Day 1 Shanghai → Meicheng Ancient Town → Golden Waterfront → Jiande
All day
7:15-7:30 Meet at the designated location of China-TravelNote. Do not be late.
The bus departed on time at 7:30. On the way, the tour leader introduced the itinerary to everyone. There was laughter and joy all the way, and we arrived at the destination unknowingly.
Arrive at your first stop, Yancheng Ancient Town, around 11:30 AM. Located in the ancient town of Meicheng, Meicheng boasts nearly 1,800 years of history, dating back to its establishment as a county during the Three Kingdoms period. It's the birthplace of the spirit of "making contributions and establishing virtue," the root of Yanzhou culture, and a source of nostalgia for the Yanzhou people. Meicheng Ancient Town specializes in snacks, including Jiande tofu buns, Yanzhou crispy cakes, Meicheng baked cakes, fried rice cakes, sesame cakes, corn cakes, and Sandu glutinous rice cakes. You can even climb the ancient city walls and stroll along. The confluence of the Xin'an, Lan, and Fuchun Rivers reveals a breathtaking scenery of clear water, numerous beaches and bays, majestic mountains, and vast rivers, creating a truly unspoiled feng shui treasure. There are also several artistic shops worth browsing. Meicheng Ancient Town offers more than just delicious local specialties; a closer look reveals a story of millennia of culture. "Meicheng" is named after the battlements along the river of the ancient Yanzhou city wall, which were built in the shape of a plum blossom. It is known as "there are two and a half plum blossoms in the world, one in Beijing, one in Nanjing, and half in Yanzhou (Meicheng)".
14:00-16:00 [Rafting on the Xin'an River, Three Rivers] Feel free to soar through the azure waters, or glide quietly across the surface while admiring the mountain and forest scenery on "Three Rivers' Banks."
The Xin'an River forms a bay here, offering a unique environment. The scenery on "Three Rivers' Banks" is captivating. Next to it is the Xin'an Waterfront Greenway. Amidst the vibrant greenery, yellow and pink flowers instantly capture the view. In the distance, the Xin'an River and rolling hills form a backdrop. The contrasting colors of yellow, green, and blue create a refreshing feeling.
Arrive in Jiande between 17:00 and 18:00 and check into the local hotel. After a tiring day of driving and sightseeing, it's time to rest early.
Day 2: Yancheng Ancient Town → Jiangnan Xuanyan Temple → Youbu Ancient Town → Lanxi Ancient Town
All day
08:00-08:30 After breakfast, pack up and head to [Jiangnan Xuanyan Temple]
Arrive at [Jiangnan Hanging Rock Temple - Daciyan] around 10:00 AM. Daciyan is located 24 kilometers south of Jiande City. The mountain is home to a shimmering golden double-faced Buddha statue. The temple building halfway up the mountain is half embedded in the rock, while the other side cantilevers in mid-air, similar to the Hanging Temple of Hengshan Mountain. Hence, it's also known as the "Jiangnan Hanging Temple." Experience the temple and plank road, which is half embedded in the mountain and half suspended in mid-air. Visit the Daciyan Buddha Head, known as "China's First Natural Standing Buddha," the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Hall, known as "Western Zhejiang's Little Jiuhua," the Qingyin Pavilion, the double-faced Buddha, the Tianxiang Hanging Corridor, Tianxiang Garden, the Changgu Stream, the glass plank road, and other attractions that blend Buddhist culture with natural beauty. (Up and down the mountain, cable car and glass plank road are optional and available on-site at your own expense.)
At 12:00, we will have lunch at a restaurant in Daciyan Scenic Area;
Around 13:30, we'll visit Youbu Ancient Town, one of the "Four Millennium Ancient Towns in Zhejiang Province." 99% of tourists don't know about Youbu Ancient Town, where residents have been enjoying morning tea for hundreds of years. (The National Day morning tea is overcrowded, so we'll schedule an afternoon visit to ensure you don't miss out on the delicious food.)
The local morning tea tradition is rooted in its nearly millennium-old dock culture. Since Youbu became a dock during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, shops have flourished, boats have been plying the waters, and merchants have flocked to it. Its connection to the Qianjiang River system has earned it the reputation of "the first port in the upper reaches of the Qianjiang River." To evoke this vibrant past, consider the five bridges across the stream: Taiping Bridge, Yong'an Bridge, Yongji Bridge, Yongfu Bridge, and Laoxi Bridge. These bridges, each unique in appearance and imbued with an ancient charm, resemble the rings of time that define Youbu Town.
Stroll along the quaint and lively morning tea street. Why not have a cup of tea and listen to the veteran tea drinkers tell their stories about their travels?
You can also visit the interesting Camera Museum, the Three Dog Soy Sauce Garden, and the Glass Palace and Youbu Art Bookstore, walk across one ancient bridge after another, and see many old crafts that are gradually becoming memories: making hand beam scales, ironwork, cotton-flossing, and barbering...
I started with a bowl of authentic beef noodles and was then filled with Lanxi delicacies. I also had chicken cakes, tofu skin dumplings, meat dumplings, shuizuofen (water noodles), crystal cakes, and iced milk. I couldn't stop eating.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM [Lanjiang · Lanxi Ancient City] Also known as the Tianfushan Historical and Cultural District, this area was first built in the Song Dynasty and subsequently rebuilt and renovated throughout various dynasties. Most of the residential buildings are brick and wood structures. This city is part of the Jiangnan Scenic Area and was also a filming location for the animated film "Yesterday's Blue Sky." The route is from Lanxi Station to West Gate Tower, Lanjiang Road, Tanhua Lane, Lanxi No. 2 Middle School, and finally Dayun Mountain. It's all within walking distance, so check it out if you're looking for a quick check-in.
18:00 -19:00 Check in to the hotel. In the evening, you can dine nearby, take a walk to digest the food, and rest early.
Day 3 Lanxi Ancient City → Underground River → Shanghai
All day
08:00-08:30 Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Get up early in the morning to visit the nearby Lanjiang [Zhongzhou Island];
9:00-11:30 Lanxi [Underground River] Before entering the cave, the surface of the water is filled with a fairy-like aura, as if shrouded in a mysterious veil. Enter the cave by boat, journeying along the underground river. As you sail along the flowing water, you'll journey through time and space, listening to the voices of the stalactites, each a millennium old, and marvel at the wonders of nature! Inside, the temperature remains around 18°C year-round, bringing a refreshing coolness. Liudong Mountain boasts a rare and unique karst cave landscape, encompassing three sections: Yongxue Cave, Time Tunnel, and Yulu Cave. The caves offer winding paths, both water and land. Each stalactite is uniquely shaped and incredibly lifelike. Sailing through them, visitors feel like they've been transported to a fairyland!
12:00-13:00 Enjoy lunch near the Underground River Scenic Area;
The return journey begins at approximately 13:00, arriving in Shanghai, marking the end of this joyful journey.
