Day 1 Shanghai → Nanhetou → Baoben Temple → Jiulong Mountain → Shanghai
09:15
Meet at the designated China-TravelNote location between 09:15 and 09:30 to sign in. Depart at 09:30 sharp, and enjoy the fun and interaction with your tour leader along the way!
11:00
Arrive near Pinghu and take a walk around the place where nine rivers converge.
Nanhetou Old Street: Bluestone pavements, white walls and black tiles, ancient bridges and flowing water, and red lanterns create a charming contrast. We strolled through Danghu Academy, Animation Wenheli, Zhichuan Academy, Tuzhiman Bookstore, intangible cultural heritage works, and creative dough sculptures... Listen to the stories of the old city whispered by the wind, and discover surprises around every corner.
This is also a hidden gem for authentic snacks, such as Pinghu fermented egg, Chigao, Laodanghu, Fu Ning Tea House, and Xiucai Nong Roasted Chicken... Each one has its own hidden magical flavor!
Mo's Manor: A renowned garden in Jiangnan, this exquisite garden is considered the pinnacle of Jiangnan mansions during the Qing Dynasty! Its rockery, carved doors and windows, and the Grand View Garden in "Dream of the Red Chamber" were also filmed there. (Tickets are 28 RMB per person, optional, no centralized purchase required)
1:30 PM
After lunch, we strolled along East Lake and arrived at the Li Shutong Memorial Hall, an island in the middle of the lake. Li Shutong, known by his Buddhist name, Master Hongyi, excelled in painting, calligraphy, drama, music, poetry, newspaper publishing, translation, and teaching... He mastered everything. From a wealthy son to a Buddhist monk, from the peaceful waters of Tianjin to Southeast Asia and Japan, his life was legendary, his students spread across the world, and his mastery of any skill was enough to make him a master.
The memorial hall, shaped like a lotus, quietly blooms in the center of a lake. The exhibition is organized in a circular pattern, following his life from childhood, youth, middle age, monastic life, and death, before returning to childhood. His life, filled with farewells and rebirths, is a fascinating journey.
After leaving the museum, we returned and strolled along the lake, passing by the Go-themed Danghu Ten Games. Interested tourists can also check it out.
Continuing on, we arrived at Baoben Temple. The thousand-year-old secret temple is filled with incense and the mottled ancient pagoda is reflected in the Parrot Island, which is surrounded by water on three sides. It is truly a pleasant scene!
3:30 PM
Gather in time and head to Jiulongshan National Forest Park.
This is the place where the story of "Dream of the Red Chamber" began. The 1,200-meter coastal plank road connects the Tianfei Palace Fort, the Red Chamber Biepu Stone Carvings, the Lingbo Wusheng Arch Bridge, and other scenic spots. The green mountains, vast sea, and quiet forests are breathtakingly beautiful. (There is a cemetery within the park, and the hiking trail cannot be avoided. Please inform us if you mind.)
We crossed from the forest to the sea and climbed up to the Jintai Sunset Observation Deck at sunset to watch the setting sun slowly sink into the horizon, dyeing the mudflats a red and gold.
6:00 PM
As the sun sets over the sea, it's time to gather and return to the city.
At around 7:30 PM, we returned to our departure point in Shanghai. Everyone was reluctant to leave and kissed goodbye with tears in their eyes!
