Southern Anhui Secret Realm Chizhou｜48h Zen + Poetic Travel Guide

As a fan of niche travel, Chizhou truly has "mountains and waters hiding Zen" deep in its bones! Avoid the crowds and check in at this millennia-old secret place. Here’s a personally tested guide—bookmark it now~ 🌿Must-visit spots: A double harvest of Zen and poetry - Jiuhua Mountain: Climbing and praying is super healing! It’s recommended to take the cable car up (to save energy for temple visits). Amid the mist, the red walls and black tiles appear faintly, and when incense smoke curls, even the wind turns gentle🌫️ I sincerely made a wish at the Flesh Body Treasure Hall and bought a blessed bracelet as a souvenir on the way down—full of ritual vibes~ - Xinghua Village: The ancient village that Du Mu wrote about as “the shepherd boy pointing afar” is truly stunning! Stone paths, red lanterns, white walls, and black tiles paired with blooming apricot flowers make every photo a classical masterpiece📸 Sitting by the pond watching ducks swim, it feels like stepping back into the pastoral scenes of Tang poetry~ - Pingtian Lake: A must for cycling lovers! The lakeside greenway is smooth and wide. Rent a bike and leisurely ride around (30 RMB/hour). The lake reflects blue skies and white clouds, the breeze carries the scent of fresh grass, and when tired, just find a bench to bask in the sun—so cozy~ 🚗 Transportation tips: Niche but convenient Chizhou has a high-speed rail station, so it’s best to take the train directly! It’s about a 1-hour taxi ride from the city to Jiuhua Mountain (around 150 RMB). Xinghua Village and Pingtian Lake are very close to the city, reachable within 10 minutes by taxi. Public buses are also convenient (2 RMB per ride), so no worries about transportation~ 👔 Dress suggestions: Comfort first There’s a big temperature difference between morning and evening in the mountains, so wear a sweatshirt plus a light jacket (easy to add or remove). Be sure to wear sneakers for climbing! If you want to take classical-style photos, bring a light-colored Hanfu; the photo opportunities in Xinghua Village are amazing~ 💰 Cost reference: Great value for money - Jiuhua Mountain ticket 160 RMB + cable car 180 RMB (student tickets half price!) - Xinghua Village ticket 88 RMB (cheaper if bought online in advance) - Stay in city budget hotels, 150-200 RMB/night, very cost-effective - Meals average 50 RMB per person; recommended local specialties are stinky mandarin fish and Mao tofu, very flavorful~ Overall, you can have an amazing trip with just over 500 RMB per person! Chizhou is not overly commercialized, perfect for those who want to slow down and relax. After visiting, you’ll truly be healed by the Zen and poetry here~