The Chinese Aesthetics of Xianju Nanyuan!

Xianju itself is a place of stunning natural beauty. Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty once praised it as the "Abode of Immortals" and bestowed the name "Xianju," meaning "the place where immortals reside." To ensure you don’t leave disappointed, I have compiled a travel guide for Xianju’s core attraction—the Shenxianju Scenic Area, which is truly the essence of a trip to Xianju. 🏞️ Shenxianju Core Travel Guide 🚗 Transportation and Tickets How to get there: High-speed rail: The Hangzhou-Wenzhou high-speed rail is now operational, and Xianju Station is open, making travel more convenient. After exiting the station, you can transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus or take a taxi to the park. Self-driving: Navigate to "Shenxianju Scenic Area." You can choose the highway exit based on your route, for example, exit at "Zhuyong Expressway Shenxianju Exit," then proceed 200 meters to the Visitor Center. Tickets and internal transportation: Tickets: Regular admission is 110 RMB per person, with half-price discounts for students, seniors, and children. Cable car: It is recommended to take the cable car to save energy and time. The cable car costs 55 RMB uphill, 45 RMB downhill, or 100 RMB for a round trip. Shuttle bus: The park offers free shuttle buses between the South Gate and North Gate. You can also purchase sightseeing bus tickets (10 RMB per ride) to travel from the North Gate entrance to the lower station of the Beihai cable car. Opening hours: Open year-round from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 🗺️ Recommended Itinerary The park has two main entrances: the North Gate (Xiyan) and the South Gate (Danzhu). It is recommended to ascend from the North Gate and descend from the South Gate for a more comfortable walk. One-day highlights tour: Enter from the North Gate (Xiyan). Take the Beihai cable car to the summit. Tour the core attractions: After getting off the cable car, visit spots including Fohai Fanyin, Huaping Yanyun, Qianya Dicui, Tianshu Kedu, among others, which together form the "Eight Views" of Shenxianju. Popular photo spots: Ruyi Bridge: Shaped like a jade ruyi scepter floating in the air, it is one of Shenxianju’s iconic attractions. The bridge deck is made of transparent glass, offering an exciting and surprising experience. Nantian Summit Glass Viewing Platform: Suspended 400 meters above the ground, standing here feels like walking on clouds with excellent views. Lotus Terrace: A viewing platform shaped like a blooming lotus flower, perfect for photographing the opposite Guanyin Peak. Descend by cable car: Finally, take the Nantian cable car near the South Gate (Danzhu) down the mountain. 💡 Travel Tips Best seasons: Spring, summer, and autumn offer the best scenery. Enjoy flowers in spring and autumn, water views in summer, and colorful leaves in autumn. Save energy: The park is large, so taking the cable car is an efficient way to conserve energy and explore. Photo tips: Fohai Fanyin is a great spot to watch the sunrise, while Lichong Sunset is ideal for sunset viewing. Food and supplies: There are two restaurants at the summit, Beihai Garden and Nantian Garden, offering Xianju specialty dishes. There are also several small shops inside the park, but prices may be higher. Those with good stamina might consider bringing some food and water. 🛌 Accommodation and Surroundings Luxury option: Consider staying at Yujie Junlan Hotel, a landmark hotel in Xianju city center that combines guest rooms, dining, and recreational facilities, and is a short drive from Shenxianju and other attractions. Unique homestays: For a more distinctive experience, Xianju offers many stylish homestays, such as Xianju Xianyuan Mystic Homestay, which often provide a closer-to-nature and personalized service. Nearby attractions: If you have extra time, include nearby spots like Patan Ancient Town and Tongjiang Academy in your itinerary to experience Xianju’s rich historical and cultural heritage.