I thought West Lake was beautiful enough, until I visited this place in Hangzhou.

The weather in early autumn is pleasant and refreshing, perfect for outdoor hiking🍃 If you don't want to join the crowds at West Lake's Ten-mile Langdang, I recommend a thousand-year-old trail on Xitianmu Mountain. It's called the Zhejiang version of Kumano Kodo! Stretching from Chanyuan Temple to Xianrending, the trail is lined with towering trees, like a canopy, and accompanied by springs. It boasts the largest existing Cryptomeria japonica forest in the world, a true kingdom of trees🌳 The day we went, it had just rained and the sky was clear. Stepping from the misty fog into the green forest, it felt incredibly healing! Below is a detailed guide to the hike, be sure to save it in advance! 📍｜Lin'an, Hangzhou, Xitianmu Mountain Scenic Area 🕗｜Open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, tickets are CNY 136 per person 🚗｜About 1.5 hours by car from Hangzhou city center 🚶｜Hiking route: Chanyuan Temple - Entrance Gate - Five-mile Pavilion - Big Tree King - Kaishan Old Hall - Longfengjian Parking Lot - Take the scenic bus downhill 🥾｜Distance: about 6 kilometers, elevation gain: about 800 meters, duration: 4-5 hours 🍃Hiking Tips 1️⃣ For elderly people and children, it is recommended to take the scenic bus up and down the mountain. Each ride costs CNY 20. The last bus downhill from Longfengjian Parking Lot is at 5:00 pm. 2️⃣ For hiking uphill, directly navigate to "Chanyuan Temple". Parking fee is CNY 10. You can visit Chanyuan Temple, then enter the mountain gate from the small path on the left side of the temple. 3️⃣ There are very few toilets on the trail, only at "Five-mile Pavilion" and "Kaishan Old Hall". 4️⃣ There are no supply points along the way, so remember to bring snacks and water to replenish your energy!