Shuimo Ancient Town Family Travel Guide｜Take Your Kids to Travel Through the Century-Old Tea Horse Road

Wow, just got back from Shuimo Ancient Town and can't wait to share this super detailed family travel guide with you all! This time I took my 5-year-old for a three-day, two-night trip, and it completely changed my stereotypical impression of ancient town tours! Turns out ancient towns can be so much fun and so perfect for families with kids! No more talking, let's get to the good stuff! 📝

🚗 Transportation and Accommodation

We drove from Chengdu, about a 1.5-hour drive with great road conditions. Strongly recommend staying overnight! We chose the "Century-old Tea Post" guesthouse inside the ancient town. The owner was super nice, and there was a swing and a small tea table in the yard that the kid loved. The town is especially quiet at night, with the sound of flowing water—you get a perfect night's sleep! 💤

🎯 Family Activities Revealed

Tea Horse Road Experience: Be sure to take your kids to walk on the bluestone paths and tell them stories about the ancient horse caravans. My kid’s eyes got wide looking at the horse hoof prints—super immersive!

Traditional Oil Pressing Experience: There’s an old oil mill in the town where kids can see how rapeseeds turn into fragrant rapeseed oil and even participate hands-on. It’s very educational.

Family Photography: Rent a small Hanfu outfit for your kid and take photos on the ancient streets—every shot looks like a masterpiece! The background is so atmospheric.

🍜 Food Recommendations

The tofu feast in the ancient town is a must! You have to try the "Stone Mill Tofu Pudding"—it’s fragrant, sweet, and silky smooth. My kid could eat a small bowl all by themselves. Also, the local cured meat and bamboo shoots are all natural flavors, so the baby can eat with peace of mind.

💡 Thoughtful Tips

The bluestone paths in the town can be slippery, so remember to have your kids wear non-slip shoes.

There’s a big temperature difference between morning and evening, so be sure to bring a jacket.

Bring a small notebook for your kids to collect stamps from various small shops—it’s very meaningful as a souvenir.

This trip was not only fun for the kids but also felt like a return to a slow-paced old time for us adults. Isn’t the meaning of travel to create these warm memories together? Shuimo Ancient Town is truly an excellent choice for a family recharge! Already planning a second visit! ❤️