After visiting Oriental Salt Lake City in Maoshan 4 times, I finally figured out how to enjoy it best!

📍Address

No. 9, Fangxian Road, Xuebu Town, Jintan District, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province (within Maoshan Tourist Resort).

🚗Transportation

- Self-driving:
- From Shanghai/Suzhou: Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway → Yanjiang Expressway → Xuebu Exit of Maoshan Scenic Area → Provincial Highway 340 → Scenic Area Parking Lot (maximum parking fee: ¥20/day).
- From Nanjing: Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway → Yanjiang Expressway → Xuebu Exit → Directly via Provincial Highway 340.
- Public transport:
- High-speed rail to Jintan Station, then transfer to tourist shuttle bus Route 259 directly to the scenic area (operating hours: 7:00-21:30, approx. every 1 hour).
- Taxi from Changzhou Station/Lishui Station (approx. 45 minutes).

🏞Introduction

Oriental Salt Lake City is built upon Maoshan's natural resources of "mountains, water, tea, salt, medicine, and springs," blending Taoist culture with modern entertainment to create the "Carefree Immortal Town" themed resort. The area features replicated Wei-Jin dynasty-style architecture, offering diverse experiences including cultural exhibitions, live performances, family-friendly activities, and scenic landscapes. It's hailed as a "4.0-generation Chinese tourism product."

🎭Travel Guide

1. Must-see performances:
- "Carefree Journey": A grand nighttime live show at Tai Chi Square featuring water screen projections and million-level fireworks (fireworks only at the 20:15 show).
- "Hip Hop Tao": A kung fu comedy blending street dance and Tai Chi, packed with laughs.
- "Morning Bell and Evening Drum": A majestic sacrificial ceremony at Zhenlei Square with water-sleeve drumming.
2. Unique experiences:
- Underground Palace Drift: A thrilling summer ride themed on the legend of Nüwa repairing the sky.
- Paper Flower Array: The world's largest paper-cutting museum where you can try this intangible cultural heritage craft.
- Demon Subduing Palace: An immersive Chinese-style haunted house based on Maoshan ghost-catching legends.
3. Photo spots:
- Xiquan Pavilion: A 30-meter mist waterfall + ancient-style pavilion, perfect for fantasy-themed shots.
- Taoist Wind Street: A Wei-Jin dynasty-style street adorned with lanterns, ideal for Hanfu photography.
- Baiyun Lake: Boating on the lake with picturesque mountain views.

💡Tips

- Time planning: At least 1-2 days. Focus on performances + key attractions for a day trip; stay overnight for a deeper experience.
- Ticketing tips:
- Adult ticket: ¥150. Staying at resort hotels includes free admission (highly recommended!).
- Book tickets on official platforms in advance for discounts.
- Other tips:
- Night tours are a highlight! Don’t miss the light show "Pear Blossom Fantasy" and ancient-style flash mobs.
- Rent Hanfu for better photos! Multiple shops offer styling services (approx. ¥50-100/set).
- Bring sun protection in summer and spare clothes for water play areas (Kanshui Fa & Kundi Valley).

🍗Food Recommendations

- Local specialties:
- Maoshan Preserved Goose: Locally raised grass-fed goose with rich flavor, available at almost every restaurant.
- Carefree Pancake: Freshly baked crispy pancakes on Taoist Wind Street, with beef/three-diced fillings being the most popular.
- Themed restaurants:
- Jianghu Feast: A martial arts dining show + long-table banquet where you "compete" while eating (reservation required).
- Maoyan Inn: Authentic Maoshan Twelve Flavors, recommended dishes: Eight Immortals Pot & Salt Spring Tofu.
- Snack street: Carefree Pancake, black rice, mushroom soup, approx. ¥30/person for a full meal.

🛏Accommodation Recommendations

- Top choices within the resort:
- Mountain Retreat Inn: Six themed courtyards (e.g., Maoshan Bird's Nest, Spring Bamboo Yard) with scenic views, includes breakfast + tickets, from ¥400/night.
- Salt Spring Han Hotel: A hot spring resort offering spa services.
- Budget-friendly nearby:
- Flower Homestay·Mountain & Water: 5-minute walk to the resort, mountain-view rooms + smart home features, family-friendly.
- Maoshan·Leisurely Stay Smart Hotel: Robot services + family LOFT rooms, close to parking.

🚴♂️Nearby Attractions

1. Maoshan Forest World: Drifting, jungle adventures, stargazing camping, 8-minute drive.
2. Flower Valley Wonderland: Seasonal flower fields + European-style manor, perfect for photos, 5 minutes away.
3. Maoshan Scenic Area: Hike to Three Pure Temples for blessings, explore Immortal Cave, 15-minute drive.
4. Xiangu Village: Try farmhouse dishes (goose specialties, stewed eggs) and fruit-picking.

🌟 Ultimate Tip:
The key to fully experiencing Salt Lake City is to "stay overnight!" Only by sleeping in the Immortal Town can you enjoy the tranquility of morning bells, the time-travel vibe of empty ancient streets, and private fireworks under the stars after the shows end.