Suichang, the perfect travel destination.
🌄 The world is vast, and our steps are small, but every step counts. This time, I came to Suichang, Zhejiang, a place hiding many unknown beautiful sceneries and delicious foods. Follow my guide and let's unlock the wonders of Suichang together✨
📍 About Suichang: Suichang is located in Lishui, Zhejiang, known as "the last secret realm of Jiangnan." It boasts an excellent ecological environment with a high forest coverage rate, mountains and waters intertwined, and air so fresh it seems to cleanse the dust from your lungs. It also has a rich historical and cultural heritage; Tang Xianzu once served here and created the timeless classic drama "The Peony Pavilion."
📸 Must-visit attractions:
- Nanjianyan Scenic Area: Known as "a paradise for photographers," it features sea of clouds, terraced fields, bamboo forests, waterfalls, and a glass cliff walkway, gathering various beautiful sceneries. Standing on the glass walkway, overlooking the abyss below and the distant rolling mountains, your heart races while taking in the breathtaking views. Especially in the early morning, the sea of clouds surges like a fairyland.
- Shenlong Valley: Home to the 300-meter-high Shenlong Waterfall and primitive forest trails. Walking along the trails, surrounded by towering trees that block the sky, with crisp bird songs and babbling streams in your ears, you feel one with nature.
- Suichang Gold Mine National Mining Park: A Tang Dynasty gold mine site where you can take a small train into the mine tunnel to explore and experience the fun of "gold panning." You can also visit the Gold Museum to learn about the history of gold mining and smelting, and maybe even catch some "good fortune."
- Qianfoshan Scenic Area: The natural giant Maitreya Buddha statue is awe-inspiring, with quiet canyon streams. Walking on the mountain trails, admiring the cliff carvings on both sides, you feel the fusion of Zen and nature, relaxing both body and mind.
- Dushan Village: Features Ming and Qing dynasty ancient buildings in Huizhou architectural style arranged harmoniously. Ancient streets and alleys with bluestone paths make you feel like you've traveled back in time. Taking a set of ancient-style photos here will definitely blow up your social media.
- Wangcunkou Ancient Town: A red revolutionary town and the former site of the Red Army's Advance Division. You can visit the Advance Division Memorial Hall to learn about that magnificent revolutionary history and experience the red culture.
- Xianxia Lake: Known as the "Little Three Gorges," after rain it is shrouded in mist, resembling a fairyland. Taking a boat ride, you can admire the steep cliffs and canyons on both sides, feeling the wonders of nature.
- Hongxingping Village: Surrounded by mountains on one side and rivers on three sides, the heart-shaped tea garden at the village's highest point is incredibly romantic. The Mediterranean-style Miwo homestay is unique, and every photo you take looks like a masterpiece.
📷 Photo tips for attractions:
- For the sea of clouds sunrise at Nanjianyan, get up early to secure the best spot on the viewing platform. With the sea of clouds and terraced fields as the background and people standing on the walkway, the photos have a great atmospheric vibe.
- At Shenlong Valley, shoot below the waterfall using a slow shutter speed to capture the silky water flow, with people standing beside it, looking like characters in a painting.
- On the small train in the Gold Mine Park, take photos from inside the carriage looking out to capture the depth and mystery of the mine tunnel. When gold panning, capture candid shots of the action to record fun moments.
- At Qianfoshan Scenic Area, stand in front of the giant Maitreya Buddha statue with hands clasped to convey devotion, then take close-ups with the forest as the background.
- In Dushan Village, wear ancient costumes and walk through the old streets and alleys, standing under the stone archway to perfectly blend into the ancient scene.
- At Wangcunkou Ancient Town, take meaningful photos in front of the Advance Division Memorial Hall with revolutionary relics and historical photos as the background.
- On Xianxia Lake, take photos on the boat with the green mountains and canyons on both sides, capturing the feeling of riding the wind and waves.
- In Hongxingping Village, take relaxed photos lying on the grass with tea trees as the background in the heart-shaped tea garden, and shoot the exterior of the Miwo homestay as well as selfies with the homestay.
🍱 Must-try foods:
- Jiaotan Fish Head Hot Pot: Suichang's signature dish, with tender fish head and rich broth slowly simmered in a hot pot, becoming more flavorful over time. Paired with local specialty stir-fries, it's a perfect match.
- Suichang Long Zongzi: Different from ordinary zongzi, these are longer and bigger, filled with rich ingredients like pork belly, salted egg yolk, and red beans. The texture is soft and glutinous with a strong aroma.
- Meigan Cai Braised Pork: The fragrance of preserved mustard greens perfectly blends with the pork belly's fat, making the meat flavorful but not greasy. The preserved greens absorb the meat juices, becoming even more delicious, perfect with rice.
- Spicy Ribs: A must for spice lovers, the ribs are fried crispy outside and tender inside, coated with a layer of spicy seasoning. One bite releases a burst of spicy flavor, super satisfying.
- Huangmi Cake: Made by soaking rice in plant ash water, it has a unique texture and can be stir-fried or boiled. Stir-fried with vegetables and shredded meat, it tastes fresh and fragrant; boiled, it becomes softer with delicious broth.
🏠 Accommodation:
- Around Nanjianyan: Yunyi Courtyard offers terraced field view rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows to directly enjoy the sea of clouds and terraced fields. Waking up in the morning, you can see stunning scenery. Nanjianyan Mountain Villa is located inside the scenic area, convenient for early sunrise viewing and cloud sea photography.
- Near Gold Mine Park: Hongxingping Hot Spring Resort, perfect for soaking in hot springs during autumn and winter, with a quiet environment to enjoy a relaxing vacation.
- Suichang County Town: Kaixing Kaiyuan Hotel offers great value, convenient transportation, suitable for self-driving tourists, with nearby food and shopping options.
💡 Travel tips:
- Best season: April to October. Spring and summer are lush and green, ideal for enjoying mountain and water scenery; autumn features golden rice waves, also very charming.
- Clothing advice: Mountain areas have large temperature differences, remember to bring a windproof jacket and comfortable sports shoes for walking and adapting to different weather.
- Ticket discounts: Check online in advance; some attractions offer combo tickets which are more cost-effective.
- Avoid crowds: Popular spots like Nanjianyan are crowded during holidays; it's recommended to start early and visit during off-peak times to better enjoy the scenery and take photos.
🎈 Suichang is a place full of surprises, with its mountains, waters, food, and culture all enchanting. If you love nature and history, come to Suichang for a visit—you'll surely fall in love with it.
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