Endured Yishui and returned, here are some blunt truths

Yishui is hidden in the mountains of Linyi, Shandong, with an average summer temperature around 25°C, known for its “coolness”! Here you can experience the magical underground cave rafting, the romantic fireflies filling the sky, and enjoy authentic Yimeng Mountain wood-fire stir-fried chicken~ August is the peak season for fireflies, just go for it!

🚀【3-Day Super Detailed Itinerary】
Day 1: Underground Wonders + Firefly Fairy Tale

• Morning: Head straight to the Underground Grand Canyon, where the temperature drops 10°C as soon as you enter! Don’t miss the 1000-meter cave rafting, drifting in an inflatable boat among colorful stalactites.
• Noon: Grab a freshly made Yimeng pancake rolled with scallions at the scenic area entrance, crispy pancake wrapped with pickles and egg, simple but super satisfying~
• Afternoon: Move on to the Firefly Water Cave, first pass through Butterfly Valley where tens of thousands of colorful butterflies flutter around you; then take a small boat into the cave and close your eyes for 5 seconds.
• Evening: Stay at Mengshan Longwu Tea Culture Theme Hotel, rooms feature kang bed-stove design, with a tea room in the courtyard—brewing local green tea is super relaxing~.

Day 2: Guding Wangcheng + Wild Camping

• Morning: Climb to Tian Shang Wangcheng (Heavenly King City), an ancient Spring and Autumn period site on the mountaintop, watch the thrilling horse battle show! The view from the summit is unbeatable, with sea of clouds and mountains like an ink painting.
• Noon: Order wood-fire stir-fried chicken at Wangcheng Restaurant inside the scenic area, the chicken is firm and chewy, with smoky firewood aroma infused in every bite, spicy and satisfying!
• Afternoon: Head to the lakeside campsite below the mountain, pitch a tent and watch the sunset, barbecue with beer at night, and look up to see the Milky Way (the campsite offers ingredient rentals).
• Evening: Continue staying at the campsite or return to the county to stay at Yihe Hilton Hampton, family rooms come with mini-fridges and river-view balconies that are very soothing.

Day 3: Rainbow Valley + Food Street Tour

• Morning: At Snow Mountain Rainbow Valley, artificial rain creates rainbows; standing in the mist, every photo looks like a dreamy masterpiece! The grass sledding is super fast, scream alert~.
• Noon: At the county’s Fengqing Street, try the braised rabbit head, richly marinated with tender meat—daredevils will definitely get hooked!
• Afternoon: Visit Zhonghe Huadu (free admission), a Jiangnan-style garden with bonsai and strange stones; if you come in September, you can catch the Osmanthus Festival.

🌟【Must-Visit Checklist】
1. Firefly Water Cave: constant 18°C, best to see fireflies at dusk! Ticket 120 RMB, combo tickets with rafting are more cost-effective.
2. Tian Shang Wangcheng Horse Battle Show: two shows daily at 11:00 and 14:00, actors fight on horseback very realistically (don’t sit in the front row, watch out for dust).
3. Fengqing Street Night Market: opens at dusk, must-try lamb fat skewers! Crispy fried skewers coated with cumin and chili, 5 RMB each, finger-licking good.

🏨【Accommodation Recommendations】
• Luxury: Linyi Luzhou Pullman Hotel, rooms with private bathtubs, rooftop bar overlooking the confluence of three rivers.
• Family-friendly: Ronghua Hotel’s Little Yellow Duck themed rooms, with slides and tents, kids won’t want to leave.
• Budget-friendly: Qingsu, an ideal youth hostel with Japanese-style decor, disposable bedding perfect for cleanliness freaks.

🚌【Transportation Tips】
• Day 1: Take the Yishui shuttle bus from Linyi Bus Station → Underground Grand Canyon (1.5h), free shuttle between scenic spots to Firefly Cave.
• Day 2: Charter a car or drive to Tian Shang Wangcheng (1h), campsite requires advance booking for pick-up.
• Day 3: Taxi 10 minutes to Rainbow Valley, then bus to Zhonghe Huadu in the afternoon.

📸【Photo Spots】
• Firefly Cave boat turn (densest fireflies)
• Tian Shang Wangcheng summit viewing platform (wear Hanfu for better photos!)
• Rainbow Valley “Misty Bamboo Forest” (side backlight makes the mist look magical)

🍜【5 Must-Try Foods】
1. Wood-fire stir-fried chicken: cooked on a farmhouse stove with strong wok aroma! Chicken soaks up the sauce, perfect with potstickers dipped in soup.
2. Mung bean noodle porridge: cool and slightly salty, mung beans plus noodles refresh and cool you down.
3. Cicada monkey (fried cicadas): crispy and juicy after frying, high protein warning!
4. Fenggao (Mid-Autumn special): layers of glutinous rice and jujube paste, sweet but not greasy.
5. Lamb fat skewers: fried egg white meat, beef tendon, eggplant, brushed with spicy sauce, delicious to the soul.

💰【3-Day Expense Summary】
• Accommodation: 2 nights at Pullman 1250 RMB (painful but worth it! Soaking in the tub until your skin peels)
• Food: about 400 RMB (rabbit head 25 RMB each, stir-fried chicken 98 RMB per serving, snacks average 10 RMB)
• Tickets: Firefly 120 + Grand Canyon 98 + Rainbow Valley 88 = 306 RMB
• Transportation: charter 200 RMB + bus 30 RMB
Total cost: 2186 RMB, feels like buying a “happiness annual pass”!

⚠️Heads up: Cave rafting will get you wet! Wear quick-dry pants or bring a change of clothes. The kang bed-stove at Mengshan Longwu Hotel is a bit hard in summer, not recommended if you have back problems.

Personal ramble: The most stunning part of this trip was the Firefly Cave, suddenly “stars” lit up in the pitch-black cave, so beautiful it made me want to cry! Also, the Yimeng stir-fried chicken, I dream about it after returning to Shanghai... If anyone has wilder ideas, drop them in the comments! 🌝