Explore the "Zhejiang Version of Ailao Mountain" near Hangzhou in May

1. Trip Highlights - Top Forest Hike in Hangzhou: A beginner-friendly 6.5 km route through a dawn redwood wonderland and alongside streams and lakes. The negative oxygen ion concentration reaches 20,000/cm³, and PM2.5 is only 1/10 of that in the city. - Seasonal Scenery: Enjoy the fresh green ferns in spring, cool canyons in summer, golden dawn redwoods in fall, and rime ice in winter. Photo opportunities abound in every season. - Industrial Aesthetic Spectacle: Piles of stacked timber blend with the original forest, forming a unique "land art" landscape. - Beginner-Friendly Hike: The entire route is stair-free, with gentle dirt roads and log bridges. The elevation gain is only 130m, making it suitable for families, beginners, and photography enthusiasts. --- 2. Itinerary (1-Day Highlights) Morning: Dawn Redwood Wonderland Traverse - 08:30-09:30: Drive to "Ruyi Holiday Hotel" (Qiandaohu Town). After parking, take a taxi to the starting point of the hike, Shilingjiao Village (taxi fare approx. CNY 20). - 09:30-12:00: - 0-2km: Walk along the reservoir dam and photograph the reflections in the misty water (it is recommended to bring a polarizing filter to enhance the colors). - 2-5km: Traverse the core area of the dawn redwood forest. Towering ancient trees form a natural dome, with ferns and streams intertwined beneath the trees. You may even encounter wild raspberry bushes. - Photo Spot: Stacked wood pile art area (an excellent spot where industrial relics and nature blend). Afternoon: Lake and Loquat Forest Hike - 12:00-14:00: - 5-7km: Arrive at Muxin Pavilion and photograph the panoramic view of the lake (use a wide-angle lens, 16-35mm is recommended). - 7-9km: Pass through the loquat forest (you can pick loquats in May) and cross a small hill to the highway at the end, with streams flowing along the way. - 14:00-16:00: Return and explore the popular lighthouse (near the InterContinental Hotel). The lake and the silhouette of the lighthouse create a cinematic scene. Evening: Night Tour at the Foot of the Mountain - 18:00-20:00: Go to the night market in Qiandaohu Town, taste freshly baked fish heads and rice cakes (CNY 50 per person), and experience the local fishing culture. --- 3. Accommodation Recommendations (Tips to Avoid Pitfalls) 1. Ruyi Holiday Hotel - Features: Located next to the end of the hike, with lake views from the window. Includes a free shuttle to the starting point (CNY 600/night). You can photograph the starry sky from the terrace. - Pitfalls to Avoid: Be cautious when choosing "Muxingu Homestay," as it is actually a villager-run house with varying sanitary conditions. 2. Qiandaohu Bright Resort Hotel - Highlights: A 5-star garden hotel that provides forest hiking equipment rentals (including hiking poles and mosquito repellent). It is a 20-minute drive from the scenic area. --- 4. Food Guide (Must-Eat List) - Local Farm Cuisine: - Stewed Chicken with Dried Bamboo Shoots: "Shan Li Ren Jia" in Shilingjiao Village, free-range chicken + dried bamboo shoots (CNY 80 per person), the soup is golden and delicious. - Steamed White Fish: "Yu Le Quan" in Qiandaohu Town, freshly caught lake fish with scallion oil (CNY 100 per person), the meat is tender and not fishy. - Local Snacks: - Rice Cake: Freshly steamed in the old streets of the town, with the fragrance of mugwort and pickled vegetable filling (CNY 3/piece). - Tips to Avoid Pitfalls: Be cautious when buying "wild honey," as most of it is made with syrup. "Alpine tea" in the scenic area is often fake tea from other places. --- 5. Photography Guide (95% Success Rate) - Recommended Spots: - Dawn Redwood Forest Canopy: Shoot upwards at a low angle to capture the tree trunks and the sky. The light and shadow in the morning mist are extremely layered (shutter speed 1/60 second). - Muxin Pavilion Reflection: Use a telephoto lens to compress (70-200mm) and capture the geometric composition of the lake and wooden piles. - Loquat Forest Light and Shadow: Shoot the beams of light through the gaps in the forest against the light (recommended time: 9:00-10:00). - Outfit Recommendations: Linen long shirt + straw woven bag (to match the forest tones), and rain boots for slippery roads. --- 6. Practical Tips (Safety First) 1. Transportation: - Self-Driving: Hangzhou City → Hangchang Expressway → Chunkai Line → Shilingjiao Village (1.5 hours), free parking. - Bus: Hangzhou East Station → Qiandaohu Station (30 minutes by high-speed train), take a taxi to the starting point (approx. 40 minutes). 2. Equipment List: - Must-Haves: Non-slip hiking shoes (some sections are muddy), quick-drying clothes + sunscreen jacket (strong UV rays in summer), 1.5L of water + energy bars. - Recommended: Mosquito repellent (dense mosquitoes in the forest area), hiking poles (for balance), and offline maps (no signal area). 3. Safety Precautions: - Fire Prevention Period: Entry is prohibited from November to April of the following year. May to October is the open period. - Environmental Protection Requirements: Take your trash with you and do not use open flames (strict forest fire control). - Wild Animals: Do not disturb if you encounter a green snake (non-venomous), and keep a safe distance. --- 7. Itinerary Reference (Flexible Choices) - Half-Day Quick Tour: Dawn Redwood Forest → Muxin Pavilion → Loquat Forest (3 hours), suitable for tourists with limited time. - In-Depth Experience: D1 Hike + Lighthouse Photography; D2 Qiandaohu Cycling (15 km around the lake greenway) + Fish Head Feast. --- 8. Best Time to Travel - May-June: Early summer dawn redwoods are lush green, fireflies appear, and the temperature is 18-25℃. - October-November: Golden dawn redwoods intertwine with redwoods, and aerial photography reveals colorful scenery. - Avoid: Frequent rainstorms in July-August, and rime ice after December requires extremely cold weather to trigger. --- Summary: Muxin Valley is a "spiritual healing place for urbanites." Spend a day traversing the twilight forest and lake wonderland, and rediscover inner peace in the signal-free mountains. Avoid the internet-famous traps and measure the unexplored secret of western Zhejiang with your footsteps.