Self-Driving Farmhouse Fun | Yixing Yangxian and Yaohu Towna

Yaohu Town is a theme park-style resort town located in the Yangxian Ecotourism Resort Area of Zhangzhu Town, Yixing City, Jiangsu Province. It is based on Yixing’s local culture of purple clay, tea, and bamboo, centered on the unique mountain, water, pottery, bamboo, and tea culture of Yixing. It blends the charm of Jiangnan water towns with modern leisure facilities, offering a high-end ecological vacation experience.
*Main Attractions and Facilities:
① Dragon Kiln and Kiln Site Exhibition Hall, Jiangnan Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, Purple Clay Lecture Hall, Dongpo Thatched Cottage, etc., showcasing Yixing’s thousand-year kiln fire culture and historical humanities.
② Creekside Wetlands, Ecological Water Park (including wave pool, drifting river, etc.), Sightseeing Mini Train (7 km loop through bamboo forests and tea fields).
③ Yaohu Grand Hotel (over 600 rooms), International Convention and Exhibition Center (100,000㎡), Purple Clay Sanctuary (special wedding venue).
*Tour Highlights and Photo Spots:
① Dragon Kiln Ruins. The replicated Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln is the town’s soul landmark, with blue brick walls and dragon-shaped kiln tops displaying industrial aesthetics. Every Friday at 18:00, there is a kiln opening ceremony where you can watch potters take out pottery. At dusk, when the kiln fire is lit, standing at the kiln mouth in a plain long dress allows you to capture photos with rich light and shadow layers.
② Intangible Cultural Heritage Market. On the last weekend of each month, the old street transforms into an intangible cultural heritage-themed market, featuring demonstrations of purple clay teapot making and other heritage crafts. You can also try on Su embroidery Hanfu and take traditional Chinese style photos.
③ Chunbo Long Bridge. A white arch bridge spans the lake, framed with Hui-style white walls and black tiles, resembling an ink painting. In the early morning, you can capture misty scenes, and at dusk, the sunset scenery of “half the lake in green, half in red.”
④ Yunhu Tea Fields. Hike 15.4 km along the lakeside boardwalk, with three floating bridges extending into the lake. Running through the tea ridges in a light green dress and using a wide-angle lens can create the artistic effect of “people traveling in a painting.”
⑤ Realm of Blossoms. After 4 pm, the light softens; standing in the middle of the flower valley with the purple clay tower in the background can create a “Monet garden” visual effect.
⑥ Bamboo Rat Water Park. Featuring over 30 water attractions such as rainbow slides, super big trumpet, and giant wave bay. You can wear bright-colored swimwear to take photos on the pink beach. The night session is open until 21:00, avoiding the scorching sun for better shots.
⑦ Cloud Mini Train. Ride in a vintage carriage through bamboo seas, tea fields, and ancient villages. It is recommended to choose the first carriage to lean out the window and shoot dynamic videos of “time travel”; you can also choose the blossom special train, surrounded by flowers, very photogenic.
⑧ Bamboo Raft Performance. At 9:30, 17:00, and 18:00 daily, intangible cultural heritage inheritors perform “Crossing the River on a Reed” on the lake. Using a telephoto lens to capture their heroic posture on the bamboo raft makes for great photos.
⑨ Dragon Water Show. At 19:30 in the evening, water sprays on the lake form a giant dragon light and shadow, combined with water and fire effects for a stunning spectacle. Secure a prime spot on the waterside platform early and use slow motion to capture the dragon “leaping into the air.”
⑩ Shehuo Square. In the evening, there is a “Dragon Water Show Fireworks” performance. Standing at the Realm of Blossoms vantage point allows you to capture fireworks in the same frame. It is recommended to arrive 30 minutes early to secure a spot.
*One-Day Tour Guide:
[Morning, Cultural Exploration]
① Ancient Kiln Ruins Park (9:00-11:00). Visit the Song Dynasty kiln ruins, participate in pottery DIY experience (reservation required), and watch purple clay teapot making up close.
② Purple Clay Sanctuary (11:00-12:00). Appreciate precious purple clay teapots from various eras and learn about the development of purple clay culture.
[Noon, Local Cuisine]
Recommended to try the “Yaohu Three Treasures” (crispy fried silverfish, purple clay pot stewed chicken, black rice) at Yaohu Restaurant, with an average cost of about 40 yuan per person.
[Afternoon, Nature and Leisure]
③ Lakeside Boardwalk (14:00-15:30). Photograph blue tile white walls with lake and mountain scenery; in spring and autumn, rent Hanfu for ancient style photo shoots.
④ Bamboo Rat Heat Wave Park (16:00-17:30). Experience over 30 water attractions including big trumpet slides and wave pools (open in summer).
[Evening, Light and Shadow Feast]
⑤ Dragon Water Show (19:30-20:00). Watch an immersive performance combining water screen projection and flame effects.
⑥ Starry Night Market (20:00-21:00). Shop for purple clay tea sets, bamboo lanterns, and taste special snacks like osmanthus sugar taro shoots.