Yixing is more than just purple clay teapots! Listen to the wind in the bamboo sea, cool off in the caves, and stay comfortably cool in just 3 days with jackets on
As soon as summer arrives, people in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai always want to find a place to escape the sun—Yixing is like a cool jade held by bamboo forests and caves, with an average temperature of 25°C, ten times more comfortable than an air-conditioned room. Here, there’s more than just purple clay teapots; the vast bamboo sea lets you hear the wind whisper, the 18°C caves hide underground rivers, and even the creek water is cool enough to soak watermelons. Locals say, “In summer, just head into the mountains, no need to turn on the air conditioner.”
🌿 Deep in the Bamboo Sea: When the wind blows, the heat runs away
Nanshan Bamboo Sea in Yixing is a green ocean that filters sunlight into fragments. Walking along the wooden plank road, thick bamboo leaves cover the ground, and the bamboo canopy above blocks the sky. When the wind passes through the bamboo tips, it rustles like a fan, even cooler than a fan, making you want to take off your jacket after just 10 minutes.
- Cable car to the top to see the green waves: Take the cable car (80 yuan round trip) to Wuyue Di No.1 Peak. Looking down, the vast bamboo sea looks like green silk wrinkled by the wind, with distant mountain peaks hidden in the clouds. Even the air carries the sweet scent of green bamboo when taking photos.
- Step into the creek water under the bamboo shade: At the foot of the mountain, Mirror Lake lets you wade barefoot in the water. The creek flows through bamboo roots, as cold as if just taken out of the fridge. Put a chilled soda on the stone, and after 10 minutes, water droplets will form.
- Eat a bowl of bamboo shoot noodles in the bamboo forest: A farmhouse halfway up the mountain hides a surprise—freshly dug bamboo shoots stir-fried with meat served with Yangchun noodles (25 yuan). The shoots are so tender they drip water. Sitting under the bamboo shed, the breeze cools the noodles.
🌫️ Cave adventure: 18°C natural air-conditioned rooms
Yixing’s caves are nature’s “summer coolers”—Shanjuan Cave, Zhanggong Cave, Linggu Cave. Enter any one, and the temperature instantly drops from 30°C to 18°C. Bring a light jacket when visiting in summer.
- Shanjuan Cave underground river boat ride: First, be amazed by the stalactites—upside-down “stone waterfalls” and lotus-shaped stalagmites. Then take a small wooden boat on the underground river. The boatman poles along with a bamboo pole, and the stalactites brush your nose. The cool mist hits your face, making you shiver.
- Zhanggong Cave rafting: The underground rafting in the cave is thrilling! Sit in an inflatable raft twisting and turning through the underground river. The occasional splash of water is chilling. Afterward, bask in the sun at the cave entrance; the hot and cold alternation feels like a natural spa.
- Linggu Cave to see the “crystal chandeliers”: The “Linggu Flowing Light” scene inside the cave is stunning. Lights shine on the stalactites, sparkling like countless crystal chandeliers. Find a stone to sit on and listen to water droplets “ding-dong” into the stone pool, more relaxing than any white noise.
🏺 Slow down: Shape clay in Taocun, drink a cup of tea
Yixing’s slow pace is hidden in the pottery art of Dingshu Town. This is the hometown of purple clay teapots. Walking the streets, every household has clay at their door, and master craftsmen sit on bamboo chairs turning pottery wheels. The air carries the warmth of clay.
- Hand-make a small teacup: Pick any pottery workshop (experience price 50 yuan). The master will teach you to knead clay and throw on the wheel. Make a crooked little cup as a souvenir. After drying, it can be shipped home, giving a huge sense of accomplishment.
- Drink a cup of Yangxian tea in a teahouse: The old teahouses in the ancient town (tea fee 15 yuan) hide century-old wisteria. Sitting under the vine trellis, drink local Yangxian Xueya tea. The tea soup is as clear as mountain spring water, paired with a black rice ball (8 yuan). You can sit all afternoon watching pottery farmers carrying clay pass by.
- Evening stroll in the ceramic city: Shops along the street display various purple clay teapots and ceramic bowls. For 50 yuan, you can find a handmade small plate. The shop owner will smile and say, “This clay will change color after a few years.” Even if you’re not an expert, you can take your time choosing with no rush.
📍 Lazy traveler tips
- Transportation: 1.5 hours driving from Shanghai/Hangzhou. After taking the high-speed train to Yixing Station, take a 20-minute taxi into the mountains. Renting an electric scooter (30 yuan/day) in the city is very convenient for exploring Taocun.
- Accommodation: Homestays near the bamboo sea cost 100 yuan/night, with a small courtyard where you can hear the bamboo sounds at night. Homestays converted from old teahouses in Dingshu Town are more atmospheric, 80 yuan/night, and you’ll be woken up by the “dong dong” sound of kneading clay in the morning.
- Avoid pitfalls: The cave paths are slippery, wear non-slip shoes. Don’t be greedy for cheap purple clay teapots; those costing just tens of yuan are mostly crafts suitable as decorations.
The longer you stay in Yixing, the more you realize the right way to enjoy summer is the wind in the bamboo sea, the coolness of the caves, and the slow time hidden in the clay. No need to rush your itinerary—just find a bamboo shade to sit under and watch clouds drift past the bamboo tips, and that’s enough comfort.