Seeking China's iconic road trip

Nothing combines the joy of sightseeing, driving and socializing better than a road trip. The picturesque California State Route 1 (SR 1), featuring spectacular seascapes and mountain views along the US West Coast, is deemed a dream destination for modern nature lovers. Recently, carmakers set out to find the same route in China.

Acura, the luxury vehicle marque of Japanese automaker Honda, launched Searching for China's SR 1 road trip, an event introducing a life of sophistication and carefree pleasure to Chinese customers.

Consecutively held in East China's Zhejiang and Fujian and South China's Guangdong provinces, the event attracted Acura fans from across the country. Seventy-five car enthusiasts arrived at the first stop, Ningbo in Zhejiang province, on Friday for a three-day tour driving three of Acura's distinctive models – the TLX-L, MDX and CDX.

Along the 475-kilometer path, participants navigate through zigzag mountain roads to sample the delights of country life. Traditional culture like Jiangnan cuisine, Longjing tea and pipa music bring more classical charisma to the journey.

"I have never been to Ningbo and this trip definitely is a great beginning," Wang Wenjia, a participant from Guangzhou, said. "It is so refreshing and uplifting to drive along such a beautiful countryside."

Next month two more road trips will take place, heading southward in Fuzhou and Shantou. The big mystery of which route is China's SR 1 is yet to be revealed.