[2025 Nanjing Attraction] Travel Guide for Big Banyan Scenic Spot (Updated May)

On April 22, I set off from Quanzhou to my long-awaited destination, Yun Shui Yao, embarking on a two-day journey filled with poetry and warmth. Staying at the Tianxiadi themed guesthouse was an unexpected delight, especially when the owner personally explained the history of Huaiyuan Building, giving me a deeper understanding of this land. 🚗 Day 1: Departing from Quanzhou, Heading to the Romance of Yun Shui Yao • Morning: Under the warm spring sun, I drove from Quanzhou. Along the way, lush mountains and picturesque villages flashed past my window, with April's greenery rushing toward me, making me feel particularly refreshed. After about a 3-hour drive, I finally arrived at Yun Shui Yao Ancient Town. Stepping into the town, I walked on winding cobblestone paths, with flowing streams beside me and century-old banyan trees swaying in the breeze in the distance, as if telling the long history of this place. • Noon: I arrived at the Tianxiadi themed guesthouse to check in. The guesthouse was rustic and elegant, filled with Chinese-style elements that made me feel at home. After a short rest, I enjoyed lunch at the restaurant behind the guesthouse. The must-try stream fish was tender and fresh, prepared with a unique cooking method that made it incredibly flavorful. The local vegetables were sweet and refreshing, full of spring flavors. (PS: Money-saving tip: Mention Tianxiadi for a discount!) • Afternoon: I eagerly began my exploration of Yun Shui Yao. Walking along the stream, the cobblestone path beneath my feet has hundreds of years of history, and each step felt like treading on the marks of time. The large banyan tree by the stream was truly spectacular, with lush branches providing ample shade. When I reached Hegui Building, I was amazed by this "Noah's Ark" built on swampland. With the owner's prior "spoiler," I curiously tapped the stone slabs inside with my feet, feeling the magical swaying motion, and couldn't help but admire the wisdom of the ancients. In the evening, the sunset cast a golden glow on Huaiyuan Building, the stream sparkled, and walking on the corridor bridge, watching birds return to their nests, I felt the unique tranquility and beauty of Yun Shui Yao. • Evening: Back at the guesthouse, the enthusiastic owner started talking about the nearby Huaiyuan Building. He eagerly offered to explain it to me. I initially thought it would be a simple introduction, but to my surprise, the owner knew everything about Huaiyuan Building's historical origins, architectural details, and family stories. From the hardships during construction to the cultural meanings behind each carving and couplet, he described everything vividly, even more impressively than a professional guide! Through his narration, Huaiyuan Building was no longer just an ancient building but "living history" carrying a century of memories. 🌿 Day 2: In-depth Experience, Unlocking More Charm of the Ancient Town • Early Morning: Awakened by birdsong, fresh air filled with the fragrance of soil and plants greeted me. Yun Shui Yao was shrouded in a light mist, like a delicate ink painting. I jogged along the stream, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility. • Morning: I entered the ancient town again, this time slowing down to savor every corner. I visited specialty shops in the town, where exquisite handicrafts and charming cultural creative products were hard to put down. I also visited local residents' homes, listening to their stories about the town's changes and feeling the atmosphere of daily life here. • Noon: I continued to enjoy delicious food at the restaurant behind the guesthouse. Hakka stuffed tofu and preserved vegetable braised pork were must-try dishes. The meat filling in the stuffed tofu was juicy, and the tofu was soft and flavorful; the preserved vegetable braised pork was rich but not greasy, salty and aromatic, perfect with rice. I was completely satisfied. • Afternoon: With some reluctance, I packed my luggage to prepare for the return journey. Before leaving, the owner warmly gave me directions and reminded me of things to note on the way back. This trip to Yun Shui Yao not only allowed me to appreciate the beautiful natural scenery and ancient architecture but also, thanks to the owner's explanations, I gained rich cultural knowledge. If you're also looking for a quiet place in April, come to Yun Shui Yao! Here, time seems to slow down, and you can fully experience the poetic charm and gentleness of the ancient town while listening to stories of the past. I believe you will fall in love with everything here, just as I did!

Includes a detailed route map + tips to avoid pitfalls‼️ 👉🏻Quick copy for lazy people 📍Navigate directly to [Jiuxia Village]! Park when you see the big banyan tree at the village entrance (free parking!). 🗺️A 5km loop trail, even a 3-year-old can complete it! Our family finished it in 3 hours, taking our time. 🌸Why recommend it? ✅ Truly zero difficulty: 195m elevation gain ≈ climbing 30 floors, only 10% unpaved road! I even finished it in sandals (don't follow my example 😅). ✅ Surprise scenery: You can overlook the entire Fangxin Lake from the top of the mountain! When going down through the bamboo forest, my kid kept shouting, "Mom, look! It's like the bamboo pandas eat!" ✅ Hidden fun: Let your child draw a little cow 🐮 with a hiking app by tracking their route! My kid felt a huge sense of accomplishment when we reached the end. 👣Mom-approved route guide 1️⃣ Starting point: the banyan tree in Jiuxia Village → walk along the paved road for 10 minutes to Jiangjun Ridge (this part is the most boring, but bear with it!). 2️⃣ The entrance to the unpaved mountain path is next to the utility pole! Grab a branch as a hiking stick, and you'll reach the first viewing platform in 5 minutes. 3️⃣ Secret to taking photos at Fangxin Lake 📸: The sunlight hitting the lake surface at 3pm is stunning! Posing your kid like they're rowing a boat is super cute. 4️⃣ The return route along Jianchang Avenue is entirely shaded! Playing hide-and-seek in the ruins of Xianfeng Town is a great way for kids to burn off energy! ⚠️Hard-learned lessons ❌ Never come on weekend afternoons! We had the mountain to ourselves on Sunday morning, but encountered 3 tour groups on our way back in the afternoon. ❌ There are thorny plants on the unpaved sections! Dress your kids in long pants (my son's leg got scratched and he cried for 10 minutes 😭). ✅ Bring mosquito repellent! Mosquitoes attack in groups in the bamboo forest. ✅ Bring digging tools for your kids! They can dig in the sand and play in the water by the side of Fangxin Lake. 🍔Food guide There are farmhouse restaurants in Jiuxia Village at the end of the trail! We recommend the bamboo rice and chicken soup, around 30 CNY per person, enough to make you stuffed. 📸Photo secrets ✔️ Stand on the big rock at Jiangjun Ridge for photos! Your legs will look 2 meters long. ✔️ Run along the wooden boardwalk at Fangxin Lake for action shots. ✔️ The light and shadows under the trees on Jianchang Avenue are amazing. 🙌🏻Random thoughts I was worried that my kid wouldn't be able to walk the whole way, but he was even more excited than me! He collected pine cones and chased butterflies all the way, and fell asleep in the car on the way back 😂. This route is perfect for lazy moms. The best part is it's free and not crowded! Next time, I'm planning to invite my friends for a picnic!

This time I traveled to Yunshuiyao with my family, and the Sanqiumo B&B we stayed at gave us an experience beyond our expectations. From booking to check-in, every detail makes people feel the care and warmth of the B&B. 📍B&B location: The center of Yunshuiyao, next to the big windmill The homestay is located in the center of Yunshuiyao Scenic Area, only 80 meters away from the iconic waterwheel and big banyan tree, and can be reached on foot. 400 meters downstream is Huaiyuan Tower, and 1 kilometer upstream is Hegui Tower. Both famous earth building attractions can be easily reached on foot. [Idea] 🌉B&B experience: overlooking the river and the mountains, the view is amazing Our family chose the loft room type, and the design of the room is eye-catching. I heard that the owner of the B&B is a designer and designed the entire B&B himself, and his reputation is well-deserved. The room is warmly and delicately decorated, with meticulous attention to detail. The most surprising thing is the huge viewing window, outside of which you can see clear streams, rolling mountains and green rice fields. When you wake up in the morning, open the curtains, and the sunlight shines into the room, the beautiful scenery in front of you makes you feel happy instantly. 😃 The facilities in the room are also complete, clean and tidy, and the bedding is soft and comfortable, allowing people to have a good night's sleep. 🎆 👉Service experience: warm and thoughtful, making guests feel at home The auntie at the B&B was very welcoming. From the moment we checked in, we felt the warmth of home. Not only did she patiently introduce us to the tour routes of Yunshuiyao, she also thoughtfully prepared afternoon tea for us. 👍The homestay also provides fishing gear, so you can go fishing by the river. The children especially like this activity and have a lot of fun. ‼ ️Travel tips: ✅Ticket booking: Yunshuiyao Scenic Area requires tickets, adult tickets are 90 yuan, seniors (60 years old) and students are half price, and those under 6 years old are free. It is recommended to buy them in advance. ✅Booking suggestion: There are only 8 rooms in the B&B, which is very popular. It is recommended to book in advance. ✅ Tour route: Starting from the homestay, you can first visit the waterwheel and the big banyan tree, and then go to Huaiyuan Tower or Hegui Tower. ✅ Driving guide: If you drive, just navigate to the name of the B&B. The B&B has a parking lot.

Life advice! If you come to Guangzhou, you must check out this beautiful hiking route! 🍃No wonder it's called the New Zealand of Guangzhou... it really lives up to its name The lakes, streams, woods, lawns, and houses🏠 Everywhere is a scenic spot, and the relaxation is instant... It's like being in a New Zealand backyard🌿 · 🚕How to get there If you're driving, park at "Junlan Hotel", then you can see a big banyan tree next to it! Then walk down and you'll see a railing, walk in! There's only one route, and it's all scenery, and after about a kilometer you'll see the most beautiful bend and house! · 📷Photo tips 🔸The weather has been great recently, but the sun sets too fast, so I recommend having lunch around noon and then setting off, as the sun is best at this time, and by 4pm, the sun is already covered! So the earlier the better! 🔸You can fly a drone, but I suggest not flying it in front of staff or security, you can hide it a bit to avoid unnecessary trouble~ 🔸There is a large shopping mall nearby, about a few hundred meters away, you need to cross the overpass, you can go for a meal or shopping after hiking · 📍Location: Shuisheng Reservoir, Huangpu District, Guangzhou (search for Junlan Hotel) 🅿️Parking: 10/hour, no one manages the roadside on weekdays 🎫Tickets: Free 🚕Driving: Only half an hour from the city, the road is good

Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, originally named Changjiao Village, is a historic village with a long history. It was renamed Yunshuiyao Ancient Town because the popular movie 'Yunshuiyao' was filmed here. Both names, Changjiao Village and Yunshuiyao, exude a literary charm. Ancient trees and villages, gentle breezes on ancient paths, small bridges over flowing water, despite the hustle and bustle of visitors, this place seems to have its own barrier, bringing an instant power of tranquility to those who enter. In the Yunshuiyao Ancient Town scenic area, besides the two World Cultural Heritage earthen buildings 'Hegui Building' and 'Huaiyuan Building', the ancient banyan tree group composed of more than a dozen century-old banyans is also not to be missed. Among these ancient banyan trees, the oldest is nearly seven hundred years old, each one flourishing with branches and strong roots. Two of them are particularly noteworthy. One is located on the pebbles next to a stream, with a huge trunk and a canopy covering an area of 1933 square meters. The branches extend over 30 meters, and it takes more than ten adults to encircle the base of the trunk. It is the largest banyan tree in Fujian Province. Standing under the tree, one feels as tiny as an ant, with its sprawling roots resembling dragons, very sculptural. Another tree is so large that it takes three or four people to embrace it. Underneath the tree, people drink tea and eat, sitting in the cool breeze, watching the shadows of the tree sway, listening to the rustling sound, feeling incredibly relaxed. Location: Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province Transportation: The nearest station to Yunshuiyao is Nanjing Station, and the nearest airport is Xiamen Airport, both about an hour and a half away. Ticket: 90 yuan. The surrounding accommodation and dining are already well developed. If time allows, it is recommended to stay for one night.