Tianmu Lake in Liyang, my favorite small city scenery in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai

Truly the backyard garden of Jiangsu! This small city of Liyang offers the tranquility of ten thousand acres of bamboo forest and the playful charm of Rainbow Road. Time is never enough to explore it all, even visiting twice a year isn’t enough. This self-driving guide will help you unlock the lake and mountain views along with cultural surprises～ ▲Morning: Nanshan Bamboo Sea "The paradise Nanshan, the dreamlike bamboo sea" lives up to its name! The vast bamboo forest is refreshingly green. Riding the vintage small train through the forest, the light filtering through the bamboo leaves falls on you, as if stepping into the poetic scenes of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." ～ ✔Must-visit Panda Pavilion, watch the national treasure slowly munching bamboo, very healing and adorable ✔Highly recommend the ground cable car, the cabin glides smoothly through the bamboo sea, with bamboo forests on both sides rushing past, like entering an immersive "time tunnel," visually stunning. ～ Afternoon: Tianmu Lake Scenic Drive ✔Shahe Bridge: The bridge’s reflection on the calm lake surface creates a perfectly symmetrical picture from a drone’s perspective, every shot looks like a masterpiece ✔Fangsuo Cultural Village: A collision of modern architecture and traditional Jiangnan aesthetics. When the lights come on at the blue hour, the white walls and black tiles glow warmly, like a flowing ink painting. The bookstore and café are perfect for artsy photos ✔Bao’en Zen Temple: A golden-roofed temple with a Southeast Asian filter vibe, yellow walls and light shadows intertwine, full of Zen spirit. Photos taken here make friends think you’re abroad ✔Yunding Viewing Platform: A hidden gem offering free panoramic views of Tianmu Lake. At sunset, the lake is dyed golden red, stunningly beautiful without any filter.