Escape the Crowds: A De-Stressing Getaway to Hidden Gem Tonglu
A carefree town by the Fuchun River
Tonglu – the name may still be unfamiliar to many. Yet this is an ancient town with a history of over 1,700 years, where the Fenshui and Fuchun rivers meet, surrounded by mountains and blessed with a mild climate.
Since ancient times, poets and scholars have lavished praise on this place. Fan Zhongyan once wrote ten poems ("Ten Odes to the Carefree Tonglu Prefecture") extolling its beauty. What's even more widely known is that one of China's Ten Great Paintings, "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains," captures the extraordinary landscapes along the very stretch of the Fuchun River where Tonglu lies. A detail from "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains"
Tonglu is just an hour's drive from downtown Hangzhou. With the completion of the high-speed rail at the end of 2018, it now takes only half an hour to get here from Hangzhou, making it a rare, off-the-beaten-path destination near Hangzhou. Beyond soaking in its breathtaking natural scenery, Tonglu offers a host of special experiences. Among them, the absolute must-visit is the Chuiyun Tongtian River Scenic Area. Its rich array of experiences is incredibly "de-stressing" – an unbeatable choice to relax and recharge. Walk across the glass sky bridge for the thrill of strolling high above.
Glide through the mountains on the glass rafting slide and feel the rush of speed and excitement.
Shout your heart out at the "Shouting Spring" – the louder you yell, the higher the water shoots up, releasing all your pent-up stress in an instant.
Venture deep into a masterfully sculpted underground river for a cave expedition that feels like traveling through time.
Drift on a traditional bamboo raft amid green hills and clear waters.
A daredevil's game, strolling on the glass sky bridge
The coolest attraction in the entire Chuiyun Tongtian River Scenic Area has to be the Lingyun Glass Sky Bridge, stretching between two hills. Although I'd heard of glass bridges before, this was my first time actually walking on one. Over 300 meters long and with a relative height of 150 meters, it's strikingly visible and awe-inspiring from a distance. From here, you can see the fountain rising and falling – that's another signature experience in the area, the "Shouting Spring."
On one side of the glass bridge, there are also various Instagram-worthy photo spots. My favorite is the "Angel Wings." Compared to street art I've seen elsewhere, these wings painted on glass feel more three-dimensional, and the vibrant, colorful palette adds rich depth, a kind of gorgeous beauty. These "Angel Wings" have a serious pedigree – they were designed and painted in person by the celebrated Los Angeles designer Colette Miller. Using mainly red, purple, and blue with yellow and metallic accents, they blend perfectly with nature.
It's a perfect spot for photos – no matter how you snap it, you'll look great!
Finally stepping onto the glass bridge, I'll be honest – it was a little scary at first. After all, it's made of glass, and there's a slight sway when you walk. But after a few steps, you realize that compared to the more violently swaying chain bridges, the glass bridge is much steadier.
You'll often see kids starting out terrified, but as they walk, they relax. Some bold ones even try little jumps, and every time, you hear screams from young women. All in all, walking on the glass bridge with your heart racing is incredibly de-stressing!
And for new couples 💕, don't say I didn't share my little secret for "spicing things up"! Come walk the Chuiyun Tongtian River glass bridge together!
Of course, if you happen to be here alone, it's also a good spot for selfies.
Check out this GIF to get a feel – it's actually pretty steady, ladies, no need to be afraid.
Looking out into the distance, you'll see a town nestled among rolling hills. On a clear day at sunset, the view must be drop-dead gorgeous.
You can also see the "Shouting Spring" from the bridge ~
For those with a drone, definitely try capturing videos or photos from a drone's perspective here – the effect is even more breathtaking.
But note, there are high-voltage wires overhead, so keep your altitude in check. Also, the wind can be strong on the hillside, so fly cautiously and never let the drone out of your sight. Safety first!
Glass rafting, a different kind of speed and excitement
Once you cross the glass bridge, the other side greets you with an even more thrilling glass rafting slide. I'm sure many of you have tried rafting, and even if you haven't, you've at least been on a theme park log flume ride ~ But a glass rafting slide – that was new to me.
The track is over a kilometer long with a drop of more than 100 meters, featuring racing-style turns that give you a "360-degree spinning rafting" experience. It looks pretty "scary," but it's actually very safe and perfect for families with kids. You'll need to buy a raincoat before setting off – a full set with a jacket and trousers. Make sure to wear them properly, especially protecting cameras, phones, and other electronics. Because at the end, like on a log flume, water splashes up, and if you're not properly covered, you risk getting soaked!
On straight sections, the speed picks up, but as you enter turns, it automatically slows down, so you can enjoy the ride without worry. It's exciting but safe.
Power up with your voice, the magical "Shouting Spring"
Another hugely de-stressing experience in the area is the "Shouting Spring." You can see it as soon as you enter the scenic area – a fountain rising and falling while people shout loudly, one after another. It's great fun. This is actually a voice-activated fountain; the louder you shout, the higher the water shoots. It's perfect for families and friends to enjoy together. Watching the water shoot sky-high is truly decompressing.
Unfortunately, when I visited, the park was about to close, or I would have loved to try it. For those planning a visit, don't miss it!
Cave expedition, nature's masterful craftsmanship
Tonglu's green hills and clear waters leave a strong impression, but what's even more breathtaking is the mysterious "Chuiyun Tongtian River." This underground river, formed by geological movements over hundreds of millions of years, is the soul of the scenic area. Boarding a small boat and drifting into the dark river, the world suddenly cools down. The unique karst landscape is awe-inspiring. The strangely shaped rocks instantly spark everyone's imagination.
For example, the shapes of these rocks immediately reminded me of Zhu Bajie from "Journey to the West." The guide told us this formation is called "Zhu Bajie Looking in the Mirror," and looking closely, it really does resemble that.
The entire river course is over a kilometer long. Inside the low-ceilinged cave, you get an otherworldly feeling, as if you've stepped into the pages of "The Lost Tomb." The cool air also makes it easy to calm down and appreciate nature's gift. The array of bizarre rocks is dazzling and a feast for the eyes.
The cave's design is full of clever touches. For instance, one section makes you feel as if you've entered an underwater world, with dreamlike jellyfish lamps flickering and a 3D shark sending a sudden thrill of nervous excitement.
A scene with Buddhist scriptures printed on it instantly evoked memories of "A Chinese Odyssey" and "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" ~
Seeing the stalactites here also gave me an inexplicable sense of familiarity. My hometown is Yixing, a land of caves, where similar magical sights exist.
Even though the geological formations are similar, they are truly masterfully crafted and ingeniously unique. These remarkable stalactites are still slowly growing, so every expedition brings a different experience. Who knows, the next time you come, things might have changed just a little from what I saw.
Creative lighting installations and the unique reflections on the water make the entire scene wonderfully surreal. You'll understand when you get here. Hehe.
I thought the river was level, but unexpectedly, there's a drop, and we had to board an "elevator" to the upper section. The whole process felt like traveling in a time machine, full of sci-fi vibes.
At this point, the boat ride comes to an end, and the next part of the cave "expedition" is done on foot. Here, the stalactites are more varied and better suited for taking photos.
I particularly love this staircase leading from the underground canyon up to the surface. The drop is huge, and the mottled, protruding stone walls are brimming with primal energy – super cool.
Langshi Jintan, free amid green hills and clear waters
If you haven't had your fill yet, another even more off-the-beaten-path spot is not to be missed. Just a ten-plus-minute drive from the Chuiyun Tongtian River Scenic Area is Langshi Jintan. Located in the Langshi Bu area along the Tianmu Creek in Tonglu, Jintan is also known as "Chaoni Tan." It was formed by the incoming tide of the Qiantang River back in the day, a natural pebble beach. The many historical relics and folk legends left behind here give it an unparalleled cultural atmosphere, while Tonglu's green hills and clear waters make it feel even more secluded and serene.
The rustic charm is enchanting, as if you've traveled back to ancient times. It's especially perfect for fans of traditional Han clothing – girls or guys – to take a set of vintage-style photos.
At Langshi Jintan, there are plenty of experiences to enjoy: a freshwater beach bath, a reed-sea ox-cart ride for sightseeing, a tropical palm forest, outdoor barbecues, a natural golf driving range, horse riding on vast grasslands, tent and Mongolian yurt camping, and more. But the most relaxing and distinctive experience is the bamboo raft drift.
Sadly, due to the pandemic, I was the only visitor that day and couldn't try the bamboo raft fun – a small regret, so I could only pose for a photo ~
The day's journey quickly came to an end, leaving me reluctant to leave. While times change rapidly, Tonglu retains a quaint, fresh charm, embraced by green hills and clear waters. As the mountains faded and the rivers flowed on, I suddenly understood why so many poets and scholars praised this place. If time allows, it's worth staying here a few days to unwind completely. Until we meet again, at the end. When I left, I noticed how beautifully designed the Tonglu high-speed rail station is, like a ribbon studded with diamonds.
Looking at the distant mountains from the platform, I started missing this place even before I left, and I believe we will meet again.
Travel Tips
① Tonglu is just a half-hour high-speed train ride from downtown Hangzhou. Even on a tight schedule, a day trip is entirely feasible. In Hangzhou, staying near the East Railway Station is convenient for transport. ② During the pandemic, Hangzhou and surrounding areas require a health code for travel, so it's recommended to apply for a Hangzhou health code in advance on Alipay or WeChat to avoid delays. ③ The Chuiyun Tongtian River Scenic Area and Langshi Jintan are a certain distance from the county town. Driving yourself is the best option – simply navigate to "Chuiyun Tongtian River Scenic Area." If using public transport, you can take the Tonglu high-speed rail to Fuqiaobu Station, then catch a bus from Tonglu to Fenshui and get off at the "Chuiyun Tongtian River" stop.
