Avoid the crowds! Check in at 3 National Geographic-certified real-life fairyland secret spots

Tired of the overcrowded popular tourist spots? Instead, dive deep into the mountains and waters to explore 3 lesser-known fairyland secret spots certified by National Geographic. These places are free from over-commercialization yet hide scenes straight out of "The Journey of Flower" and "Chinese Paladin." Mist swirls around ancient villages, flying eaves reflect the mountain moon, and every snapshot looks like a cinematic masterpiece.

Jinyun Xiandu: The real-life replica of Changliu Fairy Mountain

As the prototype location for Changliu Fairy Mountain in "The Journey of Flower," the fairy aura of Jinyun Xiandu is embedded in its mountain and water textures. The 37-meter-high Dinghu Peak, like the "world’s number one bamboo shoot," pierces the clouds. In the early morning, the mist at Zhutan Mountain drifts over the stone bridge, and the scene of an old farmer leading cattle looks like it stepped right out of a fairy drama. This place offers great value: a combined ticket for 100 yuan covers 6 major attractions, sightseeing buses cost only 20 yuan, and Zhutan Mountain is even free to enter.

Core activities

Be sure to arrive at Zhutan Mountain between 5:30 and 6:30 AM. At this time, mist cascades down from the top of Dinghu Peak. Stand at the middle of the stone bridge and shoot from a low angle; the reflection in the stream blends with the distant misty mountains. You can pay Mr. Zhou 20 yuan per session to assist with photography. Add a light smoke filter, and the fairy aura is instantly maximized. After climbing Dinghu Peak, you can overlook the entire Xiandu Basin. On misty days, the sea of clouds churns beneath your feet, making you feel like you’re in a sacred place for cultivation. In the afternoon, visit Xiaochibi, where the red cliffside walkway winds like a ribbon. Around 2 PM, wait for the Tyndall light effect; wearing Hanfu and walking there instantly transforms you into a fairy drama protagonist "walking on flying eaves." Don’t miss the newly popular Yandong Study Room; at 3 PM, sunlight penetrates the stone cave, and with plain-colored clothes and a wide-angle lens, you can shoot magazine-level photos.

Food, lodging, and transportation

After arriving at Jinyun West Station by high-speed rail, take the "Jinyun-Xiandu Line" bus for 2 yuan directly to the scenic area. If driving, you need to register your license plate with the homestay in advance. Parking is free at the Dinghu Village Committee. Don’t miss the "Old Hu Shaobing" outside the scenic area; their freshly baked shaobing with preserved vegetable and meat filling costs 5 yuan each, with a crispy crust. Pair it with 8 yuan of meat soup (add vinegar for a more authentic taste) and 10 yuan of Tushuang noodles for a classic local breakfast. It’s recommended to stay at Lumingxuan Homestay, a 10-minute walk to Zhutan Mountain. At about 150 yuan per person, they also offer freshly baked shaobing, allowing you to avoid crowds and enjoy the morning mist scenery.

Lishui Yunhe Terraces: A dreamy countryside in the mist

As the largest terrace group in East China, over 700 layers of terraces wind from the foot to the top of the mountain. National Geographic rated it as "the most fairy-like rural landscape." At the Jiǔqū Yunhuan viewing platform in the early morning, sunlight shines on the terraces while mist floats among the mountains. The golden water surface blends with the mist, resembling a palette spilled by a fairy. At dusk, the Qīxīngdūn viewing platform bathes the terraces in golden-red hues, full of layered textures.

Core activities

Arrive at Jiǔqū Yunhuan viewing platform before 6:30 AM to grab a front-row spot for sunrise. When mist rises from the gaps between terraces, use a telephoto lens to capture the changing light and shadow; every frame looks like an ink painting. During the day, stroll along the terrace trails to observe the curves of the ridges up close. You can also visit the ancient village of Baiyin Valley, where old stone paths and rammed earth houses let you experience the rustic charm of a farming fairyland. If you visit during the irrigation period in April-May, the terraces reflect the sky like thousands of mirrors, requiring no filters for photos. During the harvest season in September-October, the rolling waves of rice and the sea of clouds appear together, creating a deeply healing scene.

Food, lodging, and transportation

After arriving at Lishui Station by high-speed rail, transfer to a bus heading to Yunhe, then switch to a scenic area shuttle for a 2-hour ride. If driving, navigate to "Yunhe Terraces Visitor Center," where parking is convenient. Recommended food includes the homestay’s freshly made creek fish pot, featuring fresh fish from mountain streams stewed with local tofu, delicious and fragrant. The glutinous rice cake made from local glutinous rice is sweet but not greasy, a great dessert. It’s best to stay in a homestay inside the scenic area, where you can see the terraces from your window. You don’t need to rush early to catch the first sunlight, and at night you can watch the starry sky reflected in the terraces.

Guizhou Libo Xiaoqikong: The karst emerald fairyland

Once selected as one of China National Geographic’s "Top 10 Most Beautiful Forests," Libo Xiaoqikong’s fairy aura hides among emerald waters and waterfalls. The 68-level cascading waterfall looks like a shattered Milky Way, the Laya Waterfall’s mist hits your face, and the emerald green water of Wolong Pool resembles a fairy pond. The ancient seven-arch bridge entwined with vines has withstood two hundred years of wind and rain, remaining simple and elegant. Walking through it feels like entering the Water Curtain secret realm from "Journey to the West."

Core activities

Enter from the west gate and first check in at the Xiaoqikong ancient bridge. Before 9 AM, the light is soft, perfect for shooting the bridge’s reflection in the emerald water. Wearing light-colored clothes and standing by the bridge instantly turns you into a fairy drama protagonist with an ancient style. Walk along the Xiangshui River to see the 68-level cascading waterfall layer upon layer. Feel the cool mist under the Cuigu Waterfall; visiting in summer feels like natural air conditioning. In the afternoon, go to the water forest, wading through stone crevices and trees, experiencing the joy of "treading waves in search of immortals." At dusk, arrive at Wolong Pool to see the sunset gild the emerald lake, with the dam waterfall hanging like a white ribbon. Every shot is wallpaper-worthy.

Food, lodging, and transportation

After arriving at Sandu County Station by high-speed rail, transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus. Libo Airport is a 15-minute taxi ride away. Homestays around the scenic area offer great value, with rooms facing the mountains for about 150 yuan per person. Must-try dishes include tofu pudding grilled fish, tender fish paired with spicy tofu pudding, costing 35 yuan per portion with generous servings. Sour meat is a local specialty; fermented pork is tangy and delicious, paired with stir-fried wild vegetables to savor the mountain flavors.

Tips and extras

The Xiandu Temple in Jinyun Xiandu is of low sightseeing value and can be toured in five minutes, so no need to make a special trip. Buying the combined ticket and shuttle bus online one day in advance costs only 99 yuan, saving 11 yuan compared to buying on-site. The mountain roads at Yunhe Terraces are steep; wear non-slip shoes. Mist is thicker on rainy days but be cautious for safety. Libo Xiaoqikong is large; it’s best to enter before 9 AM. Buying the sightseeing bus ticket is a must to save energy. Fried rice inside the scenic area is expensive, so bring energy bars. The best seasons to visit these three secret spots are spring and autumn. Misty rainy days add to the fairy aura, allowing you to avoid crowds and immerse yourself in the tranquility and fantasy of the fairy world.