Shitai Guniujiang | A Hidden Gem Travel Destination, Southern Anhui's Mini Jiuzhai

| A Hidden Gem Travel Destination, Southern Anhui's Mini Jiuzhai. Shitai Guniujiang | A Hidden Gem Travel Destination, Southern Anhui's Mini Jiuzhai Shitai Guniujiang, known as the "Green Natural Museum," is truly beautiful! Primeval forests, emerald pools, high mountain canyons, streams, and waterfalls... everything retains its purest form. A trip here feels like stepping into a real-life Land of Oz 🌳 Below is a super detailed travel guide for everyone 👇 📍 Address: Xinnong Village, Dayan Township, Shitai County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province 🚗 Transportation: - Self-driving: Directly navigate to "Shitai Guniujiang Scenic Area." The scenery along the way is also very beautiful. It takes about 2.5–3.5 hours from Hefei; the duration is similar from Nanjing. - Public Transportation: First, go to Chizhou Station. After exiting the station, take a bus to Shitai County from Chizhou Bus Terminal or Ximen Bus Station. After arriving in Shitai, transfer to a bus to Guniujiang Scenic Area or take a taxi; you can also take the Chizhou High-speed Railway Station to Shitai Guniujiang Tourist Bus Line. The departure station is Chizhou Railway Station, and the terminal station is Shitai Guniujiang Scenic Area. The first bus from Chizhou Railway Station is at 7:30am, and the last bus is at 10:30am. The first bus from Guniujiang Scenic Area is at 2:00pm, and the last bus is at 4:00pm. The ticket price is CNY 30/person. 🎫 Ticket: Adult ticket + scenic transportation vehicle is CNY 98 if purchased in advance, and CNY 108 on the day; discounts are available for students/seniors. ⏰ Opening Hours: 08:00–17:00 all year round; entry stops at 17:00. 🅿️ Parking: There is a parking lot at the ticket office of Guniujiang Scenic Area. Small cars are CNY 10/day, and tourist buses are CNY 18/day. 🌟 Must-Visit Attractions: - Longmen Pool: The pool water is clear and green, like emeralds. It is the most photogenic place in the entire scenic area. There are also bamboo rafts for taking pictures, as if you are in a landscape painting. - Four-Tier Waterfall: The water flows down from a high place layer by layer, with a majestic momentum. Standing under the waterfall and feeling the oncoming water vapor is super refreshing. - Yan Family Ancient Village: A well-preserved ancient Huizhou-style village with bluestone roads and white walls and black tiles. Strolling through it is like traveling back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There is also a "Red Army Slogan Wall" in the village, where you can learn about the history of the Red Army. - Stone Valley Wonders: At the turning point of the plank road, the green pool water, dark valley, and huge rocks complement each other. The unique landscape makes it easy to take great photos. 🍜 Food Recommendations: - Shitai Yipin Pot: Stewed with small bamboo shoots, dried beans, pork, and other ingredients. The ingredients are rich, and the taste is amazing, full of southern Anhui flavor. - River Snail Braised Chicken: Free-range native chicken with river snails from Qiupu River. The chicken is shiny, the snails are plump, the meat is tender, and the soup is fresh. It is fragrant, spicy, and super delicious with rice. - Zhuli Tofu: The taste is chewy, soft, glutinous, and smooth. This is a unique local delicacy. - Wild Vegetable Feast: If you come in the spring, you must try it. Shepherd's purse, bracken, water celery, etc., can be stir-fried or eaten cold to taste the purest mountain flavor. 🏠 Accommodation Recommendations: - Shitai Julong Guniujiang Hotel: Located in the scenic area, it is a garden resort-style hotel that perfectly integrates oriental aesthetics with ecological landscapes. The environment is great, and the experience is full. The price is CNY 600+. - Tianchi Homestay: A garden homestay with clean and tidy decoration, large room area, and complete facilities. It is within a 10-minute walk from the scenic area. Prices range from CNY 200–400. - Farmhouses and homestays around the scenic area: The prices are relatively affordable, around CNY 100–200, and you can experience the local customs. 📌 Travel Tips: - Be sure to wear comfortable, non-slip hiking shoes, as some sections of the road are relatively rugged. - Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent, as there are many mosquitoes in the mountains, and the sun is relatively strong. - Friends who like to take pictures can bring a polarizing filter to capture the texture of the pool water. - The scenic area allows pets to be brought in on leashes, and some homestays also allow pets to stay. - It takes about 3 hours to tour the entire scenic area. If your physical strength is limited, you can choose to only visit the highlights, such as Longmen Pool and the Four-Tier Waterfall.