A 1-Hour Drive from Shanghai: Retracing Emperor Qianlong's Designated Spring Outing Route

Our ancestors certainly had great taste! It is said that Emperor Qianlong made six trips to the south of the Yangtze River during springtime, and four of those trips were to Yanguan. Only after visiting did I realize how chill this ancient Jiangnan town, steeped in history and the sound of tides, can be in the spring🍃🌿🌳 Here's a weekend Yanguan spring outing itinerary perfect for those driving from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. It's got a real authentic feel! 👣Spring Outing Itinerary Drive🔍to Yanguan Ancient Town - City of Tidal Music parking lot, about 1.5 hours from Shanghai. High-speed Rail🚅to Haining West Station, then a 15-minute taxi ride. Day 1: Xuandemen Hotel - Gongchen Gate - Chen Gelaozhai - Wildcat Music Party - Yuma Tou - Sea God Temple - Confucian Temple and School - Yanguan Music House Museum - Lead Singer Hotel - sunset view from the city wall🌇 Day 2: Watch the tide🌊at Guanchao Scenic Park. 🌿Travel Tips ① Since the area is quite large, you can take the internal shuttle bus for 20 CNY/day. ② Day 1's route is rich in history. Take a sculling boat through the Yuan Dynasty Gongchen Gate, visit Qianlong's "place of birth," Chen Gelaozhai, to enjoy the spring, and pray for blessings at the Confucian Temple and School and the Sea God Temple. ③ The Wildcat Music Party is next to Gongchen Gate, where you can play drums and bells. It's very interactive. ④ The Yanguan Tide Wall at the entrance to the scenic area is open on the hour, for 15 minutes on working days and 30 minutes on weekends. ⑤ Tide Watching: The high tide period is from the 1st to the 5th and the 15th to the 20th of each lunar month, especially the 8th and 18th. Yanguan is known for its "first-line tide," and there's a special viewing platform with a wide-open view🌊. Make sure to arrive at the park on time according to the tide schedule. Spring is the off-season for tide watching, so you can enjoy tea and watch the tide at the Tide Tea House without the crowds. How relaxing! ❗️Don't miss the Zui Jiangnan afternoon tea cruise. Take a flower-bedecked sculling boat through the ancient town and experience the unique spring atmosphere. Every photo you take will be frame-worthy. 🏠Accommodation: Xuandemen Hotel A Jiangnan garden converted from a century-old house. The rooms are decorated in a new Chinese style, offering a taste of the tranquility of the old days.