Tongling to Anqing

Departing from Hefei Airport by rental car via Tongling-Chizhou-Anqing Sanhe Ancient Town is another reconstructed ancient town similar to many others. Entry is free, but separate tickets are required for memorial halls and former residences. Package tickets are available at the entrance. Datong Ancient Town Scenic Area, about a 40-minute drive away, truly embodies what an ancient town should be in my opinion. You need to take a ferry to enter and exit the town. There are no cars, only electric tricycles. Few residents remain, with most houses collapsed or abandoned. Only a few elderly residents still make their living by fishing in the Yangtze River. It was raining all day, and walking through the quiet town with barely anyone in sight felt wonderful and peaceful. Along the drive, the roadside rape flowers are in full bloom this season, creating a beautiful golden landscape. Chizhou is a very small city that combines the style and climate of both Jiangnan and Huainan regions. It's particularly pleasant when there's a light rain. Jindizang Temple, located at the foot of Qi Mountain in the northeast of the city, is a newly built temple currently under renovation. It's an exquisite place where locals come to worship. Navigate to Pingtian Lake National Wetland Park and you can drive through the entire scenic area. You'll pass by the popular "Sky Road on Water," though without a drone you won't be able to capture its true beauty. The drive offers lovely views with plenty of spots to stop along the way. The only downside was the weather. You can drive across Pingtian Lake, which brings you back near Jindizang Temple. It's less than an hour's drive from Chizhou to Anqing. Anqing is much more prosperous than Chizhou. The first stop was Yingjiang Temple and Zhenfeng Tower along the Yangtze River embankment. Admission is CNY 10. There is roadside parking but spaces are limited, so taking a taxi or public transportation is recommended. Not far from Yingjiang Temple is the historic Anqing No. 9 Dock Ferry Terminal. It costs CNY 4 per person (recently increased from CNY 3) for a one-way 10-minute trip, with ferries departing every 30 minutes. It has become an important transportation link between Anqing and Chizhou residents (as the Yangtze River Bridge toll is CNY 20 one-way). The ferry cabin only has benches by the windows, with the rest of the space reserved for electric bikes and tricycles. The strong diesel smell and passengers chatting and smoking in the cabin represent authentic local life. Daobaoshi Pedestrian Street is beautiful at night and gets crowded. It's nice to browse the shops here. Together with Guohuo Street, it forms a tourist commercial district that's best visited in the evening. Lastly, the famous Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve in Anhui is not a tourist attraction but a pure nature reserve. There are small villages by the lake with narrow roads. If the weather is good, it's worth visiting for the beautiful scenery. However, if the weather is poor, it's best to skip it.