Shimentai Tourist Scenic Area

🌊 Zhejiang · Nanxi River Shimentai Scenic Area Travel Guide (2025 Edition) One day and one night · Budget controlled within 1000 RMB (per person) Nine-tier waterfalls hang on sheer cliffs, a river of clear water flows through a secluded valley—step into the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Southern Zhejiang," explore the hidden waterfall clusters in the upper reaches of the Nanxi River, and listen to the pure sounds of mountains and water amid green pools and mist. 📍 Why Shimentai? Shimentai Scenic Area, located in Hesheng Town, Yongjia County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, is one of the most pristine ecological secrets in the upper reaches of the Nanxi River, famous for its "One Stream Nine Waterfalls"—a stream cascading from a high place, forming nine levels of waterfalls with different shapes, layered like pearl curtains hanging with jade. It is not a noisy internet-famous spot, but: ✅ Home to a rare "stepped waterfall cluster" in East China: each tier more stunning than the last ✅ Over 90% original forest coverage, with extremely high air negative ion concentration ✅ Crystal-clear stream water, suitable for wading, fish watching, and waterfall listening ✅ Trails built along the stream, about 3.5 km long, perfect for light hiking ✅ Combined with Nanxi River bamboo raft drifting and ancient village culture, forming a scenic water loop One day and one night, enter this "natural oxygen bar" hidden in the southern Zhejiang mountains, Watch cascading white waterfalls, walk along forest boardwalks, and stay overnight in a mountain homestay. 🗓 Itinerary Overview (suitable for couples / family with children / photography enthusiasts / nature travelers) Time Content ------ ------ Day 1 Morning Departure → Arrive at Wenzhou North Station or Yongjia County Town Day 1 Afternoon Check into a homestay near the scenic area → Visit [Shimentai Main Scenic Area] Day 1 Evening Taste farmhouse dishes + fall asleep listening to the stream Day 2 Morning Early morning revisit to the waterfalls → Return trip ✅ Best travel method: High-speed train + bus/taxi combination (self-driving recommended) ✅ Day 1: Arrive in Yongjia · First encounter with the "Waterfall Secret Realm" 🚆 Departure → Arrive at Wenzhou North Station (formerly Yongjia Station) Recommended transportation: High-speed train to Wenzhou North Station From Hangzhou: about 1 hour 40 minutes, second class seat ¥142 From Shanghai: about 3 hours, ¥238 From Ningbo: about 2 hours, ¥178 From Wenzhou South: about 20 minutes, ¥15 💰 Round-trip high-speed train (example from Hangzhou): ¥284 📌 Tips: Wenzhou North Station is about 50 km from Shimentai Scenic Area, it is recommended to contact the homestay in advance to arrange pick-up! 🚌 Local transportation: Take the urban-rural bus [Yongjia Route 601] from Wenzhou North Station to "Hesheng Town Government" stop, then taxi to the scenic area about ¥80 Or taxi directly about ¥130 (carpool possible) If self-driving: Zhuyong Expressway → Hesheng Exit → X55 County Road, about 1 hour total 💰 Local transportation cost: ¥130 (including round trip and short trips) 🏠 Afternoon: Check into mountain homestay 🏡 Recommended accommodations: Name Type Price Features ------ ------ -------- ------ Shimentai · Creekside Residence Standard Room Economy mountain homestay ¥260/night (breakfast included) Window view of the creek, quiet environment, hospitable host Nanxi Family Inn Farmhouse converted ¥200/night (breakfast not included) Clean and hygienic, affordable price Youth Hostel Dorm Bed Backpacker friendly ¥60/bed Suitable for solo travelers, experience original ecology 💰 Accommodation budget suggestion: ¥240 per night (mid-range room shared) 🍽 Evening: Taste authentic Nanxi River style dinner Recommended restaurants: "Axu Local Cuisine" (popular with locals) "Shimentai Family Restaurant" (convenient location) ✅ Must-order dishes (better shared by two): Dish Price Features ------ ------ ------ Stewed native chicken with dendrobium (wild imitation) ¥88 Nourishing and healthy, clear and sweet soup Braised creek fish (freshly caught) ¥78 Tender meat, rich sauce aroma Stir-fried Guanyin vegetable / purple back vegetable ¥38 Wild mountain vegetables, fresh and crisp Handmade rice noodles with meat soup ¥28 Local staple, warm and comforting Nanxi tofu pot ¥48 Made with mountain spring water brine, fragrant tofu aroma Homemade bayberry wine or chilled honeysuckle tea ¥15/cup Refreshing and appetizing, summer special drink 💰 Dinner budget: ¥280 (for two) ✅ Day 2: Early morning revisit · Listen to waterfalls and watch the mist 🌅 Morning itinerary: Return to the waterfall cluster + stream wading photography 📍 Recommended route: Hotel → Shimentai entrance → Explore waterfalls from first to ninth tier step by step → Wading in shallow stream for photos → Return to station 🔍 Core highlights detailed: Waterfall cluster from first to ninth tier First tier · Milky Way Waterfall: wide water flow, majestic momentum Third tier · Dragon Pool Waterfall: deep green pool, legend says a dragon once lived here Fifth tier · Guanyin Waterfall: water curtain like gauze, resembling Guanyin pouring water from a pure bottle Ninth tier · Tongtian Waterfall: highest and most dangerous, shooting straight to the sky, mist rising Each tier connected by wooden boardwalks, safe and convenient Wading experience area Downstream of low waterfalls where you can take off shoes and step into water Streambed pebbles are smooth, water temperature cool, suitable for parent-child interaction Viewing platforms & photo spots Suspended glass viewing platforms at third and fifth tiers Best shooting time 6:00–7:30 AM, soft light, mist swirling ⏱ Recommended playtime: 3–4 hours 🎫 Ticket: ¥50 (online booking discount to ¥45) 📌 Tips: Wear non-slip sandals or water shoes; bring waterproof bags to protect phone and camera. 🍱 Lunch: Simple meal or bring your own to eat on the way back Recommended choices: Eat a bowl of handmade rice noodles at the village entrance ¥12 or rice cake ¥10 Or bring bread to replenish energy 💰 Lunch budget: ¥25 (per person) 🛫 Before noon: Check out and return Suggestion: Complete sightseeing before 11:30 Taxi back to Wenzhou North Station (about ¥130), take high-speed train home ✅ Total budget summary (per person) Item Cost ------ ------ Round-trip high-speed train (Hangzhou ↔ Wenzhou North) 284 RMB Local transportation (taxi + short trips) 130 RMB Accommodation (one night mid-range homestay shared) 240 RMB Meals (two meals + snacks) 170 RMB Scenic area ticket (including sightseeing service) 45 RMB Cultural experience (blessing plaque / audio guide) 50 RMB Souvenir shopping (creek stone specimens, handmade dried bamboo shoots, rice noodle gift box) 180 RMB Emergency reserve 1 RMB Total ≈1000 RMB 🎯 Precisely controlled within 1000 RMB budget! Surplus can be used to upgrade room or buy souvenirs. 🎒 Deepseek Special Tips ✅ Best travel season: Spring and summer (April–July): abundant water, most spectacular waterfalls ❌ Avoid typhoon season (August–September), dry season (December–February), severe winter (slippery) ✅ Photography tips: Use wide-angle lens for waterfall panorama Use slow shutter to create "silky water" effect Shoot backlit water mist rainbow in early morning Pay attention to moisture and slip prevention, protect equipment ✅ Must-bring items: Non-slip shoes (preferably water shoes) Waterproof bags (to protect phone/camera) Light backpack (for water, food) Raincoat or windbreaker (mountain weather changes) Camera tripod (for long exposure shots) 🌿 Conclusion Shimentai, is not a noisy check-in spot, but a natural poem written between rocks and flowing water. Here, you can: Feel the mist hitting your face under the ninth tier waterfall; Sit quietly listening to the waterfall for half an hour before the fifth tier; Pick up a pebble polished by time by the creek; Fall asleep peacefully at night listening to the babbling water in the mountain home. One day and one night, not too long nor too short, just enough for you to switch from urban rhythm to mountain water breathing. If you want to spend a journey with your loved one "with only the sound of wind and water," If you want to take your children to see the real "textbook waterfall scene," If you want to redefine "Zhejiang beyond West Lake and Wuzhen," then please make your next stop—Wenzhou · Yongjia Shimentai Scenic Area. If you want: "Shimentai Nine Waterfalls Map" PDF (including best photo spots marked) Stream wading safety guide Nanxi River basin cultural handbook Extended routes: Lion Rock bamboo raft drifting + Maple Forest Ancient Town cultural tour