No need to leave Hangzhou! Jiande is a hidden gem, offering stunning scenery, fresh and delicious food, and only 40 minutes by high-speed rail!
Preface
A few days ago, Hangzhou jogged into summer. The high temperature of over 30 degrees Celsius around May Day indicated that summer was really here.
As we all know, the summer in Hangzhou is still very hot, humid and stuffy. It is impossible to fall asleep at night without turning on the air conditioner or fan. I really want to find a cool forest/canyon/stream and dive into it on those nights when I wake up from the heat, and become one with nature.
Yet, right on my doorstep, a 40-minute high-speed train ride from Hangzhou, this place, with its year-round perceived temperature of 17°C, has become a new-generation summer resort. Its cool and tranquil atmosphere offers a welcome respite from the summer heat, earning it the nickname "the only 17°C legend on Earth."
Here lies a natural refrigerator - Xin'an River. The river water originates from the depths of Qiandao Lake and maintains a temperature of 14-17℃ all year round. It is like a central air conditioner, emitting cold air all around. Nongfu Spring also starts from here and flows to all parts of the country.
This is also one of the filming locations for "Where Are We Going, Dad 2", and "Journey to the West" and "Investiture of the Gods" were also filmed here.
Here, without leaving Hangzhou, you can feel what Meng Haoran described as "the wilderness is vast, the sky is low, the trees are low, the river is clear, and the moon is close to people." In other words, the mountains and rivers here are a poem in themselves.
It has the laziness and relaxation of a Jiangnan city, as well as the youth and vitality of a new generation city. It is Jiande, the only county-level city under the jurisdiction of Hangzhou.
Today, follow You Xiaoxia to escape from the summer for a short time and spend an extremely relaxing weekend in Jiande.
Play in Jiande, a treasure town with beautiful mountains and rivers
01. Meizhou Ancient City
“There are two and a half plum blossoms in the world, one in Beijing, one in Nanjing, and half in Yanzhou.” This is the reputation of Plum City.
Meicheng Ancient Town, built by the river, is a thousand-year-old town. It got its name because its ancient city wall is built in the shape of a plum blossom.
Meicheng Ancient Town, also known as Yanzhou Ancient Town, has a history of more than 1,700 years. It is the birthplace of the spirit of "making achievements and establishing virtue", the root of Yanzhou culture and the nostalgia of the Yanzhou people.
The hustle and bustle of everyday life is truly soothing. Meicheng's streets and alleys are filled with a vibrant atmosphere, where commerce blends seamlessly with local life. It's a true carb-craving paradise. Enjoy tofu buns, corn cakes, Yanzhou pancakes, and more—find the "Jiande on the tip of your tongue" here.
Walking along the city wall, looking around, you can see the Hui-style buildings with white walls and black tiles on the left, and the charming scenery of Xin'an River on the right. The new and the old are integrated at both ends of the city wall, and the story of Meicheng may be hidden in it.
02. Xinye Ancient Village
Walking on the narrow blue brick road, it feels like stepping into a paradise. This is the filming location of the eighth episode of the hit variety show "The Last Winner" and one of the filming locations of "Where Are We Going, Dad 2".
Xinye Ancient Village is known as the "Open-air Museum of Chinese Ming and Qing Architecture". The Tuanyun Tower, Wenchang Pavilion, academy, temple... every old house that has experienced vicissitudes of life stands there quietly, telling the story of history.
The village isn't large, but it's strung together by hundreds of small alleys. Moss grows in the cracks between the stone bricks, leaving a tingling sensation on the touch. The rich history and simple folk customs, like the warmth of my fingertips, quietly linger in my heart.
There are towering ancient towers, pink walls and black tiles, clear ponds and gurgling streams. The sound of children reading aloud can still be vaguely heard in the school. It seems that time has stopped here for a very long time.
03. Xin'an River Scenic Area
Renowned for its clear water, cool breeze, and wondrous mist, Xin'an River is known as the "Cool World." "Lights shimmer on both banks, buildings and trees shimmer brightly"—this is the dreamlike world that Xin'an River presents.
The water, originating from the depths of Qiandao Lake, maintains a constant temperature of 14-17°C year-round, offering exceptional quality, moistness, freshness, and a refreshing feeling. It meets national Class I drinking water standards without any treatment. The Xin'an River's waters are known for their exceptional freshwater fish, which are so delicious they're free of any fishy smell.
Fishermen have set up "Fisherman's Inn" near the mountains and rivers, allowing tourists to fish with the fishermen, listen to ancient operas in the fishing village, watch weddings on the water, be a fisherman for a day, have a fish banquet, and try the special fish dishes of the Nine Surnames.
04. Daciyan Temple
Daciyan, a place where Buddhist culture and beautiful mountains and rivers are perfectly combined, is known as the "Little Jiuhua in Western Zhejiang" because of its cave buildings high on the cliffs; it is also known as the "Hanging Temple of Jiangnan" and is famous for "the mountain is a Buddha, and the Buddha is a mountain".
The buildings in Daciyan are built with caves as their structures and against the cliffs. The path in the mountain is narrow but the steps are steep and crowded. Climbing up the steps, one feels like one man guarding the pass against ten thousand men.
Looking forward, you'll see the exquisitely designed Diwang Hall, seemingly soaring into the sky. Looking outward, you'll see a cliff threatening to collapse beneath your feet, and a panoramic view of the mountains and lakes. This truly evokes the grandeur and wonder of the Hanging Temple.
If you're in the mood, you can even walk on the glass plank road. With panoramic views of the sky, you can take in the stunning scenery of the mountains, cliffs, and forests. Pause for a moment on the glass plank road to experience a immersive encounter with the sea of clouds.
05. Lingqi Cave Heaven
Deep in the mountains southwest of Jiande, there is an underground art palace. The Jiangnan karst cave scenic area "Lingqi Dongtian" is a perfect place to escape the summer heat!
Here, the mountain flowers are in full bloom, the trees are lush, the environment is quiet and peaceful, and it seems like a unique cave, as if it is the place where sages and immortals live, hence the names "the residence of immortals" and "the cave of spiritual dwellings".
Lingqi Cave consists of three caves, namely Lingquan, Qingfeng and Aiyun, and a stone forest maze. Films and TV series such as "Journey to the West", "Investiture of the Gods" and "Butterfly Lovers" were filmed in Lingqi Cave.
Take a boat and go boating, listening to the gurgling water, the gurgling springs and the leisurely rowing of the boat. Time passes slowly, yet it is more quiet and elegant.
My fingertips gently slide across the surface of the river, splashing a little water. Occasionally, the stalactites above my head drip water quietly. The perceived temperature of 17℃ instantly rushes to my heart, bringing a feeling of coolness and comfort.
Eat in Jiande and explore a journey on the tip of your tongue
01. Jiande Tofu Buns
The Jiande tofu bun, which was called "the best bun in Yanzhou" by Lu You, is hot, spicy, fragrant and soft. Tofu is homophonic with "doufu", which means "blessing", which means good fortune and luck.
Fresh from the pan, the tofu buns have a thin, yet resilient outer layer. The red chili oil soaks through the skin, and the tender tofu filling seems to be overflowing. Paired with a bowl of soy milk, this is the simplest way to enjoy the joy of a carb-loving person.
02. Yanzhou Pancake
Yanzhou baked cakes are loose, crisp and crunchy. They are small and plump, with rich fillings and thin crusts.
The dough is stuffed with carefully prepared fillings, pinched into a ball shape, flattened, rolled out, brushed with sugar and oil, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and then the pancakes are baked to the sound of crackling charcoal fire.
During holidays, tourists always line up to buy cakes, just for this taste of Yanzhou. This taste is the taste of hometown in memory, the warmth of charcoal fire, the warmth of palms, and the warmth of Yanzhou.
03. Stinky Tofu Corn Cake
"Smells good but tastes stinky" is the best way to describe this delicacy. When making this corn cake, you should use fresh stinky tofu, add minced pork, minced garlic, chili sauce, etc., lightly wrap it with corn dough, put it in a pan and fry it until both sides are golden brown.
Jiande's corn cakes are palm-sized and incredibly satisfying to hold in your hand, best eaten hot. The fragrant cornmeal blends beautifully with the stinky tofu. Chew them carefully and swallow them slowly, and before you know it, you've already eaten half.
04. Sandu Mochi
First, soak the glutinous rice overnight and steam it in a large wooden barrel. Then put it in a stone mortar and gently pound it with a wooden hammer until there are almost no whole rice grains left. Wrap sesame candy, red beans and other fillings inside the glutinous rice cake. When you take a bite of it, it is sweet, soft and sticky, leaving a lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth.
05. Nine-surname Fish Head King
Endless river food is the gift that Xin'an River brings to the people of Jiande. The constant temperature of 17℃ river water creates a "natural fishing ground" where you can eat the freshest river food straight from the source.
Photo @CCTV10 "Hometown Taste"
The key to the Nine Surnames Fish Head King is the fish soup. The milky white fish soup is steaming on the stove, full of fragrance. The snow-white fish meat is paired with sweet and sour tomatoes, and garnished with coriander. Take a sip and be careful not to make your tongue fall off.
Conclusion
Jiande is a place where you can experience the ethereal beauty of green mountains and beautiful waters, as well as the bustling atmosphere of the city's long alleys. In the hazy mist of the Xin'an River, countless stories unfold every day. Visit Jiande and find your own story.
