Not Abroad, But a Severely Underrated Small Town in Zhejiang

Transportation Guide • High-speed Rail: First take the high-speed rail to Wenling Station, then take a taxi or shared ride to Shitang Town, about a 1-hour drive. • Self-drive: From Taizhou or Wenzhou, take the Shenhai Expressway directly to Shitang Town. Sometimes setting the navigation to "avoid highways" can save time. Recommended Attractions • Colorful Xiaoruo Village: Known as the "Chinese Santorini" and "China's Most Beautiful Fishing Village." The vibrant, multicolored houses cascade down the hillside like a fairy tale world, and the afternoon sunlight creates stunning photo opportunities. • Millennium Sunrise Park: The first place in China to greet the sunrise of the new millennium. Watching the sunrise here, with the sea turning golden and fishing boats dotting the horizon, is a breathtaking sight. • Ring Viewing Platform: Located atop Wuao Mountain, this platform resembles a pair of rings, symbolizing romance. It offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Shitang, showcasing the sea and stone houses. • Coastal Greenway: Stretching 8 kilometers along the coastline, this winding path is perfect for walking or cycling, with gentle sea breezes and serene views of the mountains meeting the sea. • Golden Beach: Featuring fine sand and a playground, it offers activities like floating bridge surfing, slides, and opportunities for boating, beachcombing, and swimming. Food Recommendations • Seafood: Shitang Town is famous for its fresh seafood. Must-tries include yellow croaker with pickled cabbage soup, eel stew, braised pomfret, stir-fried sea garlic with garlic, and scallion oil clams. • Specialty Noodles: Shitang fish noodles, handmade with a chewy texture and flavorful broth, as well as mung bean noodles and Suo noodles, are also worth sampling. • Other Snacks: Qiangao (glutinous rice cakes stuffed with various fillings and drizzled with gravy), fried eel fritters (crispy and delicious), wheat cakes, and meatballs are all local specialties. Accommodation Suggestions • Sheye Yizhai: Features sea-view floor-to-ceiling windows and an infinity pool, just a short walk from Golden Beach. • Wenling POCOaPOCO Pugu Homestay: A design-forward stay with rustic vintage furnishings and a cozy atmosphere. • Wenling By the Sea Homestay: Offers stunning blue sea views right from the balcony, with an excellent location. • Wenling Yaojia·Stellar Wild Dawn Homestay: A French-style stone house surrounded by the sea on three sides, exuding romance. Itinerary Suggestions • Two-Day Trip: - Day 1: Visit Xiaoruo Village, stroll along the rainbow steps for fairy-tale photos, then cycle or walk along the Coastal Greenway in the afternoon. Enjoy a seafood dinner in Shitang Town in the evening. - Day 2: Wake up early for sunrise at Millennium Sunrise Park, then head to the Ring Viewing Platform, and end the day with fun water activities at Golden Beach. • Three-Day Trip: - Day 1: Same as the two-day trip. - Day 2: Charter a car or drive to Dongxia Beach for jet skiing or take a ferry to Sansuan Island to hike the cliffside trails. Enjoy the night views near your homestay in the evening. - Day 3: Explore Changyu Cave, a millennia-old geological wonder, and pick up local souvenirs like Wangwei snacks and pastries before heading back.