A Guide to the Hidden Gem of Yaohu Town You Didn’t Know About

Just got back from Yixing Yaohu Town last weekend. I had seen a lot of complaints before, but after visiting, I found it full of surprises. Although it was a rainy day, it was still very enjoyable. The town is nestled by the mountains and water, somewhat like Lijiang Old Town, but clearly with a Jiangnan charm. The scenic area is quite large, worth spending two days to explore leisurely.
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👇🏻Travel Tips

🚗Getting Around
Self-driving is recommended, as the surrounding area can be covered in 1.5 to 2.5 hours. If you have more time, you can also visit nearby attractions.
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🗓Time Planning
Try to visit from Friday to Sunday, as there are more activities and performances, some of which only happen on weekends.
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🏠Accommodation
It’s best to stay at a hotel in Yaohu Town for easier access to nighttime activities and night view performances. The town has two hotels: Yaohu Grand Hotel inside the scenic area and Kiln Factory Resort Hotel at the entrance outside the scenic area. Both hotels are large and high-quality, currently including breakfast, shuttle service, and scenic area tickets. Even if you stay at the Kiln Factory Hotel, you can take the shuttle bus unlimited times to enter and exit the scenic area, and the shuttle ride only takes two to three minutes.
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🍽Food
Although many shops inside the scenic area are not fully open yet, they definitely meet visitors’ needs. There’s Long Kiln morning tea with various snacks; Zhouji Tea Restaurant offering Hong Kong-style dishes; snack shops selling baked flatbreads, wontons, tofu pudding, various cakes, and drinks. I found a Yixing cuisine restaurant with a lake view called Zhuyun Restaurant by the lakeside with great views. The braised pork with spring bamboo shoots was highly praised by my parents.
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♾️Itinerary
DAY 1⃣: Check into hotel - Cloud Train 🚞 “Visitor Center - Tianjie Station” - Watch the town’s night view and performances (see attached schedule for shows and train times)
DAY 2⃣: Leisurely stroll around the town
Long Kiln ➠ Yaohu Teahouse ➠ Yaohu Archway ➠ Lakeside Pier ➠ Shehuo Square ➠ Realm of Blossoms ➠ Rowboat Arch Bridge Dock ➠ Mingling Street ➠ Return
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💃🏻Recommended Performances
1️⃣ Happy Kiln Swing · Vintage Party Parade
Parade from Xichun Embroidery Workshop to Mingling Street, featuring NPCs like Nezha cosplay and a group of brightly dressed vintage dancers performing along the way, creating a fantastic atmosphere!
2️⃣ Dragon Soaring Water Show & Fireworks 🎆
Fireworks only on Friday and Saturday nights, the show at nightfall is the best! The lights of the opposite town come on, resembling a celestial palace.
3️⃣ Kiln Fire 🔥 Carnival / Bonfire
Intense intangible cultural heritage performances like Nuo dance, fire pot, and fire dance! Performers come down from the stage to interact and celebrate with visitors around the bonfire.
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📸Photo Spots
✔️Realm of Blossoms, great for photos on the stairs or bridge, very Monet-like
✔️Cloud Train looks best when photographed at the curve
✔️Lakeside Pier is perfect for photos in the morning or evening with fewer people and good lighting
✔️Mingling Street offers many photo spots for great shots

Not sure where to go for Qingming Festival? Then head to Yaohu Town!