Hubei Jiayu | A Seriously Underrated Hidden Gem!
| A seriously underrated hidden gem!.🌟 Jiayu, located on the south bank of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, is the "back garden" of the Wuhan metropolitan area and the poetic origin of "South has Jiayu" in the Book of Songs. Here, rivers and lakes crisscross, three lakes connect to the vast Yangtze River, thousands of acres of flowers sway in the spring breeze, and thousands of years of Three Kingdoms cultural heritage permeate the area. Jiayu in spring is like an overturned palette—pink peach blossoms, snow-white pear blossoms, golden rapeseed flowers, and fresh green intertwine, complemented by the vast misty waves of the Yangtze River. Every photo you take is a healing masterpiece📸~
➤ Attractions
❶ [Guanqiao Tianye Country Park]🌾
📍Recommended Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: This is a "spring fairy tale world" hidden in the countryside! As a national agricultural tourism demonstration site, the park has thousands of acres of cherry blossoms, tulips, and peach blossoms blooming in turn, as well as super healing idyllic scenery and parent-child interactive experiences. The best part is climbing the Wenchang Tower and overlooking the entire village surrounded by a sea of flowers and green fields, as if stepping into a Miyazaki animation~
🕒Opening Hours: Open all day (some attractions 8:30-17:30)
💰Ticket Price: Free (some experience projects are charged separately)
✨Recommended Activities:
• Check in at [Tianye Happy Farm] to pick strawberries and organic vegetables, and experience the joy of spring plowing;
• Stroll along [Beihu Greenway], where cherry blossoms and February orchids are in full bloom along the way, suitable for cycling or picnics;
• Visit the [Agricultural Expo Museum] to learn about Jiayu's farming culture and gain knowledge with your kids~
❷ [Shanhu Hot Spring]♨️
📍Recommended Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: Who says you can't enjoy hot springs in spring? Jiayu Shanhu Hot Spring is hidden by the three lakes connected to the Yangtze River. 51 unique hot spring pools are built along the lake, allowing you to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery while soaking in the hot springs, creating a perfect spring atmosphere! The hot spring water is rich in minerals such as strontium and fluorine, which is good for beauty and relieves fatigue~
🕒Opening Hours: 9:00-23:00
💰Ticket Price: From CNY 158 for adults (including hot springs and water park)
✨Recommended Activities:
• Soak in the "sunrise hot spring" in the early morning and watch the mist rise over the lake;
• Check in at the popular [lake view hot spring pool] and take beautiful photos with the green mountains and clear waters as the backdrop;
• Experience the [starry sky hot spring] at night and feel the tranquility of spring under the stars~
❸ [Kangfengyuan Ecological Tourism Area]🌸
📍Recommended Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: The "pink romance" of Jiayu's spring is hidden here! Every year from March to April, thousands of acres of peach blossoms are in full bloom, and the "Peach Blossom Festival" is held, with Hanfu parades, kite flying, parent-child hiking, and other activities taking place in turn, as if stepping into the "Peach Blossom Spring" described by Tao Yuanming~
🕒Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00
💰Ticket Price: CNY 30 (including flower viewing area and cute pet interaction)
✨Recommended Activities:
• Stroll through the peach forest in Hanfu and take a set of ancient-style photos of "faces and peach blossoms reflecting red";
• Take your kids to experience [kite DIY] and fly kites in the fields;
• Taste farm dishes, especially peach blossom wine and fresh lotus root pork rib soup, to experience the fresh taste of spring~
❹ [Erqiao Park]🌺
📍Recommended Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: A theme park based on the culture of the Three Kingdoms period, made even more romantic by the legend of "Daqiao and Xiaoqiao"! The pavilions and towers in the park have an antique charm. In spring, cherry blossoms, crabapple blossoms, and azaleas bloom in turn, complemented by the lake and waterside pavilions. Every photo you take is a beautiful picture with a traditional Chinese style~
🕒Opening Hours: Open all day
💰Ticket Price: Free
✨Recommended Activities:
• Take a walk along the lakeside path and see the "Erqiao" sculptures complementing the sea of flowers;
• Climb the [Shuangfeng Tower] in the evening to enjoy the sunset over the three lakes connected to the Yangtze River. The afterglow on the ancient buildings is super dreamy;
• Meet young ladies in Hanfu, and maybe you can team up to take photos of a "thousand-year-old" spring gathering~
❺ [Miquan Lake Tourist Resort]🌊
📍Recommended Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: Known as the "Little Maldives of Hubei"! Silver beaches, clear lake water, and popular internet-famous swings make it a perfect vacation spot~ In spring, the reeds on the lakeshore turn green, migratory birds inhabit the area, and you can also experience kayaking, camping, and stargazing cabins, suitable for couples or families~
🕒Opening Hours: Open all day (entertainment projects 9:00-18:00)
💰Ticket Price: Free (some entertainment projects are charged)
✨Recommended Activities:
• Build sandcastles and take backlit silhouette photos on the [Silver Beach], pretending to be at the seaside;
• Take a cruise on a painted boat and watch water birds skim across the lake. If you're lucky, you can see the beautiful scenery of "lake light and spring scenery complementing each other";
• Stay in a stargazing cabin at night, count the stars through the skylight, and fall asleep to the sound of insects~
➤ 2-Day Spring Itinerary
D1: Idyllic Scenery + Hot Spring Healing Tour
🚗Arrive in Jiayu → [Guanqiao Tianye Country Park] Enjoy flowers and pick strawberries in the morning, have farm food for lunch → Check in at [Shanhu Hot Spring] in the afternoon, enjoy hot springs + take beautiful photos of the lake view → Stay in a lakeside homestay at night and fall asleep to the sound of the river breeze~
D2: Romantic Flower Sea + Cultural Exploration Tour
🌸After breakfast, go to [Kangfengyuan Ecological Tourism Area] to participate in the Peach Blossom Festival activities (Hanfu experience/kite flying) → Have a peach blossom-themed farm lunch → Visit [Erqiao Park] in the afternoon and take ancient-style photos → Go to [Miquan Lake] in the evening to watch the sunset and take a walk on the beach before returning~
➤ Food Guide
🍢[Jiayu Lotus Root Sandwich]: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with the sweetness of lotus root mixed with the aroma of meat filling, a must-try local specialty!
🍬[Luxi Fried Dough Twists]: Salty, fragrant, and crispy, a century-old brand, perfect as a souvenir~
🥘[Wild Lotus Root Hanging Pot]: The same style as in "A Bite of China"! Jiayu lotus root is glutinous, sweet, and delicious. Stew a pot of hot soup to warm your body and stomach~
🍡[Jiayu Sesame Candy]: Traditional handmade, with a rich sesame aroma, sweet but not greasy, suitable for afternoon tea~
➤ Transportation
✈️ Air: The nearest airport is Wuhan Tianhe International Airport, about 1.5 hours' drive away; Xianning Airport is under construction and will be more convenient in the future~
🚄 Railway: Jiayu South Railway Station is connected to the high-speed railway, with direct access to Wuhan, Xianning, Yueyang, and other places. It takes 30 minutes to Xianning and 1 hour to Wuhan~
🚗 Self-driving: Take the Wushen Expressway from Wuhan, 1.5 hours direct; 40 minutes from Xianning, you can enjoy the scenery of the Yangtze River along the way~
➤ Spring Travel Tips
🧥 The temperature difference between morning and evening is large, so bring a light jacket. Wearing light-colored clothes during the day will make your photos look better~
📸 It is recommended to take photos at popular attractions from 8-10 am and 4-6 pm, when the light is soft and not dazzling~
🌿 There are many mosquitoes in the countryside, so bring mosquito repellent; take care of the plants when appreciating flowers, and do not pick them at will~