Compared to Suzhou and Hangzhou, I prefer this underrated gem in the Jiangnan region

After being in the misty and rainy Jiangnan of Suzhou and Hangzhou, I always remember this hidden gem surrounded by mountains and waters in the south of Ningbo city. "Mountains connect to Taibai, streams fall into Donghu," that is the Song Dynasty cultural "heritage" left by Wang Anshi, the Dongqian Lake in Ningbo. -- In my impression, this dreamy Jiangnan water town is "half bustling with life, half celestial in tranquility." It is also "morning mist shrouds trees where crows still gather, green waters merge with the sky where gulls float freely." Even more so, "feeling ashamed upon seeing the West Lake, feeling pity for oneself when coming from Taihu Lake alone." And when the misty rain envelops the area, it's like a distant and poetic Jiangnan ink wash landscape scroll. ----------- 🌴Dongqian Lake Two-Day One-Night Itinerary 👉Tour Route day1: Xiaobadaling ➡️ Yinwan Village ➡️ Baishi Xianping ➡️ Xiagong Mountain ➡️ Lower Water Wetland Park ➡️ Qianhu Secret Realm ➡️ Erling Temple ➡️ Xiaoputuo day2: Ningbo Painting and Calligraphy Academy (Tianluo Mountain) ➡️ Academician Center ➡️ Taogong Island Scenic Area ➡️ Hanling Ancient Town (Lingnan Ancient Trail, Hanling Art Museum) ➡️ Upper Water ➡️ Southern Song Stone Carving Park 👉👉Must-Visit Attractions 1⃣Yinwan Village The internet-famous lighthouse and one of the ten scenic spots of Dongqian Lake, Yinwan Fishing Fire, as well as the ancient buildings built around the island and by the water, including the ancestral halls of the Sun, Zhang, Xiang, and Zheng families 2⃣Baishi Xianping One of the old ten scenic spots of Qianhu, suitable for climbing high and looking far, viewing the city skyline, overlooking Yinwan Village, and the lake view of Taogong Island 3⃣Hanling In ancient times, Hanling Market, also known as the East Market, was famous along with the West Xiang Feng'ao Market. Xianxiang, Dasong, and Zhanqi are the necessary routes to Ningbo; the water street with its small bridges and flowing water, pavilions, towers, and the scenery of lakes and mountains, have all the elements of a Jiangnan water town you can think of, which is even better than Zhouzhuang, Wuzhen, and other water towns. The Southern Song stone carvings, Lingnan Ancient Trail, and Qianhu Art Museum are not to be missed 4⃣Limin Village (Taogong Island) The internet-famous pear tree is located under the small bridge in the village, by the river dock. The lakeside view of Dongqian Lake is a beautiful spot to enjoy. 5⃣Qianhu Secret Realm "The mountain air is finest at the end of the day, birds flying back together," a lakeside secret realm, where you can walk or cycle on the waterfront boardwalk, as if traversing through the scenery 6⃣Xiaoputuo Taogong Dike is like the Su Causeway in Hangzhou, and the Bai Causeway stretches like a rainbow lying on the waves, dividing Dongqian Lake into two. The eight scenic spots in the heart of the lake, such as Qianti Smoke Waves, Taogong Fishing Rock, Erling Fleeting Shadows, and Xiayu Locking Mist, are not to be missed 7⃣Erling Temple A niche ancient temple by the mountain and water, with a beautiful sunset and Erling Pagoda 👉👉👉Transportation and Accommodation Dining 🚌Transportation Self-driving is recommended to navigate to Yinwan Village and tour Dongqian Lake clockwise Public Transportation 🚄Metro Line 4 Dongqian Lake Station Exit A 🚩Travel between attractions on foot + public transportation 1⃣Bus, during long holidays like National Day, there is usually a special lake tour line 2⃣Taxi. The fare between attractions is between 10-50 yuan 3⃣Rent bicycles and electric scooters, available right out of the subway station, with a cost of 50-100 yuan per day 🏚Accommodation is plentiful near Dongqian Lake or in the urban area 🍔Lunch on day1 is arranged in Dongqian Lake Town, and on day2 in Hanling Ancient Town 💴Admission is free