Weekend Getaway Plan

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🌿 Gaoyou: Two Days and One Night｜Grand Canal + Lakeside Flower Sea + Literary Memories, Two Days of Poetic Small-Town Charm
✨ Escape the crowds and unlock diverse scenery in two days with this culturally rich, slow-travel itinerary.

🍃 Day 1: Old Town Memories: The Romance of the Grand Canal and Flower Sea

Morning: Ancient Post Station and Bustling City Life
08:30 Mengcheng Post Station & South Main Street
Push open the wooden door of Mengcheng Post Station and capture the story told by the dappled light and shadow on the gray brick walls📸! The old teahouse on South Main Street is filled with the fragrance of jasmine tea. Grab a piece of Qinyu Dongtang (sesame candy, rich and sweet but not overpowering).

Noon: Traditional Flavors in the Alleys
🍜 Lunch Recommendation
Turn into Qinyu Old Restaurant and order these must-try dishes:
✔️ Plain Noodles (light broth with fragrant lard, perfect for a comforting meal)
✔️ Salted Goose (firm and slightly sweet meat, dipped in vinegar for an amazing flavor)

Afternoon: A Slow Stroll Along the Grand Canal and a Leisurely Walk in the Flower Sea
14:00 Grand Canal Bridge No. 2
Avoid the crowds and head to Grand Canal Bridge No. 2 for some industrial-style photos! The rusty bridge, cargo ships, and reed beds create a perfect backdrop for artistic shots.
16:00 Lakeside Flower Sea
See the canola flowers in spring and the pink muhly grass in autumn! Relax on the wooden boardwalk by the flower fields, with the shimmering Gaoyou Lake in the distance. Capture stunning, painting-like photos with your phone🎨.

Evening: Sunset Escape Plan by the Grand Canal
17:30 Grand Canal Embankment Viewing Platform
As the setting sun paints the Grand Canal in amber hues, cargo ships glide by slowly. Capture the magical atmosphere with silhouette photos on your phone📸.

Night: Stay in the Heart of the Old Town
🏡 Accommodation Recommendation
Choose Yinlu Guesthouse on South Main Street (bookable on Trip.com). Open the window to see old gray brick walls, fall asleep to the sound of crickets, and wake up to the cooing of pigeons.

🍃 Day 2: Literary Journey: A Dialogue Between the Lake and the Former Residence

Morning: Memories of Everyday Life at Wang Zengqi's Former Residence
08:30 Wang Zengqi Memorial Hall & Former Residence
Walk through the gray brick alleys to visit the former residence of the "Master of Mundane Delights." The residence displays manuscripts and old belongings, and the small vegetable garden in the courtyard exudes a sense of everyday life, as if you can hear his descriptions of "salty duck eggs oozing oil."

Noon: Lakeside Delicacies
🍴 Lunch Recommendation
Visit Lakeside Farmhouse Restaurant to savor:
✔️ Steamed Eggs with Silverfish (smooth, fresh, and melts in your mouth)
✔️ Braised Pork with Water Chestnuts (an autumnal specialty! Soft and tender pork with sweet and glutinous water chestnuts)

Afternoon: Zhuhu Town & Wenyou Tower
14:00 Zhuhu Town
Wander into a hidden water town! White-walled and black-tiled alleys intersect, where you might encounter an old man drying fishing nets. Even the cracks in the stone slabs exude a sense of leisure.
16:00 Wenyou Tower
Climb the tower for a panoramic view of the old town. Ancient ginkgo trees and stone inscriptions create a serene atmosphere in the courtyard. Take photos with the Ming Dynasty stone bases in the corner and pretend you're in a historical drama.

Evening: Depart with a Sense of Relaxation
17:30 Return from Gaoyou Lake
On the way back, observe the shimmering lake and the flying birds, leaving your worries behind in the ripples🛶.

💡 Tips to Avoid Disappointment

❶ Time Magic: Visit Wang Zengqi's Former Residence in the morning for fewer crowds, and Wenyou Tower in the afternoon for soft lighting, perfect for photos!
❷ Transportation: Use a combination of shared e-bikes and taxis within the city. Driving is recommended for more flexibility when visiting Zhuhu Town.
❸ Outfit Inspiration: Wear a plain long dress to Wang Zengqi's Former Residence, and a casual denim jacket in Zhuhu Town.
❹ Seasonal Highlights: Visit Zhuhu Town from September to November for golden reed beds; the Lakeside Flower Sea is most stunning in spring and autumn.

📌 Double the Charm in Two Days
Old town charm, lakeside flower sea, literary residences, hidden water towns…
Gaoyou's beauty lies in every unhurried detail 🌾