Qinghu wharf in Jiangshan is the starting point of the ancient Xianxia path. The anchor stone standing beside the wharf tells the glory of the past. [Photo/ngchina.com.cn]

The ancient Xianxia path hidden away in the verdant Xianxia mountains in Quzhou, Zhejiang province is not only an overland traffic route for the Maritime Silk Road, but also an important path linking Zhejiang and Fujian provinces.

The ancient path starts from Jiangshan, a county level city in Quzhou and ends in Pucheng, Fujian province with a total length of 150 kilometers.

In ancient times, silk, porcelains and tea leaves produced in the cities along the path were continuously transported to cities along the southeast coast of China.

In late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the Republic of China (1912-1949), the ancient path welcomed its busiest period.

Male adults from the villages along the ancient path were out in full force during the slack farming seasons to deliver goods between the two provinces using merely their two shoulders.