Anhui Shitai: A Hidden Gem of Natural Beauty

Anhui's Shitai County is truly an underrated natural paradise hidden in the heart of southern Anhui Province. With its pristine natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage, it deserves the title of "China's Most Beautiful Original Ecological Mountain Countryside." Here are the highlights of this treasure:

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### 🌄 **Must-See Attractions**
1. **Guniujiang Mountain**
- Known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Southern Anhui," featuring the emerald Dragon Gate Pool and the magnificent Four-Tier Waterfall. With over 98% forest coverage, it's a rare natural oxygen bar in East China.
- **Activities**: Hiking along ancient Huizhou trails, stream trekking, photography spots (best visited in autumn when the forests display vibrant colors).

2. **Xianyushan Mountain**
- The main peak rises high above sea level, often shrouded in clouds and mist, hiding the geological wonder "Seven-Colored Jade Valley" (a canyon with rock formations displaying red, yellow, blue and other colorful patterns).
- **Hidden experience**: Visit the thousand-year-old Hui-style village—Dashan Village, known as the "Longevity Village" due to its selenium-rich soil and water.

3. **Qiupu River**
- The famous Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai visited five times and composed "Seventeen Songs of Qiupu." Visitors can enjoy bamboo rafting (gentle waters suitable for families) and traditional fishing lantern performances in riverside villages.

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### 🍵 **Unique Experiences**
- **Tea in the Mist**: Shitai is "China's Hometown of Selenium-Rich Tea." Recommended experience: tea picking and processing in Jitan Township's tea gardens, especially magical during the misty days around early April.
- **Slow Village Retreat**: Stay in renovated ancient residences in the Mancun area, where you can participate in farming activities and traditional tofu-making.
- **Penglai Fairy Cave**: A karst cave featuring "landscape paintings on stone" and "gauze curtain" stalactites that create an underground art palace.

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### 🚗 **Practical Tips**
- **Transportation**:
Take high-speed train to Chizhou Station, then drive for hours (recommended) or take the Shitai special bus. As scenic spots are scattered throughout the mountains, hiring a car is advised.
- **Accommodation**:
Julong Hotel inside Guniujiang Scenic Area (rooms with mountain views), or the rustic tent campsite along Qiupu River.
- **Food**:
Must-try dishes include "Shitai Special Pot" (layered with preserved meat, wild bamboo shoots, and tofu), Qiupu small river fish, and selenium-rich free-range chicken soup.
- **Best Seasons**:
April (azalea blooms + tea picking season), October (red leaves and sea of clouds). If visiting in summer for cooler temperatures, bring mosquito repellent.

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### 💡 **Travel Tips**
- Shitai is often rainy and misty; bring waterproof gear and non-slip shoes. Some mountain roads are narrow, so inexperienced drivers should be cautious.
- Combo tickets are more economical: Book Guniujiang + Xianyushan + Penglai Fairy Cave package tickets in advance on major platforms for discounts.

This area is free from excessive commercialization, offering a pure blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage—perfect for travelers seeking a "slow travel" experience. If time permits, consider extending your trip to nearby Pingtianlake in Chizhou or Mount Jiuhua for a complete southern Anhui healing journey.