The essence of southern Anhui, half of each of Chaji and Hongcun

2-day self-driving tour of Chaji Ancient Town Overview of the itinerary Number of days: 2 days and 1 night Departure point: Anhui Province Destination: Chaji Ancient Town, Taohuatan Town, Jing County, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province Transportation method: Self-driving Travel season recommendation: It is recommended to travel on rainy days to experience the misty rain and ink-and-wash landscape. --- Parking tips: There is a special tourist parking lot in Chaji Ancient Town, which charges about 10-20 yuan per day. It takes only a few minutes to walk into the ancient town. Day 1: Arrive at Chazhi Ancient Town, explore ancient buildings and rural scenery Theme: Ancient Village Stroll + Historical and Cultural Experience Morning: Departure and Arrival 1. Departure Departure in the morning, 6 o'clock 2. Arrive at Chazhi Ancient Town (11:30-12:00) After parking, walk into the ancient town. Chazhi may be covered with light snow in winter, and the bluestone road and ancient bridge are more quaint. 3. Lunch: Chaji specialties* Recommend the "Chaji Tofu Pudding" (smooth and delicious, served with chili oil and chopped green onions, about 5-10 yuan/bowl) and "Chaji Shaobing" (crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, about 3-5 yuan/piece). Recommended restaurants: "Old Street Snack Shop" in the ancient town or restaurants run by villagers. Each one has its own characteristics. Some owners have excellent photography skills. The prices are affordable and the food is authentic. Afternoon: Ancient buildings and nature walk 4. Ancient building tour Degong Hall: Yuan Dynasty building, rough nanmu columns and simple design show the historical weight. Erjia Temple (Guangyu Hall): A residence from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with exquisite carvings and well preserved. Yongqing Hall: A Ming Dynasty building with exquisite structure, it is a check-in spot for photography enthusiasts. 5. Strolling along Xu Creek Walk along Xu Creek and admire the ancient bridges (such as Tianshen Bridge) and the houses along the creek. In winter, the water surface may be covered with thin ice, which is a unique scene. This is the sketching base of the art school. Ancient ruins can be seen everywhere, making it a great place to take photos. Evening: Stay in a B&B and experience rural nightlife 6. Accommodation Recommended B&B: Chaji Half Hillside. At night, you can listen to the chirping of insects or chat around the fire in the courtyard and feel the tranquility of the ancient town. Day 2: Exploration and return trip Theme: Natural scenery + leisurely return trip Morning: Visit surrounding attractions 1. Taohuatan (about 15 kilometers from Chaji) It takes about 20 minutes to drive there. Although there are no peach blossoms in winter, the water in the pond is quiet and the mountains and forests under the snow have a unique charm. It is recommended to walk to "Tagen Pavilion" to experience the artistic conception of Li Bai's poems. Tips: The entrance fee to the scenic spot is about 50 yuan, and the parking fee is about 10 yuan. 2. Lunch: Taohuatan or Chaji Try "stinky mandarin fish" or "hairy tofu" near Taohuatan, about 20-40 yuan per person. Or return to Chazhi for a simple farm meal. Afternoon: Shopping and return trip 3. Shopping in the ancient town Buy Chaji specialty: Chaji rice wine (mellow and sweet, about 30-50 yuan/bottle), handmade sesame cakes or pickled vegetables as souvenirs. 4. Return trip Depart at 13:00-14:00 in the afternoon. Useful information Budget (per person) Transportation: Fuel + tolls are about 300-500 yuan/car (round trip). Accommodation: about 200-400 yuan/night Food: about 100-150 yuan Tickets and other expenses: about 50-100 yuan Total: about 400-800 yuan (depending on the number of people and consumption habits) Recommended souvenirs Chazhi rice wine: traditional fermentation process, mellow taste. Handmade sesame cakes: easy to carry and crispy. Local pickled vegetables: such as pickled radish, suitable for pairing with rice.