The ultimate water play spot in Taizhou! Dan Zhu Leisure Valley Babysitting Guide

Hidden in Xianju, Taizhou, Zhejiang, the "natural oxygen bar"—Dan Zhu Leisure Valley! This place isn’t a fairyland, but it’s better than one! The original forest coverage is off the charts 🌳, the creek water is crystal clear, truly "glass water" 💎! Canyons, waterfalls, shallow beaches, ancient villages... Combining hiking for fresh air 💨, creek tracing and water play 🌊, camping and picnicking ⛺️, and photo ops 📸, it’s definitely the perfect choice to escape the city heat and embrace cool nature! Missing out on water play here in summer is a huge loss! · 🚗 Transportation Plan (How to get there?) Location: Dan Zhu Township, Xianju County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province 🚗 Highly recommend driving! This is the most convenient way. Navigation settings: "Xianju Dan Zhu Leisure Valley" or "Dan Zhu Primitive Forest." Route reference: From Taizhou city: Taijin Expressway -> Xianju exit -> turn onto S322 Provincial Road / Guantie Line -> Bailong Line -> Dan Zhu Township. 🚌 Public transport (more troublesome, not recommended): First get to Xianju County Bus Station. Take the urban-rural bus to Dan Zhu Township from the bus station (limited schedules, check times in advance!). After arriving at Dan Zhu Township, there is still some distance to the core scenic area of the leisure valley; you may need to hire a local car or arrange a shuttle with your guesthouse (communicate in advance!). · 🗺️ Route Plan (What to do? How to play?) Core activities: creek tracing and water play + light hiking for fresh air! 📌 Classic route recommendation (easy version, suitable for most): Entrance area: Enter through the scenic area gate (ticket required 🎫), follow the built boardwalk or trail. Longtan Water Play: You’ll soon reach the first water play spot "Longtan." The water is clear and the sand fine; you can soak your feet or take beautiful photos 📸. This spot is usually a bit crowded. Deeper along the creek: Continue tracing the creek upstream; the water quality improves and the crowd thins. Find your favorite shallow beach or pool (such as near the "Imperial Concubine’s Bath"). Small waterfall photo stops: Along the way, you’ll encounter several small waterfalls with flowing water and a refreshing vibe, perfect for photos. Rest at the end: Walk to the trail’s end (or turn back depending on your stamina), find a flat, shady spot to rest and picnic (remember to take your trash with you!). · 📌 Advanced activities (for enthusiasts): Explore wild pools further upstream (pay attention to safety, go in groups). Find small cliffs suitable for diving (make sure the water depth is safe!). Bring a paddleboard to experience the open water areas. Contact local guides for deeper primitive forest exploration (safety first!). · ⚠️ Pitfall Guide (learn from hard experience!) 🚫 Be cautious if not driving! Public transport is extremely inconvenient, taxis are hard to get, and it’s difficult to get around without a car! 🎫 Tickets and parking: The core area of the leisure valley requires tickets (prices may vary, check in advance). Parking is tight during peak season/weekends; try to arrive early or park at a guesthouse and walk in. 🏊 Water safety first! The seemingly calm water may have undercurrents, deep pools, or slippery stones. Life jackets/floaties are a must! Especially if you have kids or are not a strong swimmer. Don’t blindly dive if unfamiliar with the water! 🚮 Protect the environment! The "glass water" needs our joint protection! Always take all your trash with you! Leave no trace! 🍜 Limited dining options: There are few dining spots inside the scenic area and they may be expensive. It’s recommended to bring your own snacks, fruit, and plenty of drinking water. Or eat in Dan Zhu Township or at your guesthouse beforehand. 📶 Signal warning: Some canyon areas have very weak or no mobile signal! Download offline maps in advance and inform family of your itinerary. 🌞 Sun and insect protection: UV rays are still strong in the forest, so apply sunscreen! Mosquitoes are abundant, strong insect repellent is essential! 🍽️ Food recommendations (Xianju flavors!) 🐔 Xianju Sanhuang Chicken: Local specialty! Yellow skin, tender meat, fresh flavor! Delicious either boiled or in soup! A must-try! 🍜 Toppings noodles / Mai Xia: Xianju specialty noodles. Toppings noodles have rich ingredients; Mai Xia is like noodle dumplings with a chewy texture and tasty broth. 🌱 Xianju Eight Bowls: Traditional banquet dishes including lotus seeds, fish, meat, etc., available in county town or larger restaurants. 🥔 Yong’an Creek small fish: Small fish from the creek, fried or braised, crispy and delicious. 🍑 Xianju Bayberry (seasonal): If you visit around June, don’t miss China’s top-grade Xianju bayberries! Large and sweet! · Food spots: There are farmhouses in Dan Zhu Township, more options in Xianju County town (about 30-40 minutes by car). · 🏡 Accommodation recommendations (sleep in the scenery) 🏞️ Boutique guesthouses at the scenic area entrance / Dan Zhu Township: Pros: Good environment, mountain views from the window, some with pools, convenient for water play, great for vacation vibes. Cons: Relatively expensive, hard to book in peak season. Many options like "Le Yu," "Xianju Moshang Huakai Nuan Su," "Dan Zhu Memory," book early! 🏨 Hotels in Xianju County town: Pros: More choices, cost-effective, convenient for dining and shopping. Cons: About 30-40 minutes drive from the scenic area, requires daily commuting. ⛺ Camping: Overnight camping is not allowed inside the scenic area! Some guesthouses or nearby places may have designated campsites; be sure to confirm legality and safety in advance. · ⚠️ Important notes (pay attention!) 👟 Gear checklist: Creek tracing shoes / non-slip sandals (definitely no flip-flops! Stones are slippery!) Waterproof phone pouch Swimsuit, towel, change of clothes Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses Strong insect repellent, anti-itch cream Life jacket / floatie (essential for water play!) Trash bags (bring several!) 💧 Water protection: No shampoo, body wash, or other chemicals in the water! Everyone is responsible for protecting the water source! 🔥 Forest fire prevention: Smoking and all open fires are strictly prohibited! 📅 Avoid peak times: Weekends and holidays are very crowded! Visiting on weekdays greatly improves the experience! 🐍 Wildlife: Primitive environment, may have snakes and insects; watch your step and don’t flip stones or disturb plants. · 💚 Conclusion Dan Zhu Leisure Valley is the "Emerald Forest" city dwellers dream of. The water here is so clear it cleanses the soul; the greenery so dense it intoxicates with oxygen. Find a spot by the creek, listen to the flowing water, feel the mountain breeze on your face, and all the heat and fatigue will vanish. Let’s go embrace this emerald-like cool world! Remember to bring a good mood and, most importantly—environmental awareness! 💚