Lishui, Zhejiang | Jinyun Songyang · The Last Secret Realm of Jiangnan

🚄 High-speed train from Shanghai takes 3 hours to reach the "Last Secret Realm of Jiangnan" recommended by National Geographic 〽️ Itinerary: Day: Jinyun · Xiandu 🚄 Arrive at Jinyun West Station around 11:30, take a taxi directly to Xiandu Scenic Area. You need to report to the homestay when entering the scenic area. Xiandu Scenic Area is divided into paid and free attractions. 🆓 Free attractions: Xiao Chibi, Yandang Study Room, Zhutan Mountain 🎫 Paid attractions: Dinghu Peak, Niweng Cave, Xiandu Temple You only need to buy a ticket if you visit one paid attraction; visiting only free attractions does not require a ticket. 🐮 The "Old Man Leading the Ox" show is now available on weekdays as well, in the afternoon at 14:30, 15:10, and 15:40. Morning times were not noted. Coinciding with the Lishui Photography Festival, there are almost daily group bookings for the early morning "Old Man Leading the Ox" performance. If you are lucky to see it in the morning mist, the atmosphere is incredible! Be sure to get up early if you have the chance‼️ Inside Dinghu Peak is the Yellow Emperor’s Shrine where you can trace your ancestral roots and see the origin of your surname. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of Xiandu’s mountains and waters. The towering peak is praised as the "Number One Bamboo Shoot Under Heaven." Accommodation: Jiajia Homestay, where Niu Niu the ox belongs. You can book and watch the early morning performance here. Day: Songyang · Hou She Village → Chenjiapu Village → Yangjiatang Village → Songzhuang Village Mountain roads in Songyang villages are difficult to drive on. Skilled drivers can self-drive, but remember to honk before sharp turns‼️ This is very important‼️ We chose to hire a car because we were not confident driving. ✨ Hou She Village Main attraction: a huge dead tree. Note ⚠️ There are many midges here; we got bitten badly and the itching worsened the more we scratched. ✨ Chenjiapu Village Pioneer Bookstore with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning mountain views. The viewing platform overlooks the entire village and distant mountains. When crowded, you need to take the shuttle bus. ✨ Yangjiatang Village Main attractions: the old couple camphor trees at the village entrance, and the viewing platform overlooking the village and rooftops. ✨ Songzhuang Village Main attractions: stone arch bridge and babbling creek. Accommodation: Guyan Huaxiang Day: Guyan Huaxiang Guyan and Huaxiang are located on both sides of the Ou River, mainly connected by boat. ✨ Guyan main attractions: ancient camphor tree, Wenchang Pavilion, Tongji Weir, Dingbu Bridge ✨ Huaxiang main attractions: Ou River morning mist, sailboats Entry to the scenic area is free before 8 AM 🎫, but if you want to take a boat to Guyan or Huaxiang, you need a ticket to buy the boat ticket. You can also take a taxi between the two scenic areas, but it requires a long detour. 🚄 Return by high-speed train from Lishui Station.