Yixing Niche Travel Guide with Hidden Gems and Local Cuisine

Yixing Niche Travel Guide: Explore the Hidden Jiangnan Tired of crowded tourist spots? Yixing's lesser-known attractions will lead you to the most authentic scenery of Jiangnan. Hidden Gems Natural Beauty - Niansanwan Ancient Trail: Located deep in the Taihua Mountains, this winding bluestone path is flanked by lush bamboo and streams, making it perfect for a light hike. The address is Qianyuan Village, Taihua Town, Yixing. Wear non-slip shoes and climb to the top after the rain to enjoy panoramic views of the junction of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces. - Longchishan Bicycle Park: The cycling trails are surrounded by tea gardens, bamboo forests, and lakes. Located in Longchishan, Zhangzhu Town, admission is free. Rent a bike for CNY 50-80 per hour and ride through thousands of acres of tea plantations. - Dajue Temple Yunhu Lake: A tranquil reservoir in Hengshan Village, Xizhu Town, with jade-like islands in the lake. It's a great place for camping and bird watching. The morning mist creates a fairyland-like atmosphere. Cultural Exploration - Shushan Ancient South Street: The birthplace of Yixing Zisha pottery. The old street in Shushan South Street, Dingshu Town, still retains its Ming and Qing dynasty features. You might encounter old craftsmen making pots and experience handmade Zisha pottery at the "Ancient South Street Pottery Workshop" (reservations required). - Zhou Tie Ancient Town: A thousand-year-old water town that has not been overdeveloped. The Zhou Tie Town God Temple and century-old ginkgo trees are full of ancient charm, located in Zhou Tie Town, Yixing. Hidden Ancient Villages - Qianyuan Village: Mountain streams run through the village, making it a great place to play in the water and dig bamboo shoots in the summer. The "A Line Sky" waterfall at the entrance of the village is a great place to escape the summer heat. Bring your stream tracing shoes and be sure to try the local chicken and mountain bamboo shoots at the village's farmhouses. Food Guide - Specialty Dishes: Zhou Zhen Wonton (Dongmiao Alley, Yicheng Street) offers black rice, which is soft, glutinous, and fragrant; Xiangshan Restaurant in Zhangzhu Town offers wild mushroom noodles, a seasonal dish in autumn with a rich aroma; and the steamed pork rib soup at Zhou Wang Temple Zisha Hotel in Dingshu Town is fresh and delicious. - Street Snacks: Xushe Crispy Candy is crispy and not sticky, Gao Cheng Pork Cake is super fragrant, and Heqiao Dried Tofu is full of flavor. You can buy them at street stalls or in the market. - Pleasant Teahouses: "Chashan Shiye" next to Yangxian Xishan is a Japanese-style teahouse with picturesque tea gardens outside the window; "Shangyuan Teahouse" in Shushan Ancient South Street is converted from a century-old house, where you can drink tea and enjoy the rain, and experience Zisha and tea culture. Two-Day Itinerary - Day 1: In the morning, cycle through the tea gardens in Longchishan, have lunch in Qianyuan Village and eat mountain bamboo shoots with meat, hike in Niansanwan in the afternoon, watch the sunset at Yunhu Lake in the evening, and have wild mushroom noodles and steamed chicken at Xiangshan Restaurant for dinner. - Day 2: In the morning, experience pottery making in Shushan Ancient South Street, stroll around Zhou Tie Ancient Town, have black rice and wontons at Zhou Zhen Wonton for lunch, practice Zen meditation at Dajue Temple in the afternoon, and then enjoy afternoon tea at "Chashan Shiye". Travel Tips - Transportation: After arriving at "Yixing Station" by high-speed train, it is more convenient to travel by car or charter a car (car rental is about CNY 200/day). - Accommodation: It is recommended to stay in design-oriented B&Bs such as "Longyin Jiangnan" and "Jiangzuo Fenghuang", which are close to Yunhu Lake and the bamboo forest. - Tips: Don't easily buy cheap Zisha teapots in scenic spots. It is recommended to customize them in the studio of Gunan Street; there are many mosquitoes in the mountainous area during the rainy season, so remember to bring mosquito repellent. Come to Yixing, away from the hustle and bustle, and start a leisurely slow trip.