Day 1 Hangzhou → Hongcun
All day
In the morning, we will gather at Huanglong Seafood Stall from 7:00 to 7:30 (near: Subway Station - Huanglong Sports Center Station - Exit F), with introductions, interactions, and laughter along the way.
--Huizhou's Utopia--
Coming to Bishan Village in Yi County, Bishan is a unique existence in Huizhou.
It's far from the city center and not a popular tourist destination, but this remote, ancient village is home to quaint, artistic bookstores, period-themed cultural and creative shops, modern cafes, bourgeois-inspired bars, and artistically decorated guesthouses. Must-see spots include the renowned Bishan Bookstore (formerly Pioneer Bookstore), the Pig Pen Bar, the Cow Pen Cafe, the Bishan Industrial and Commercial Society, and the Yunmen Pagoda, built during the Qing Dynasty.
These are originally products of modern urban civilization, but they do not seem out of place when they appear in such a secluded countryside.
--Seasonal Limited: Tachuan Autumn Viewing-- (This itinerary is only included in the November batch)
In Tachuan, one of China's three best autumn viewing spots, every autumn, after the frost descends, Tachuan presents a vibrant array of autumn scenery. Like the paradise described by Tao Yuanming, the mountains are covered in vibrant foliage—red, yellow, and purple—with the snow-white peaks of the horse-head wall peeking out from among the vibrant foliage.
--Hongcun in the Painting--
Come to the ancient village of Hongcun, a world cultural heritage site. It is the epitome of Huizhou architecture. The village's "elaborative layout, ingenious structure, beautiful decoration, exquisite construction, and profound cultural connotation" are rare in China. Friends, bring a pair of eyes that can discover beauty and start exploring!
In the evening, it is a great experience to come to the South Lake and quietly appreciate Hongcun under the sunset!
In the evening, why not try some Hongcun snacks and experience the tranquility of the ancient village at night? Wait for the bright moon to rise from Dongshan Mountain, then visit Nanhu Lake and Yuezhao Lake, where the moonlight casts a shadow on the tranquil surface of the lake, intoxicating the south of the Yangtze River.
There are many interesting small bars in Hongcun, where you can find stories, folk songs and wine.
Day 2 Hongcun → Huangshan
All day
--Morning mist over the pond cypress at Qishu Lake--
Don't sleep in this morning! Don't miss the Qishu Lake Sunrise and the Metasequoia Morning Mist – both truly dreamy. The Metasequoia trees, known as the "water forest," are a classic Qishu Lake scene. At sunrise, the moment the sun's rays hit the lake, you'll be captivated. A lone Metasequoia tree perched on the lake's surface has become a local internet sensation.
--Climb Mount Huangshan and there is no mountain in the world--
After breakfast, we'll depart for Huangshan Scenic Area. Huangshan, a renowned mountain through the ages, boasts unique pines, grotesque rocks, seas of clouds, and hot springs, known as its "Four Wonders." Frost fog, snow, and sunrises are also unique features of Huangshan, each offering a whimsical experience. Xu Xiake, the renowned Ming Dynasty traveler and geographer, climbed Huangshan twice and, upon seeing its splendor, exclaimed, "I've never seen a more wonderful sight."
Today, we will travel light and take the Yuping Cableway up the mountain under the guidance of our team leader (at your own expense).
Visit the Yuping Scenic Area: Welcoming Pine, Lotus Peak (closed), Tiandu Peak (open), Hundred-Step Cloud Ladder, One-Line Sky, Aoyu Peak, etc.
Visit the Tianhai Scenic Area: Feilai Stone and the Xihai Grand Canyon, where the popular cable car is located (at your own expense), and then climb Guangmingding, the second highest peak of Huangshan Mountain.
Visit [Beihai Scenic Area]: Peacock Pine, Black Tiger Pine, Shixin Peak, Lion Peak, Mengbi Shenghua, etc.
In the evening, descend the mountain from Yungu Temple or Yunping Cableway (at your own expense)
After descending the mountain, check in to the hotel in Huangshan city.
Special Note 1: The Huangshan itinerary will be flexibly adjusted by the tour leader based on the availability of the cable car, the mountain peaks, and the physical condition of the group members. The tour route may be slightly different from the described route. The check-in attractions are subject to the actual tour.
Special Note 2: Since Huangshan Scenic Area implements a real-name reservation system and there are peak travel times during holidays, if you fail to make a reservation, the second and third days of our itinerary will be swapped. Please understand.
Day 3 Huangshan → Hangzhou
All day
After breakfast, depart for Xixinan Ancient Village.
--Exploring the "Wizard of Oz" in Southern Anhui--
Among the many ancient villages in southern Anhui, Xixinan, nestled between mountains and water, boasts lush vegetation: millennia-old ginkgo trees, century-old osmanthus trees, sprawling ancient maple and poplar forests, tranquil and beautiful wetland landscapes, and a rich birdlife. This secret retreat is a haven steeped in ancient charm and natural beauty. Surrounded by the intertwined roots and branches of century-old trees, the Banben Bridge and Dingbu Bridge complement each other, while the gently flowing stream dapples the afternoon sun across the water, creating a picturesque and picturesque experience.
Entering the ancient village, one discovers numerous ancient, remarkably well-preserved Hui-style dwellings. The village's Laowu Pavilion is particularly exquisite. This U-shaped quadrangle has two floors, with the upper floor higher than the lower. This design, adapted to local conditions based on geography and climate, is also known as the "upper hall." The beauty backrests and flying chairs on the side of the attic are both ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing. The corridors and corners reveal the ingenuity of ancient design.
Here we are free to wander, explore and take photos.
--Four Great Ancient Cities of China--
At noon, we arrived at Huizhou Ancient City in She County for lunch and some sightseeing. Built during the Qin Dynasty, Huizhou Ancient City is one of the four most well-preserved ancient cities in China, boasting a thousand-year history and culture.
Here you can visit the national treasure [Xuguo Stone Archway], the only eight-legged archway in the country.
Explore Dousan Street, a hidden alley known as the "ancient wealthy district," where the weathered gatehouses hold countless stories of Huizhou.
Visit the Huizhou History Museum to explore Xin'an culture and gain an in-depth understanding of Huizhou architecture, Xin'an literature, and the legendary stories of Huizhou merchants.
Climb up the Huizhou Ancient City Wall to overlook the ancient city and Xin'an River, and experience the historical relics of the ancient city.
--Assembly and return trip--
Around 15:00, we will say goodbye to Huizhou and start our return journey, returning to Hangzhou around 18:00 to disband.
·night
--Seasonal only: Zhanqi Fish Lantern--(This itinerary is definitely included in the Spring Festival batch) This itinerary will also be arranged during the Qingming Festival
17:00-19:00, Zhanqi Fish Lanterns celebrate the New Year and light up the Chinese New Year
As night falls, the sounds of life fill the air. Fish lanterns, dancing for eight hundred years, "swim" out of the ancient village's ancestral hall. Accompanied by the lively sounds of gongs, drums, and firecrackers, the millennia-old village is instantly ablaze. The giant fish, twirling and swimming freely through the old streets, exudes a powerful appeal. Tourists follow excitedly, their faces beaming under the lights. This is the essence of Chinese New Year.
Gather at 19:30 for the return trip and disband in the city around 22:00.
Note: If the show is cancelled due to rain, we will return directly and there will be no refund.
