Spring Blossoms: Seeking Spring in Jiangnan – A 2-Day Laid-back Trip to Longchuan Bay, Qiandao Lake

As the pandemic fades and warm spring arrives, take a spontaneous trip this spring! Set off for Longchuan Bay in Qiandao Lake, Zhejiang!

Driving from Hangzhou to Qiandao Lake, we soon reached the highway and arrived quickly. Heading further west, Longchuan Bay is nearly 50km from Qiandao Lake town.

Winding roads reveal the stunning scenery of Qiandao Lake one after another. Along the route, many viewing platforms offer panoramas of the entire lake.

Fishing lovers absolutely shouldn’t miss this spot. A sun umbrella and a fishing rod – that’s all you need to sit here all day long.

· Longchuan Bay is the premier attraction in southwestern Qiandao Lake, a peninsula with both mountains and water. · Its islets, large and small, are scattered in a charming jumble, and the narrow waterways twist and turn, creating the unique Longchuan landscape of “lakes within islands, islands within lakes” – the only lake-type wetland in Qiandao Lake. · Here you can stay overnight, and also glimpse rural scenes from past decades and early reform era. · With few visitors, it's absolutely pristine, ideal for daydreaming.

Eagles soaring overhead, reeds swaying in the water, reflections on the lake… In such a leisurely place, it feels easy to let yourself go.

The whole Longchuan Bay is a natural scenic area, very suitable for bringing elderly family and children. A leisurely two-hour walk covers the entire bay – it’s highly recreational.

The 70 Commune at Longchuan Bay, Qiandao Lake, is nestled inside the scenic area. Overlooking the entire bay, green hills and clear waters with not a trace of haze – here you can take deep, clean breaths.

This was once the site of Zhejiang Production and Construction Corps in the 1970s, where many educated youth lived and worked. Today the accommodation and dining are decorated in a nostalgic “educated youth” style – a truly memorable experience.

Thousand islands, crystal waters, a golden belt – these have become symbols of this place. After arriving at the scenic area gate, you can ride a little sightseeing train around the island – so pleasant.

Crystal Qiandao Lake, the most beautiful Longchuan Bay. Besides eco-friendly cars for island circuits, you can also hop on a boat to soak in all the bay’s beauty.

In this season of spring blossoms, many choose to come here for a spring outing. There’s a rich array of activities and plenty of great food. Nestled between hills and water, with rolling peaks and islets embracing you, the natural scenery is gorgeous and the eco-environment superb.

As the sun sets in the west, the afterglow blankets all of Longchuan Bay. An old man fishing by the shore, half the sky gilded gold – dusk here feels extraordinarily romantic.

Reflections in the lake silhouette the reeds. After too long in the city, you yearn to return to a life closer to nature.

In the 70 Commune, quaint props are everywhere: spades, schoolbags, oil lamps, stirring memories for the older generation. Here you don’t just admire the scenery, you also catch glimpses of childhood memories.

At Xinbo Holiday Hotel inside Longchuan Bay Scenic Area, you fall asleep to the murmur of insects and birds. Brand-new facilities make it an exceptionally tranquil and stylish retreat.

It feels as warm and cozy as home – the hotel’s design is clearly very thoughtful. The metal bedside tables are uniquely special.

There’s a deep cultural sediment of educated youth history: share a mess-hall meal, watch old films, stay in a youth hostel, browse the exhibition on educated youth. Here you can step into history, experience the lives of those young people firsthand, and recall an unforgettable period of life, as if returning to that bygone era.

Old rural houses full of memories, walls made of clay with chili peppers and corn cobs hanging from the eaves. Snap a photo anywhere and you’ll capture beautiful, nostalgic images.

From the main entrance of Longchuan Bay, you can take an eco-vehicle into the 70 Commune. We greeted many children who came to pick tea leaves and learn about the process of making tea. A study tour, experiencing the joys of farm work.

Eco-vehicles rolled through the entire Longchuan Bay scenic area, birdsong and flower fragrance along the way, and every child was beaming with excitement.

After riding the eco-vehicle from the gate to Sanli Pavilion, we transferred to the little train. It passes through a whole tea plantation, revealing all the pastoral scenery as you go.

The little train travels through a rainbow tunnel, bursting with colorful, youthful vibrancy.

The children, all geared up and ready to board, wore bright smiles that made us adults feel much younger, too.

The little train comes in two colors – one red, one white. With a rumbling roar, it set off in grand style.

Orchards of neatly-arranged tea bushes spread out like a hidden paradise.

“Those years we walked together” – arriving at the train’s final stop, it was time to pick tea leaves!

Before starting, each child signed their name on a wall with a marker.

With little bandanas tied and small bamboo baskets on their backs, they were ready to go. Led by their parents, the children all stepped into the tea garden.

The tea beds here are incredibly neat. Looking out, it’s a sea of tea bushes as far as the eye can see.

How to pick tea leaves? Not by pinching with fingernails, but by gently plucking the tender buds – they come away easily. The children picked it up right away, so clever.

Every child worked earnestly. Through this tea-picking activity, each will surely treasure every single tea leaf and value the fruits of labor more deeply.

Guided by adults, the children swiftly gathered plenty of leaves. They not only learned, but also honed their hands-on skills.

For people working in cities today, faced with the fast pace, noisy crowds, congested traffic, and choking smog, “I just want some peace” is the inner cry of many. Longchuan Bay is undoubtedly a great place to breathe fresh air and unwind. Sipping and tasting tea here is a great joy.

The master showed the children how to process tea, hands constantly tossing the leaves under high heat until a delicate fragrance wafted out.

After the master’s skilled hands worked the freshly picked leaves, a crisp aroma filled the air. The children all shouted, “It smells so good!”

Tasting, smelling, drinking tea – tea culture planted a seed in the children’s hearts. Yes, Chinese culture must not be lost. The little ones brewed tea with practiced gestures; here, every child fell in love with tea.

They say Jiangnan boasts the most beautiful scenery. I love Jiangnan, I love Longchuan Bay – this place of hills and water, brimming with warmth and vitality.