Xinyang Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel Guide: A Journey Through Southern Henan's Landscapes and Tea Aromas

1. Transportation Optimization
High-speed round trip: Zhengzhou East Station → Xinyang East Station (fastest 1 hour), taxi to downtown costs about ¥15 after arrival.
City travel:
- Nanwan Lake Scenic Area: Take bus No. 7/25 from Xinyang East Station to Nanwan Lake Pier (about 40 minutes).
- Wenxin Tea Village: Take L3 bus from Hongyun Bus Station directly (about 1 hour), note return trip's last bus time (recommended before 17:00).

2. Itinerary Highlights & Pace Adjustment
Day 1: Campus Culture → Lakeside Scenery
08:30-10:00 Xinyang Normal University Tanshan Campus:
- Walk along the Metasequoia Avenue (most stunning in golden autumn),
- Try stone-ground soy milk (¥5/cup) made by retired professors on campus.
Transport: ¥12 taxi from high-speed rail station, or direct bus No. 7.

10:30-16:00 Nanwan Lake Scenic Area:
- Ticket: ¥70 (includes boat ride), half price for students (¥35).
- Highlights: Pier → Tea Island (tea-picking experience + Maojian Tea Corridor) → Monkey Island (watch monkeys dive) → Bird Island (observe egrets flying), about 3 hours total.
Tips:
- Lunch at Tea Island farmhouse: steamed Nanwan fish (¥60/jin) with stir-fried bamboo shoots and bacon.
- Last boarding at 15:30 (park closes at 17:00).

Day 2: Morning Market → Tea Mountain Therapy
07:30-08:30 Tianlun Bonsai Garden Morning Market must-tries:
- Zhao's stuffed pancake (¥3) + Lao Zhang's hot dry noodles (¥5),
- Pair with Xinyang-style savory tofu pudding (¥2).
Transport: ¥8 taxi or direct bus No. 8.

09:30-12:00 Wenxin Tea Village:
- Wear white dresses or Hanfu for "matcha mille crepe" terrace photo ops.
- Try Maojian tea ice cream (¥25) at mountaintop café.
Pro tip:
- Avoid crowds by visiting Jiamu Tea House at foothills (reservation required) for handmade tea experience (¥150/person includes tea-frying and packaging).

12:30-14:00 Lunch·Shihe Snacks:
- "Li's Braised Chicken" in local alleys (¥40/person) with Xinyang stewed noodles.

Day 3 (Optional): Ancient Village → Night Feast
Haotang Village:
- Transport: Bus No. 10 to terminal + 20-min walk.
- Highlights: Flagstone paths + Ming-Qing architecture,
- Hanfu photos at Heyetian Poetry Photography Base under century-old ginkgo tree.

19:00-21:00 Luming Night Market:
- Must-tries: Roasted Xinyang black pork (¥68/jin), Maojian tea shrimp balls (¥58), craft beer (¥15/cup).
- Location: Intersection of Shihe South Road/Tongyi Street - locals' favorite.

3. Accommodation Recommendations
Downtown convenience:
- Jinjiang Inn (Xinyang Train Station branch) ~¥150/night, walkable to night market.
Night market experience:
- Don't miss "Xiguan Bridge Night Market" with roasted silkworm pupae (¥10/skewer) and Gushi goose stew (small portion ¥58).

Tea mountain immersion:
- Jiamu Tea House ~¥300/person (all-inclusive), includes morning tea-picking, afternoon tea-frying, and evening tea-boarding.

📌 Pro Tips
- Nanwan Lake bargaining: Halve initial prices for island souvenirs (tea/bamboo products).
- Morning markets: Choose queues at fresh-food stalls over pre-packaged items.
- Tea village: Arrive before 7:00 or midday to avoid crowds.

5. Contingency Plans & Seasonal Notes
Rainy day alternatives:
- Free visit to Henan Provincial Museum (Xinyang branch) or indoor tea-frying at Mingyang Tea Culture Center.
Seasonal impacts:
- Best tea-picking: April-May (Maojian harvest season), winter alternatives include snow hikes.
- Summer: Bring mosquito repellent for Nanwan Lake; autumn/winter: pack warm layers.

Xinyang's charm lies in Maojian tea's slow rhythm, Nanwan Lake's morning mist, and steaming street food aromas. Take this guide to explore Henan's "Little Jiangnan"! 🌄