Avoid the crowds! A complete guide to 3 real-life xianxia secret realms, where the sea of clouds and ancient temples hide Chinese-style romance

1. Qiyun Mountain, Anhui: A long scroll of cultivation in the Danxia Taoist realm Known as the "Little Wudang of Jiangnan" by National Geographic, Qiyun Mountain at the foot of Huangshan paints the most vivid xianxia picture with Danxia red cliffs and misty fairy aura. Here, there are no noisy crowds, only the leisurely footsteps of Taoists walking on clouds and the ancient charm of white walls and black tiles embedded in red rocks. Must-visit fairy traces Yuehua Street is a cultivation town on a cliff, with winding bluestone paths passing through Huizhou-style residences. The copper bells of the Taoist temples by the street ring softly in the mountain breeze. Wearing Hanfu and walking through alleys hung with lanterns, with skirt hems brushing moss-covered stone steps, every photo looks like a scene from a fairy palace. The Wangxianlou viewing platform offers a perfect photo spot; on clear days, Xianglu Peak looks like a censer, and on misty days, the Danxia red rocks appear faintly in the sea of clouds, resembling the Penglai fairy mountain in xianxia dramas. To reach the top of Yuxu Palace, you must walk along a suspended plank road, with a hundred-meter deep abyss below and red rock walls beside you. After rain, when the clouds rise from the valley bottom, it feels like you can reach out and touch the immortal aura. In the evening, visit Taisu Palace to listen to Taoist priests preach; amid the incense smoke, watch the sunset cast rosy light on the golden peak, creating a full atmosphere. Fairy food and lodging The "Taoist Nun Tea" on Yuehua Street is a must-try. Brewed with mountain spring water, the wild tea carries an orchid fragrance. Pair it with a piece of Huizhou peach crisp and watch the clouds roll by. For dinner, the vegetarian dishes at the Taoist temple are recommended; mushroom vegetarian chicken and Luohan vegetarian stew are light yet flavorful, hiding Taoist health wisdom. For accommodation, staying at the Taoist temple guesthouse on Yuehua Street offers the most immersive experience. Open the window to see mountain mist drifting over the eaves, be awakened by the morning bell, and step outside to encounter Taoists carrying water, truly experiencing the cultivation life of "no time in the mountains." Practical tips After taking the high-speed train to Huangshan North Station, take a taxi for 1 hour directly to the scenic area. The ticket costs 80 yuan and includes scenic area transportation. Hiking is recommended; wear non-slip sports shoes and enjoy Danxia wonders like "One Line Sky" and "Little Pot Sky" along the way. Mountain weather is changeable, so bring rain gear and a light jacket. When visiting Taoist temples, avoid noise and stepping on thresholds. 2. Pingshan Grand Canyon, Enshi, Hubei: A xianxia fantasy deep in the earth Rated by CNN as "China's most beautiful fairyland," Pingshan Canyon, hidden in western Hubei, is a real-life "Semporna." Sailing through crystal-clear rivers, the boat seems to float in midair, with sunlight penetrating the canyon to form Tyndall beams, as if stepping into a secret forbidden realm of a xianxia drama. Must-explore secret realms The core spot "Avoidance Gorge" requires entering by wooden boat. The boatman gently rows, and the transparent boat bottom reveals swimming fish. The sheer cliffs on both sides look like they were carved by knives and axes, with vines hanging like fairy ribbons. From Huanyun Bridge, you can overlook the Qianxun Waterfall, where mist shrouds the falls like white silk hanging from the sky. On rainy days, it’s even more majestic, like "a waterfall plunging three thousand feet," making it a perfect backdrop for ancient-style photos. The suspended glass viewing platform at Ada Terrace is not to be missed. Below is emerald river water, and in the distance, the nine-layered canyon stretches. When mist rises, it feels like standing on the clouds. If you have the stamina, hiking the "One Line Sky" route is recommended. The narrow valley path only allows one person at a time; looking up, you see a "line opening the sky," and all you hear are water and birdsong, thrilling like exploring a xianxia secret realm. Fairy food and lodging At the scenic area exit, the farmhouse restaurant’s "Pingshan Fish" is a must-try. Steamed with mountain spring water, the fish is tender and fresh without any fishy smell. Paired with local chili-fried cured meat, it’s spicy and satisfying. Don’t miss the Tujia ethnic specialty Hezha tofu, made from ground soybeans and fermented bean curd, simple yet warming with rice. For accommodation, it’s better to stay in Hefeng County for better value. The "Pingshan Secret Realm Guesthouse" is recommended, just 20 minutes by car to the scenic area. Some rooms have viewing balconies where you can see the starry sky reflected in mountain water fields at night. Practical tips From Enshi Xujia Ping Airport, it takes 3 hours by taxi, or take the high-speed train to Enshi Station and then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus (80 yuan/person). The ticket costs 210 yuan. The "boat in, boat out" route (additional 45 yuan) is recommended to save energy and deeply experience the water fairyland. Be sure to arrive at the valley bottom before noon for the best light and shadow. Wear light-colored clothes for better photos. High heels are prohibited in the scenic area. 3. Nanjianyan, Zhejiang: A heavenly palace among sea of clouds and terraced fields Nanjianyan, combining sea of clouds, terraced fields, and strange peaks, was rated by National Geographic as "China’s most beautiful terraced fields." When mist swirls, the layered terraces look like jade steps of a heavenly palace, and the smoke from ancient village kitchens resembles fairy mist, vividly portraying a moving xianxia fairy residence. Must-find fairy traces The 6 a.m. Cloud Viewing Pavilion is the golden photo spot. The sea of clouds surges in the valley, terraces appear faintly in the mist, and distant Tianzhu Peak pierces the clouds. Smoke rises from the ancient town of Wangcunkou at the foot of the mountain, like "a place where immortals live." The cliff plank road after rain is stunning, with clouds flowing beneath your feet, making you feel like walking on clouds. The strange peak group "Shisuntou" is a must-see, with giant stones sitting like immortals or swords drawn from sheaths, each with unique shapes. Hiking the "Dragon Gate Waterfall" route, you can see waterfalls cascading down Danxia cliffs, with mist forming rainbows in the sunlight, like the "spiritual vein land" in xianxia dramas. Fairy food and lodging The "High Mountain Yellow Cake" at the mountaintop guesthouse is a must-try. Made from glutinous rice, the rice cake is pan-fried golden and tastes sweet and soft when dipped in brown sugar. The freshly baked Meigan vegetable biscuit has a crispy crust and savory filling, paired with green tea brewed from mountain spring water, making for a delightful treat. Highly recommended is staying at the "Nanjianyan Cloud Guesthouse" on the mountaintop. Open the window to see terraced fields and sea of clouds, walk to the Cloud Viewing Pavilion at dawn to shoot the sunrise, and some rooms have terraces perfect for stargazing and chatting at night. Practical tips After taking the high-speed train to Lishui Station, transfer to a Suichang bus, then take a 30-minute taxi to the scenic area. The ticket costs 80 yuan. The best visiting time is April-May (when terraces are flooded) or October-November (when rice is golden). Check the weather forecast in advance; the chance of sea of clouds after rain is over 80%. The scenic area has many steps, so wear non-slip shoes and bring light snacks. Food prices at the mountaintop are relatively high. Pitfalls and extras 1. All three scenic areas are mountainous with large temperature differences between day and night. Even in summer, bring a light jacket. Qiyun Mountain and Nanjianyan recommend bringing a windbreaker. 2. For Hanfu rental, it’s best to buy portable sets online in advance, as rental prices in scenic areas are high (50-100 yuan/hour). Using props like oil-paper umbrellas and round fans makes photos more striking. 3. Bamboo woven souvenirs from Yuehua Street in Qiyun Mountain, Tujia silver jewelry from Pingshan, and high mountain tea from Nanjianyan are meaningful and practical gifts. These three xianxia secret realms hidden among mountains and waters lack the noise of popular tourist spots but hold the truest Chinese-style romance. Whether it’s the Danxia Taoist realm, the earth’s core fairyland, or the sea of clouds terraced fields, they let you fulfill a xianxia dream amid nature. Come check in at these "immortal corners"!