Anhua Huanghuaxi, the Origin of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road

Huanghuaxi Village, located in the southern part of Jiangnan Town, Anhua County, Yiyang City, Hunan Province, is a niche travel destination that blends the culture of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road, pristine natural scenery, and traditional village charm. Once a vital starting point of the Sino-Russian Ten-Thousand-Mile Tea Road, it boasts the 1,000-year-old Yaozijian Ancient Trail, century-old covered bridges, ancient tea station ruins, and a forest coverage rate of 95%, earning it the title of "a hidden gem in the heart of Meishan." Below is an in-depth guide based on the latest information: **Highlights** 1. **Living Fossil of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Tea Road** - **Yaozijian Ancient Trail**: This 30-kilometer stone-paved trail, built during the Qianlong era and completed after 27 years of construction, features 7.5 km of well-preserved sections. Along the trail, you’ll find stone chessboards (for travelers to rest), ancient tea station ruins, raft-locking holes, and cliff carvings from the Ming Wanli period—key evidence of ancient tea trade. - **Yuanqi Bridge**: A single-arch stone bridge built in 1696, adorned with carvings of human-faced centipedes and phoenix motifs. It’s one of Anhua’s oldest and best-preserved ancient bridges and marks the starting point of the Tea-Horse Road. 2. **Millennium-Old Village & Ecological Wonderland** - **Traditional Village Scenery**: Wooden houses with double-layered eaves line the stream, creating a picturesque "small bridges and flowing water" scene. The village preserves ancestral halls and tea merchants’ mansions from the Qing Dynasty, like the Chen Wuzhi Mansion, whose drainage system connects to the stream, showcasing ancient ingenuity. - **Natural Wonders**: Home to a 1,500-year-old "China’s Most Beautiful Maple Tree" with a majestic canopy, and the deep Huanghuaxi Gorge with crystal-clear waters ideal for stream trekking and camping. The starry nights are perfect for astrophotography. 3. **Dark Tea Culture Experience** - As a birthplace of dark tea, Huanghuaxi preserves the national intangible heritage of "Qianliang Tea" production. Visitors can tour ancient tea stations, participate in tea-making (sifting, pressing, sun-drying), and savor robust dark tea. - Ruins of historic tea houses like "Binzhulai" and "Yuyuanlong," along with tea trade stories from the *Luo Family Genealogy*, recount the prosperity of Ming-Qing tea commerce. **Transportation** - **Self-Drive**: From Changsha, take the Chang-Zhang Expressway to Anhua County, then G207 to County Road X032 (3.5 hours). SUVs are recommended due to narrow mountain roads. - **Public Transport**: Take a bus from Anhua East Station to Jiangnan Town (1 hour), then transfer to a local van/motorcycle to Huanghuaxi (30 minutes). No direct tourist shuttles; arrange pickups with villagers in advance. **Best Time to Visit** - **Spring (Mar–Apr)**: During the Flower Festival (e.g., March 27, 2025), forsythias and peach blossoms blanket the hills, creating a fairy-tale scene. - **Autumn (Sep–Nov)**: The ancient trail is flanked by autumn foliage, ideal for quiet hikes. - **Summer**: Cool streams for trekking/camping; clear nights for stargazing. - **Winter**: Snow-clad villages offer serenity, but icy roads require caution. **Admission & Hours** - **Free entry**, no reservation needed. Open all day; daytime visits recommended (no night lighting). **Itineraries & Experiences** 1. **Classic Day Trip** - Morning: Visit Yuanqi Bridge and Ming cliff carvings, hike Yaozijian Trail to Daping Resthouse. - Lunch: Try local dishes like Anhua smoked pork or firewood fish (¥40–60/person). - Afternoon: See the ancient maple, trek Huanghuaxi Stream to Ganlu Tea Pavilion, and join a tea-making session. 2. **In-Depth Exploration** - **Hike the Trail**: From Yuanqi Bridge to Yongxi Bridge (10 km, 5 hours), passing covered bridges and temples. - **Tea Workshop**: Learn tea processing (¥100/person, includes tasting). - **Starry Camping**: Camp by Yuanqi Bridge or the stream for night-sky photography (bring gear). **Accommodation & Dining** - **Stay**: - *Dongshi Old Street Inns* (e.g., Taimeihe Tea Homestay, ¥200–300/night) offer Qing-era architecture and dark tea foot baths. - *Village Homestays* (¥100–150/night) provide rustic charm. - **Eat**: - Must-try: Smoked pork, pounded tea, sweet potato noodles. Try "Heji Restaurant" (¥50/person). - Free dark tea tastings at Ganlu Tea Pavilion; buy handmade teas as souvenirs. **Tips** 1. Respect local customs; avoid loud noises or unauthorized photography. 2. Wear anti-slip shoes for wet trails; avoid deep streams alone. 3. Pack rain gear and warm layers for mountain weather. 4. Practice eco-friendly camping (pack out trash). **Nearby Attractions** - **Yongxi Bridge**: 8 km away, Anhua’s largest Qing covered bridge. - **Tea-Horse Road Scenic Area**: 20 km away, ride horses through bamboo forests. - **Zhexi Reservoir**: 30 km from Jiangnan, a stunning "lake amid mountains" cruise. With its unspoiled landscapes, profound tea heritage, and tranquil beauty, Huanghuaxi is a hidden treasure for hiking, cultural immersion, and photography—a poetic escape to slow down and reconnect.