Super Detailed Travel Guide to Moon Bay Scenic Area

🎈Moon Bay is a national AAA-level tourist attraction located in Caicun Town, Jing County, Anhui Province. It includes Moon Bay Village, Caicun, Xiaokang Village, and other rural areas. The region features a North Subtropical Monsoon Humid Climate, characterized by mild weather and abundant rainfall.

Preparation
Documents: Bring your ID card, student ID (if applicable), and other necessary documents to enjoy potential ticket discounts.
Clothing: For summer visits, which often involve water activities, prepare quick-drying swimsuits and an extra set of clothes to change into to avoid catching a chill. A long-sleeve jacket is recommended for cooler mornings and evenings. Wear comfortable, non-slip water shoes or sandals for walking in water.
Essentials: High-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat to prevent sunburn. Waterproof bags to protect electronic devices like phones and cameras. A power bank to ensure your devices stay charged. Bring water guns, swim rings, and other water play tools for added fun.
Health Items: Prepare iodine swabs, band-aids, Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid (for heatstroke prevention), and insect repellent to guard against injuries, heatstroke, and insect bites.
Other: Carry a small amount of cash as some areas may have poor signal reception, making electronic payments inconvenient.

Scenic Area Overview
The area boasts picturesque mountains and rivers, with layers of lush peaks stretching for miles. Moon Bay gets its name from a river formed by dozens of small streams that meander through the mountains, resembling a crescent moon when viewed from above. The scenic area has been a filming location for many classic movies, including "The Laughter of Moon Bay," "The Storm of Moon Bay," "Red Memories," and "Crossing the River Reconnaissance."

Transportation Guide
By Car: Navigate to "Jing County Moon Bay Scenic Area." It takes about 3 hours from Nanjing or Hangzhou and about 4 hours from Shanghai. Note that parking spaces in the scenic area are limited, but you can park at local farmhouses for 10 RMB/day. The road conditions are generally good, but some sections have sharp turns, so drive cautiously.
By High-Speed Rail: Arrive at Jing County Station and transfer to a local tourist bus to the scenic area. Bus schedules are limited, so check departure times and routes in advance.
By Public Transport: After reaching Jing County in Xuancheng City, transfer to a bus heading to Caicun Town and get off at Moon Bay. However, bus schedules may be irregular, so confirm details before your trip.

Ticket Information
Admission to the scenic area is free, but some activities inside require separate fees.

Must-Try Activities
Bamboo Rafting:
Price: 60 RMB/person to 130 RMB/person (varies by operator)
Duration: About 1-2 hours
Experience: A 6km-long rafting route with gentle water flow, suitable for all ages. Drift along while surrounded by lush bamboo, creating a picturesque scene perfect for photos.

Off-Road Stream Trekking:
Price: Around 150 RMB/hour (varies by vehicle type and package)
Location: Moon Bay Off-Road Base
Experience: Drive an off-road vehicle through streams, riverbanks, and forests. It's thrilling and challenging, so bring a change of clothes.

Fish Scale Dam Water Play:
Price: Free
Best Time: Around 7 AM for fewer crowds and better lighting
Experience: A natural water park with clear streams. Walking barefoot in the water is incredibly soothing. Kids can enjoy water gun fights and fishing for small fish here.

Aerial Adventures:
Paragliding: Soar 480m above a sea of bamboo. Prices range in the hundreds of RMB and require advance booking.
Helicopter Rides: Enjoy a bird's-eye view of winding mountain roads. Prices are relatively high and also require advance booking.

Family Activities:
Pet Interaction: Some farmhouses have petting zoos where you can interact with animals.
Riverbank Treasure Hunt: Search for beautiful stones along the riverbank.
Camping and Barbecues: Places like Bichon Manor in Zhao Village are ideal for family relaxation.

Accommodation Options
Jing County Tianle Mountain Villa: Surrounded by bamboo forests with smart amenities.
Yue Shan Ting
Xianlai Bixi Homestay

Food Recommendations
Yuehewan Inn: Known for its signature Huizhou Stinky Mandarin Fish, which is tender and flavorful.
Laohu Home-Style Restaurant: Famous for its stir-fried shrimp, which is fresh and savory.
Zhang's Specialty 205 Noodle Shop: Try the pork belly noodles, featuring chewy noodles and tender pork belly.
You Qian You Xian Restaurant: Their sour radish old duck soup is rich and delicious, with tender duck meat.

Nearby Attractions
Chitan Ancient Town: About a 20-minute drive. Explore ancient streets and immerse yourself in rich historical culture.
Zhaji Ancient Village: About a 40-minute drive. Admire well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture.
Peach Blossom Pool Scenic Area: About a 30-minute drive. Enjoy the famous "Peach Blossom Pool Water Deep a Thousand Feet" scenery.

Tips to Avoid Pitfalls
Best Time to Visit: June to September is ideal for water activities due to abundant water flow. However, this period sees more tourists, so try to avoid weekends and holidays.
Essential Items: Besides the items mentioned earlier, note that rafting is weather-dependent. Confirm with the scenic area in advance whether activities are operational.
Safety: Be cautious during water activities. Avoid deep or dangerous areas. Children should always be accompanied by adults and equipped with safety gear like swim rings.