So far this year, the most surprising city I've taken my kids to is here

## Yixing Travel Guide for Kids: Quality Time in the Mountains and Rivers 👣👣

📍Yixing, a small town in southern China, is famous for its unique purple clay culture and beautiful scenery. For families traveling with children, it not only offers a rich cultural experience, but also many natural attractions suitable for parent-child interaction. Here is a detailed Yixing travel guide for kids to help you plan an unforgettable family trip.

### ✅First stop: Longbeishan Forest Park - A classroom for nature education
In the morning, it is recommended to visit Longbeishan Forest Park first. It is the green lung of the city, with a well-developed trail system and rich vegetation. It is especially recommended to take children on a sightseeing train through the forest and learn about various plants in a relaxed atmosphere. There is a children's playground in the park, where slides, swings and other facilities allow children to release their energy. Climb the Wenfeng Pagoda to overlook the city, and tell your children about the history of Yixing, so that natural and cultural knowledge can be cleverly combined.

### ✅Second stop: Shanjuan Cave - Exploring geological wonders
In the afternoon, you can drive to the famous Shanjuan Cave Scenic Area. This karst cave, formed millions of years ago, looks like a fairy tale world under the illumination of carefully designed lights. The temperature inside the cave is constant at 18℃, suitable for all seasons. It is recommended to choose a tour route with a guide. Children will be amazed by the unique stalactite shapes such as the "Lion and Elephant Grand Plaza". After leaving the cave, you can experience traditional pottery making and let your children make pottery by hand to feel the charm of purple clay culture (reservations are required in advance).

### ✅Third stop: Yunhu Scenic Area - Waterfront leisure time
It is recommended to go to Yunhu Scenic Area in Xizhu Town the next day. The lake and mountains here are beautiful, especially suitable for family cycling. The scenic area provides double/four-person bicycle rentals, and the dedicated lakeside lane is safe and comfortable. In summer, you can take your children to experience kayaking (life jackets are required), or play in the shallows. At noon, you may wish to taste Yixing specialties such as steamed silver fish with eggs and black rice in a lakeside farmhouse. Fresh ingredients are most popular with children.

### 🏯Cultural experience: Ceramics Museum + Shushan Gunan Street
If time is sufficient, the China Ceramics Museum cannot be missed. There is a children's interactive area in the museum, which makes the boring history of ceramics vivid and interesting through multimedia displays. Afterwards, you can stroll along Shushan Gunan Street, this well-preserved old street of purple clay is full of studios. Many artists will demonstrate the pot-making process on site. Children can watch the transformation of purple clay from clay to art up close.

### Useful tips: ‼️
1. Transportation: It is about 30-50 minutes' drive between the scenic spots. You can also choose a taxi (about 60 yuan from Yixing city to Shanjuan Cave)
2. Tickets: Longbeishan is free, Shanjuan Cave joint ticket (including cable car and pottery) is 120 yuan/adult, children under 1.4 meters are free
3. Accommodation: It is recommended to choose a hotel in the city (such as Yixing Hotel), or a characteristic homestay around Yunhu (reservations are required in advance)
4. Best season: Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November) have the most suitable climate for outdoor activities

It is recommended to arrange a 2-3 day trip and slow down the pace appropriately. The essence of Yixing lies not in checking in how many attractions, but in allowing children to grow naturally in the mountains and rivers, and learn quietly in the culture. Remember to bring a sketchbook, maybe your child will become the next little purple clay artist!