A Fun Paradise Hidden in Nature: A Day Trip to Lingshan Folk Town, Hangzhou
[A Hidden Gem Near Hangzhou]
Thirty li from West Lake, you suddenly behold Lingshan. Tourists visiting Hangzhou always flock to West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda, and Hefang Street. So the lakeside is always packed with people; you can only see crowds. Why not visit Lingshan Folk Town, also in Xihu District?
Last weekend, I drove about 20-plus kilometers from the city center to check out Lingshan Folk Town! It felt amazing! I’m almost ashamed to say, after living in Hangzhou for 10 years, I’d only just learned about Lingshan. Fortunately, this day trip made up for that missed opportunity.
Lingshan Folk Town is located in Shuangpu Town, Xihu District, Hangzhou. The scenic area includes Tongjian Lake, Lingshan Mountain, and several villages, focusing on natural scenery, tea village folklore, and modern agricultural pastoral charm. Here, you can experience a lifestyle that’s “away from the dust but not the city,” just like the most desirable way of life.
With the Lingshan Illusion Cave featuring the “Dreamy Starry Sky Tunnel,” a Jeju Island-style sheep ranch café called Qingfeng Shanfang, Lotus Pond Horse Ranch, vast wheat fields, the Lingshan Giant Buddha, Banbishan Reservoir, Yimi Tea Garden, Tasha Dream Garden, and Hejiahuan Field Park, this truly is a fun paradise tucked away in nature.
[Main Tour Route]
Morning: Lingshan Illusion Cave – Lingshan Giant Buddha – Qingfeng Shanfang
Afternoon: Banbishan Reservoir – Yimi Tea Garden – Lotus Pond Horse Ranch – Tasha Dream Garden – Hejiahuan Field Park
[TIPS: Things to Note]
Transportation: Driving is recommended. The nearby Metro Line 6 is still under construction and not yet open.
Photography: This place is perfect for photos. Wear photogenic clothes and bring props like balloons, hats, etc.
Other: Summer is here, so bring sunscreen and insect repellent.
[Lingshan Illusion Cave]
Lingshan Illusion Cave is a world of its own, also known as Lingshan Cave, with a history of over 1,500 years. This cave is a vertical shaft type, with a height difference of more than 100 meters, and it's an enormous cavern covering over 2,000 square meters. There are two Instagram-worthy spots: one is the entrance tunnel, and the other is the stone steps sky ladder.
The Dreamy Starry Sky Tunnel is often seen on all kinds of internet-famous location lists. Nature’s masterpiece, enhanced with light and shadow, makes you feel as if you’re standing under a starry sky surrounded by countless fireflies. It’s simply too dreamy, as if you’ve fallen into a fairy tale.
The Stone Steps Sky Ladder is nearly 50 meters long, creating the pleasure of climbing inside a cave, which is rare among the many karst cave landscapes in China. Moreover, you can climb directly from the cave floor to the mountaintop via this sky ladder, which is truly breathtaking! There’s also a surprise here—I’ll tell you later.
Of course, it’s not just these two spots that are wonderful; the entire cave is a highlight. Inside, it’s tall, deep, and fantastically bizarre, with stalactites in all kinds of shapes and postures. The most special is a massive “stalagmite” – Tianzhu Peak, 24.5 meters high and 6 meters in diameter. It is said that 12 strong men together couldn’t wrap their arms around it. It’s the largest cave stalagmite in Asia and the second largest in the world.
TIPS: Attraction Guide
Ticket price: 60 yuan. Free during the pandemic period; after May Day, please check official information.
Opening hours: 9:00–16:30 all year round.
Highlights: Internet-famous spots, cave exploration, brisk mountain climb.
Duration: About 1 hour.
Notes: Some parts of the cave can be damp. It’s recommended to wear sports shoes to prevent slipping.
[Lingshan Giant Buddha]
This Lingshan Giant Buddha is not that Lingshan Giant Buddha. As I mentioned earlier, there’s a surprise in Lingshan Illusion Cave. That is, via the Stone Steps Sky Ladder, you can climb right from the cave bottom to the mountaintop, and the Lingshan Giant Buddha is right by the cave exit at the summit.
According to local villagers, the Lingshan Giant Buddha is probably the largest outdoor Maitreya Buddha in Hangzhou. It was restored by a former abbot of Lingyin Temple. The entire Buddha statue gleams with gold, with clear facial features and a signature smile. The Buddha’s right hand is relaxed with fingers apart, resting naturally on the knee.
Apart from coming up through the Stone Steps Sky Ladder from the cave, you can also climb to the mountain top from outside. Along the way, the mountain scenery is lovely, giving you the feel of a spring outing.
TIPS: Attraction Guide
Ticket price: Free
Opening hours: Daytime all year round.
Highlights: Hangzhou’s largest outdoor Maitreya Buddha; connects to the upper cave entrance of Lingshan Illusion Cave.
Duration: About 1 hour including the hike.
Notes: Open flames are strictly prohibited on the mountain.
[Qingfeng Shanfang]
The internet-famous Jeju Island-style sheep ranch cafe is right here! It’s an exact 1:1 replica of the BAALAMB sheep ranch in South Korea, with even more photo settings and props.
Too many visitors come here every day to check in, but thankfully the site is well-managed and limits entries, so it’s not overcrowded. You can buy a pack of corn to feed the cute sheep, but be careful—don’t hold the food in your hand when feeding because the sheep might nip your fingers. Just go all out with photos! It’s perfect for girls, family shoots, and fashion photography.
Besides the adorable silly sheep, don’t forget the lovely café, swimming pool, RV, swing, and tents—none should be missed! Order a coffee by the pool under a parasol, bask in the sun, and enjoy a delightful afternoon tea.
TIPS: Attraction Guide
Ticket price: There is a minimum spend per person; commercial photography requires an additional fee.
Opening hours: Daytime all year round.
Highlight: Jeju-style sheep ranch cafe.
Duration: As long as you like.
Notes: It’s extremely popular, so reservations are required. When I visited, the following days were already fully booked.
[Banbishan Reservoir]
Hangzhou’s hidden gem—if I didn’t tell you it’s a reservoir, you might think it’s the blue sea. Not many people in the city know about this reservoir, but around here it’s a well-known hot spot, and it’s also a local water source.
The road next to the reservoir extends all the way down the mountain, connecting with the scenic area. On both sides of the dam, lush grass and green hills surround you, with some farm goats grazing—a perfect pastoral scene. The water is crystal clear like a mirror, a pool of emerald green, with the green mountains reflected on the rippling surface, as if in a fairyland.
TIPS: Attraction Guide
Ticket price: Free
Opening hours: Daytime all year round.
Highlight: Like a blue sea.
Duration: Half an hour.
Notes: Do not swim; the water is deep and cold.
[Yimi Tea Garden]
Driving further into the scenic area, you’ll arrive at Shuangling Village. Yimi Tea Garden is located here. It gained fame from the 2018 “Lingshan Spring Feast.” The tea bushes on the hills are neatly arranged in orderly strips.
Actually, along the way, the villages on both sides have many tea gardens, though most of the leaves have already been picked. This area is very similar to tea drinking spots like Longwu in the city, with an equally wonderful environment! On weekends, gathering a few good friends here to sip tea, play cards, and soak up the sun is just perfect.
TIPS: Attraction Guide
Ticket price: Free
Opening hours: Daytime all year round.
Highlight: The surrounding villages are full of tea gardens.
[Lotus Pond Horse Ranch]
So happy—there’s a horse ranch here! For someone like me who can’t ride, seeing a ranch was super exciting. I couldn’t wait to put on a vest and helmet, and with the coach’s guidance, I smoothly rode several laps around the arena. The coach was very patient; basically all visitors can be taught to mount, ride, and dismount. Occasionally the coach would show off a few tricks and have the horse perform some moves. Great value!
TIPS: Attraction Guide
Ticket price: Check the official website or buy on-site.
Opening hours: Daytime all year round.
Highlights: You can ride for fun or learn professional horsemanship.
Duration: 30 minutes.
Notes: If you’re not comfortable riding, don’t force it; safety first.
[Tasha Dream Garden]
The entire dreamy estate is filled with dried flowers crafted using special techniques, some vibrant in color, others elegantly simple. Many of the floral arrangements at the rural fun activity sites in Lingshan Folk Town are designed and decorated by Tasha Dream Garden—absolutely beautiful.
TIPS: Attraction Guide
Ticket price: Free
Opening hours: Daytime all year round.
Highlight: Various dried flowers.
Duration: 30 minutes.
[Hejiahuan Field Park]
There are two huge lawns for everyone to run around and play, along with various amusement facilities and local specialty snacks. Surrounding it are vast wheat fields where you can ride a bike and wander through the crops, with slow and fast rhythms blending together marvelously.
TIPS: Attraction Guide
Ticket price: Free
Opening hours: Daytime all year round.
Highlights: Rural events, entertainment, and food are held from time to time.
Duration: 1 hour.
Notes: Even when there are no events, it’s still a great place to visit.
Besides regular sightseeing, the scenic area also launches different themed events according to the season, such as galsang flower seas, vast wheat fields, lotus ponds, and tea culture.
Lingshan Folk Town in Hangzhou is truly wonderful! I highly recommend it to everyone, especially friends living in Hangzhou and nearby cities. Finally, I’m attaching a scenic area map.
