Xuancheng Trip Review: Not Recommended for April

Hey everyone👋! I'm a travel enthusiast who loves exploring hidden gems😎. I recently visited Xuancheng, taking advantage of the beautiful spring weather in April. This trip felt like stepping into a poetic world of landscapes, culture, and art. Here's my detailed travel guide. 📍Xuancheng, located in southeastern Anhui, is a truly underrated gem of a city👏! It's like a slowly unfolding landscape painting. Here you'll find Mount Jingting, known as the "best poetic mountain south of the Yangtze River." The famous poet Li Bai once wrote, "We never tire of looking at each other, only Mount Jingting." There's also Chaji Ancient Town, a representative of Hui-style architecture, with its ancient bridges, alleys, and houses, where the passage of time is clearly visible. As the birthplace of Xuan paper and Xuan brushes, Xuancheng carries on a thousand-year-old legacy of craftsmanship and culture. It's a city filled with the gentleness and poetry of the Jiangnan region. 🚗【Transportation】 ✈️By plane: You can fly to Nanjing Lukou International Airport or Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, and then transfer to a bus to Xuancheng. Although the journey is a bit long, the transportation connections are smooth. 🚄By high-speed rail: There are many trains to Xuancheng Station and Jingxian Station. After arriving, buses and taxis are readily available, making it easy to reach various attractions. City buses mostly operate from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. You can pay with Alipay or WeChat. If you want to visit more remote attractions, such as Peach Blossom Pool, renting a car is a good option. You can enjoy the scenery of southern Anhui along the way. 🗺【Recommended Itinerary】 Day 1: Mount Jingting - Xuancheng Museum - Wanling Lake In the morning, head to Mount Jingting. Hike along the mountain trails, surrounded by tranquil forests and birdsong. Along the way, you'll see many stone inscriptions of poems left by ancient writers and poets😃. For lunch, try Xuancheng baba, a crispy pastry with various fillings. It's super satisfying😋. In the afternoon, visit the Xuancheng Museum to learn about the city's history and see its rich collection of artifacts. Then, go to Wanling Lake for a stroll, admire the scenery, and watch the sunset over the shimmering water. It's a great place for photos📷. Day 2: Chaji Ancient Town in Jingxian County - Peach Blossom Pool In the morning, visit Chaji Ancient Town in Jingxian County. Stepping into the ancient town feels like traveling through time. The horse head walls of the old houses appear and disappear in the morning mist, and the bluestone roads wind through the town. For lunch, enjoy Maolin hu, a thick and delicious soup in the ancient town. In the afternoon, visit Peach Blossom Pool, made famous by Li Bai's poem, "The water of Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep, but not as deep as Wang Lun's friendship for me." The pool's water is emerald green, and the surrounding scenery is tranquil. Rent a boat and drift on the pool, immersing yourself in the poetic atmosphere. Day 3: Xuan Paper Cultural Park - Return Trip Visit the Xuan Paper Cultural Park to see the papermaking process, from material selection to the finished product. Each step embodies the craftsmanship of the artisans. You can even try making paper yourself. For lunch, have a Jixi Hu Shi Yi Pin Guo, a hearty stew with layers of meat, bamboo shoots, egg dumplings, and other ingredients. In the afternoon, pack your bags and head home with wonderful memories. 🌟【5 Must-See Attractions】 📍Mount Jingting: Rich in poetic charm and natural beauty. Hike to the top and enjoy the views. 📍Chaji Ancient Town: A gem of Hui-style architecture. Stroll through the ancient village and discover its stories. 📍Xuan Paper Cultural Park: Learn about Xuan paper culture, witness traditional craftsmanship, and experience papermaking. 📍Peach Blossom Pool: Famous for its poetry and tranquil waters. Take a boat ride and immerse yourself in the poetic atmosphere. 📍Xuancheng Museum: A hub of Xuancheng's history and culture. Learn about the city's transformation. 📌【Practical Tips】 🎫Book tickets online in advance for discounts. Some attractions, like Mount Jingting, are free. 👗The weather in Xuancheng is warm in April, but it can be cool in the mornings and evenings. Bring a light jacket and wear comfortable shoes for outdoor activities. 📸The lighting is best for photos at Mount Jingting in the early morning and at Peach Blossom Pool in the evening. Remember to bring a portable charger. 🍜【Local Food Recommendations】 🥘Xuancheng baba: Sweet or savory pastries with fillings like sesame sugar or pickled mustard greens and minced meat. 🍜Maolin hu: A thick and delicious soup made with starch, meat, and shrimp. 🥣Jixi Hu Shi Yi Pin Guo: A hearty stew with layers of meat, bamboo shoots, egg dumplings, and other ingredients. 🐟Steamed eggs with qin fish: Qin fish is a Xuancheng specialty. Steamed with eggs, it's tender and nutritious. 🥔Jingde big cake: A large, thick cake with fillings like chives and vermicelli, baked in a stove until crispy. 🏨【Hotel Recommendations】 📍Near Mount Jingting: Xuancheng Jingting Lake Hotel, close to Mount Jingting, with beautiful scenery and convenient transportation. 📍Chaji Ancient Town: Jingxian Chaji Degongtingwu Inn, located in the ancient town, offering a traditional experience. 📍Near Xuan Paper Cultural Park: Jingxian China Xuan Paper Hotel, close to the cultural park, with complete facilities. 💖【Overall Experience】 My three days in Xuancheng felt like a journey into a poetic world. The ethereal beauty of Mount Jingting, the ancient charm of Chaji Ancient Town, the craftsmanship of the Xuan Paper Cultural Park, and the delicious food all captivated me. Xuancheng is like a melodious Jiangnan poem, each line filled with beauty. Don't miss this hidden gem! Come and start your Xuancheng journey💕.