Driving on China's Rural Roads 4K HDR - Exploring Hidden Pristine Ancient Villages in the Valleys

On this trip, we start from Hongye Shiyan Scenic Area, located about 4.6 kilometers southwest of Boshan District in Zibo City, Shandong Province, China. This scenic area beautifully combines dense mountain forests—covering nearly 95% of the land—with authentic rural culture, offering stunning views through all four seasons.

Leaving Hongye Shiyan behind, we follow a quiet, winding rural road into the mountainous heart of southwestern Zibo. As the city fades away, the road begins to rise and fall, revealing forests, villages, and farmland unfolding gently outside the window—a peaceful, slow-paced journey through the central Shandong mountains.

Along the way, we pass through Shuangshanquan Village, Panjiaya Village, and Jiashan Village. These scattered mountain villages retain a genuine rural atmosphere with stone houses, terraced fields, mountain springs, and wisps of cooking smoke, blending seamlessly with the tranquil country roads. Nearby, the Qi Great Wall Scenic Corridor traces the ridges, where history and nature come together. Some sections open up to wide mountain vistas, while others hug the winding hillsides—offering a classic and enjoyable mountain drive.

After passing through Shimen Village, we return to Boshan District. Here the terrain softens, but the mountain spirit remains, bringing this rural drive to a natural and calm conclusion.

This isn’t a popular tourist route, but a real, immersive drive deep into the mountains and villages. If you enjoy peaceful roads, authentic rural life, and landscapes untouched by overdevelopment, this journey will hopefully bring you a moment of relaxation and quiet companionship.