The Hidden Gem of Eastern Zhejiang: Shenxianju Glass Walkway with Cloud Sea Views

1. Scenic Area Overview
Location: Baita Town, Xianju County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province
Features: National 5A-level scenic area, famous for its unique peaks, sea of clouds, walkways, and waterfalls. Known as "Paradise on Earth" and filming location for "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" and "The Return of the Condor Heroes."
Admission: Adult ticket CNY 110, half-price for students/seniors; Nantian Peak Glass Observation Deck requires additional CNY 80.
Opening Hours: 07:30-17:00 (last entry at 16:00)
Best Season: April-October (spring flowers, summer cooling, autumn leaves); best chance to see sea of clouds after rain.

2. Transportation Guide
Self-driving:
From Hangzhou/Shanghai: About 3 hours, navigate to South or North Gate parking lot (parking fee CNY 10/day).
High-speed Rail:
To "Taizhou West Station" or "Linhai Station," then take shuttle bus (about 1.5 hours) or taxi (about CNY 150).
Bus:
Take "Xianju-Shenxianju" special line from Xianju Bus Station (about 30 minutes, CNY 6).

3. Must-visit Attractions
[One] Ruyi Bridge
Popular floating glass bridge shaped like a jade ruyi, spanning across valleys with 360° views, perfect for photos.
[Two] Nantian Peak Glass Observation Deck
Transparent viewing platform 100m high, overlooking Guanyin Peak, perfect for thrill-seekers.
[Three] Guanyin Peak
Natural giant Guanyin statue formation, mystical when surrounded by clouds and mist.
[Four] Via Ferrata Climbing
Rare Asian cliff cable climbing route, suitable for adventure enthusiasts (additional fee required).
[Five] Waterfall Group
11 waterfalls including Elephant Trunk and Flying Sky waterfalls, abundant water in summer, refreshingly cool.

4. Recommended Routes
Easy Loop (4-5 hours):
South Gate cable car up → Nanhai Bridge → Nantian Peak → Lotus Platform → Bagua Platform → Ruyi Bridge → North Sea cable car down → shuttle bus back to South Gate.
In-depth Hiking (6-7 hours):
North Gate hiking up → Wenxian Bridge → General Rock → Flying Waterfall → Suspended Walkway → South cable car down.
Tips:
Recommend ascending from South Gate and descending from North Gate to save energy; cable car one-way CNY 65, round-trip CNY 120.
Clear route markers in scenic area, follow numbered map for guidance.

5. Accommodation Suggestions
Luxury Resort: Shenxianju Junlan Resort Hotel (near South Gate, peaceful environment).
Boutique Homestays: "Buru Fang" and "Xishan Yinke" in Danzhu Village (Instagram-worthy design).
Value Options: Hotels in Baita Town or Xianju County (CNY 150-300/night, convenient dining).
Camping: Available at Danzhu Leisure Valley (advance registration required, mind safety).

6. Food Recommendations
Xianju Eight Bowls: Traditional banquet dishes, try lotus seed braised pork and meat soup.
Snacks: Food cones, wheat shrimp noodles, Xianju pancakes, bayberries (ripe in June).
Recommended Restaurants: Taoyuan Renjia (local cuisine), Wei Xianju (farmhouse dishes).

7. Important Notes
Wear non-slip sports shoes due to many steps and slippery sections.
Travel light, bring sufficient water and snacks (limited and expensive dining options inside).
Bring raincoat for rain, sun protection for clear days (limited shade on walkways).
Drone flights require advance registration, some areas restricted.
Check weather forecast, avoid typhoons, heavy rain, and extreme weather.

8. Nearby Attractions
Potan Ancient Town (20-minute drive): Thousand-year-old trading town, well-preserved Ming-Qing architecture.
Danzhu Leisure Valley (30-minute drive): Water activities, camping, primitive forest exploration.
Gongyu Rock (1-hour drive): "Eastern Shangri-La," hiking paradise.

Tips: Visit on working days to avoid crowds; stay overnight on the mountain or arrive early for cloud sea views. Save queuing time by purchasing tickets through "Shenxianju Tourism" official WeChat account!

Enjoy the natural beauty of peaks and clouds at Shenxianju!