Day 1 Suzhou → Linkeng → Nanxi River
All day
Meeting point 1: 07:00-07:10, intersection of Jintang Street and Zongguantang Road (near Exit 6 of Pinghe Road Station on Metro Line 2. Self-driving cars can park at Yaosheng Building, capped at 20 yuan/day)
Meeting Point 2: 07:30-07:35, Suzhou City Toll Station (G1522 Changtai Expressway Entrance), 200 meters south, waiting for the bus under the elevated road (if you drive, you can park at Huadong Decoration City, the maximum fee is about 25 yuan/day)
The tour guide on the bus led the tourists to introduce themselves and play interactive games, making everyone laugh and have fun along the way!
After lunch at the service area, we arrived at Linkeng Ancient Village in about five hours. We explored the village, home to a collection of well-preserved mountain dwellings along the Nanxi River. Each dwelling is over 100 years old, with one wooden structure dating back over 200 years. The exquisitely crafted wooden houses nestle amidst the verdant mountains and waters, exuding a quaint, natural aesthetic. The houses, nestled against the hillside, are arranged in a harmonious and integrated pattern. Small bridges, flowing water, and houses within the village, with curling smoke and occasional white clouds, make one feel lost in the world. The ancient houses and covered bridges of southern Zhejiang offer a glimpse into the vicissitudes of Chinese history.
Gather on the bus at the appropriate time and head to the accommodation point to find food freely.
After dinner, tourists still interested can explore Lishui Ancient Street. Like the Misty Corridor in Xitang, Lishui Street is a long corridor built along the water, showcasing the typical Jiangnan architectural style. We can stroll through the old street or relax by the courtyard railings.
Day 2 Nanxi River → Shiwei Rock → Mingao Terraces
All day
After breakfast, we departed around 8:00 AM for Shiwei Rock, the legendary Pillar of Heaven in Southern Zhejiang. Surrounded by a gorge on three sides by a stream, a towering peak rises from the earth, its shape resembling a ship's mast, hence its name. Standing 306 meters tall, Shiwei Rock is composed entirely of pale red stone, its summit resembling twin lotus buds, rising shoulder to shoulder. It's earned the nickname "Pillar of Heaven in Southern Zhejiang"! Access to the scenic area requires a boat ride. The mysterious canyon, emerald green lake, and cool breezes greet us. Hop on a wooden boat and head upstream. Shiwei Rock is surrounded by precipitous mountains. In the early morning, a wave of mist engulfs the mountains, leaving only its peak rising above the clouds like a ship's mast. The majestic Shiwei Rock is reflected in the emerald waters, while distant mountains and ancient villages create a poetic and picturesque rural landscape.
After lunch, depart for the Ming'ao Rice Terraces. Nestled in the Yongjia Mountains of southern Zhejiang, Ming'ao is nestled amidst mountains over 800 meters high. Nestled to the west by the mountains of southern Zhejiang and facing the sea to the east, in early summer, the Pacific Ocean's moisture converges on the eastern slopes of the mountains, creating Ming'ao's location within this abundant moisture. Through over 1,000 years of continuous cultivation, the Ming'ao rice terraces are a masterpiece of human sculpture on the earth. A sweeping view reveals the staircase-like, crescent-shaped formations, created by stepping stones and leveling the earth, following the mountain's contours. These masterpieces, carved with primitive tools, have provided a haven for generations to come. The vast Ming'ao rice terraces, comprised of the Zhengshan and Ming'ao rice terraces, are a designated terrace photography base for the China Photographers Association.
We will stay at a farmhouse near Mingao in the evening, giving everyone plenty of time to explore. In-depth travel requires depth.
Day 3 Nanxi River → Mingao Rice Terraces → Yandang Mountain
All day
Today, you can get up early to watch the sunrise over Mingao. The beautiful scenery will surely feast your eyes. Or you can choose to sleep until you wake up naturally, and then get up for breakfast.
Ming'ao Rice Terraces are a renowned terraced field in the Jiangnan region, a hidden gem rarely visited by the crowds. There are four ideal times to enjoy the scenery of Zhejiang's terraced fields: March and April, when the rapeseed blossoms bloom; mid-May, during the late rice planting season, when the terraces are filled with water, creating a uniquely charming scene of mirrors of various shapes and sizes; October, when the rice matures, blanketing the mountains in a golden glow; and winter, when the snowy landscape is even more breathtakingly beautiful. The Ming'ao Rice Terraces are truly breathtaking in all seasons!
After lunch, we headed to Yandang Mountain, known as "the most beautiful mountain in the world" and "a famous mountain on the sea." Historically, it's been called "the best mountain in the southeast." It's renowned for its bizarre peaks and rocks, ancient caves and stone chambers, and cascading waterfalls and springs. Among them, Lingfeng, Lingyan, and Dalongqiu are known as the "Three Wonders of Yandang." Today, we'll visit Dalongqiu.
Dalongqiu Waterfall is a scenic spot in Yandang Mountain, Zhejiang Province. It is considered one of China's four great waterfalls, along with Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou, Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, and Diaoshuilou Waterfall in Heilongjiang. Dalongqiu resembles a raging silver dragon swooping down from mid-air, creating a thunderous roar that shakes the heavens and the earth, a breathtaking spectacle. On a clear winter day, the waterfall cascades down from mid-air. Dalongqiu is particularly noteworthy for its dramatic drop of over 190 meters. The waterfall originates at Baigangjian, flows through Longqiubei, and cascades down from Lianyun Peak, resembling the Milky Way cascading down from the sky. It is a truly spectacular sight.
Farmhouse dinner is available at the appropriate time. Tourists who are still interested can go to Lingfeng Peak for a night view at their own expense.
Day 4: Yandang Mountain → Fangdong → Suzhou
All day
We slept until we woke up naturally in the morning, and then after breakfast we headed to Fangdong Scenic Area;
The Square Cave is located on the west side of the Lingyan Scenic Area. There are three dripping springs in the cave, and the accumulated water is drinkable. There is a square cave plank road over a hundred meters long at the entrance of the cave. This plank road is also called the "Silver Cliff Sky Corridor". There is a square cave in the plank road carved along the natural rock, so it is called the Square Cave Plank Road. The plank road has scenic spots such as the Knife Cave, the Cloud Bridge, the Upside-Down Golden Bell, the Plum Blossom Cave, and the Juxian Pavilion. The Square Cave Plank Road is very steep and many people dare not try it. In recent years, railings have been built to give people a sense of safety. If you go there on a rainy day, you can see the wonders of misty rain, which is a unique sight. The Square Cave is a scenic spot with unique characteristics in Yandang Mountain. It has a suspension bridge, pavilions, cave temples, and trails on the edge of the cliffs. You can also see many little swallows. The scenery is beautiful and the scenery is endless.
Have lunch in time and then return to Suzhou;
We are expected to arrive back at the departure point in Suzhou around 19:00. Everyone is reluctant to leave and kisses goodbye with tears in their eyes!
