How to explore Xiandu Scenic Area for first-time visitors

1️⃣ Preparation

✅ Documents: Bring your ID card 🪪, student ID, senior citizen card, and other relevant documents for ticket discounts and identity verification.

✅ Clothing: Dress according to the season. Wear light and breathable clothing in summer and bring sunscreen. In winter, dress warmly with thick coats 🧥, scarves 🧣, and other warm clothing.

✅ Other items: Wear comfortable sneakers or flat shoes for walking. You can also bring an umbrella ☂️ or raincoat, a portable charger, and a camera 📷.

2️⃣ Transportation

✅ External transportation: Take the high-speed train 🚄 to Jinyun West Station. There is a direct shuttle bus to the scenic area outside the station. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs CNY 1.5. The first and last buses depart at 7:00 am and 4:20 pm, respectively. A taxi ride costs around CNY 20–30. If you are driving 🚗, navigate to the Xiandu Scenic Area Tourist Service Center (West Entrance). Free 🆓 parking 🅿️ is available in the scenic area.
✅ Internal transportation: There are sightseeing buses within the scenic area. Tickets cost CNY 20 per person, and you can transfer between different attractions.

3️⃣ Attractions

📍 Zhutan Mountain: This is a filming 🎬 location for TV series such as Chinese Paladin, and where the famous photo of an old man leading an ox was taken. On weekends, there are old man and ox performances from 9:30–11:00 am and 2:30–4:00 pm, each lasting half an hour.
📍 Dinghufeng Peak: The core attraction of Xiandu, known as the "No. 1 Peak Under Heaven" and the "No. 1 Bamboo Shoot Under Heaven". Legend has it that the Yellow Emperor once refined pills and ascended to heaven here. The Yellow Emperor Temple within the scenic area is an important place for worship.
📍 Niweng Cave: Composed of caves of various sizes, it features cliff carvings from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The nearby Dufeng Academy is a memorial site where Zhu Xi gave lectures.
📍 Little Red Cliff: Named after a cliff by the stream, the cliff face glows like a burning fire at sunset, resembling the Red Cliffs. It is a very pleasant sight. The cliffside walkway is a filming location for the TV series Joy of Life.
📍 Yandang Study: Transformed from a quarry cave, it is known as the "Little Dunhuang of Zhejiang". It is a great photo 📷 spot when the sun shines through.

4️⃣ Recommended routes

✅ One-day tour: Zhutan Mountain (watch the old man and ox performance) → Dinghufeng Peak (visit the Yellow Emperor Temple) → Niweng Cave (explore the cliff carvings and Dufeng Academy) → Little Red Cliff (enjoy the sunset 🌇 view).

✅ Two-day tour: Day 1: Zhutan Mountain → Dinghufeng Peak → Niweng Cave → Caveman Nature Camp; Day 2: Yandang Study → Xiandu Temple → Little Red Cliff.

5️⃣ Food recommendations 👍

✅ Jinyun baked cake 🫓: A local specialty filled with preserved vegetables and meat. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
✅ Jinyun ma duck: Tender duck meat that can be braised, stewed in soup, and more.
✅ Haoxi wild fish: Delicious fish that can be prepared in various ways, such as braising or steaming.

6️⃣ Accommodation options

✅ Luxury: Jinyun Jinjiang International Hotel, Jinyun Baoting Hotel, Jinyun Chenshun New Century Grand Hotel 🏨
✅ Resort farm stay: Jinyun Jin Yun Li She Luxury Homestay
✅ Upscale: Jinyun Zhongwei Xiangyi Hotel 🏨