Exquisite Jiangnan Towns and Tranquil Mountain Villages - The Perfect Holiday Choice This Summer

Exquisite Jiangnan Towns and Tranquil Mountain Villages - The Perfect Holiday Choice This Summer

I adore the refinement of Jiangnan water towns and the serene natural beauty of mountain villages. Nianhua Bay and Wujiangzhai are perfect examples, and I visited both this summer vacation.

Nianhua Bay: A Zen-inspired Resort Town by Lake Tai
Located on the shores of Lake Tai in Wuxi, Nianhua Bay is a Tang Dynasty-style resort town centered around "Zen culture," integrating architecture, landscapes, and experiences to create a Zen lifestyle. Key attractions include the Vanilla Flower Sea, Nianhua Pagoda, and Fragrant Moon Flower Street, where visitors can participate in activities like scripture copying, tea ceremonies, and meditation to immerse themselves in Zen living.
Iconic Landmark – Nianhua Pagoda
The 48-meter-tall Nianhua Pagoda, a Tang-style wooden Buddhist pagoda with upturned eaves, embodies the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty. Climbing the pagoda offers panoramic views of Lake Tai's wetlands, and the nighttime light show is particularly breathtaking.
Nighttime Highlight – "Zen Journey" Live Performance
As dusk falls, the town transforms into a Zen-inspired stage: 3,000 lights outline the architecture, water screen films narrate Buddhist tales, drones form patterns of lotuses and Buddha hands, and the dynamic light show "Flower Blossom Reveals Buddha" at Nianhua Pagoda culminates the nightscape.
Unique Experiences
Visitors can quietly copy scriptures, savor Zen tea, stay in Zen-themed inns, or join the "One-Day Zen" program to experience morning bells, evening drums, and monastic meals.
Nianhua Bay leads nighttime culture and innovation, making it the premier Zen retreat in the Yangtze River Delta.

Wujiangzhai: A Mountainous Heritage Ancient Town
Nestled in the mountains of Zunyi, Guizhou, this ethnic minority town blends Miao and Tujia intangible cultural heritage (e.g., Nuo opera, bamboo drifting, Miao embroidery). Visitors can engage in hands-on crafts, long-table feasts, and ethnic costume interactions for an immersive experience. Wujiangzhai leverages its unique cultural themes to stand out.
Nightscapes feature illuminated architecture, water dance shows, and drone performances, creating a mystical ambiance. Emphasizing ecological preservation and cultural heritage, Wujiangzhai offers homestays and creative markets, shifting toward "immersive leisure vacations." Supported by rural revitalization policies, it has become a regional cultural tourism model, fostering integration of tourism and local development.
Highlights:
Wujiangzhai's stilted houses are living fossils of northern Guizhou's ethnic architecture. These wooden structures cascade along mountain streams, forming a unique "three-dimensional village" landscape.

Wujiangzhai's stilted homestays, built by the water, feature traditional semi-dry-column styles with ethnic motifs, surrounded by murmuring springs and tranquil, idyllic scenery.
Three Themed Inns, Each with Distinct Charm:
Wangdao Inn: Inspired by "Peach Blossom Spring," it combines modern design with ethnic dyeing techniques, offering artistic details like wall decor and pillows, perfect for photos.
Lusheng Inn: Embraces a "granary style," recreating a rustic, leisurely farmhouse vibe.
Banyueju Inn: Some rooms overlook the ancient village, with nighttime views of drone shows and water performances.
Transport Guide:
1. Self-drive: Most convenient.
2. High-speed rail to "Zunyi South Station" + taxi/shuttle.
3. Fly to Guiyang Longdongbao Airport + high-speed rail.