Quzhou Jiangshan|The Underrated Hidden Gem of Western Zhejiang 2-Day Tour Guide
📍Why Choose Jiangshan?
This off-the-beaten-path small city, located at the junction of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangxi provinces, boasts the world natural heritage Danxia peaks, a millennium-old ancient town untouched by commercialization, and soul-stirring spicy Zhejiang-style flavors. Xu Xiake visited here three times and marveled at its "strange, dangerous, and divine" scenery, and Marco Polo also left his footprints here. Even better, on weekdays, 5A scenic spots offer free admission, and the cost of living is only one-third of Hangzhou’s, making it a top value destination.
🚄 Transportation Guide (2025 Latest)
🚅 High-speed rail: Hangzhou East → Jiangshan Station (1.5h, ticket about 100 RMB), Shanghai Hongqiao → Jiangshan Station (3h)
🚗 Self-driving: About 3 hours from Hangzhou, passing Jiande and Longyou; navigation to "Nianbadu Ancient Town" is best
🚌 Shuttle: Direct shuttle buses from Jiangshan Station to scenic spots (30 RMB/person), covering Jianglang Mountain, Nianbadu, and other main attractions
⚠️ Note: Attractions are scattered and mountainous; self-driving or chartering a car (about 300 RMB/day) is recommended. Some scenic spots’ last buses stop running at 17:00.
🗺️ 2 Days 1 Night In-depth Itinerary
Day 1: Cultural Exploration Route
🌄 Morning: Qingyang Mao Family Cultural Village
- Admission: Free (reservation required)
- Highlights: Origin of the Mao family in Jiangnan, ancestral home of Mao Zedong, 800-year-old camphor tree and Wenchuan Creek forming a "dragon playing with a pearl" pattern
- Activities: Wear Hanfu to shoot ink-style photos in the lotus pond ancient village, explore the "Qingyang Ancestral House" inscribed by Hu Shi
- 🕒 Suggested duration: 2 hours | 🚗 Transport: 30-minute taxi from Jiangshan Station (about 40 RMB)
🌅 Afternoon: Jianglang Mountain
- Admission: Free on weekdays (30 RMB sightseeing bus required)
- Must-experience:
✔️ View the panoramic Sanpan Stone from Xiake Pavilion (visited by Xu Xiake three times) ✔️ 90° vertical ladder challenge at Langfeng Tianyou (not for those afraid of heights)
✔️ Boat ride on Xunv Lake (bamboo raft 150 RMB/hour)
- 📸 Photo spots: Huixian Rock clouds and mist, Zhonggu Cave light and shadow
- 🕒 Suggested duration: 4 hours | 🚗 Transport: 25-minute taxi from Qingyang Village (about 35 RMB)
🌃 Overnight: Nianbadu Ancient Town Homestay
- Recommended: Xipo Jiangshan Resort Homestay (rammed earth house + terraced field view, about 300 RMB per person) or Feiniaoji X Zao Xue Jiayin (art gallery homestay, about 600 RMB per person)
- Must-try late-night snacks: Longxingzhai swallow skin wontons (15 RMB/bowl), Nianbadu baked cakes (5 RMB each)
Day 2: Jianghu Adventure Route
🌉 Morning: Nianbadu Ancient Town
- Admission: 80 RMB (half price after 17:00)
- Hidden activities:
✔️ Success Pavilion overlooking the panoramic view of the three-province junction
✔️ Dialect Museum listening to 13 dialects
✔️ Dai Li’s former residence exploring secret staircases and traps
- Food: Fengluozi (white goose stewed tofu), crystal cake (8 RMB)
- 📸 Photo guide: Dongsheng Bridge laundry scene, Wenchang Palace wood carving details
⛰️ Afternoon: Choose one between Fugai Mountain or Xianxia Pass
▶️ Fugai Mountain (Recommended)
- Admission: 50 RMB | Feature: Xu Xiake certified "Museum of Strange Rocks"
- Activities: Cave exploration (passing through 200+ giant stones), bamboo forest creek tracing
- 🚡 Easy option: Take the cable car (40 RMB one way) to mid-mountain
▶️ Xianxia Pass
- Admission: 40 RMB | Feature: One of China’s four ancient passes, site of Huang Chao uprising
- Must-see: Dai Li’s secret house tunnel, ancient stone slab road
- 🚶 Hiking route: Dai Li’s former residence → Xianxia Pass → Longjing Village (2 hours)
🍜 Food Do’s and Don’ts (Locals’ Recommendations)
Must-try Avoid
✔️ Jiangshan duck head (Zhang’s duck head, 25 RMB/jin)
❌ Scenic spot "specialty shops" dried mustard greens
✔️ Nianbadu tofu feast (Longxingzhai, about 60 RMB per person)
❌ Street fried cakes (greasy)
✔️ Tongluo cake (best with brown sugar flavor)
❌ "Authentic" Quzhou rabbit head (too salty)
✔️ Dacheng noodles (old street old shop, 10 RMB/bowl)
❌ Scenic spot grilled sausages (poor quality)
✔️ Pickled vegetable fresh meat zongzi (grandma’s near post office)
❌ Chain fast food
🏨 Accommodation Upgrade Options
💎 Luxury experience: Junlan Jiangshan International Resort Hotel (five-star, with infinity pool, 1200 RMB/night)
🏡 Cultural homestay: Guiye Xianxia Inn (century-old Huizhou-style house, 200 RMB/night including breakfast)
🌾 Countryside charm: Gengdu Hotel (rice field view room, 300 RMB/night including farming experience)
📌 Pre-trip Must-know Tips
1️⃣ Ticket discount: Buy the "Jianglang Mountain + Nianbadu" combo ticket for only 130 RMB (save 20 RMB)
2️⃣ Best photography times: May for azalea sea, November for red maple hills; best after rain with mist
3️⃣ Dress guide: Big temperature difference in mountains; bring sun protection and mosquito repellent in summer, anti-slip shoes in winter
4️⃣ Cultural taboos: No loud noises inside Mao family ancestral hall, do not touch carved doors and windows in ancient town old houses
5️⃣ Hidden perks: Follow the "Quzhou Culture and Tourism" WeChat official account to get 50 RMB scenic spot vouchers
🚗 Nearby Extended Itinerary (3-4 Days Advanced Version)
Day 3: Jianglang Mountain sunrise → Hemu Colored Pottery Village (DIY pottery) → Return trip
Day 4: Xianxia Ancient Trail hike → Fugai Mountain camping and stargazing (guide required) → Nianbadu starry sky bar
The beauty of this small city lies in its "slowness"—slow enough to hear the mountain wind flipping through thousand-year-old pages, slow enough for the spicy flavor to turn into Jianghu heroism on your tongue. Take this guide and start your secret exploration journey in western Zhejiang!