Avoid the crowds! Four real-life fairyland secret spots to check in for just 500 RMB per person, full of the same immortal charm as in movies and TV shows
Tired of the overcrowded popular tourist spots? Keep this fairyland travel guide hidden among the mountains and waters! These four lesser-known destinations let you escape the hustle and bustle of Wangxian Valley and Gexian Village. They feature the same immortal mountains as in "The Journey of Flower" and filming locations from "Black Myth: Wukong." With morning mist swirling around peaks, ancient temples for Zen listening, and lanterns reflecting on cliffs, you can immerse yourself in the bliss of "ascending to immortality" for just 500 RMB per person. Every snapshot looks like a classic ancient-style masterpiece.
Jinyun Xiandu: The real-life model of Changliu Immortal Mountain in "The Journey of Flower"
As the filming location for Changliu Immortal Mountain in "The Journey of Flower," Jinyun Xiandu’s immortal aura is ingrained in its very bones. The 200-meter-high Dinghu Peak pierces the clouds like the "world’s number one bamboo shoot." The scene of an old farmer leading cattle across a stone bridge in the morning mist of Zhutan Mountain looks exactly like a cultivation sanctuary from a fairy tale drama, and it’s not overly commercialized.
Key check-in tips: Be sure to arrive at Zhutan Mountain before 7 a.m., when visitors are less than one-tenth of the peak season crowd. Morning mist drifts over the creek; pay a small fee to have the old farmer cooperate for photos. Shoot from a low angle to capture water reflections with a mist filter for maximum fairy vibe. Dinghu Peak is even more stunning from a distance—no need to climb to the top. The flying eaves of Xiandu View perfectly frame the peaks for an ancient-style shot. Niweng Cave’s "Chuyang Valley" stone carvings glow under the morning sun, resembling a hermit’s secret cultivation realm. The plank road on the red cliffs of Xiaochibi transforms you into a "martial hero walking on flying eaves" when dressed in Hanfu.
Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Jinyun West Station, then a 30 RMB taxi directly to the site. Self-driving visitors can park in the scenic area parking lot for 10 RMB/day. The scenic area is free to enter; a 20 RMB shuttle bus is optional. Walking to explore Zhutan Mountain and Dinghu Peak saves on transport costs. Food must-tries include Jinyun baked flatbread from local farmhouses, freshly baked with preserved vegetable and meat filling for 10 RMB each, paired with water-nan glutinous rice mixed with fried dough bits and minced meat, rich in carb aroma.
Lishui Shisi Temple: The Zen secret realm from "Black Myth: Wukong"
Hidden deep in the mountains at 1000 meters altitude, Shisi Temple became popular due to filming for "Black Myth: Wukong" but remains peaceful. The Yuan Dynasty ancient architecture features flying eaves and dougong brackets with incense smoke curling. The temple’s wood carvings and murals are richly detailed. The thousand-year-old king cedar tree, with an 8.5-meter circumference, shades the sky with its branches and leaves. Legend says it was the "guardian tree" for immortal cultivation.
Blessing tips: At 7:30 a.m., monks begin chanting sutras. Arrive then to receive one of the daily limited 50 peace talismans. Incense is free and without gimmicks. For photos, shoot upward to showcase the "ancient tree supporting the sky" effect of the king cedar. In the afternoon, sunlight filters through the tree gaps onto the bluestone slabs, creating dappled light perfect for photos. A 10-minute walk leads to Xuehuaji Waterfall, which plunges from a hundred-meter cliff. On rainy days, mist fills the air like the "Water Curtain Cave," and best of all, it’s completely free.
Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Lishui Station, then a 2-hour shuttle bus toward Jingning to Daji Township, followed by a 10-minute walk. Self-driving via mountain roads offers scenic stops like the "Cloudy Daji" viewing platform for cloud sea photos. Recommended food includes Songyang slow-roasted salt chicken, whole chicken baked in a salt crust for 68 RMB each, paired with freshly caught creek fish stew, rich in wild mountain flavors. The mountain roads are rugged, so wear non-slip shoes and bring trekking poles on rainy days for safety.
Anji Yunshang Immortal Town: A real-life heavenly palace fairyland
At 1168 meters altitude, Yunshang Immortal Town brings the "Heavenly Palace" down to earth. Over 40 fairyland attractions are scattered around, with more than 100 immersive performances. When night falls and the lights come on, it looks exactly like a "palace in the sky." Take the cable car to the mountaintop, where the Nine-Colored Deer sculpture appears faintly in the mist. Turn on the "immortal filter" and instantly create a "fairy deer descending to earth" masterpiece.
Plan your visit by time: Enter at 2 p.m. to explore fairyland architecture, join the "Immortal Official NPC" for a "seeking immortals" quest, and win "immortal silver tickets" to buy ancient-style trinkets. At 7 p.m., the light show begins, turning the plank road into a "Milky Way walkway," with building lights forming a "heavenly palace barrier." Don’t miss the climax of the "Immortal vs. Demon Battle." Wearing Hanfu grants a 10% discount on admission. The 50 RMB rental set at the entrance is very cost-effective and fits perfectly.
Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Anji Station, then an 80 RMB taxi for 40 minutes directly to the site. Self-driving visitors can navigate to "Yunshang Grassland Scenic Area," parking costs 10 RMB/day. Admission is included in the Yunshang Grassland Scenic Area package, and booking in advance on Trip.com saves 30 RMB. Food highlights include crispy Anji white tea cakes and bamboo forest chicken soup made with free-range native chicken, both refreshing and delicious.
Yunhe Terraces: The immortal ladder in the mist
The largest terrace group in East China is hidden deep in Yunhe’s mountains, with over 700 terrace layers winding from the foot to the summit, resembling a "ladder to immortality" in the morning mist. At sunrise, golden light floods the fields; at sunset, the terraces glow red with evening clouds, just like a "spiritual vein treasure land" from a fairy tale drama.
Best viewing times: Arrive at 6:30 a.m. at the Jiuyunhuan Viewing Platform while the mist still lingers, making the terraces look like shattered mirrors spread across the mountains. In the evening, visit Qixing Dun, where the sunset dyes the terraces golden red—every shot is wallpaper-worthy. Avoid the crowded main scenic area; the terraces near Baiyin Valley ancient village are more pristine, and you can see villagers farming, full of a "hidden paradise" vibe. Stay in local guesthouses inside the scenic area for about 80 RMB per person to catch the sunrise without rushing.
From Lishui Station, take a Yunhe bus for 1 hour, then transfer to the scenic area shuttle. The roads are in good condition for self-driving. Recommended foods include stir-fried dried creek fish with green peppers, savory and flavorful, and glutinous rice cakes dipped in honey, soft and sweet—both authentic farmhouse flavors.
Practical tips & bonus advice
Choose light-colored Hanfu or cotton-linen clothing to blend better with the mountains, waters, and mist. Cloud and mist are thicker on rainy days, enhancing the fairyland feel, but bring non-slip shoes. These four spots can be planned as a 3-4 day self-driving loop. Jinyun Xiandu is less crowded on weekends; get up early to catch the morning mist at Zhutan Mountain without competing for spots. Don’t fall for incense money scams at Shisi Temple; peace talismans are free. Check the performance schedule on Trip.com in advance for Yunshang Immortal Town to avoid missing exciting shows.
These fairyland secret spots hidden among mountains and waters are free from the crowds of Wangxian Valley and the commercialization of Gexian Village. Listen to Zen in the morning mist, watch lanterns at dusk, chase the wind on the terraces—each place holds the Chinese people’s "fairyland sentiment." Pack your bags and set off to live a fairy tale dream you won’t want to wake from!