【Taohuayuan in Youyang｜A Poetic Dwelling Through the Millennia, the Utopia from Tao Yuanming's Pen】

"Suddenly, I came upon a peach blossom grove, lining both banks for hundreds of paces, with no other trees in sight..." When the "Peach Blossom Spring" from textbooks materializes before your eyes, you'll realize the fairyland described by Tao Qian is hidden deep in the misty mountains of Youyang, Chongqing.

🌿【Every Step a Scene, Dreaming Back to the Wei-Jin Era】

📍Core Attractions: Taohuayuan Scenic Area (Peach Blossom Grotto + Taigu Cave)

▪️Secret Peach Blossom Realm:

• Passing through a narrow stone cave, the view suddenly opens up—thatched cottages nestled in bamboo groves, mist-shrouded ponds, black-canopied boats with oars, farmers walking with hoes amid the sounds of chickens and dogs, as if transported to another time.

• Costume Experience: Rent a set of Hanfu (¥50/hour), stroll the bluestone paths with a lantern, and every snapshot becomes a classical masterpiece.

▪️Taigu Cave Wonders:

• A 3-kilometer-long karst cave with forests of stalagmites and hanging stalactites, glowing like a crystal palace under the lights.

• Summer Bonus: The cave maintains a constant 18°C, making it a natural air-conditioned retreat.

🍵【Youzhou Ancient City at Night｜Slow Time in Stilt Houses】

🌙Night Tour Guide:

• After 19:00, the ancient city lights up, with stilt houses reflected in the You River. Buying a river lantern (¥10) for a wish is incredibly romantic.

• Must-Try Foods:

• Mung Bean Noodles: Made fresh, served with sour-spicy minced meat, ¥5/bowl

• Tujia Oil Tea Soup: Crispy puffed rice in tea broth, a Miao hospitality specialty

• Stay Recommendation: Qing Ai Wensu (ancient town homestay, ~¥150/person, mountain views from the window)

📜【Traveling with the Textbook｜Real-Life "Peach Blossom Spring"】

🔍Classic Scene Check-ins:

1️⃣ "Following the Stream": The creek at Taohuayuan's entrance, with falling petals in spring

2️⃣ "Narrow at First": The cave mouth barely fits one person, recreating the fisherman's surprise

3️⃣ "Neatly Arranged Houses": Restored Qin-era farmhouses, where you can try ancient weaving and tofu-making

4️⃣ "Killing Chickens for Wine": Tujia feasts at farmhouses, with long tables laden with cured meat and communal rice

🚗【Transport Tips｜2.5 Hours from Chongqing】

📍Route: Chongqing city center → Baomao Expressway → Youyang North exit (~300km total)

💡Travel Suggestions:

• Day Trip: Depart at 7 AM, explore Taohuayuan + Taigu Cave in the afternoon, stay overnight in Youzhou Ancient City

• Two-Day Trip: Visit Gongtan Ancient Town (1-hour drive) the next day for the Wujiang River scenery

🌸【Tao Yuanming-Inspired Captions for Your Social Media!】

"Today in Youyang, I finally understood 'not to be told to outsiders'—

Bamboo shadows sweep the steps, dust unmoved;

The moon pierces the water, leaving no trace.

If you ask where this place is,

The Wuling fisherman has forgotten the way home."

"When you gaze up at the stalactites in Taigu Cave, when the lanterns of Youzhou Ancient City illuminate thousand-year-old stilt houses—this hidden Taohuayuan in southeastern Chongqing whispers: True poetry lies not in distant lands, but in our hearts' yearning for beauty."

(P.S. Daily visitor limit: 3,000; advance online booking recommended!)