18°C Summer Escape Secrets! 4 Off-the-Beaten-Path Cool Spots Just 1.5 Hours from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai!

1⃣ Tonglu

🏞️ A poetic landscape by the Fuchun River, the ultimate summer cool spot!

Transportation: Hangzhou East High-Speed Rail to Tonglu Station (25 minutes), 1.5 hours by car with stunning Fuchun River scenery along the way.

Accommodation: "Dale Zhi Ye · Tonglu" mountain view room with private hot spring (800+/night), or "Caotu" artsy guesthouse (500+/night).

Activities: Boat tour at Yanziling Fishing Platform on Fuchun River (ticket 125 RMB), hiking to Baiyunyuan Waterfall (free), She ethnic village bamboo weaving DIY experience.

Food: Tonglu fertile tofu and fermented rice buns at "Yiwei Dayuan"; enjoy iced coffee with river views at "Capsule Bookstore"~

2⃣ Yixing

🎋 Bamboo sea + caves + purple clay teapots, underrated but super fun!

Transportation: Shanghai Hongqiao High-Speed Rail to Yixing Station (1.5 hours), then 20 minutes by taxi to the scenic area.

Accommodation: "Longyin Xishan" Zen villa (1000+/night), or "Shangchuan Yishe" bamboo forest guesthouse (600+/night).

Activities: Explore Zhanggongdong underground river (ticket 110 RMB), cable car over Bamboo Sea Park for green waves view (80 RMB), purple clay teapot making on Shushan Ancient South Street (experience price 150 RMB).

Food: Shrimp wontons at "Zhou Zhen Wonton," black rice with osmanthus sugar at "Yixing Jiuyue"~

3⃣ Tiantai

⛰️ Starting point of "Xu Xiake’s Travels"! Waterfalls + Zen trip to Guoqing Temple

Transportation: Hangzhou East High-Speed Rail to Tiantaishan Station (1 hour), car rental recommended (Shiliang Flying Waterfall mountain road is stunning).

Accommodation: "Lujing Tiantai" Zen retreat room (700+/night), or "Fenglai Banshan" starry bubble house (500+/night).

Activities: Rainbow at Shiliang Flying Waterfall (ticket 60 RMB), 2 RMB vegetarian meal at Guoqing Temple, Qiongtai Fairy Valley glass walkway (88 RMB).

Food: Dumplings and pancakes at "Yu Qing Zhai," Hulatay; countryside-style café "Sanmu Yushi" for creamy photo ops!

4⃣ Shengsi (Popular but with niche experiences)

🌊 No need to squeeze into Gouqi Island! This lesser-known island is less crowded and more magical~

Transportation: Shanghai Nanpu Bridge combined bus and ferry ticket to Shengsi Main Island (2.5 hours), book tickets 3 days in advance.

Accommodation: "Jijing" small white building guesthouse (sea view from window 600+/night), or "Shancheng Xiaoshu" cliffside pool villa (900+/night).

Activities: Sunrise at Liujingtan Lighthouse (ticket 90 RMB), cycling on Left Bank Road (bike rental 30 RMB/hour), painting murals in East Sea fishing village.

Food: Seafood noodle dumplings at "Teacher Hou’s Shop," scallions and razor clams with ice-cold beer at "Shanban Seafood"!