Jiangsu folks are truly obsessed with Zhejiang's landscapes! We set off from Nantong at 8 AM on Saturday and drove all the way to Tonglu (a county under Hangzhou's jurisdiction).

Tonglu has been named "China's Most Beautiful Town" by National Geographic, and it absolutely lives up to its reputation!

Day 1: We drove straight to "Huxiao Gorge Rafting" upon arrival. Saturday was packed - from ticket exchange to boarding the raft took at least 2 hours. Regular tickets cost 160 yuan (with waiting), while VIP tickets (+160 yuan/person) allow queue skipping.
Accommodation: Downtown Tonglu hotel
Dinner: Sister Hong Hotpot downtown (convenient parking in the square - remember to input license plate when leaving)

Day 2: Daqishan National Forest Park (dubbed "Little Jiuzhaigou of Jiangnan") is very close to downtown. Arrive by 9 AM to avoid afternoon crowds and parking congestion.
With kids, the full tour takes about 4.5 hours (we had affordable lunch at the exit - the steamed white fish was delicious and my daughter loved it!)
Departed for home around 2:30 PM.

This relaxed itinerary is perfect for family vacations.

TIPS:
1. Bring children's raincoats for rafting - staying over an hour in water gets chilly (my girl's lips turned purple because I forgot hers!). Lockers at reception are spacious for storage. (Note: Children under 1.3m aren't allowed - it's somewhat thrilling and risky.)

2. Skip the toboggan at Daqishan - the downhill walk takes just 6 minutes on gentle paths, while waiting for the ride takes 20+ minutes (we saw a husband waiting endlessly for his wife - hilarious!)

3. If staying downtown, try Tonglu's breakfast (far better than hotel fare)! Fried dumplings, buns, sesame balls, and savory soups are all delicious.

Post by NoahO Donnell36 | Jul 28, 2025