Diyi Mountain Old Town Stair Walk

Diyi Mountain Scenic Area stands in Xucheng Subdistrict, the old town centre of Xuyi County in Huai'an, Jiangsu province, China. Its name means "First Mountain", and the hill overlooks the Huai River and the town below. The scenic area is only about ten minutes by Didi or taxi from Xuyi bus station and the town's hotels, and coaches from Huai'an Central Bus Station reach Xuyi in about two hours. There is no trailhead drive or permit; visitors simply enter through the scenic area gate, where a ticket may be required.

The route is a stair walk of about 2 to 3 km combining stone-step paths and park lanes, and it takes one to two hours at a relaxed pace. Elevation gain is small, well under the 300 m threshold for an easy grade, and the paths are clearly laid out for casual visitors. Surfaces are mostly worn stone steps and paved lanes, which can be slippery when wet. Tree cover gives partial shade, though some stretches are open to the sun.

The hill is known for its stone inscriptions and old pavilions, which are scattered along the paths and give the walk a cultural rather than wilderness character. Walkers usually climb toward the upper viewpoints for outlooks across Xuyi and the river, then descend by a different lane. The paths are short enough that turning back at any point is easy, and the area is compact enough to combine with other sights in Xuyi town in the same day.

Water is best bought in town before entering, and a sun hat and umbrella help in summer heat and showers. March to May and September to November are the most pleasant months, while mid-summer brings heat and humidity and winter can be damp and cold.