Four days and three nights in Zhuji in December, staying in the hometown of Xi Shi, checking in on a thousand years of Yue culture!

Who says winter in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai means staying indoors? Hidden south of Hangzhou, Zhuji is a seriously underrated treasure city— here you’ll find the wildest Xiangfei Ancient Trail in Jiangnan, a secret thousand-year-old maple forest rivaling Japan’s, and a low-key luxurious Song Dynasty aesthetic hot spring hotel♨️ December is the perfect time to visit! Fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, and full cultural immersion. This deep four-day, three-night itinerary under 3000 RMB lets you slowly explore the everyday charm of Yue land. --- 🗓 Itinerary (4 days 3 nights) Day 1: Arrive in Zhuji → Check in at Wuxie Zen Mountain Residence Take the high-speed train to [Zhuji Station], then a 30-minute taxi to near [Wuxie Scenic Area] Stay in a design-focused mountain lodge or hot spring guesthouse 💰750/night × 3 = 2250 (bamboo sea views from the window, some rooms with private hot springs) Evening stroll at [Wuxie Lake], the winter lake light is tranquil, like an ink painting Day 2: Wuxie Waterfalls + Xiangfei Ancient Trail light hike ✅ Morning visit to [Wuxie Scenic Area] (ticket ¥80): see the five-tiered waterfalls hanging on cliffs, winter water clear as silk ✅ Afternoon walk the [Zhaojia Town Xiangfei Ancient Trail], passing through thousand-year-old trees, golden fallen leaves, few people for great photos📸 Dinner with farmhouse dishes: Xiangfei fried chicken, grouper stewed with tofu, about ¥60 per person, very satisfying! Day 3: Xi Shi Hometown cultural day ✅ Morning visit [Xi Shi Hometown Tourist Area] (free): explore the ancient charm by the Wansha River, check in at Xi Shi Temple and Ancient Yue Street ✅ Afternoon visit [Zhuji Museum] + [Migoguo Town] (optional strawberry picking or indoor hot spring soak) Overnight at a boutique hotel in the city for convenient travel Day 4: Douyan Scenic Area or Tangjiangyan light hike + return trip ✅ For hiking lovers, choose [Douyan] (¥50), with towering peaks and a stunning Guanyin statue; ✅ For a relaxing day, go to [Tangjiangyan] to walk the waterside boardwalk and warm your feet in the foot bath pools Buy some souvenirs: Xi Shi dried tofu, hickory nuts, handmade rice cakes to take home and savor --- 💰 Budget details: - Transportation: round-trip high-speed train ¥400 (departing from Shanghai/Hangzhou) - Accommodation: 2250 (three nights in high-quality guesthouses + hot spring experience) - Tickets + meals + local transport + miscellaneous: about ¥350 ✅ Total: about 2995 RMB! Off the beaten path, artistic and healing --- In December, Zhuji has no noise, only mountain winds, hot springs, and whispers of history. It tells you with a bowl of hot tofu pudding, a red maple leaf, and a warm pool: the best travel is returning to the true essence of life.