Don't just climb the Nineteen Peaks in Xinchang! This guide will help you fully explore the mountains and waters in Tang poetry

It’s such a loss if you come to Xinchang and only rush to the Nineteen Peaks! This place, written into poems by Li Bai, hides many “slow travel” experiences. Spend two days staying here to truly grasp its soul. First, visit the Great Buddha Temple but don’t just look at the Great Buddha! Arrive before 8 AM when there are fewer people and you can even hear the morning bell. Walk around to the back mountain’s Panyue Valley, where walls full of Buddhist stone carvings reflect the flowing water—any photo looks like an ancient-style masterpiece. After leaving the temple, wander into the alleys; the ginkgo trees at Qiguang Temple are stunning, turning golden in autumn. With blue tiles and red walls, just sitting and daydreaming feels so comfortable. On the way, visit the “Hometown of the Sage of Calligraphy,” where the ink pool used by Wang Xizhi to wash his brush still has faint green moss. The old house turned teahouse serves Xinchang Great Buddha Longjing tea—order a cup with a piece of osmanthus rice cake and savor it slowly for the perfect taste. For the mountains and waters, you must plan to hike the Chuanyan Nineteen Peaks and Qianzhang Yougu! Don’t rush straight to the Feilong plank road to avoid crowds. Enter first through Qianzhang Yougu; the creek water feels super cool underfoot, and the rocks on both sides look like they were carved by knives. Occasionally, you might see film crews shooting martial arts dramas. When tired, find a small stall by the creek and slurp a bowl of Xinchang zha mian noodles for 15 yuan—the dried bamboo shoots and minced pork topping are so fresh you’ll want to lick the bowl. In the afternoon, climb the Nineteen Peaks. Don’t be afraid of the Feilong plank road; walking on it while watching the clouds and mist in the valley is breathtaking. Remember to wear plain-colored clothes—they match the scenery perfectly in photos. For ancient villages, go to Waipokeng Village! Take the mountain road up; the red maples at the village entrance are stunning in autumn. The village is full of old rammed earth houses, with corn and chili peppers hanging at every household. Find a homestay to stay overnight. In the morning, pick tea leaves with villagers on the back mountain. At noon, enjoy farm-style stewed chicken cooked on a traditional stove; the potatoes are freshly dug from the field and taste sweet when bitten. In the evening, sit on the ancient bridge at the village entrance and watch the sunset dye the creek golden—it’s much more relaxing than city night views. Before leaving, don’t forget to buy local specialties! The “Xinchang Roasted Nuts Shop” in the old town sells pecans for 25 yuan per jin, which are super fragrant. Also, try the “Spring Pancake Stall,” where freshly baked pancakes wrapped with fried dough sticks and shredded potatoes make a 5-yuan breakfast. One last tip: wear comfortable sneakers. Although the mountain paths are easy to walk, a full day of exploring can be tiring. Slow down to truly enjoy the best of Xinchang!