Jinzhai has endured and returned, so here are some blunt truths

🌿Jinzhai August Summer Escape Guide｜3 Days to Explore Dabie Mountains’ “Red and Green CP,” Rafting + Waterfalls + Starry Sky All Included!

Location

Jinzhai is hidden in the heart of the Dabie Mountains in Lu’an, Anhui. It’s known as the “County of Generals” and the “Longevity Village,” famous for its passionate red history (hometown of 59 founding generals) and intoxicating green scenery (the last piece of primeval forest in East China)! In August, the waterfalls here are wildest, the rafting is most thrilling, and even the air smells like mint～

🚀Three-day Exciting Itinerary

Day 1: Canyon Wonders + Starry Camping

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Morning: Rush into the Swallow River Grand Canyon (open 7:30-18:00), walk the glass suspension bridge “Feiyundu”

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Noon: Have cured meat with bamboo shoots at the scenic area restaurant; the cured meat is savory, and the bamboo shoots are crisp like chewing lightning⚡️ from the mountains.

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Afternoon: Head straight to Mazongling (free! Open 24h), hike the wooden plank trail; the primeval forest feels like the Land of Oz, every snap is a wallpaper-worthy shot📸.

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Evening: Stay at Xiaqing·Lianjing Mountain Residence, a wooden guesthouse surrounded by bamboo forest; watch the Milky Way pour down in the yard at night, so beautiful it causes insomnia🌌.

Day 2: Waterfall Trekking + Hanging Pot Feast

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Morning: Tiantangzhai (open 8:00-17:30) waterfall group trek! Jiuying Waterfall crashes down like a giant dragon, Xieyu Waterfall is misty and dreamy.

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Noon: Enjoy a hanging pot feast at the mountaintop restaurant, slow-cooked for 3 hours with charcoal fire—local chicken + wild bamboo shoots; the broth is so rich you want to soak in it.

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Afternoon: Challenge the Baima Canyon Glass Walkway, with a hundred-meter abyss beneath your feet; timid friends, hold your boyfriend (or a stranger) tight.

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Evening: Stay at Tiantangzhai Resort, open the window to see the mountains, sip a cup of Lu’an Melon Seed Tea, and pretend you’re a hermit🍵.

Day 3: Rafting Screams + Red Memories

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Morning: Dawan Rafting (open 13:00-16:00) Go for it! 10 kilometers of canyon rafting with 56 drops.

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Noon: At the rafting endpoint, eat General’s Small River Fish; the fried small fish are crispy enough to chew the bones, so fresh your eyebrows will dance💃.

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Afternoon: Visit Red Army Square (free) to pay tribute to the martyrs; see the passionate stories of 59 generals in the museum, instantly inspiring respect🇨🇳.

🌟Top 5 Must-Visit Spots

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Swallow River Glass Suspension Bridge: Suspended 200 meters in the air, walking on it feels like stepping on clouds; not for the faint-hearted!

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Tiantangzhai Waterfall Group: Largest water volume in August; photos under Jiuying Waterfall come with a fairy-tale filter🧚.

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Dawan Rafting: The pinnacle of spring water rafting in East China; the warrior section is like a “water roller coaster.”

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Mazongling: Free primeval forest; the swing-style viewing platform is perfect for photos, your social media will explode with likes.

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Hanging Pot Feast: Everything stewed in a charcoal iron pot; the ultimate combo of cured meat + local chicken + wild bamboo shoots, so fragrant you’ll want to lick the pot clean.

🏨Accommodation Recommendations

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Xiaqing·Lianjing Mountain Residence: Zen wooden house by bamboo forest and stream, woken up by birdsong in the morning, the ultimate healing spot🏡.

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Tiantangzhai Resort: Prime location in the scenic area, rooms face the mountains, hot spring foot baths relieve fatigue (real hot springs in winter)♨️.

🚌Transportation Guide

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Day 1: Jinzhai Station → taxi to Swallow River (1h) → afternoon charter to Mazongling (40min).

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Day 2: Tiantangzhai tourist shuttle bus (1.5h), hiking and shuttle bus inside the scenic area.

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Day 3: Charter to Dawan Rafting (1h) → afternoon bus back to the county town (Red Army Square is in town).

📸Photo Spots

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Mazongling wooden plank trail corner: Background of endless forest; wearing a white dress instantly turns you into a forest fairy🌲.

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Below Xieyu Waterfall at Tiantangzhai: Capture shots when the mist is thick; even your hair strands will glow✨.

🍜Food Highlights

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Hanging Pot Feast: Scoop meat from the bubbling charcoal pot; the broth mixed with rice can fill three bowls!

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Red Tofu: “Dark cuisine” of pig’s blood + smoked tofu, crispy fried to a soul-stirring aroma.

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Lingzhi Old Duck Pot: Duck meat so tender it falls off the bone; golden lingzhi oil floats on the soup surface, nourishing and intoxicating🍲.

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Guanyin Tofu: Jade jelly made from leaves, served with chili oil and garlic paste; cool and smooth like eating summer❄️.

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Chestnut Braised Chicken: September exclusive! Jinzhai chestnuts are sweet and glutinous, shining like amber after soaking up chicken oil🌰.

💰Three-day Expense List

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Accommodation: Xiaqing·Lianjing Mountain Residence (600 RMB/night) + Tiantangzhai Resort (800 RMB/night), two nights total 1400 RMB—worth it! The view from the window and sunlit bedding☀️.

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Food: Hanging pot feast about 80 RMB per person, small river fish 50 RMB, snacks 30 RMB… about 500 RMB for three days of eating and drinking, both your belly and wallet will cry (but happily)😭.

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Tickets: Tiantangzhai 128 RMB + Swallow River 80 RMB + rafting 188 RMB, about 400 RMB—willingly paid for the thrills🎢.

⚠️Tips

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Bring a change of clothes for rafting! The scenic area’s changing room hairdryer has a queue; wet hair can cause colds💨.

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The top of Tiantangzhai is windy; a light jacket is a must. Don’t be like me wearing a tank top and freezing like a quail🥶.

🙈Endurance: My slippers were washed away by the water during rafting; walking barefoot on the stones felt like disco on an acupressure board! Standing too close to the waterfall for photos, my phone lens got mist inside and took a long time to rescue📱.

💭Personal Ramblings

August in Jinzhai feels ice-chilled! The splashes from daytime rafting, the Milky Way seen from the guesthouse at night, even the charcoal fire aroma in the hanging pot carries the wild spirit of the mountains～ This place suits souls wanting to escape air conditioning and lungs craving big breaths of fresh air.

Any experts have hidden tips? Drop them in the comments, and I’ll add them next time! 🌈