Summer travel guide for Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. Take your kids on a trip with this 4-5-day plan that both children and adults will love!
Preface
Children's summer vacation shouldn't be just about tutoring and cram school. "Cultural studies plus interest classes" don't constitute the standard vacation package. Don't let summer vacation just be about continuing your studies in a different location; a happy vacation should be filled with imagination. Check out some recommended destinations around East China that are perfect for traveling with children!
1. Ancient Huizhou
When the ancient Huizhou region was relatively stable, its territory mainly consisted of one prefecture and six counties, including the current Huangshan City in Anhui Province, Jixi County in Xuancheng City in Anhui Province, and Wuyuan County in Jiangxi Province. It not only has a large and well-preserved Huizhou-style architectural complex, the thousand-year-old Huizhou culture, and a long history of humanities and history, but also many rich local folk customs and experiences. It is a very suitable place to bring children to broaden their horizons and experience.
(Photo source: Huizhou Cultural Tourism Resort)
1. Hui-style architecture
Architecture is solidified history. Due to the special geographical location of ancient Huizhou, with many mountains and little land and inconvenient transportation, ancient villages where a large number of ethnic groups live have been completely preserved. According to statistics, there are currently 8,144 buildings built before 1911 in Huangshan City. Hongcun and Xidi in Yi County have been listed as "World Cultural Heritage".
Horse head wall
It is a typical Huizhou-style residential building with high walls, which is both fireproof and theft-proof and beautifully decorated.
(Horse head wall, a typical feature of Huizhou architecture - Photo Network)
Tunxi Old Street
The moving Along the River During the Qingming Festival is half streets and half water. There are two famous museums on the old street, the private Wancuilou Museum and the Tunxi Museum.
(Tunxi Old Street - Photography Sentinel Charmander)
(Xuguo Stone Archway in Huizhou Ancient City - Photo Network)
Hongcun
Looking down from the air, the entire Hongcun is arranged like a lying cow. The "cow belly" Nanhu Lake and the "cow stomach" Yuezhao are also the favorite places for people to check in and take photos.
(Hongcun Moon Pond - Photography by Chance)
2. Famous mountains and rivers
Nestled mountains and flowing streams, overlooking ancient Huizhou from above, the black mountains and white waters stretch out in a circle, resembling an ink-and-wash dreamscape. To the north lies Huangshan, renowned for its "returning home, no mountain is better to look at," while to the east lies Tianmu Mountain, towering with ancient trees. Within Xiuning lies the fairyland of Qiyun, where the Xin'an River winds gracefully through the misty morning air.
(Mountaintop B&B-Huangshan Scenic Area)
(Xin'an River - Photography by Xingyue)
3. Unique Experience
Thanks to Emperor Huizong of Song's admiration for ink, scholars developed a love for ink, which in turn fueled the development of the "Four Treasures of the Study": Xuan brushes, Huizhou ink, Xuan paper, and She inkstones. Their exceptional quality earned them widespread acclaim, even contributing to the prosperity of Huizhou's economy. At Huizhou Ancient City in She County and the Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory in Tunxi, visitors can not only observe the ink-making process but also experience the ancient art of gilding, crafting their own unique Huizhou ink. Other activities include bamboo weaving, Huangmei Opera, and fishing pavilion cakes.
(Chaji Brush Making Experience - Photography by Gege)
4. Delicious food
The Anhui people I know all seem to be great cooks. Because they've lived in mountainous areas for so long, where oil and water are scarce, the older Huizhou people mostly enjoy greasy meats. This has led to Hui cuisine's characteristic heavy use of oil, color, and cooking techniques. Nanping ham, Piyun dumplings, stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu... just thinking about them makes my mouth water.
(Hand-painted Anhui cuisine - Photo Network)
Tips:
Recommended: Huisanshuo·Huizhou Cuisine (Huizhou cuisine restaurant loved by locals)
Location: 1st floor, Building 7, International Automobile City, Shexian County, Huangshan City
Average price per person: ¥90
PS: The bathroom decoration of this store is very interesting
2. Southwest Zhejiang
Zhejiang boasts abundant tourism resources, and in the past two years, Lishui and Quzhou, two cities in the mountainous southwest of the province, have become increasingly well-known. Not only are their scenery breathtakingly beautiful, but many of their place names are also incredibly poetic. Yunhe, Lishui, Longyou, Jinyun, and so on, all sound evocative and melodious.
1. Beautiful mountains and dangerous peaks
What's it like to sleep in the clouds? Nanjian Rock, over 1,600 meters above sea level, might offer the answer. Winding upwards like a roller coaster, the mountaintop village is bustling with photographers. Here, you can admire the sea of clouds and terraced fields by day and the vast starry sky at night. Even the scorching July heat can't keep up with the mountain summer heat. Xiandu Dinghu Peak, a popular film and television location, offers breathtaking scenery.
(Dinghu Peak - Photo by Lü Dongbin)
(Nanjian Rock - Photo Hide and Seek)
2. Ancient Town with Folk Houses
When exploring ancient villages, you can always find traces of time in the past. The ancient dwellings in Heyang, which has "eight hundred stoves and a population of three thousand" and is known as "the best in Jiangnan", bloom brilliantly in the artistic window paper-cuts. It is the "key to Fengxi" and the intersection of three provinces and twenty-eight towns. The culture is accumulated in the 142 surnames of the ancient town.
(Heyang Ancient Village-Photography Sangzi)
(Intangible Cultural Heritage Paper-Cutting - Photo by Ding Meiyu)
3. She ethnic customs
The She ethnic group, known as a nomadic farming people in southern China, is known for its talented singing and dancing skills and dexterity. Jingning County, located in Lishui, is the only She Autonomous County in China. Singing folk songs, celebrating bonfires, and staying in mountain villages with the Sanha people offer a unique opportunity to experience the passion and unrestrained spirit of this ethnic minority.
(She ethnic group bonfire - Photo by Sangzi)
4. Lishui snacks
Even before I set foot on this land, I'd already been drooling over its delicacies. Jinyun sesame cakes, pounded meat soup, braised stream fish, mountain tofu, and many other delicious delicacies require some courage to try.
(Lishui snacks - Photography by Jiujiu, Uncle Huzi, and Ding Meiyu)
3. Northern Jiangxi
Jiangxi is often associated with revolutionary bases, but aside from the vibrant rapeseed blossoms of Huangling in March, the breathtaking beauty of Mount Lushan, and Wugong Mountain, a hiking paradise for outdoorsy types, it's hard to imagine much more. However, northern Jiangxi offers many other scenic and cultural attractions, including Nanchang, Jiujiang, Jingdezhen, and Shangrao, all worth exploring.
(Lushan Conference Site - Photo Network)
1. Lushan Mountain
Many mountains and rivers have been sung in poetry, but only Mount Lu has imbued poetry with soul and embodied it in a romantic landscape. In Li Bai's five ascents to Mount Lu, in Su Shi's seven laments about Mount Lu, and in the more than 600 villas built in modern Guling Town, Mount Lu's beauty is always presented in a clear and ideal state.
(Lushan Waterfall - Photography on a sunny day)
(Lushan Night View - Lushan Scenic Area Official Account)
Tips:
Tour suggestion: It is recommended to play for 2 days. On the first day, you can visit the west line and watch the sunset in Jinxiu Valley in the afternoon. On the second day, you can visit the east line and walk down the mountain from Sandiequan (it is recommended to store your luggage or hire a car to take you down the mountain).
Accommodation: It is recommended to stay in Guling Town on the mountain, where there are many B&Bs and hotels to choose from.
Cost: Ticket price ¥160 + Sightseeing car ¥80
Note: Sandiequan is basically a staircase, which is quite steep. It is recommended to go down the mountain lightly and do not go back.
2. Jingdezhen
Jingdezhen holds an unshakable position in the history of world ceramics, yet its current development is somewhat awkward. Walking the streets of Jingdezhen, it's easy to feel like you've been transported back to the 1980s. The street markets are even more worth recommending than museums, and you'll stumble upon small karaoke stages by the park. In Jingdezhen, you encounter more than just porcelain; you'll see history.
(Photography by He Miao)
3. Poyang Lake
The vast blue Poyang Lake is where Zhou Yu once trained his navy and where Zhu Yuanzhang fought against Chen Youliang. After the waves have washed away, Poyang Lake is now the largest bird sanctuary in the world. The internet-famous water highway and Luoxingdun, which appear and disappear with the flood season, are often checked in and posted on social media.
(Luoxingdun, Poyang Lake - Photo Network)
4. Wuyuan
The rape flowers in Wuyuan have become a tourist attraction, and the ancient villages of Huangling, Jiangling, Xiaoqi and Jiangwan have become must-visit destinations for many people in spring; but the most popular attraction here in summer is the Wulongyuan Canyon Rafting, which is currently the highest altitude and largest drop in the original ecological rafting in East China.
Tips:
Reminder: This year's opening hours are July 1st to August 31st; only people over 16 years old are accepted.
Cost: Warrior Rafting Ticket ¥198, total length 3.8km, rafting time about 40 minutes
The Mengshi Rafting ticket is ¥268, the total length is 8.6km, and the rafting time is about 1.5 hours.
4. Southern Jiangsu
According to statistics, Jiangsu (with Jiangsu leading the pack) currently boasts the most 5A scenic spots nationwide, with a total of 23. Jiangsu is divided into Southern Jiangsu and Northern Jiangsu by the Yangtze River. Southern Jiangsu, encompassing the five cities of Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Changzhou, Wuxi, and Suzhou, has long been a land of abundance, with numerous rivers and lakes crisscrossing much of the region. As the fastest-growing region in the country, it boasts a wealth of tourism resources.
1. Six Dynasties Jinling - Nanjing
Nanjing is an important comprehensive transportation hub city with high-speed rail connections to 24 provincial capitals in China. Nanjing also has a concentration of scenic spots and subway lines passing through most tourist destinations, making it very suitable for summer weekend outings.
(Nanjing Jiming Temple - Photo by Jin Yu)
2. Paradise on Earth - Suzhou
Contemporary lovers of ancient Chinese poetry have created a new tune called Suzhou Slow. "The best talents in the world are gathered in Wu County" fully describes the elegance of Gusu. You can explore ancient sites in the streets, listen to music in the gardens, paint fans in the pavilions, and drink tea in the pleasure boats. Suzhou is a place you will love once you visit it. It is the softest part of the Jiangnan region.
(Suzhou Cuisine - Photography by Wang Xiaoyi)
(Suzhou Gardens - Photo by Wang Xiaoyi)
3. Legend of Landscapes - Wuxi
Emperor Qianlong visited Wuxi six times during his reign south of the Yangtze River, including his return trips north. Eleven of these visits included visits to Huishan, making Jichang Garden the most prestigious garden in the region. Yuantouzhu, with its stunning cherry blossoms in March, is a truly stunning spot on Taihu Lake. Wuxi, one of the birthplaces of southern civilization, is blossoming with a vibrant cultural and tourism legacy.
(The above pictures are from Huishan Scenic Area)
4. Creativity-Changzhou
Shen Bo, chairman of the China Dinosaur Park, said, "No dinosaur fossils have ever been unearthed in Changzhou, but we've managed to create something out of nothing." The park is a hallmark of Changzhou's tourism industry, and the Dinosaur Club Hotel is typically fully booked during holidays, making a room difficult to find.
5. Dream Seeking - Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang, a hidden gem among the five cities of southern Jiangsu, lies in the Jiangnan region, at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal, lending its character to the Jianghuai region. Home to Zhenjiang vinegar, which accounts for half of southern China's production, and the millennia-old folk tales of the White Snake, Liang Zhu, and the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, as well as being the birthplace of Huaiyang cuisine, a dish often used for state banquets, Zhenjiang boasts a strong and unwavering cultural confidence.
Conclusion
There are many fun tourist destinations around East China. Take your kids there and spend an interesting and meaningful summer vacation.
