Three-Day Tour of Taizhou

City of Mountains and Sea · Origin of Buddhism and Taoism
— Explore "Mountain and Sea Taizhou," check in at Shenxianju, Guoqing Temple, and the Colorful Xiaoruocun Village

📅 Itinerary Overview

Theme: Natural Wonders + Cultural Ancient Temples + Fishing Village Charm
Suitable for: Families/Couples/Photography Enthusiasts
Transportation Suggestion: Self-driving (scattered attractions) or take high-speed rail to Taizhou Station/Linhai Station and then rent a car

🗓️ Day 1: Linhai Ancient City · Ziyang Ancient Street + Jiangnan Great Wall
📍 Morning: Ziyang Ancient Street

Highlights: Ancient street, Tang and Song dynasty style, Taizhou local delicacies
Activities:

Stroll along the bluestone pavement, check in at the former site of the People's Bank of China (Republic of China architecture).
Taste all the street snacks: seaweed cake (Wang Tianshun), egg white lamb tail, wheat shrimp (recommended "Baita Bridge Restaurant").
Climb Qianfo Well, touch the thousand Buddha statues on the well wall to pray for blessings.

Tips: The ancient street is free; it is recommended to arrive before 8 AM to avoid crowds.

📍 Afternoon: Taizhou City Wall (Jiangnan Great Wall)

Highlights: The northern Great Wall "blueprint," Qi Jiguang's anti-Japanese pirate site
Activities:

Enter the city wall from Xingshan Gate, hike to Lansheng Gate (about 2 hours), overlooking Ling River and the ancient city.
Key check-in spots: Gujing Tower (best photography spot), Plum Garden (flower viewing in spring).

Entrance Fee: ¥60, recommended to wear sports shoes.

📍 Evening: Linghu Park

Highlights: Taizhou's "Little West Lake," sunset glow
Activities: Rent a bike to circle the lake or take a boat to enjoy the night view.
Accommodation: Recommended to stay in Linhai city center (recommended "Yufengli" guesthouse, near Ziyang Street).

🗓️ Day 2: Tiantai Mountain · Guoqing Temple + Shiliang Waterfall
📍 Morning: Guoqing Temple

Travel time: Linhai → Tiantai Mountain about 1 hour
Highlights: Sui Dynasty ancient temple, birthplace of Tiantai Buddhism, free 5A scenic spot
Activities:

Worship the Sui Mei (1400-year-old ancient tree) and Sui Pagoda, feel the millennium Zen atmosphere.
Drink Tiantai cloud mist tea in the temple tea room, listen to monks chanting sutras.
Walk to Tiantai Mountain Museum (free) to learn about Tiantai Buddhism culture.

📍 Afternoon: Shiliang Waterfall

Highlights: Natural stone bridge and waterfall wonder, the opening site of "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes"
Activities:

Hike the forest plank road (about 1.5 hours), watch the waterfall cascading down the granite stone bridge.
Visit Fangguang Temple (site of 500 Arhats) along the way.

Entrance Fee: ¥60, the waterfall is more spectacular after rain.
Accommodation: Stay at Tiantai Mountain guesthouses (recommended "Lujing Tiantai" or "Tahou Village").

🗓️ Day 3: Wenling Shitang · Colorful Xiaoruocun Village + Couple Ring Viewing Platform
📍 All day: Shitang Peninsula

Travel time: Tiantai Mountain → Shitang about 2 hours
Highlights: China's version of the "Cinque Terre," East China Sea lookout point
Activities:

Colorful Xiaoruocun Village: Check in at the macaron-colored houses, take island-style photos on the "Duo Coffee" terrace.
Couple Ring Viewing Platform: Climb to the top for a 270° sea view (recommended at dusk).
Coastal Greenway: Hike or take an electric cart (¥30), watch fishing boats and reefs along the way.

Tips: Must try Shitang seafood (recommended "Xin Chu Ji" seafood chicken noodles).

📍 Evening: Return trip

Souvenirs: Linhai seaweed cake, Tiantai Mountain cloud mist tea, Wenling embedded cake.

🍜 Food Recommendations

Must-eat:

Linhai: Wheat shrimp, fermented soup, ginger soup noodles.
Tiantai: Dumpling pancake rolls, hulatai.
Wenling: Embedded cake, mountain tapioca balls, eel soup.

Restaurants: Linhai "Xinrongji" (Michelin), Tiantai "Tudao Tou," Shitang "Shitang Renjia."

⚠️ Notes

Shenxianju Scenic Area (optional) requires advance reservation; Nantianmen cable car often has queues.
Shitang Peninsula has many slopes; wear comfortable shoes; sun protection in summer, wind protection in winter.
Taizhou dialect is complex; ask young people first when asking for directions.

📸 Taizhou, a city blessed by mountains and sea, from ancient Buddhist temples to rainbow fishing villages, there is always one that suits you!