Huihang Ancient Trail: 2-Day Private Trek Along the Thousand-Year Merchant Road

The Huihang Ancient Trail is one of eastern China's most storied footpaths, the cobbled mountain road that Hui merchants travelled for over a thousand years to carry tea, ink and silk between Anhui and Zhejiang. This two-day private trek follows the classic crossing with your own English-speaking guide and private vehicle for transfers, making it an ideal introduction to China's heritage hiking for travellers who want scenery and history without a punishing climb. You walk through old stone villages, climb gently to Lantian'ao, the highest pass on the trail at 1,050 metres where ridge after ridge of layered peaks opens to the horizon, then descend the next day through the dramatic cliff-cut steps of the First Pass of Jiangnan and the emerald pools of Xiaoyao Gorge. Nights are spent in a simple mountain guesthouse, with a celebratory dinner and a trail completion certificate. The route suits reasonably fit walkers and families with older children, and is best enjoyed in spring and autumn when the hills are green or gold. As a private tour, the pace and meal stops are arranged around your group. Itinerary may adjust based on weather, road and local regulations. Good to know: • Best season: April-June and September-November; avoid icy winter trail conditions • Fitness level: moderate; roughly 9-10km of mostly comfortable trail on day 1 and 5-6km downhill on day 2 • Highest point Lantian'ao is about 1,050m • Wear proper hiking or trail shoes; trekking poles helpful on descents • Guesthouse is simple; some rooms may lack air conditioning