Trips on Culture, Food and Heritage

Da Likeng to Qinghua Hike

This was a pretty long hike - about 15-20 kms. We walked along the main road for about 2 km and then moved into this small path off the road.

My companions were Xmen (From Beijing) and a guide whose other job weas the clean the streams of any garbage. The path took us across fields.

and some yellow flowers..

The path was flat for about 2 km..

And then went uphill

a new road being constructed

Now we go offroad

a long uphill path

more uphill to rejoin the road being constructed..

The path starts going downhill into some very green terrain

Lot of greenery

A deviation to the left and then downhill again

A few springs, with some very fresh water

This part of the path has a lot of springs

Greenery and springs...this characterizes this stretch

A small village on the way..

At this point, our guide goes back...as the path is quite straightforward now.

The houses have no shutters on the windows..... must be cold in winters

it's a long stretch of muddy roads

A long walk from here to Qinghua.

More springs, though a bit muddied from the construction

walking along the under construction road

The spring is always along the road

Nearing the next village....

A patch of yellow flowers

A group of villagers returning home

When we reach the main road, we flag down a van to Qinghua.....about 5 km from here.

After reaching Lingjiao, took a van direct to Da Likeng via HongDao. The van cost was RMB 100 for 2 persons. The journey took about an hour. Da Likeng has this seperate entrance fee of RMB 60, so the count was RMB 320 for the entrance fee so far.

The first site upon entering Da Likeng was this bridge. It looked quite remarkable, with the house structure integrated on the bridge.

The picture represented Da Likeng for me. Lesser number of tourists and a wider stream.

However very few sites were along this stream. The interesting sites of Da Likeng were on the inner alleyways.

A typical house converted to a restaurant.

There are some interesting souvenir shops in this alleyway.

Couple of kids. The girl didn't want a picture taken of the little boy as he was not well.

This path took us into the older part of Da Likeng.

Some of these buildings did not have painted walls, and had the brickwork directly exposed.

The alleyways of Da Likeng are quite atmospheric, with the crumbly doorways and darkened walls

Was also quite empty on this saturday afternoon.

This doorway led to two houses

Loved these sub alleys

Old doorway with signs for good fortune

On the left of this picture is the kitchen, with the soot trailing up on the walls

Notice the mirror above the door on the right. More about this in a later post.

Shangshu Mansion, the first of the important buildings in Da Likeng. Build in the period of Wanli's reign in the Ming Dynasty about 400 years ago, it was the house of a senior officer - Yu Maoxue. This house is located in the middle of the village and also housed wangjing Tower, Which was the highest building in Li Village. Yu Maoxue was also the first person who introduced the Wuyuan specialty - Red Pouch Carp.

A simpler doorway, with the flat arch of top gone.

This doorway was quite colorful with the lanterns on top.

Dafu Mansion -- Built in the late Qing Dynasty about 170 years ago, it belonged to a senior officer in Daoguang's reign. The mansion is famous for its large brick gate tower, unique 3 golden stairs and main hall.

Yew House - It was the house of tea merchant, Yu Xianhui in the period of Tongzhi's reign in Qing Dynasty. The house has a simple appearance but precious wooden carvings inside.

Chongde House - The house was built in the period of Jiaqing's reign of the Qing Dynasty and has a history of over 190 years. The magnificent gate tower and simple flag stone in front, tell us the life story of owner, Yu Qiguan, a confucian scholar.

Inside of Chongde House.

Opposite Chongde house, this alleyway takes us into some old houses inside.

View of Da Likeng from the hill outside the village.

Returning back to the central stream area.

It's a nice clear afternoon....Some respite from the overcast days of earlier.

Last shot of Da Likeng, as we trek to Qinghua, which is over 20 km away.

Arts students making their way to Da Likeng.

If you are looking to stay in Da Likeng, the hotels outside the village seemed quite good. The phone numbers being -
15979366889, 13970322132

The stream continues down further. We are on the long trek of the day - Da Likeng to Qinghua.
Da Likeng is worth the visit. Do include it in your itenerary.

The Guankeng-Lingjiao Hike is among the 2 recommended hikes in Wuyuan County. It is done in about 3.5 to 4 hrs. It's ideal to set out at about 7:30 in the morning and you are there at Lingjiao at about 11:30 am. The walking paths are fantastic...you would walk on the ancient postal roads. It can be done on your own, except that there are one or two points which have 2 paths, and you got to decide which one to pick. The hike is a gradual uphiill path to the top of the hill and down the other way to the village of Lingjiao.

Heading out of the hotel (Guankeng Family Farmer's Hostel) at about 7:30 am after a breakfast of eggs, Zhou and peanuts.

The path on the right which takes you out of the village to the hiking trail.

Some great scenery along the way of gentle streams ...

Looking back....love the greenery

The path out of Guankeng offers some great nature shots

Me at a point just outside of Guankeng

Yellow flowers, though a bit sparse here

We are a bit high up the hill and you can see the little white of Guankeng in the pic

Nice to have a breather and look down on the wonderful scenery

Looking down on the path that keeps going uphill

The final glimpse of Guankeng, from the top of the hill...

To the left or to the right, that is the question.......Left is the right way

Another juncture, but the path to the right is the way

More uphill climb

Winding uphill still....Need to blast some inspirational music on the Pod.

At the top...path with a stream alongside

Path at the top of the hill.....It's a relaxed walk now.

First glimpse of the village of Lingjiao.

Really lovely view of Lingjiao

Another view of Lingjiao

The path downhill....

Me - in the field of flowers

The downhill walk -- that's X Men, my hiking companion from Beijing

Almost at the bottom of the descent, and the village of Lingjiao is a little more than a stone's throw away

Made it with 15 Kgs on my back...

First house we see at Lingjiao

We enter from the back of the village

Poultry at a house

Houses

Children on the street

As we depart to the next destination - Da Likeng

Am now in Guankeng. This is the northern most village and is near the Anhui border. The village is frequented by independent travellers and very few tour groups make their way here. The village is a launching point for the Guankeng- Lingjiao Trek.

Reached Guankeng after 50 minutes from Qingyuan. It was quite windy and cold. The bridge was the first site of Guankeng.

This is a typical scene of Guankeng...houses on either side of the brook. The path to the right of this picture leads to the Lingjiao trekking path.

An evening stroll in Guankeng, along the brook. The houses are really spectacular.

House with the lantern and door signs - exquisite.

House from across the stream. The village is untouristy and people who come here only come here to do the Guankeng-Lingjiao Trek. This is an inhabited village with very few guesthouses.

Me posing for a pic.

Path leading to the field of yellow flowers.

Lots of yellow flowers and the houses in the background make for a pretty scenery.

A very pretty picture of the flowers in the foreground of the houses

Me in the field of flowers

More flowers...Guankeng was the best village for the flower viewing

Wood as Fuel in front of the house

Love this picture of the houses.

Fu sign

A big swathe of flowers

A whole family, engrossed in washing....

Wood in front of the house....as fuel.

A last look at Guankeng in the evening, before retiring to dinner.

After lunch at Xiaoqi, took a motorcycle to the village of Qingyuan (price 50 RMB). The route passed through the village of Jiangling. The journey was uphill after a point with winding roads carvings themselves on the hills.

As I approached Qingyuan, the view of a large swathe of yellow flowers was quite thrilling.

The first house i stopped at in the village. The entry to Qingyuan is separate from the combo ticket and costs RMB 20.

Qingyuan is a untouristy village, which is not done by for the groups. All houses are lived in and not for tourist purpose.

These 2 photos give a good view of the central part of the village.

This old house, quite stately....

Took a walk along the stream. .. and came across this crumbly wall with the doorway

Towards the end of the path, it breaks into the gently cascading hills will greenery and yellow flowers.

Houses by the side of the stream

House along the side paths

House with a dish antenna !

Further along the stream towards the front of the village

Fu sign on the wall

Picture that captures Qingyuan

House forming the crossroads

Now its time to hit Guankeng, which will form the base for the Guankeng-Lingjiao Trek.