Ninghai was one of the first cities in China to build a standard hiking trail in the wild. Completed in 2009, the 100-kilometer trail connects Ninghai's seven counties and a forest park. In 2012, the trail, equipped with directional signs, camping spots and toilets, extended to 500 kilometers. Most of it is unpaved, but part of it, near villages and resting areas, has been paved with wooden decks.

With its lush mountains, hiking in Ninghai is a great choice for professional hikers and the public. Xujiashan village, also known as Stone village, is one of the most famous stops in the trail.

The hiking route in Chayuanxiang county is about 17 km. It starts from an ancient stone bridge named Wayaotou, passes the stone village and ends near Xilin reservoir.

The trail offers various levels of hiking difficulty. The shortest and easiest of its seven routes is 4.5 km, and its longest is 21.5 km.

Following the popularity of Ninghai's trail, the General Administration of Sport of China has promoted similar outdoor attractions in other parts of the country as a way of improving public health. Ninghai's hiking trail, with its scale, facilities and environmental protection features, has set the national standard.

(China Daily 05/01/2015 page10)