Henan hides a "Little West Lake of the North"! Free to visit before 7 AM, 1.5 hours direct to the Glass Spring

Henan hides a "Little West Lake of the North"! Free to visit before 7 AM, and the Glass Spring just 1.5 hours away is breathtakingly beautiful! Who understands, family! I always thought only Jiangnan had the charm of water towns, until I discovered Baiquan Scenic Area in Huixian, Henan, which completely overturned my perception—this is not a northern scenic spot, it’s clearly a "Little Jiangnan" hidden in northern Henan. Few people, beautiful scenery, and free to enjoy—just a 1.5-hour weekend drive away! Last Saturday, I got up early and rushed to Baiquan. Arriving before 7 AM at the south gate means free admission. As soon as I entered, the scenery struck me: a pool of thousand-year-old living water, crystal clear to the bottom, the shadows of pavilions and towers reflected in the blue waves. A gentle breeze swayed the willow branches on the shore, and even the air carried the coolness of the spring water, instantly healing the fatigue of a working person. The best part? No crowds like popular tourist spots, no over-commercialized hawking, just peaceful mountains, water, and ancient buildings. You don’t even have to find angles to avoid people when taking photos! Strolling slowly along the lake, the first stop must be Weiyuan Temple! The ancient buildings with red walls and gray tiles face Baiquan Lake. It is said that the "God of Weiyuan" is worshiped here since Baiquan is the source of the Wei River. Standing in front of the temple watching the shimmering lake water, you might feel like you’ve traveled to a Suzhou garden. Passing through the temple leads to the core attraction, Longting Pavilion, a hexagonal pavilion with flying eaves standing on an island in the lake, connected to the shore by a stone bridge. From afar, it looks like a scene from a painting. I strongly recommend taking a boat tour around the lake (only 20 yuan per person). As the oars stir the water, the pavilions and towers on both sides slowly recede, creating an immersive beauty that no phone camera can capture! Hidden by the lake are the Penyuting and Kesangting pavilions, perfect for daydreaming! Both are old buildings from the Ming Dynasty, with cute little beasts perched on the flying eaves. Sitting in the pavilion watching the clouds roll by and listening to the spring water’s tinkling, time seems to slow down. Don’t miss Yongjin Pavilion! "Yongjin Sheng Lishui" refers to this place. The pavilion is built by the water, and the copper bells on the eaves ring with the wind, mingling with the sound of flowing water. It strangely reminds me of the warmth of the Tongfu Inn from the TV show "My Own Swordsman," and it’s great for photos! Climbing the Tianti Ladder to the Sumen Mountain Stele Corridor is the hidden gem! Over 300 stone carvings by famous people from various dynasties are laid out halfway up the mountain. The most impressive is the giant Ming Dynasty "Sumen Mountain Fu" stele, with vigorous and powerful calligraphy. Standing beneath it, you can feel the cultural heritage of a thousand years. History lovers will definitely adore it. By noon, you must try the local food! Locals highly recommend the sweet and sour spicy hot pot, a perfect blend of sour, sweet, and spicy that’s super appetizing; also the diguochi chicken, with tender, flavorful chicken and corn cakes soaked in the broth, so delicious you’ll lick the plate clean. The prices are affordable, and two people can eat their fill for just a few dozen yuan. There is a free parking lot at the scenic area entrance. It’s a 1.5-hour drive from Zhengzhou, and tickets after 7 AM are only 27 yuan, making it very cost-effective. Here, there’s no noisy hawking, only the clarity of thousand-year-old spring water, the charm of ancient buildings, and the genuine simplicity of Henan people. If you don’t want to stay home on the weekend and are tired of crowded popular spots, why not take a walk in Baiquan, feel the breeze by the lake, see the pavilions and towers reflected in the water, and experience the rare charm of the North~ quickly gather your friends and set off, or it won’t be this peaceful later!