Zhao Liying's strongly recommended small town is actually a must-visit place according to National Geographic

**1. Overview of the Scenic Area**
Xiandu in Jinyun County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, centers around **Dinghu Peak**. It combines unique peaks, beautiful waters, pastoral scenery, and Taoist culture. It has been a filming location for TV dramas like "The Journey of Flower" and "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," and is praised as "the elegance of Guilin, the wonder of Huangshan, and the danger of Huashan."

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**2. Must-Visit Attractions & Activities**
**1. Dinghu Peak (Core Landmark)**
- **Features**: Standing 170.8 meters tall, it is the world's tallest single stone pillar, shaped like a spring bamboo shoot piercing the clouds, symbolizing Xiandu.
- **Activities**:
- **Photo in front of Dinghu Peak**: Best spot is a low-angle panoramic shot (recommended during soft light at dawn or dusk).
- **Boat tour on Dinghu Lake**: Take a rowboat to experience the fairyland reflected in the water near the peak (ticket about 50 RMB/person).
- **Huangdi Shrine**: Climb to learn about the legendary Yellow Emperor, the cultural ancestor of China (ticket included).

**2. Zhutan Mountain (Famous Bridge)**
- **Features**: The most photogenic "Xianxia Bridge" in Xiandu, a stone slab bridge spanning Hao Creek with Dinghu Peak behind, often called a "natural photo studio."
- **Activities**:
- **Morning mist photography**: From 6:30 to 8:00, farmers often lead cattle across the bridge (paid photo opportunity about 50 RMB/time).
- **Time-lapse photography**: The bridge, flowing water, and peaks create a dynamic ink painting.

**3. Niweng Cave (Cliff Inscriptions)**
- **Features**: A natural cave with inscriptions by literati since the Tang and Song dynasties, a must-see for calligraphy lovers.
- **Activities**: Explore the cave and find famous inscriptions (such as poems by Li Bai and Bai Juyi).

**4. Little Red Cliff (Danxia Landform)**
- **Features**: Red cliffs and steep walls resembling flames, perfect for hiking.
- **Activities**: Walk along the plank road, overlook Hao Creek Gorge, especially stunning at sunset.

**5. Furong Gorge (Martial Arts Style Secret Realm)**
- **Features**: A deep gorge, filming location for the "Heartless Palace" in "The Journey of Flower," ideal for adventure lovers.
- **Activities**: Hike through the gorge and experience the "One Line Sky" phenomenon.

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**3. Transportation Guide**
**1. How to Get to Xiandu, Jinyun?**
- **By Plane**: The nearest airports are **Wenzhou Longwan Airport** (about 2 hours by car) or **Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport** (about 3 hours by car), then transfer by high-speed train or bus to Jinyun.
- **By High-Speed Rail**:
- **Jinyun West Station** (most convenient): Direct high-speed trains from Hangzhou/Shanghai take about 1.5-2.5 hours; taxi from the station to the scenic area takes about 15 minutes (around 30 RMB).
- **Lishui Station**: Transfer to bus or carpool to Xiandu (bus about 1 hour, ticket 15 RMB).
- **By Car**: Navigate to "Jinyun Xiandu Scenic Area Visitor Center," about 3 hours from Hangzhou, 4.5 hours from Shanghai.

**2. Transportation Within the Scenic Area**
- Attractions are spread out; car rental (about 200-300 RMB/day) or taxis (10-20 RMB one way) are recommended.
- Some spots are reachable on foot (e.g., Dinghu Peak to Zhutan Mountain about 15 minutes).

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**4. Ticket Information (Latest for 2025)**
- **Xiandu Scenic Area Combo Ticket** (includes Dinghu Peak, Zhutan Mountain, Niweng Cave, Little Red Cliff, Furong Gorge, and other main attractions):
- **Adult Ticket**: 90 RMB/person (valid for 48 hours).
- **Discount Ticket**: Half price for students/seniors (45 RMB), free for children under 1.2 meters.
- **Boat Ticket** (Dinghu Peak boat tour): 50 RMB/person (optional).
- **Huangdi Shrine**: Included in the combo ticket.

> **Tips**: The combo ticket offers the best value; plan 1-2 days for visiting.

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**5. Food Recommendations (Jinyun Specialties)**
**1. Must-Try Foods**
- **Jinyun Shaobing (Baked Flatbread)** (a must!): Made with preserved vegetables and pork belly, crispy and flaky, available inside and outside the scenic area, recommended "Ding Ji Shaobing."
- **Tushuang Noodles**: Local handmade noodles served with chicken soup or mushrooms.
- **Jinyun Spicy Duck**: Braised or stewed, tender meat.
- **Qiao Meat Soup**: Meat slices pounded then cooked into soup, chewy texture.

**2. Recommended Restaurants**
- **Xuanyuan Grand Restaurant** (popular with locals, authentic shaobing and spicy duck).
- **Xiandu Farmhouse Restaurant** (around the scenic area, recommended to try "wood-fired stove" farmhouse dishes).

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**6. Itinerary Suggestions (Classic 1-2 Day Plans)**
**📅 One-Day Tight Schedule**
- **Morning**: Dinghu Peak (photo) → Huangdi Shrine → Boat tour on Dinghu Lake.
- **Noon**: Lunch at a farmhouse restaurant near the scenic area (recommended shaobing + spicy duck).
- **Afternoon**: Zhutan Mountain (famous bridge) → Niweng Cave (inscriptions) → Little Red Cliff (Danxia hiking).
- **Evening**: Return or stay in Jinyun County town.

**📅 Two-Day In-Depth Tour**
- **Day 1**: Dinghu Peak → Zhutan Mountain (morning mist photography) → Huangdi Shrine → Stay in Xiandu or Jinyun County town.
- **Day 2**: Little Red Cliff → Furong Gorge (martial arts style hiking) → Niweng Cave → Return.

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**7. Accommodation Recommendations**
- **High-End**: Jinyun Xiandu Radisson Manor (near the scenic area, good environment).
- **Cost-Effective**: Xiandu Farmhouse (100-200 RMB/night, experience rural life).
- **County Town**: Jinyun Xiangyi Grand Hotel (convenient transportation, suitable for next day departure).