#Yanbang Shibadu Scenic Area Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Hiking
Rivers
Ancient Trails
Address:
紹興市新昌縣裡家溪村
Opening times:
Open all dayOpen
Phone:
13780001952
Explore the ancient Salt Gang Trail and enjoy the Eighteen Crossings: a water-loving hiking feast that one day is not enough
Imagine, under the scorching summer sun, you find yourself in a secret realm surrounded by lush bamboo and babbling streams, walking on the thousand-year-old Salt Gang Trail, with the natural symphony of birdsong and water sounds in the mountains ringing in your ears. The Eighteen Crossings of the Salt Gang is not just a cool hiking route, but also a time tunnel through history, taking you to appreciate the wisdom of ancient salt merchants and the natural wonders of nature.
🌿Scenic Area Introduction
The Eighteen Crossings of the Salt Gang is located in Xinchang County, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. This is an ancient trail with a long history, once a secret path opened by private salt traffickers to evade official pursuit. Today, it has become a popular outdoor destination that combines hiking, stream trekking, and sightseeing. Crossing the clear stream eighteen times along the way, each step redefines the beauty of nature.
🚗Transportation Guide
- **Self-driving**: Navigate directly to 'Lijiaxi Village Salt Gang Eighteen Crossings Scenic Area', where a small parking lot is available for tourists.
- **Public Transport**: First, get to Xinchang County Town, then transfer to a local bus or take a taxi to Chiyancun or Lijiaxi Village.
💰Ticket Information
Good news! The Salt Gang Eighteen Crossings Scenic Area is currently open for free, but please pay attention to seasonal changes and possible policy adjustments.
👣Tour Route Planning
1. **Starting point Chiyancun**: Learn about the history of the Salt Gang and start the hiking journey.
2. **Follow the stream**: Challenge the eighteen crossings one by one and experience the fun of stream trekking.
3. **Rest along the way**: Stay at picturesque spots, enjoy a picnic or take a break.
4. **Longxi Bridge**: Walk over the iconic bridge and take photos to commemorate.
5. **End point Lijiaxi Village**: Sum up the journey and enjoy the coolness.
📷Photography Spots Recommended
1. **First Crossing Scenery**: Record the mysterious beginning of the ancient trail at the starting point.
2. **The Eighteenth Crossing**: The most challenging crossing and also the most spectacular shooting spot.
3. **Panorama of Longxi Bridge**: Capture the perfect integration of the ancient bridge and the stream from above or below the bridge.
4. **Bamboo Path**: The light through the bamboo leaves creates a dreamy light and shadow effect.
🌟Must-Visit Attractions
- **Eighteen Crossings Continuous Landscape**: Each crossing has its unique charm.
- **Salt Gang Ancient Trail Site**: Feel the historical sediment and imagine the hardships of the salt gang in the past.
🍲Accommodation and Dining
- **Lijiaxi Village**: Offers homestay services and tastes authentic farmhouse dishes.
- **Chiyancun**: Also has accommodation options, enjoy rural cuisine while being close to nature.
💡Pit Avoidance Guide
1. **Appropriate Dress**: It is recommended to wear sports shoes + stream trekking shoes combination, and prepare a waterproof backpack.
2. **Sunscreen and Insect Repellent**: Apply sunscreen and carry mosquito repellent.
3. **Safety First**: Pay attention to weather changes, do not act alone, and abide by the rules of the scenic area.
4. **Environmental Awareness**: Take all trash with you to protect the natural environment.
A day at the Salt Gang Eighteen Crossings is not only a physical journey but also a spiritual baptism. When you stand at that last crossing and look back on the way you came, you will be deeply moved by the beauty of the mountains and rivers and the charm of the culture along the way. This is not just a simple hiking and water play trip, but an unforgettable experience of conversing with history and dancing with nature. Don't let the journey end here, because the story of the Salt Gang Eighteen Crossings awaits you to continue.
CelestialShadow37
Xinchang Salt Gang Ancient Trail
The Salt Gang Ancient Trail was a path used by ancient private salt traffickers. Xinchang, on the eastern side, borders Ninghai, which produces salt. Private salt traffickers smuggled salt from Ninghai, choosing small paths in the deep and cold mountains. Since this path was not easily intercepted by government soldiers, more and more private salt traffickers used it, and it became a passage for mountain people to enter and exit the mountains. Later, people contributed money and effort to pave the road with stones and build resting pavilions. Gradually, this small path became the bona fide Salt Gang Ancient Trail. The main trail is about 20 kilometers long.
The Salt Gang Ancient Trail is about 12 kilometers in total, with 6 kilometers along the mountain waist ancient trail as the main part, accumulating an ascent of 200 meters; 6 kilometers of waterway, crossing the stream in many places, commonly known as the Eighteen Crossings, where you can cool off and play in the water, making it very suitable for summer travel; the local village committee has already connected the starting and ending points with a fitness trail, forming a loop.
The Salt Gang Ancient Trail has become a famous hiking and fitness check-in spot and weekend leisure vacation spot in the vicinity of Zhejiang.
D. Sarah 35
Yanbang Eighteen Crossings - Few people and beautiful scenery! Free! Hiking and playing in the water!
Located in Xinchang County, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, the Yanbang Eighteen Crossings scenic area is a hiking route full of historical charm and natural beauty.
The total distance is about 13 kilometers, integrating the ancient Yanbang trail and the famous Eighteen Crossings, with Qingzhai Village as the starting point, and the streams and bridges along the way add endless interest to this ancient path. It takes you through the ancient Yanbang trail, experiencing the vicissitudes of the Eighteen Crossings over the years.
Selected hiking route: Lijiaxi Village - Hongyan Crossing - Lijiaxi Village
Hiking distance: 9.44 kilometers round trip
Total ascent: 43 meters
The characteristics of this route include:
It has eighteen unique stream dingbu bridges, which are very popular with children.
It runs through the fresh valleys, surrounded by clear water, occasionally accompanied by egrets.
The flat route design makes it easy and enjoyable for family outings and beginners to hike.
🚴 Traffic guide: Navigate to "Shaoxing Xinchang - Lijiaxi Village" for easy access.
Self-driving parking suggestions:
Start from Lijiaxi Village, where you can park for free, and drive as far as Niuping Crossing; if you start from Chiyancun in the opposite direction, you can park your car at Niuxin Crossing.
✈️ Travel tips:
A must-visit popular check-in spot - Leigong Crossing.
Convenience stores and simple farm meals are available at places like Liyu Crossing, Niuxin Crossing, and Leigong Crossing.
There is a public restroom at Feishi Crossing.
Hiking equipment checklist:
Stream trekking shoes suitable for streams, waterproof phone bags, children's 🔫, quick-dry clothes, and spare dry clothes packed in a waterproof bag.
Due to the lack of shade, sun hats, sun protection clothing, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent are essential.
There are no supply stations along the way, so remember to bring enough water and snacks, and clean up trash as you go, practicing the Leave No Trace outdoor concept.
Essential items include: ① Anti-slip shoes; ② Hiking poles; ③ Knee protection gear; ④ Stream trekking shoes or slippers; ⑤ Mosquito repellent, etc.
👉 Ticket information: Free access for all visitors.
Yanbang Eighteen Crossings scenic area, a hidden hiking paradise within the territory of Xinchang County, Shaoxing. This hiking route is not only picturesque but also an excellent choice for family hiking and beginners.
HarmoniousHolidays
The Ancient Salt Merchants' Trail
The Ancient Salt Merchants' Trail was a path used by ancient private salt traders. Xinchang, on the eastern side, bordered the salt-producing Ninghai, where private salt traders smuggled salt. They chose the small paths through the deep mountains and cold valleys because these paths were not easily intercepted by the official soldiers. As more and more private salt traders took this route, it also became a passage for mountain people to enter and exit the mountains. Later, people invested money and effort to pave the road with stones and even built pavilions for resting. Gradually, this small path truly became the renowned Ancient Salt Merchants' Trail. The main trunk of the ancient trail is about 20 kilometers long.
GISELLE JIMENEZ
Salt Gang Eighteen Crossings | A great place for mountain climbing, hiking, and playing in the water |
| Shanghai has a great place for mountain climbing, hiking, and playing in the water 🌊. Xinchang·Salt Gang Eighteen Crossings was previously a route used by salt merchants to trade salt 👣, and now it has become a nice hiking and water play route. In the scorching summer, of course, you want to play in the water 💦. There is a babbling stream along the way, with a total of eighteen crossings. ✅Suitable for hiking ✅Suitable for playing in the water
🚗How to get there: About 2h drive from Shanghai.
✅For hiking and mountain climbing 📍Locate Xinchang Qingzhai Village (starting point of the Salt Gang ancient trail)
✅For purely playing in the water 📍Locate Salt Gang Eighteen Crossings Scenic Area
🎫Ticket: Free
🅿️Parking: Free
🗺Tour route:
✅Mountain climbing, hiking + water play route: 👉Qingzhai Village-Lijiaxi Village-Chiyan Village
📍Qingzhai Village is also the starting point of the Salt Gang ancient trail. The part from Qingzhai Village to Lijiaxi Village is a mountain road. The mountain is not high, and it is accessible for hiking beginners 🙋♂️
✅Water play route: Lijiaxi Village-Chiyan Village, the whole journey is 5KM, about 3 hours back and forth. This section is the Salt Gang Eighteen Crossings Scenic Area, only for playing in the water without climbing, suitable for all ages, and suitable for family trips. Along the way, the stream is continuous 🌊 with a total of eighteen crossings, each with its own name 😉. Tracing upstream, the last few crossings are quite interesting, the Thirteenth Crossing (Ox Heart Crossing), ❤️ the internet-famous S-bend is at the 17th Crossing (Lei Gong Crossing)
🎒Equipment: It is recommended to bring a pair of stream trekking shoes, quick-drying clothes. If you want to swim 🩱 take protective measures. There are not many supply points along the way, it is recommended to bring your own water, dry food.
LONDYN LOGAN
Yanbang Eighteen Crossings | A great destination for mountain climbing, hiking, and playing in the streams!
| A great destination for mountain climbing, hiking, and playing in the streams! Introduction to the scenic spot: Eighteen Crossings, a different world at every crossing
Yanbang Eighteen Crossings, each crossing has its unique charm and story. From the towering ancient trees at the first crossing to the babbling brook at the last, along the way, you can not only see spectacular waterfalls and deep gorges but also visit the long-standing salt road relics, feeling the hardships and wisdom of the ancient salt traders.
• Triple Waterfall: Water falls from a high place, forming a three-tiered waterfall, with a sound like thunder and an imposing presence, a must-visit for photography enthusiasts.
• Ancient Salt Road Village: Quaint stone paths, mottled earthen walls, walking into the village is like traveling back to the era of salt industry prosperity.
• Dragon Pool Exploration: Hidden deep in the dense forest, the pool water is as green as jade, said to be the dwelling place of dragons, adding a touch of mystery.
Itinerary: Two days and one night, fully enjoy the double feast of nature and culture
Day 1:
• Morning: Arrive at the scenic area, start from the visitor center, walk along the ancient road, pass through the first six crossings, with a focus on the Triple Waterfall, to feel the majestic beauty of nature.
• Lunch: Take a break in the mountains, taste the local specialty Yanbang dishes, such as salt-baked fish and pickled meat stir-fried with bracken, and experience the unique flavor of salt culture.
• Afternoon: Continue on, visit the ancient salt road village, learn about the stories of the salt gang, and feel the weight of history.
• Evening: Stay in a homestay within the scenic area, experience the quiet rural night, participate in a bonfire party, and dance and sing with the locals.
Day 2:
• Morning: Get up early, follow the guide on foot to Dragon Pool, enjoy the freshness and tranquility of the morning.
• Morning to Afternoon: Continue to complete the exploration of the remaining twelve crossings, at each stop, take the time to listen to the water, look at the mountains, and feel the unique charm of each crossing.
• Afternoon: Return to the starting point, on the way you can choose to buy some local handicrafts or specialty agricultural products as souvenirs.
• Evening: Depending on the return time, you can choose to have dinner in the surrounding towns and try more authentic local dishes.
Gourmet Strategy: The taste bud temptation of Yanbang cuisine
• Salt-Baked Fish: Using local fresh river fish, wrapped in coarse salt and baked, the skin is crispy and the flesh is tender.
• Pickled Meat Stir-Fried with Bracken: The rich taste of pickled meat paired with the refreshing bracken is a delicious combination from the mountains.
• Bamboo Tube Rice: Rice is steamed in a bamboo tube with added ingredients, absorbing the fragrance of bamboo, making it unique.
Transportation Strategy: Convenient travel, direct access to the secret realm
• Self-driving: Depart from the nearest big city, navigate to Yanbang Eighteen Crossings scenic area, the journey is scenic, making it a good choice for a road trip.
• Public transportation: You can first reach the nearest county or town, then transfer to the local shuttle bus or chartered car to the scenic area, specific schedules need to be checked in advance.
Yanbang Eighteen Crossings is not just an ancient road, but also a journey of the soul. In this secret realm forgotten by time, every scenery awaits your discovery, every dish awaits the meeting with your taste buds. Take this guide, embark on this journey on a whim, and let Ctrip witness every exploration and emotion of yours.
Logan Martinez
I've decided, I'll go here for the May Day holiday
Hi, I'm YeYe, and I'm here to recommend a fantastic place with beautiful scenery and few people - Yanbang Shiba Du! Suitable for family and couples' leisure trips. Remember to save it!!!
📍Yanbang Shiba Du is located in the canyon stream between Chiyancun and Lijiaxixun villages in Xinchang County, Shengzhou City, Shaoxing. It was named after the salt traders of old times who crossed the river 18 times to avoid excessive taxation.
🌟Beginner-friendly version: Lijiaxixun Village → Chiyancun → Lijiaxixun Village
The whole journey is on flat ground, crossing the river 18 times, with unique scenery at each crossing; round trip is 10km, taking about 3h.
🌟Advanced version: Qingzhai Village → Lijiaxixun Village → Chiyancun → Qingzhai Village
This route includes the ancient salt traders' trail (mountain climbing) and eighteen crossings, which requires a certain level of physical fitness, but the sense of achievement after completing the challenge is immense! The whole journey is 13km, taking about 6h.
🚗For transportation, it is recommended to drive there, search for 'Shaoxing Xinchang County Lijiaxixun Village' or 'Shaoxing Xinchang County Qingzhai Village' in your navigation system to get there, and parking is free!
📝Note tips:
1. For family trips, the beginner hiking route is interesting enough and the scenery is excellent.
2. The water level in Shiba Du has risen, and many crossings require wading through water, with the deepest parts reaching an adult's knees, so it might not be suitable for very small children to cross the stream on their own, they would need an adult to hold onto. Each crossing has a nice name, which will make children curious about what the next one is called, very interesting.
3. The stream water is cool, so remember to choose a warm sunny day to go, otherwise, it might be a bit cold. When playing in the water, children are bound to get their clothes wet, so it's best to prepare a set of dry clothes.
🧳Preparation before departure:
Be sure to bring good stream trekking shoes, as you will need to wade through several crossings where the current is swift and the rocks can be slippery, so safety is paramount. Also, prepare some water play tools, a waterproof bag for your phone, and don't forget sunscreen. There are very few trash cans along the way, so it is recommended to bring your own trash bag, practice no-trace outdoor activities, and protect the environment.
Come to Yanbang Shiba Du and enjoy a cool and fun holiday! 💖
Yanbang Shiba Du Scenic Area
Orion_Blackthorne_99
Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai Hiking | Where to go for the May Day holiday? An ultra-detailed guide to the Salt Merchants' Eighteen Fords
Shaoxing really has a lot of suitable hiking routes! This time we went to the Salt Merchants' Eighteen Fords, and I suggest that for such semi-long-distance trips, you can take the high-speed train to the local area and then rent a car. It's very tiring to drive directly to the scenic area, especially after hiking for a day and then having to drive a long distance.
⛰️Attractions and activities:
We went on a self-driving tour, drove to Qingzhai Village, where there is a large free parking lot, and then started hiking. We took the big loop, covering a total of 14.38 kilometers.
The entire Salt Merchants' Eighteen Fords route has very nice scenery of mountains and waters, and the fords are not too far apart from each other. The biggest problem is that the hike from Qingzhai Village to the first ford and from the eighteenth ford back to Qingzhai Village both involve a long climb up the mountain. Especially from the eighteenth ford to Qingzhai Village, the ascent is quite high, and because we started late, it got dark by the end. I suggest that it's better to start earlier.
🚗Transportation and accommodation:
We took the high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Shengzhou Xinchang Station, and then rented a car to go to the Eighteen Fords scenic area (because we heard that it's not very convenient to take a taxi around the Salt Merchants' Eighteen Fords, so we chose to rent a car).
We chose to stay near the Big Buddha Temple, about an hour's drive from the Eighteen Fords, which was also convenient for visiting the Big Buddha Temple the next day and close to Shengzhou Xinchang Station.
🍜Food recommendations:
Shengzhou and Xinchang are very close to each other, so after getting off the high-speed train, we went straight to Shengzhou! Tofu buns! Rice cakes are very delicious! Worth a try.
📌Helpful TIPS:
1. Be sure to start hiking early! We started at 12:45, and because we stopped to take photos and walked slowly, we didn't get back to the end point until 19:50. There are no street lights on the mountain, and there is no way back (going back the same way is even further from the end point ).
2. It might be a good idea to bring a flashlight in case it gets dark .
3. Don't expose your legs, just because there was a section of the road that was flooded and we had to wade through it. I lifted my pants for 5 minutes and got bitten by some unknown bugs twice. Although it didn't hurt or itch, the bitten area turned blue.
vance_3143
The seven most worthwhile routes in Xinchang, Shaoxing
Route 1: Anshan Ancient Road
Itinerary: Jingling Bridge in Xinchang - Zhenwu Hall - Xiaoquan Creek - Anshan Village - Shangyouping - Baiyanxia Village - Poshantou Village - Chengtan River - Jingling Bridge 13 kilometers, estimated 5 hours. The route alternates between bluestone steps and mountain trails, with low difficulty. The green mountains and clear waters complement each other, a natural oxygen bar!
Route 2: Salt Gang Ancient Road
Itinerary: Qingzhaicun - Lijiaxi Village - Salt Gang Eighteen Crossing Scenic Area - Jiexi - Miaopinggang - Shangwan Mountain - Qingzhaicun 13 kilometers, estimated 5 hours+. Hiking the ancient salt trading road, a sense of history naturally arises, and there is also the number one internet celebrity check-in spot in the local area - Eighteen Crossing.
Route 3: Thousand Zhang Secluded Valley
Itinerary: Baiyan Village - Dàotuōxuē - Shimenkeng Village - Shixiakeng Village - Qianzhang You 1227 kilometers, about 5 hours 30 minutes+. The glass plank road and the Flying Dragon plank road in the Thousand Zhang Secluded Valley Scenic Area are composed of ancient wooden plank roads, aerial glass plank roads, and Flying Dragon Sky Bridges. The longest aerial plank road in Zhejiang Province is 3200 meters long, and the glass plank road is 108 meters long.
Route 4: Yuanxi Ancient Road
Itinerary: Tongshu'ao - Feiying Road - Turtle Stone - Three Life Holy Stone - Xi'er Village - Tongshu'ao 11 kilometers, about 4 hours. Hundreds of miles of Danxia landform, strange stones, cliffs, and secluded forests. Tianzhu Lake, the lake is as long as 3 kilometers, sometimes wide and sometimes narrow, wide to several hundred meters narrow to several meters, winding and extending into the secluded valley, the lake water is pure, and the blue waves are rippling.
Route 5: Wanma Crossing
Itinerary: Liqiao Village - Baiyankeng - Pingyekeng - Liping Village - Wanma Crossing Bridge - Wanma Crossing Visitor Center - Liqiao Village 122 kilometers, about 5 hours 50 minutes.
Route 6: Bodhi Peak
Itinerary: Nanzhou - Bodhi Peak - Lingtou Chen - Nanzhou 11.4 kilometers, about 5 hours 45 minutes.
Route: Xiazhou Small Village ~ Rice Steamer Rock ~ Dàotuōxuē Circuit
Itinerary: Xiazhou Small Village - Lichang - Wai Baiyan - Baiyan - South - Zuojuan River - Xiazhou Small Village 11 kilometers, about 5 hours.
Maximus_Blackwood/59
Shaoxing•Xinchang｜Salt Gang Eighteen Crossings
📍Address: Lijiaxi Village, Xinchang County, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang (Navigation search for Salt Gang Eighteen Crossings)
🎫Tickets: Free
👣 Round trip 12km, took 5h with two kids.
Very suitable for summer outings with kids, playing in the water, catching snails, netting fish, netting butterflies, clear stream water, barefoot in the water can heal the whole summer, the scenery is really more beautiful than expected!
Starting from Lijiaxi Village, start checking in, pass through eighteen crossings, each crossing has a name, it is marked on the stone, the older brother is obsessed with the check-in task and can't extricate himself, he walks the fastest, indeed the physical strength of the child is incomparable to the old mother.
The 4-year-old+ younger brother also walked the whole way by himself, the current weather is not very hot, just right and suitable, personally feel that heat is really not afraid, wading in the water is comfortable, mainly sun exposure, sun protection equipment must be prepared.
After checking in at the Eighteen Crossings stele at the end, those with limited physical strength can return the same way. Pure outdoor hiking enthusiasts can continue to go deeper, please estimate the round-trip time.
⭐️Must-have for taking kids:
Sun hat, sun protection clothing, sun cream, mosquito repellent spray, slippers, water gun, fish net.