Car Traveling Notes (40) Sanshang Santiao Ridge

Santiao Ridge is located in the northeastern corner of Yaodu Town (county seat) in Dongzhi County, Anhui Province. It consists of high ridge, low ridge and Cailing on the ancient Hui Road. It is commonly known as Santiao Ridge.

Entering the Santiaoling Scenic Area, the huge billboard is particularly eye-catching: the high ridge is not high, the low ridge is not low, you have to climb the stairs to Cailing. Because there is a well-preserved ancient Hui Road there. The stone steps under your feet are shining with the light of time, and it seems that you can still hear the ringing of horse bells on the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

The mysterious caves on both sides of the ancient road, the strangely shaped naturally weathered rocks, the long-standing Huizhou merchant culture, the ruins of the Tang emperor’s death, the exciting anecdotes and myths and other tourist resources. It constitutes the beautiful scenery of Santiaoling's natural and cultural landscape.

By chance, I saw CCTV's "Geographical China" feature film and learned about the hidden Santiao Ridge. I remember that when I visited Santiao Ridge for the first time, I found this mysterious scenic spot after several circuitous turns under the guidance of my riding friends.

Today is the third time that "Dajia" has visited.

On November 22, 2020, my wife and I visited Santiaoling Scenic Area for the first time. Due to insufficient homework and unclear situation. After going around the county town in the east for several times, we found the intersection, which was euphemistically called "Yao and Shuntian Road". In fact, it is a short section of winding mountain road, with two hairpin turns to the back of the mountain. This is very disdainful to me, who has traveled the three major heavenly roads in southern Anhui, and I am ashamed to talk about it.

Outside the village, next to the ancient city, the staff slowly turned to the setting sun. It rained at midnight last night, and it was cool all day long.

Leaving the county town and entering a canyon. What appears in front of you is an ancient village. Green bricks and black tiles, a secret valley. All the original residents have moved out, and the ancient buildings are being repaired. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, this place is pleasant.

Above the ancient village is a reservoir. The flood outlet is close to the mountain. The cliff head carvings on the boulder are: Cailing Ancient Road. Summoning the mighty ancestral caravans, they continuously transported mountain goods out of the bustling scene outside the mountain.

My wife and I walked along the ancient trail for a while, forming a Z-shape and soaring into the sky. In the end, due to lack of preparation, the road ahead was unclear and he turned back in a hurry. Drive and follow the navigation to withdraw troops hastily.

On March 27, 2021, my wife and I drove to Santiaoling again. When he met a tourist on the dam, his son went up the mountain along the ancient road. He drove on "Yao and Shuntian Road" and took a detour to the mountain to pick up the tourist. It turns out that cars can also drive to the ancient road. We took the opportunity to follow to the top of the mountain: Sanjoling Liyuan. Haha, I finally saw your true face in Lushan. It turned out that it was the internet celebrity attraction featured in CCTV’s special report.

The most eye-catching thing about the scenic spot is the strange peaks and rocks on the mountain. Naturally weathered boulders, layer upon layer, form ridges and peaks, making it a spectacular sight. The Bitan, where mountain springs converge, is as green as emerald. My wife and I were so sad that we climbed mountains and ridges, full of passion.

When I was crazy and tired, I went to the octagonal pavilion on the mountain to rest. A set of "big pancakes rolled with fried dough sticks" and a bag of fresh milk is our Chinese food.

Then, enter the "Stone Forest" scenic spot 2 kilometers away. This scenic spot, which has never been fully developed and opened, has simple tourist trails. The fierce formation in the stone forest is like thousands of troops; the giant vines are like pythons, covered with moss, and it has a primitive style. This is the paradise for us to explore. Withered vines and old trees are full of faint crows, and the ancient road has a westerly wind and a thin horse. Such a quiet and beautiful poem is a true portrayal of Santiao Ridge.

The scenery is superimposed on the pear orchard, and the pear orchard is originally the scenery. This base, which combines leisure tourism and pear planting, became famous with the broadcast of "Geographical China". Pears scattered in the mountains have snow-white flesh, crisp, tender and juicy, sweet and refreshing, and of high quality. It is said that the purchase of pear picking is limited in order to allow more tourists to enjoy it.

On July 22, 2021, when passing by Dongzhi, I saw vast clouds and mist on the opposite side, overwhelming and majestic, rolling in, like entering a fairyland. My wife and I immediately got off the highway and came to Santiao Ridge for the third time, hoping to encounter the wonders of the sky above the mountain.

Unfortunately, the sun was shining brightly and we did not see the stunning sky as imagined. I went directly to Santiaoling Liyuan and bought a box of crisp pears (10 kilograms, 150 yuan) and then went down the mountain.

The crisp pears of Santiaoling became famous due to the special broadcast on CCTV. The meat is white and delicate, crisp, sweet and juicy. Crystal clear and melts in your mouth. The quality is top notch, but the price is also top notch.

After descending the mountain, we returned to the highway and headed towards southern Anhui to continue our self-driving tour of Shenche Xia Tour.

Li Guoping

2021.7.22