The most cheerful moment in human life, is a departure into unknown lands. Far and long have I traveled without until I found Quzhou in Zhejiang province. A true treasure on the upper course of the Qiantang River bordering Hangzhou to the north, Jinhua to the east, Fujian to the south, and Anhui to the west. My journey started at Quzhou’s water pavillion gate and let me through a historic road to the ancient well preserved Gate of Dragon and Haven at the shores of the Qujiang river. I traveled far and long to all corners of the world, but it is the first time I truly fall in love. I had the honor to spend a night at Qujiang Oriental Hotel. A house where love abides and friendship is a guest, Is surely home, and home, sweet home for there the heart can rest. The rooms were unbelievable luxurious, the food delicious and the superior service unforgettable. Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you until we meet again.
The next day I found an absolute world wonder – the Chinese root carving art land in Kaihua which has been recognized as the most spectacular garden in the world. A wonderland of numerous unbelievable detailed and skilled wood carving works of expertise craftsmanship. It includes 500 breathtaking unique Arhat statues and several gigantic Buddha statues. After an amazing lunch, I followed a steep path into an untouched dense mountain forest. At first it seemed like only a few drops are forming a small insignificant looking waterfall. But what is a mighty stream, but a multitude of drops. We reached the origin of the mighty Qiantang river.
On the last day I had the honor to visit the Stone Forest in San Qu. Full of rocks shaped like all kind of animals, you think you see a lion around the corner but one got fooled by nature’s wonders: a whole zoo of stones in animal shapes. The last stop on this amazing trip were the Longyou caves. A recent discovery by local people which turned out to be natural cave reshaped by men 2000 years ago. A mystery from ancient times which can only be compared with Stonehenge or the Pyramides. Looking back to these amazing days I can only say that all places I visited in Quzhou were magnificent, the hotels luxurious, the food delicious and the care supreme. We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.
