Circumnavigation of Daheishan (Big Black Mountain)

Approach to West side of mountain from Kaifaqu

Broad avenues with shoulders (see photo). Track explores a few smaller commercial streets in this area.

View of mountain top

Interesting side streets.

At bridge. Start of Mountain Road.

People waiting at bus stop, fruit and vegetables on sale, cultural activities

Reservoirs and uphill section

A popular hiking path parallel to road from bus stop to main hiking access, lots of hikers. The route follows a series of dams and small reservoirs.

Entrance to West Daheishan hiking route

Secured parking, washrooms. This is start of the popular foot access to the Western Buddhist and Daoist Temples.

Orchards and gardens

A lovely section along a valley of fruit orchards and market gardens.

Village, access hill climb route

Town plaza, Buddhist architecture. The hill climb road to top of mountain branches off here (off track, looks difficult and might need guide or security pass). There is a photo of one mountain bike just completing a descent.

Photo

Coffee sign

Start of hiking trail

A wide but rough hiking trail starts up the mountain, near bridge. Lots of hikers on the day. Road shoulder parking.

Decent to north

Long descending one lane paved road with a few rough sections.

Rough road conditions

Mountain bike is most suitable on this track.

Taoist facilities, lake pavilions and gardens

Countryside restaurants, spiritual and cultural themes, ancient rock walls along stream and roadside in this area.

Archean Rock outcrops around small lake

Outcrops of deformed 2.5 to 3.0 Billion year old Archean rocks, mylonites and gneiss) on the side of a small lake. Markers describing unique local geology are often found in China.

Reservoir

Track follows a G-grade highway along the south shore of the reservoir (photo shows road conditions). Wide shoulders with occasional hazards due to poor maintenance. Historical note: this was the route of the Japanese 2nd army as to moved to attack Russian positions at Jingzhou and Nanshan in 1903 during the Russo-Japanese War.

Algal blooms in lakeshore lagoon

Farming area

Old rural China. Narrow old paved road follows a steam, farmhouses use wood heating/cooking. Lots of fireworks debris along road after National Day (October 1).

Farming area

Cornfield after harvest, corn drying in farmyards and on rooves. Firewood has been stockpiled for the winter.

Road Access (off-track) to East Daheishan branches off here

A narrow road branches off to the west, a moderate to difficult climb to the eastern Buddhist Temple (off track). Car access, may by monitored. The saved track follows the main road under the highway and towards the east. Caution; poorly maintained road, rough sections, some large deep potholes seen near shoulder.

Join a broad city avenue

Climb a 40 meter rough unpaved section out of the riverbed and join the main avenue. New residential high rise developments underway in this area.

Highway interval

Broad highway shoulders, long gentle ups and downs. Photo shows road conditions.

Road to Guanyin Temple

Turnoff onto rough road leading to the walking access point for the Eastern Buddhist Temple. First 500 meters of road is very rough. Improves towards Guanyin parking lot.

Countryside style restaurants

Geese and poultry sales

A place just above the road sells mountain pheasant and free range chicken eggs (see sign in photo).

Temple

Guanyin Temple foot access

Clusters of pine trees, natural deciduous forest. Foot access from here to a very old Buddhist location via long sets of stairs. Parking lot.

Dalian University

Side loop

Track ended at intersection with Dalian Greenway

Greenway extends east to Kaifaqu waterfront, west towards Golden Pebble Beach. Singing, brass band, Trad music, and dancing often happens in pavilions along the Greenway.