Chao Mountain and Tangqi: Plum Blossoms and Ancient Town

The sparse shadows slant across the clear and shallow water, the faint fragrance drifts in the dim m[...]

The sparse shadows slant across the clear and shallow water, the faint fragrance drifts in the dim moonlight. Lin Hejing’s poem has always been a masterpiece of plum blossom poetry. Read it carefully, savor it slowly, and you will find different feelings in different moods. Every February to March, I enjoy the plum blossoms. This year, I will visit the Fragrant Snow Sea of Chao Mountain and Tang Mei, and then take a stroll in Tangqi Ancient Town.

Transportation:
Take the high-speed train to Hangzhou East Station or Linping South.
Self-driving route from Shanghai to Chao Mountain Scenic Area:
1. Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway – (Yuhang) turn to Provincial Road 09 – Chao Mountain Scenic Area
2. National Highway 320 – (Tangqi-Mogan Mountain direction) Provincial Road 09 – Chao Mountain Scenic Area.

Chao Mountain, named for its towering presence beyond the Gaoting and Yellow Crane, is renowned for its plum blossoms characterized by ‘ancient, vast, and peculiar’ features. The plum blossoms of Chao Mountain usually bloom around the beginning of spring, around February each year. The plum trees are extremely thick and large, with branches sprawling in all directions. Often, a single area may contain thousands of plum trees, so when they bloom, the buds burst forth, and the white flowers spread like jade, reflecting white across the sky for miles, like flying snow filling the air, and petals scattering, hence the well-deserved reputation of ‘Fragrant Snow Sea for Ten Miles’.

On the day I went, it initially snowed lightly, but it soon turned into heavy snow.This year has been quite interesting. I encountered heavy snow in Jiande at the end of January and again in Linping at the beginning of February. I’ve been quite fortunate to experience such natural wonders.

Exploring plum blossoms in the snow is a sentiment that is rare and not to be missed. When the plum blossoms are in full bloom, their fragrance seems to travel as far as the foot of Linping Mountain, ten miles away. Climbing high and looking into the distance, one can see a sea of snow, making it one of the three major plum blossom viewing spots in Jiangnan.

China is home to five ancient plum trees, and Chao Mountain hosts two of them—Tang Mei and Song Mei. This year, Tang Mei bloomed earlier than Song Mei. Tang Mei is as white as snow, while Song Mei is as red as blood, each with its unique charm.

In front of the Song Mei Pavilion, a wintersweet tree is now in full bloom, extremely bright and fragrant. Mr. Wu Changshuo, a renowned modern master of calligraphy, painting, and seal carving, and the first president of the Xiling Seal Society, loved plum blossoms all his life, especially those of Chao Mountain. He not only left behind the timeless poem, “Ten years without visiting the Fragrant Snow Sea, plum blossoms remember me, and I remember the plums. When will I buy a boat to brave the snow and pour a cup in front of the flowers,” but also chose Chao Mountain as his final resting place, showing his deep affection for the plum blossoms of Chao Mountain.

Here, you can visit the Wu Changshuo Memorial Hall, the bonsai garden, and many other scenic spots. These places offer a rich cultural and natural experience, making Chao Mountain a must-visit destination for those who appreciate the beauty of plum blossoms and the arts.

—

Taking a gondola-like boat ride can offer you the chance to immerse in the beauty of plum blossoms. Chao Mountain, a place famed for its natural splendor, is situated just 6 kilometers from Tangqi Town in Linping District. This region, known as the land of fish and rice, the place of flowers and fruits, and the capital of silk, is a must-visit destination. After your visit to Chao Mountain, you can easily explore the ancient town. Conveniently, there is a Linping Tourism Distribution Center en route, with an outlet store nearby for shopping.

This center serves as the transfer hub of Linping, making it incredibly easy to travel to various locations. One of the most enticing aspects is the availability of tickets at a 30% discount, which is an excellent deal. Linping is renowned for the verse by Shi Daoqian, which captures its essence: “The wind plays with the cattails, making them dance gently, and the dragonflies struggle to stand still. In May, on the road below Linping Mountain, there are countless lotus flowers covering the sandbars.” Tangqi Ancient Town, known for its hermits from the Southern Song Dynasty and pastoral villas from the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, has long been a favorite among literati and poets.

When I think of Tangqi, loquats come to mind, and my mouth waters instantly. Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing the ancient town in the snow, which only added to its ancient charm. Tangqi Ancient Town was once acclaimed as ‘the first of the top ten famous towns in Jiangnan.’ The Guangji Bridge, located in the central area, offers a panoramic view of the entire ancient town as you walk across it.

No matter where I travel, I always take time to stroll around, purchase local specialties to bring back home, and my visit to Tangqi was no exception.

—Walking down the Guangji Bridge, you’ll find yourself on a street lined with shops. It’s the perfect place to spend time browsing and shopping, immersing yourself in the local commerce and culture.

The charm of Chao Mountain and the allure of Tangqi are undeniable. How could anyone resist falling in love with these captivating places?