Attractions along North Line of Wuyuan
The north line of Wuyuan features unspoiled ancient villages, gallery bridges, ancient post roads and rural scenery. Compared with the east line and the west line, scenic spots along the north touring route are the most abundant. The scenic spots are spread out in three directions from Qinghua Town, which is about 15 miles (24 km) from the center of Wuyuan County. Tourists must to go to Qinghua Town first by taking the northbound minibus from Wuyuan Bus Station, and then head for other attractions.
On the way to Qinghua Town, the bus goes this way:
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Congxi Driftage
Congxi Driftage is only 3 miles (5 kilometers) away from Wuyuan County. With a length of 2.7 miles (4.5 km), tourists can see Plum Blossom shoal, Azalea shoal, Mandarin Duck shoal and Egret shoal along the river. With many twists and turns, the 1.5 hours’ driftage brings tourists a fresh experience. Sixi & Yancun Villages
First built in 1199, Sixi & Yancun Villages are two typical ancient villages in the Huizhou style. Ancient buildings featuring exquisite wood carvings and rare wood furniture fully embody the struggles of the Huizhou merchants. Changtan Village
The pleasing rural atmosphere, primitive scenery, and antique Huizhou residences of this village bring an unforgettable experience to tourists. From the top of the mountain, the beauty of Changtan Village can be fully appreciated. Rainbow Bridge
As a landmark of Qinghua Town, Rainbow Bridge is an essential scenic spot on the north tour route. Having stood for more than 800 years, this beautiful and auspicious covered bridge is well-preserved due to its ingenious design.
Three Branch Routes from Qinghua Town:
A. Wolong Valley of Dazhang Mountain → Ancestral Hall of Huang Village → Jujing Village → Lingyan Cave Forest Park → Shicheng Village
B. Hong Village → Qingfeng Cave → Camphor Tree Folk Garden
C. Zheyuan Country → Hongguan Village → Likeng Village (Big Likeng)
* Note: Visitors touring any of the above three routes need to go back to Qinghua Town to transfer to the bus to the other two routes; or one can hire a van to connect the destinations.
Branch A:
Wolong Valley of Dazhang Mountain
Wolong Valley, resembling an emerald inlaid in the mountains, is a natural summer resort with peaks, rocks, streams, and waterfalls. Higher vegetation coverage endows it with a moist climate, and attractive scenery. Ancestral Hall of Huang Village
Also named “One Hundred Pillars Ancestral Hall”, it is located at Gutan Village, 27 miles (45 kilometers) away from central Wuyuan. First built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it is praised as the perfect model of traditional Huizhou architecture during the transition period from the Ming (1368 - 1644) to the Qing Dynasties. Covering 1,435 square yards (1,200 square meters), the ancestral hall consists of seven parts: dooryard, gate tower, corridor rooms, foreyard, sacrifice hall, backyard and living rooms. Jujing Village
Located at Gutan Village, Jujing is a small village surrounded by peaceful mountains and rivers. It is nicknamed ‘washbasin village’ and reputed to be the roundest village in China. Its round shape can be clearly seen from the mountain slope. Lingyan Cave Forest Park
Covering an area of 12 sq miles (30 sq kilometers), the national forest park features unique karst caves and eco-tea gardens. After touring the park, tourists can taste the distinctive local green teas and appreciate some folk performances. Shicheng Village
Shicheng, located in Gutan Village, is to the northwest of central Wuyuan. The morning fog and red maples are two major attractions of this village in autumn. The image of the village often disappear and reappear in the mysterious fog. There are hundreds of maple trees with an average height of more than 115 feet (35 meters), towering the ancient residences. From October to November, when the maple leaves become a large ocean of fiery red, the small village attracts numerous tourists and photographers.
Branch B:
Hong Village
Hong Village, also called Longevity Village, is the home of a group of people whose surname is Hong. The oldest person once lived 119 years. Nowadays, there are also many seniors aged over 80 or 90. A thousand-year-old maidenhair tree, with a height of more than 100 feet (30 meters) and exuberant foliage, is a unique symbol of the Longevity Village. Qingfeng Cave
Located between Yantian Village and Wang Village in Fuchun Town in northwest Wuyuan, it is in the Qingfeng Xianjing (Breeze Fairland) Scenic Area. Grotesque stalactites and stones in the cave form interesting sights, such as Iron Rod, Fairy Bridge, and Phoenix Lake. With moderate temperature and suitable humidity inside, the cave is used to store a famous local wine. The cave is an ideal escape from either summer heat or winter chill. Camphor Tree Folk Garden
Located in Yantian Village, the garden lies between Mandarin Duck Lake and Rainbow Bridge. With an area of more than 6 acres (2 hectares), it features numerous camphor trees. The tallest camphor tree, with a diameter of 46 feet (14 meters), has lived for more than 1,500 years and is named the “King of Trees”. Tourists can rest and appreciate the folk performance in the distinctive farm houses.
Branch C:
Zheyuan Country
Covering 38 sq miles (98 sq kilometers), Zheyuan is the hometown of Jeme Tien Yow, the Father of China’s Railway. Boasting attractive scenery, abundant local products, and rich cultural relics, it is sometimes called Town of Literati and Town of Tea. There are many impressive cultural relics such as ancient post roads, thousand-year-old Longtian Pagoda, ancient ancestral halls, and ancient residences from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Hongguan Village
First built in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), it is one of the most famous areas for producing traditional Huizhou ink. At the entrance of the village, there is an ancient camphor tree with a height of 86 feet (26 meters), which is regarded as the rarest one in south China. The village maintains large-scale ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Likeng Village
First built in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), Likeng Village (Big Likeng) is about 28 miles (45 kilometers) from central Wuyuan. With a deep cultural connotation, it was one of the most flourishing and important villages for the study of the School of Principle, which was led by Zhu Xi, a famous ancient Confucian scholar and rationalist. The village now keeps a group of well-preserved ancient residences, ancient bridges, and traditional folk customs.