Yixing's Hidden Vacation Gem, Yaohu Town is Nice

Yaohu Town, located in Zhangzhu Town, Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, is a theme park-style resort town that combines ecological nature and traditional culture. Here is a travel guide:

Basic Information
- Tickets: 60 RMB per adult, 30 RMB for discounted tickets (including seniors, children, students, etc.). The first 3,000 ticket buyers each day receive a free small train experience ticket.
- Opening Hours: 08:30-22:00, ticket checking stops at 21:00, night activities last until 21:30.
- Best Seasons: Spring for flower viewing (March-May), summer for water park fun (June-August), autumn for bamboo tea tasting (September-November), winter for rime viewing (December-February).

Transportation Guide
- Self-driving: About 2.5 hours from Shanghai, Hangzhou, or Nanjing. Navigate to "Yaohu Town P1 Parking Lot." Parking fee is 5 RMB per 24 hours.
- High-speed Rail: 30-minute taxi ride from Yixing Station, or take bus No. 206 to the Visitor Center (operates 6:00-17:40).

Attractions
- Cloud Train: The daytime version travels through bamboo sea and tea gardens on a 50-minute loop passing over viaducts, tunnels, and lakeside. Recommended to sit on the right side by the window; the nighttime version features a cyberpunk-style carriage with fireworks, running during the 20:00 water show.
- Dragon Soaring Water & Fireworks Show: Fireworks added on Fridays and Saturdays. Best viewing spot is east side of Chunbo Chang Bridge, from 20:00 to 20:20; in winter, starts earlier at 19:30.
- Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience: Bamboo rafting performances daily at 10:00, 11:00, and 17:00 at the lakeside plaza; kiln opening ceremony every Saturday at 10:30 in front of the dragon kiln; purple clay pottery making experience available at Fanli Pottery Workshop.
- Bamboo Rat Heatwave Park: Over 30 water activities in summer; hot spring pools and indoor spa in winter, 128 RMB per person for 3 hours.

Food Recommendations
- Five-Color Yibang Restaurant: About 50 RMB per person, try black rice shumai and Artemisia cakes.
- Cui Yuanxing Restaurant: Authentic Jiangnan cuisine in Huizhou-style architecture, must-try dishes include braised pork with preserved vegetables and pig’s trotters, and purple clay cake.
- Yaohu Market: Offers lamb noodles, sugarcane juice, and other snacks; the night market is full of lively atmosphere.

Accommodation Recommendations
- Yaohu Grand Hotel: Over 600 rooms including private hot spring rooms, includes breakfast for two and night event tickets, terrace perfect for star photography.
- Longchi Lanshan Residence: Cream-style villa homestay, 518㎡ with chess room and kitchen, ideal for family bookings.
- Yunshu Homestay: 300 RMB per night for tea field view rooms, offers Hanfu rental service.

Notes
- Weekends from 10:00 to 15:00 are peak hours; it is recommended to enter before 9:00 AM or visit at night after 4:00 PM.
- Bring non-slip shoes; a tripod is needed for fireworks photography; mobile users can enable “light trail shutter” mode.
- Please do not touch unbaked pottery in the dragon kiln area; no eating or drinking inside the Purple Clay Sanctuary.