Shijing Temple Hike During Peach Blossom Season—Don't Be Stubborn!

March 21st, a clear and sunny day, perfect for off-season travel. Today, I decided to leave the kids behind and treat myself to a second hike on the Shijing Temple trail. However, on a whim, I started from Shijing Temple and ended up completely exhausted! The correct way to do this route is from Xiangzhang Courtyard to Shijing Temple. Remember this direction! Don't do it the other way around. Trust me. Don't ask why. Just picture a river of bitter tears! Normal Route: Xiangzhang Courtyard is at the top of the mountain, and Shijing Temple is at the foot. Hiking from Xiangzhang Courtyard to Shijing Temple is mostly downhill. Even if the slope is a bit steep, you can easily slide down. Trail running enthusiasts can even jog all the way down, saving time and effort. It's all about a happy hike. My "Blood and Tears" Reverse Route: Because of the Peach Blossom Festival, there were many people going up the mountain, and the traffic jam at the foot of the mountain was terrible. I had a brilliant idea: drive directly to the Shijing Temple parking lot. Not only was there no traffic, but parking was also free. I was secretly delighted, but this was the beginning of my miserable journey. After arriving at Xiangzhang Courtyard, I planned to walk down the mountain to the town and take the bus back to Shijing Temple. However, there were very few people going in this direction. As soon as I started up the mountain, I got lost and wandered into the woods in the opposite direction. It took me a good hour and a half to get back to where I started. Here's a reminder: after going up the mountain from the back door of Shijing Temple, remember to turn right when you reach the platform at the top. There are many forks in the road, and few people. If you have a poor sense of direction, it's safer to follow the crowd. After finding the right direction, I had to bite the bullet and continue. Since I was already there, I couldn't waste the beautiful weather. But the next part of the journey was a nightmare. It was all uphill, a continuous climb up steep slopes. My legs were trembling, and all I could think about was going home to my mom. However, the scenery along the way was breathtaking. The peach blossoms were in full bloom all over the mountains, making the trip worthwhile. Along the way, I saw many people coming from Xiangzhang Courtyard, even parents with two or three-year-old children. I was glad I didn't bring my kids; otherwise, we would have been crying together. In short, the Shijing Temple hike is great, but the direction is really important. I hope you can learn from my experience and enjoy a pleasant hike!