was built in the Tang Dynasty, passing through the west gate of Ninghai to Qingyan Luolang, passing through Tazhou to Huangtan Baisha, Yuxiu Ling, to Liang Huang, then to Chalukou to Songmen Ling, then to Daluo, down to Aibai Guan Mountain, up to Mi

An to Guanfeng, looking up at Tianhu Lake. The existing ancient roads are all paved with cobblestones, and there are about tens of kilometers that remain in their original state. There are many historical sites on both sides.

Route description: Starting from the west gate city tower of Ninghai – Dark Rock – Tazhou Village – Yuyou Ling – Liang Huang Post Station – Chaluzhen – Zhaoyan Village Water Mother Creek – Songmen Ling – Wai Chai Village.

Walking distance: 15 kilometers in total.

6、Jiangshan Xianxia Ancient Road

Xianxia Ancient Road, formerly known as Jiangpu Post Road and Zhejiang-Fujian Official Road. The history of Xianxia Ancient Road is generally believed to date back to the Han Dynasty, two thousand years ago. During the Jin, Sui, and Tang dynasties, Xianxia Ancient Road became a major transportation route to the north to the Central Plains.

After the Tang and Song dynasties, Xianxia Ancient Road became a “seven-foot official road” 2 to 3 meters wide, and it was a land link connecting the Qiantang River and Minjiang River watersheds across the Xianxia Mountains.

It is said that the residents here speak nine dialects and have 130 surnames, which is quite unusual for a society like China.

Route location: Starting from Jiangshan County, ending in Pucheng County, Fujian Province

Hiking distance: 120.5 kilometers

7、Tianmu Mountain Xie Gong Road

This is an ancient post road that was first opened by Xie Lingyun, a poet of the Jin Dynasty, so it is also called “Xie Gong Road”.

The ancient post road starts from Kuaiji and goes all the way to the border of Tiantai County, with a total length of 90 miles.

The remains of small stones, Buddha pavements, and Guanling pavements on the post road still show quite a few traces of the old post road.

The post road passes through Taoyuan and crosses Tianmu Mountain. The section from Taida Guanlingtou to Tiantai is 35 kilometers long. There are many ancient relics along the way, such as Taoyuan Cave, where Liu Ruan met immortals, and Sima’s Regret Bridge.

Route backbone: Taoyuan – Tianmu Mountain – Taida Guanlingtou

Total length: about 35 kilometers

8、Xijing Ancient Road (Hangzhou)

The passage from the west side of Xijing Mountain to Shuanglin Temple is the well-known “Xijing Ancient Road”, which is quaint and vigorous. It is mostly built with flagstones. Although it has a history of more than 1,000 years, it is still well-preserved, with its ancient appearance intact.

On both sides of the ancient road are ancient trees and gurgling streams. The Shuanglin Temple at the end is like an old man who has seen many changes, quietly waiting for the arrival of tourists.

Route location: Jixian Village, Jinbei Street, Lin’an City, Hangzhou

Hiking distance: The total hiking distance is about 15 kilometers

9、Nanhuang Ancient Road

The ancient road was built more than 1,000 years ago and is still well-preserved. Legend has it that it was the shortest route from Tiantai to Linhai in ancient times.

Maple trees are planted all along the way. Every autumn, when the wind blows, the maple leaves gradually turn red, becoming a rare beauty.

The ancient road is winding, and the sunlight shines through the maple leaves, adding a unique flavor.

It takes about an hour and a half to reach the top of Huangtan Terrace, where there is a temple dedicated to Jigong.

Looking out from Huangtan Ridge, the entire hillside is covered with layers of terraces, which is quite spectacular.

Route location: Starting from Qianyang Village, Nanping Township, Tiantai, ending at the foot of Huangtan Ridge Village, Linhai

Hiking distance: The total distance is about 15 kilometers

10、Xianjin Ancient Road

Xianjin Ancient Road winds its way through the Cangling Mountains on the border of Jinyun and Xianju. It is also called Cangling Ancient Road. It is part of the Taizhou-Jinhua Taizhou-Jinhua Official (Salt) Road, which connects Taizhou and Jinhua, and it is also the most well-preserved part.

It connects the two important towns of Jinyun Hu Town and Xianju Hengxi Town, with a total length of nearly 20 kilometers. The two mountains stand side by side, the mountain ranges are steep, and it is known as the “First Ridge in Southwest Zhejiang”.

Route location: Jinyun Hu Town, Lishui – Hengxi, Xianju, Taizhou

Hiking distance: The total distance is about 20 kilometers

11、Xiulong Ancient Road (Dalienling Ancient Road)

Xiulong Ancient Road, an ancient road name. It was one of the many ancient roads connecting ancient Huizhou to Zhejiang.

From Xiuning County to Longshan Street, Suian County, Zhejiang. Climbing to Xiaotinglong, you can see Tunxi in the north and the Xin’an River Dam in the east.

You can see Huangshan in the north and Thousand Island Lake in the east.

Legend has it that this road was opened in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, when Zhu Yuanzhang led his troops and people to open it while marching from Zhejiang to Anhui.

It is called Xiaotinglong Ancient Road, also known as the 60-li Stone Slab Road, 20 li uphill, 20 li in the mountains, and 20 li downhill.

Route location: Starting from Xiuning County, Anhui Province, ending in Suian County, Zhejiang Province.

Hiking distance: The total distance is 60 kilometers

12、Gongyu Ancient Road

Gongyu in Xianju is famous for its towering height. The terrain is multi-level terraced, with an altitude of 1200 meters.

The entire Gongyu stands tall and imposing, with a majestic and rugged appearance, extending endlessly. Terraces layer upon layer under the back of Gongyu, and old villages are scattered among them. There is no commercial development, no ordinary tourists, but backpackers love it. It is a hot outdoor area in Zhejiang in recent years, highly recommended!

Route: Gongyu Village, Tianzhen Township, Xianju County, Taizhou – Linkeng Village

Hiking distance: 18 kilometers

13、Ten-li Iron Armor Dragon

The ten-li Iron Armor Dragon stretches for ten miles on the edge of the Hanyan Scenic Area in Tiantai Xiajie Town. The hiking path is dotted with more than 30 basalt caves of various sizes, and its scenic features are different from ordinary hiking paths.

Hiking route: Tiantai Hou’an – Hanyan Cave – Du Xian Bridge – Longxu Cave – Maoyu Cave – Qixiang Cave – Jinniu Cave – Ten-li Iron Armor Dragon – Zhangjiatong Village – Hou’an

14、Qixiakeng Ancient Road (also known as Tang Poetry Ancient Road)

Qixiakeng Ancient Road is located in Xikou, Fengghua. It is the Tang Poetry Road connecting Xinchang, Yuyao to Fengghua and Ninghai.

Just hearing the name “Tang Poetry Ancient Road” is full of romantic poetry, and autumn, when it is most poetic, is also its most colorful season.

It got its name because it was an ancient scenic tourist route where Tang Dynasty poets traveled frequently, and it had a major impact on the development of Tang poetry. Walking on the cobblestones, following a small stream westward into the deep mountain canyons, you will reach Qixiakeng. There is an ancient building in the late Qing Dynasty style at the entrance of the village – the Wang Clan Ancestral Hall. The Peach Blossom Pit in the ancient road is the current residence of the descendants of Wang Xizhi. Traces of this famous calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty can be found everywhere here.

Hiking route: Qixiakeng Village, Xikou Town, Fengghua City, Ningbo – Tangtian Village, Siming Mountain Town, Yuyao City, Ningbo

Hiking distance: 15 kilometers

15、Tianlong Ancient Road

Tianlong Ancient Road is an ancient and mysterious ancient road. Longwang Mountain and Tianmu Mountain, two mountains located on the border of Zhejiang and Anhui, were once a shortcut for many Huizhou people to enter heaven. This ancient path that has long been lost has also been re-traversed by countless backpackers.

It not only connects Tianmu Mountain and Longwang Mountain in Anji, but also connects Lin’an and Anji. It is one of the highest-altitude ancient roads in Zhejiang, with an average altitude of over 1400 meters.