Guoqing Temple, a Thousand-Year-Old Ancient Temple Check-in

🌿Tiantai County｜A hidden gem healed by history and landscapes, highly recommended for anyone wanting to escape the hustle and bustle!🌿

Here, there are no cookie-cutter commercialized attractions, only the morning bells and evening drums of a thousand-year-old temple, the roar of waterfalls, the tranquility of ancient villages, and the simple pleasure of a bowl of wheat cake satisfying your appetite. Spend two days and one night exploring this underestimated "cultural pearl" of eastern Zhejiang.

🚄 Transportation Guide

• High-speed rail: Direct to "Tiantaishan Station," then take a taxi to the county or attractions (about 15-30 RMB).

• Tourist shuttle: There are frequent tourist shuttles between main attractions like Guoqing Temple, Tongbai Palace, and Tiantai Mountain Waterfall.

• Self-driving: About 3 hours from Hangzhou/Shanghai, convenient parking at attractions (Guoqing Temple 10 RMB/visit, Waterfall 15 RMB/visit).

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations

• County chain hotels: Such as All Seasons, Hanting, cost-effective and within walking distance to night markets and restaurants.

• Characteristic homestays: Houshan Village "Hanshanju Homestay" (mountain view rooms, breakfast included, about 150 RMB per person); near Guoqing Temple "Lujing Tiantai" (Zen-inspired design, close to attractions).

🍜 Food Map (20-60 RMB per person)

1. Juyuanfang Specialty Snacks: Must-try wheat cake! Crispy outside, fillings include preserved vegetables or shredded potatoes, served with a bowl of tofu pudding, 8 RMB fills you up.

2. Yimianzhiyuan: Mixed noodles with chili sauce, chewy noodles, 10 RMB/bowl, a local hidden gem.

3. Chongqing Flavor Paper-Grilled Fish: Freshly killed live fish, spicy or garlic flavors, served with potato slices and rice cakes, about 50 RMB per person to eat until full.

4. Farmhouse Flavor (Tiantai Mountain Branch): Fresh chicken soup that’s incredibly tasty, about 60 RMB per person, reservation required.

📅 Two Days One Night Itinerary｜Double Immersion in History and Nature

🌅 Day 1: Zen, Taoist Charm, and Roaring Waterfalls

• 08:00-10:00 Guoqing Temple (Free)

• 🌟 Highlights: A Sui Dynasty ancient temple, founded by the wise master who established the Tiantai Sect, known alongside Jinan Lingyan Temple as one of "China’s Four Outstanding Temples."

• 📸 Check-in spots: Thousand-year-old Sui pagoda, Qianlong bronze censer, Wang Xizhi’s “Goose” character stele, Fenggan Bridge (arrive before 6 AM for the morning cattle grazing scene).

• 💡 Tips: Wear long pants to prevent midge bites; incense prices inside the temple are the same as outside, no need to bring your own.

• 10:30-12:00 Tongbai Palace (Free)

• 🌟 Highlights: The southern ancestral hall of Taoism, Song Dynasty architecture, watch Taoist priests chanting and practicing, as if stepping into the filming location of "Tiantai Mountain."

• 🚶 Route: Lingguan Hall → Zhenwu Hall → Ziyang Hall, experience Taoist culture along the central axis.

• 12:30-14:00 Lunch (County restaurants)

• Recommended: Juyuanfang wheat cake + tofu pudding, or farmhouse-style chicken soup.

• 14:30-17:30 Tiantai Mountain Waterfall (80 RMB)

• 🌟 Highlights: China’s tallest waterfall (325 meters drop), nine-tier waterfall water experience, glass suspension bridge and scenic elevator for thrilling views and great photos.

• 📸 Photo spots: Pool below the waterfall (wear a raincoat), mountaintop plank road overlooking the panorama.

• 💡 Tips: Wear non-slip shoes, heavy mist from the waterfall, use waterproof phone case.

🌄 Day 2: Ancient Temple Secrets and a Hidden Paradise

• 08:30-10:00 Mingyan Ancient Temple (5 RMB)

• 🌟 Highlights: Sui Dynasty ancient temple surrounded by cliffs on three sides, visited by Li Bai and Xu Xiake, peaceful like a paradise.

• 📸 Check-in spots: Ancient temple stone steps, “One Line Sky” view under the cliff.

• 10:30-12:00 Houshan Village (Free)

• 🌟 Highlights: Ancient village surrounded by mountains and water, beautiful peach blossom season (March-April), offers fishing and picking experiences.

• 🍃 Activities: Stroll the Hanshan Shide Trail or relax in a teahouse.

• 12:30-14:00 Lunch (Houshan Village farmhouse)

• Recommended: Earth stove rice, creek fish, about 40 RMB per person.

💌 Real Experience

“The Sui pagoda at Guoqing Temple glows with ancient charm in the morning light, cattle slowly cross Fenggan Bridge, as if time stands still. The chanting of Taoist priests at Tongbai Palace echoes through the valley, the mist from the waterfall cools your face instantly. The creek water in Houshan Village is crystal clear, children catch small shrimp on the stone beach, adults sit under the shade drinking tea—this is what travel should be like!”

📌 Practical Tips

1. Tickets: Guoqing Temple, Tongbai Palace, Houshan Village are free; Waterfall 80 RMB; Mingyan Ancient Temple 5 RMB.

2. Clothing: Comfortable sports shoes are a must; windproof jackets recommended for Guoqing Temple and Waterfall (cool near the waterfall).

3. Timing: Best in spring and autumn, summer for cooling off, winter fewer people but some mountain roads may be icy.

4. Hidden activities: Guoqing Temple offers sutra copying experience by appointment; Tongbai Palace has Taoist culture lectures (advance contact needed).