[2025 Jinyun Stay] Travel Guide for JINYUN POETRY HOTEL (Updated Jun)

Lishui is truly a hidden gem! This time, under the guise of a family outing, I convinced everyone to travel to Jinyun County in Lishui with one goal—to visit the filming locations of *Sword Snow Stride* and *Joy of Life* and personally ask Zhang Ruoyun: When is the next season coming out?! "Returning from the imperial capital to the immortal capital, tired of West Lake, I gaze upon Dinghu Lake." Only upon arriving in Jinyun did I realize how narrow-minded I’d been—this is the real fantasy world. The second stop of the Wanzi family’s 127th trip—stepping into a fantasy world: Jinyun County, Lishui. >> Transportation: 2-3 hours by car from Hangzhou, or take the high-speed train to Jinyun Station. Shuttle buses to the scenic area run every half hour. >> One-day itinerary: Dadu Rock - Little Red Wall - Dragon Plow Path - Zhutan Mountain Xiandu, anciently known as "Jinyun Mountain," is listed alongside Huangshan and Lushan as one of the "Three Great Palaces" of the Yellow Emperor, serving as the southern center for his worship. Outside Xiandu Village, gazing at the vast expanse of bizarre rock formations, it’s easy to understand why the Yellow Emperor chose this place to refine elixirs and ascend to immortality. ✅ Dinghu Peak A natural wonder formed by a volcanic eruption 160 million years ago, soaring skyward like a rocket and hailed as the "Number One Peak Under Heaven." Standing on Xuanyuan Cultural Street, you can see Dinghu Peak rising abruptly at the road’s end. Even without entering, its awe-inspiring majesty is palpable. ✅ Zhutan Mountain A photograph titled *Fairyland* brought fame to this place, turning the stepping-stone bridge into a viral photo spot. But for those who love landscapes, the real charm lies in the mountains and waters themselves. This was also the filming location for Zhang Ruoyun’s *Sword Snow Stride* and the fictional "Dragon-Tiger Mountain." ✅ Dragon Plow Path A naturally formed, one-person-wide path along the cliffs, where every step feels precarious. This was the route to the Hanging Temple in *Joy of Life* and the legendary spot where Emperor Guangwu of Han narrowly escaped danger before claiming the throne. >> Accommodation: This time, the family stayed at the Jinyun Botting Hotel, where the daytime scenery was mesmerizing, and the nights were vibrant. Even doing homework by the window felt like a treat. √ Specialty Breakfast: The breakfast at Jinyun Botting Hotel is exceptionally thoughtful, featuring a spread of local delicacies—Tushuang noodles, ox blood soup, and qiaorou soup. If you want to taste Jinyun’s specialties without the hassle of searching, this breakfast is the perfect choice! √ Family-Friendly: With a pool and gym for adults and kids to unwind, I could just relax in the room. The second-floor children’s play area kept Wanzi happily occupied with building blocks while we enjoyed our meal in peace. √ Convenient Location: Just 10 minutes to Shizi Street, a hub for local snacks, where evening breezes and delicious food make the calories feel less guilty. A 15-minute drive to Xiandu lets you immerse in the fantasy world. >> Additional Tips: √ Xiandu is free to enter, but a combo ticket (90 RMB/person) is required for key attractions. √ Drivers must register in advance with a local restaurant or homestay for free entry. √ Non-drivers can take the scenic area shuttle or flag down a 5 RMB ride. √ The old farmer and his cattle at the stepping-stone bridge in Zhutan Mountain don’t perform on weekdays. √ Rumor has it all the Jinyun baked cakes in the scenic area share the same recipe—so they taste identical. ⚠️ Dogs are allowed in non-ticketed areas but not in paid attractions. So, we only lingered near Zhutan Mountain and Dinghu Peak, dreaming of the day I "attain enlightenment" and can bring my dog along to bask in the immortal aura—just like the saying goes, "When one achieves the Dao, even pets ascend to heaven."

Here, the landscape holds thousands of years of stories, and the clouds outline a fairy-tale scroll. Jinyun, a place known as "Fairyland," is using its mountains and rivers as ink and its culture as a pen to depict the unique poetry and romance of the Jiangnan region. 🚗 Travel Guide 📍 Coordinates: Jinyun County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province 🚄 High-speed train: From Hangzhou, it only takes 1.5 hours to reach Jinyun West Station directly. After getting off the train, you can choose: - 🚕 Taxi: Convenient direct access to the scenic spot - 🚌 Bus: Economical and suitable for slow travel - 🛵 Electric scooter (strongly recommended for attractions 1–6): Freely shuttle and feel the scenery along the way. It is recommended to take a taxi to farther attractions. 🗺️ Must-Visit Route ✅ Core Route: Zhutan Mountain → Dinghu Peak → Xiandu Taoist Temple → Niweng Cave → Yandang Study → Xiaochibi From the misty landscape paintings to the Danxia cliffs in the sunset, every frame is a visual feast! ✅ Niche Exploration: Heyang Ancient Residence → Yanxia Stone Village 🌟 Quick Highlights of Attractions 1️⃣ Dinghu Peak 🎫 Ticket price: CNY 90 (CNY 40 for round-trip cable car): Climb to the top and overlook the mountains and sea of clouds. The "No. 1 Peak in the World" deserves its name! 2️⃣ Zhutan Mountain 📸 Filming location of The Legend of Shen Li: When the misty rain is hazy, the picture of an old farmer leading a cow across the bridge is as beautiful as an ink painting! 3️⃣ Niweng Cave 📜 Thousand-year-old cliff stone carvings: Touch the temperature of history and feel the elegance and charm of literati. 4️⃣ Yandang Study ☕ Literary utopia in a cave: The aroma of coffee intertwines with the light and shadow of the rock walls, and every photo taken is a blockbuster! 5️⃣ Xiandu Taoist Temple 🌿 Summer resort + celebrity check-in point: Ni Ni's magazine shooting location, the large lawn next to it is very suitable for camping and walking the baby! 6️⃣ Xiaochibi 🎬 Filming location of Joy of Life 2: The red and white rock walls form a beautiful silhouette in the sunset, creating a full fairy-tale atmosphere! 7️⃣ Jiaolong Grand Canyon ⛰️ Paradise for hiking enthusiasts: 3-hour immersive experience, ticket price: CNY 69 8️⃣ Heyang Ancient Residence 👘 Best scene for Hanfu: CNY 40 ticket (free after 17:30), travel through ancient Ming and Qing houses 9️⃣ Jianchuan Flower Sea 👨👩👧👦 Parent-child paradise: small train, amusement projects, large grassland, ticket price: CNY 30 🔟 Yanxia Stone Village 🏡 Secluded paradise: the retreat of the Internet celebrity "Xiaoyue", the stone village is quiet and healing! 🍜 Jinyun on the Tip of the Tongue 1️⃣ Jinyun Clay Oven Rolls Headquarters 🍢 Must-eat: crispy clay oven rolls, spicy tofu soup, Tushuang noodles, fried bamboo shoots, authentic flavors in one go! 2️⃣ Sansong Courtyard 🏡 The first choice for retro banquets: a restaurant privately hidden by locals, full of nostalgia 3️⃣ Kuangtouzi 📸 Internet celebrity fusion restaurant: creative cuisine + distinctive decoration, taking photos and checking in are both correct! 🎁 Souvenir recommendations: Ma duck, braised bamboo shoots, Tushuang noodles, dried plum vegetable shortbread, super suitable for gifting! 🏨 Accommodation Guide 1️⃣ Jinyun Jinjiang International Hotel 🌟 Five-star quality, comfortable choice 2️⃣ Jinyun Baoting 🛍️ New Area C position, surrounded by shopping mall food streets 3️⃣ Jinyun Lishe 🌄 10-minute walk to Xiaochibi, excellent view 📢 Special Reminder 🔥 May Day Limited: There are many special performances in the scenic area, don't miss it! 🌿 Surrounding extension: If you are energetic, you can also visit Songyang and Yunhe to unlock more secret realms in Lishui! The landscape of Jinyun hides the power to heal people's hearts. Slow down, find a quiet place here, taste a bit of life, and turn time into poetry~ 🌈

🌟Preparation - Documents: Bring your ID card and any discount cards such as student ID or senior citizen card if applicable. - Clothing: Pack weather-appropriate clothing. For summer, bring light and breathable clothes, along with sun protection gear like UV protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. For spring and fall, pack long-sleeve jackets. For winter, bring thick cotton clothes, scarves, and gloves. - Other items: Prepare comfortable sneakers or hiking boots, power bank, camera, and umbrella or raincoat. 🚗Transportation Guide - Getting there: Take high-speed rail to Jinyun West Station, then take a 15-20 minute taxi ride to the scenic area. If driving, navigate to Xiandu Scenic Area Visitor Center (West Entrance) and park in the parking lot before taking the shuttle bus. - Internal transportation: Shuttle buses run between attractions within the scenic area for convenient transfers. ☑️Attractions - Dinghu Peak: Known as "The First Peak Under Heaven" and "The First Bamboo Shoot Under Heaven." The Emperor Huang Temple and the small bridge from the drama are located here. During non-holidays, you can drive up. - Zhutan Mountain: Famous for the "Old Man Leading an Ox" photo spot. On rainy days, the mountain is shrouded in mist, creating a dreamlike scene perfect for photos. The Old Man Leading an Ox performance is available on weekends. - Niweng Cave: Features the Dufeng Academy where Song Dynasty Neo-Confucian philosopher Zhu Xi taught. The late Qing Dynasty architectural style building houses famous flowers and trees, along with exhibitions about Xiandu's natural scenery and cultural history. - Little Red Cliff: Features steep cliffs by the stream that glow red in the sunset. The steps here are narrow and steep, so be careful when visiting. - Yandang Study: Converted from an abandoned quarry, it's known as "Zhejiang's Little Dunhuang." On sunny days, sunlight streaming through the rock crevices creates the Tyndall effect, making it ideal for afternoon photography. 🏭Accommodation Options - Luxury: Jinyun Jinjiang International Hotel, Jinyun Baoting Hotel, Jinyun Chenshun Kaiyuan Mingdu Hotel, etc., offering complete facilities and excellent service. - Resort farmhouse: Jinyun Jinyun Lishe Luxury Stay, featuring American country style, located at the Little Red Cliff entrance in Xiayang Village. - Budget: Xiandu Changxin Guesthouse and others, offering affordable prices, convenient locations, and local experience. 😍Food Recommendations - Jinyun Pancake: Local specialty made with flour, pork, and preserved vegetables, baked until golden and crispy with an enticing aroma. - Tu Shuang Noodles: Smooth and chewy noodles that can be served boiled or stir-fried, with delicious flavor. - Qiao Rou Geng: A hearty local specialty soup made with thinly pounded pork slices and starch. ☑️Recommended Itineraries - One-day tour: Visit Zhutan Mountain in the morning to watch the Old Man Leading an Ox performance and enjoy misty views, then head to Dinghu Peak to visit Emperor Huang Temple. In the afternoon, explore Niweng Cave for its cultural atmosphere, and finish at Little Red Cliff to enjoy sunset views. - Two-day tour: First day morning at Zhutan Mountain and Dinghu Peak, afternoon at Yandang Study for photos, evening trying local food and resting near the scenic area. Second day exploring Niweng Cave, Little Red Cliff, and other spots like Furong Gorge to fully experience Xiandu's charm.

1️⃣ Preparation ✅ Documents: Bring your ID card 🪪, student ID, senior citizen card, and other relevant documents for ticket discounts and identity verification. ✅ Clothing: Dress according to the season. Wear light and breathable clothing in summer and bring sunscreen. In winter, dress warmly with thick coats 🧥, scarves 🧣, and other warm clothing. ✅ Other items: Wear comfortable sneakers or flat shoes for walking. You can also bring an umbrella ☂️ or raincoat, a portable charger, and a camera 📷. 2️⃣ Transportation ✅ External transportation: Take the high-speed train 🚄 to Jinyun West Station. There is a direct shuttle bus to the scenic area outside the station. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs CNY 1.5. The first and last buses depart at 7:00 am and 4:20 pm, respectively. A taxi ride costs around CNY 20–30. If you are driving 🚗, navigate to the Xiandu Scenic Area Tourist Service Center (West Entrance). Free 🆓 parking 🅿️ is available in the scenic area. ✅ Internal transportation: There are sightseeing buses within the scenic area. Tickets cost CNY 20 per person, and you can transfer between different attractions. 3️⃣ Attractions 📍 Zhutan Mountain: This is a filming 🎬 location for TV series such as Chinese Paladin, and where the famous photo of an old man leading an ox was taken. On weekends, there are old man and ox performances from 9:30–11:00 am and 2:30–4:00 pm, each lasting half an hour. 📍 Dinghufeng Peak: The core attraction of Xiandu, known as the "No. 1 Peak Under Heaven" and the "No. 1 Bamboo Shoot Under Heaven". Legend has it that the Yellow Emperor once refined pills and ascended to heaven here. The Yellow Emperor Temple within the scenic area is an important place for worship. 📍 Niweng Cave: Composed of caves of various sizes, it features cliff carvings from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The nearby Dufeng Academy is a memorial site where Zhu Xi gave lectures. 📍 Little Red Cliff: Named after a cliff by the stream, the cliff face glows like a burning fire at sunset, resembling the Red Cliffs. It is a very pleasant sight. The cliffside walkway is a filming location for the TV series Joy of Life. 📍 Yandang Study: Transformed from a quarry cave, it is known as the "Little Dunhuang of Zhejiang". It is a great photo 📷 spot when the sun shines through. 4️⃣ Recommended routes ✅ One-day tour: Zhutan Mountain (watch the old man and ox performance) → Dinghufeng Peak (visit the Yellow Emperor Temple) → Niweng Cave (explore the cliff carvings and Dufeng Academy) → Little Red Cliff (enjoy the sunset 🌇 view). ✅ Two-day tour: Day 1: Zhutan Mountain → Dinghufeng Peak → Niweng Cave → Caveman Nature Camp; Day 2: Yandang Study → Xiandu Temple → Little Red Cliff. 5️⃣ Food recommendations 👍 ✅ Jinyun baked cake 🫓: A local specialty filled with preserved vegetables and meat. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. ✅ Jinyun ma duck: Tender duck meat that can be braised, stewed in soup, and more. ✅ Haoxi wild fish: Delicious fish that can be prepared in various ways, such as braising or steaming. 6️⃣ Accommodation options ✅ Luxury: Jinyun Jinjiang International Hotel, Jinyun Baoting Hotel, Jinyun Chenshun New Century Grand Hotel 🏨 ✅ Resort farm stay: Jinyun Jin Yun Li She Luxury Homestay ✅ Upscale: Jinyun Zhongwei Xiangyi Hotel 🏨

During the May Day holiday, there were endless complaints about the XianDu Scenic Area, but as a tourist who just came back from there, I must stand up and vindicate it! 🗣🏨 First of all, the free shuttle bus service provided by Baoting Hotel is a lifesaver. It not only solved the parking problem but also made our journey much more relaxed and enjoyable. Upon arriving at the scenic area and seeing the parking lot already packed, I knew how wise our choice was! 🎫 Ticket purchase was also exceptionally convenient. Scan the code to get a coupon, save 15 yuan immediately, no need to queue, operate on the mobile phone, and enter the park quickly. I give full marks for this efficiency! 🚌 The bus service within the scenic area is also a highlight. There is no need to wait for a long time, the buses depart quickly, and the drivers are friendly. Such an experience is rare in other scenic areas. 🔗 As for the prices, 6 yuan for grilled sausages, 10 yuan for three baked buns, 3 yuan for mineral water, 5 yuan for cola, these prices are definitely conscience prices in the scenic area. Good food at a good price, thumbs up! 📝 Finally, the selective play of attractions made our trip more flexible. Dinghu Peak, Zhutan Mountain, Niweng Cave (Yandang Study Room), and Xiao Chibi, each spot has its unique features, especially the rose sea and the big lawn on Zhutan Mountain, which are simply photo paradise! So, dear friends, don't be swayed by negative voices, XianDu Scenic Area is definitely worth a visit. My personal experience tells you that it has not only beautiful scenery but also quality service and reasonable prices.