Hiking Bucket List: Start Your Spring Hike from Guangyuan Ancient Shu Road

The ancient Shu Road mentioned here refers to the Jinniu Ancient Road within the territory of Guangyuan Jian Ge. The Jinniu Ancient Road, also known as the Stone Bull Road, was an important route more than two thousand years ago leading from the Ba-Shu region to the Central Plains. Starting from Chengdu in the south, passing through Guanghan, Deyang, Zitong, crossing the Da and Xiao Jian Mountains, passing through Guangyuan and leaving Sichuan, traversing the Qinling Mountains, passing through Xiegu, and directly leading to the 800-mile Qinchuan. The Jinniu Ancient Road is about two thousand miles long in total, with a section of more than two hundred miles in Guangyuan, characterized by rugged terrain, interconnected plank roads, and winding paths, making it particularly challenging. Currently, there are still over 100 kilometers available for hiking.

Why Hike the Ancient Shu Road in Spring:

1. Blooming Flowers: Springtime hiking is adorned with blossoming flowers along the way, adding a touch of romance.
2. Serenity and Beauty: This route offers the purest scenery with fewer tourists.
3. Comfortable Weather: Spring temperatures are mild, making it the most comfortable season for hiking.

Trail Routes Overview:

The Jinniu Ancient Road is divided into north, west, and south routes, with the more mature hiking routes concentrated on the north route. The government has installed some signage and signposts, making it easy for everyone to find their way.

North Route:

The north route is further divided into three sections, each of which can be hiked over two to three days.

1. Route 1: Zhaohua Ancient City - Tianxiong Pass - Xinpu - Zhuya Pu - Dachao Yi - Gaomiao Pu - Jianmen Pass (North Visitor Center), covering a total of 27 kilometers and taking about 9 hours.
2. Route 2: Hanyang Town - Hanyuan Bridge - Chaoshou Pu - Huanglianyi - Pu'an Town, covering a total of 14 kilometers and taking about 4 hours.
3. Route 3: Pu'an Town - Qingliang Pu - Lanma Wall - Liangshan Pu - Jiangshutai - Liugou Town, covering a total of 16 kilometers and taking about 6 hours.

How to Choose a Route:

• Route 1: It has the most ups and downs, the longest distance, and the greatest difficulty, with fewer ancient cypresses.
• Route 2: Offers the best scenery and relatively easier hiking conditions.
• Route 3: The Lanma Wall section is suitable for hiking with children aged 3-5. For the other parts, the scenery is slightly inferior, or you have to walk along the national road.

Transportation Guide:

• By Train: Take the high-speed train to Jianmen Pass Station, where you can take a bus to Pu'an. From Pu'an, you can take a taxi to the Lanma Wall.
• By Car: Self-driving is more suitable for the Lanma Wall, while taking the high-speed train is recommended for multi-day hiking. If you're self-driving, unless someone is specifically designated to drive, you'll need to hire a car to return to the starting point.

Friendly Reminders:

1. Prepare Food: Prepare dry food for lunch during the hike, as there are limited dining options along the way, and you may not arrive at them on time.
2. Environment Protection: We sincerely hope that visitors will cherish the environment and refrain from littering. This area is not a mature tourist attraction, so let's all work together to protect the environment.
3. Respect for History: These ancient cypresses, thousands of years old, should not be smoked near or played with fire.