Yixing, an underestimated treasure town

### 🌿 Easy 2-day 1-night trip in Yixing | Bamboo Sea · Karst Caves · Purple Clay · Fireworks, a hidden gem in Jiangnan **"Buying fields in Yangxian, I will grow old here, initially just for the beautiful streams and mountains." — Yixing, as depicted by Su Dongpo, is a small Jiangnan town wrapped in bamboo forests, pottery, and lake scenery. Few people, beautiful views, high-speed rail direct access, this concise guide will help you explore the highlights!** --- **🚄 Transportation Guide** - **High-speed rail**: Shanghai/Hangzhou/Nanjing → Yixing Station (1-2 hours), then rent a car or take a taxi (attractions are scattered, self-driving is most convenient). - **Self-driving**: 1.5-3 hours from major cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, most attractions offer free parking. --- **📅 Itinerary Planning** # **Day 1: Purple Clay Culture + Deep Breath in the Bamboo Sea** - **Morning**: **Dingshu Town Purple Clay Tour** - **Shushan Ancient South Street**: Ming and Qing dynasty purple clay old street, feel the pulse of the thousand-year-old pottery capital. Watch craftsmen make teapots, visit Gu Jingzhou’s former residence, take vintage-style photos among white walls and black tiles (free). - **Taoer Factory Cultural and Creative Park**: An art district transformed from an old factory, UCCA Tao Art Museum (designed by Kengo Kuma), artsy cafes, purple clay market, a must-visit for young people (free). *💡 Tip: Have tea and listen to pottery sounds at the teahouse on Ancient South Street, hunt for handmade small teapots under 100 yuan at Taoer Factory market.* - **Afternoon**: **Yixing Bamboo Sea** (ticket about 80 yuan) - Stroll along the emerald corridor, take the cable car to the top of "Southern Jiangsu’s highest peak" to see the Sea Viewing Tower and the vast rolling bamboo waves; - With kids, visit Worry-free Valley for bamboo rafting and playing in Moxi Creek, soaking up plenty of negative oxygen ions. *🍜 Lunch recommendation: Bamboo Sea farmhouse, must order bamboo shoot braised pork and bamboo tube rice (glutinous rice + smoked meat grilled over charcoal).* - **Overnight stay**: - **Bamboo Sea International Conference Center**: Bamboo views from the window, family-friendly; - **Yaohu Town Hotel**: Convenient for next day’s activities, includes shuttle service. # **Day 2: Karst Cave Wonders + Fireworks Town** - **Morning**: **Shanjuan Cave** (ticket about 120 yuan including rafting) - Explore the "top of Yixing’s three wonders," admire the magical light and shadow of stalactites, take a boat through the underground river, the cave maintains a cool 18°C. *💡 Experience: Hand-make purple clay pottery at the pottery workshop (advance reservation required).* - **Afternoon to evening**: **Yaohu Town** (some activities charge fees) - Ride the "Cloud Mini Train" through tea fields and bamboo forests, fairy-tale vibe by day, transforms into a cyber light train at night; - At 7:30 PM don’t miss the **Dragon Soaring Water Show Fireworks**! Water screen + intangible cultural heritage fire dance + sky full of fireworks, a visual blast. *🍜 Dinner recommendation: Town’s intangible cultural heritage market, try black rice, salted meat stewed with bamboo shoots.* --- **🌟 Special Experiences** - **Purple Clay Culture**: Watch teapot making on Ancient South Street, take industrial-style photos at Taoer Factory, make pottery at Shanjuan Cave. - **Bamboo Sea Feast**: Eat bamboo shoot banquet, bamboo rafting, stay in bamboo forest homestays. - **Night Tour Exclusives**: Yaohu fireworks, dragon kiln opening performance (weekends). - **Free Treasures**: Longbei Mountain Forest Park (Ferris wheel + flower sea), Dajue Temple (Zen vegetarian noodles 10 yuan/bowl). --- **🍜 Food Highlights** - **Must-try three dishes**: Bamboo tube rice, Yanlaixun stewed tofu, Dajue Temple vegetarian noodles. - **Specialty shops**: Yaohu snack market, Yada Town "Shangyuan Restaurant" (slow-cooked beef is a specialty). --- **💡 Pre-trip Tips** - Best seasons: **Spring and autumn** (March-May for digging bamboo shoots, September-November for autumn bamboo sea colors). - Wear comfortable shoes! Lots of walking in Bamboo Sea and caves; bring mosquito repellent in summer, and a light jacket for the cave. - Family-friendly picks: Bamboo Sea + Yaohu Water Park (indoor surfing), Longbei Mountain Children’s Playground. > **"Water rocking boat shadows, pottery dyed fireworks, half the city bamboo, half the city kiln." — Avoid the crowds, unlock the poetry and joy of the pottery capital in 2 days!**