Fenghuang Paradise: The Top Day-Trip Near Hangzhou – Just One Hour’s Drive, All Rides in a Single Day

Adults are just expired kids. The older we get, the more we love pink, the higher we apply blush, and the more we enjoy going to amusement parks, searching for that fading girlish heart. This time, taking advantage of the New Year's holiday, my friends and I visited a hidden gem near Xiaoshan, Hangzhou – Fenghuang Paradise. It's easy to become an adult, but hard to turn back into a child. This time, we went to Fenghuang Paradise to become kids again, hoping to keep our childlike innocence forever and move forward bravely like warriors.

Play at Fenghuang Paradise – thrill rides and fun for everyone

Fenghuang Paradise is nestled at the foot of Fenghuang Mountain in Fenghuang Village, Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Inside, there are over 30 attractions including a countryside roller coaster, the Fenghuang Train, a rainbow slide, and go-karts, catering to family fun, leisurely getaways, and outdoor meals. No matter who you are, you'll spend joyful, relaxing, and colorful hours here.

We parked the car and headed straight to the entrance, designed as a vintage green train. You buy tickets here, and the other side of the train has been converted into a restaurant – you can even dine right on board.

Park admission is 20 yuan; the price of each ride inside varies, so just pay for what you fancy. As soon as you enter, you’re greeted by all kinds of cute ‘animals’ – little bees, pandas, puppies – simply adorable. Of course, there are also must-sees for boys like Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. Right from the start, everything here captivated us.

The first ride we tried was the Fenghuang Train. It takes about 15 minutes to circle the entire park. As the train chugged along, we watched families and kids having a blast. Childhood should be full of such joy, not controlled by electronic gadgets. Since it was winter and windy, the park had thoughtfully fitted the windows with windproof covers, so we didn't need to worry about the cold.

After the train, we headed for the countryside roller coaster – I love thrilling rides! There was no queue here, saving us plenty of time. The coaster cars are shaped like mice, incredibly kawaii, and the ride was exhilarating. You could hear screams all around – that’s a roller coaster for you. I planned to come back for a second go after trying other attractions.

Next, bumper cars, another personal favorite. Each car can hold two people, with an accelerator pedal and a steering wheel. Behind the wheel, I felt like a sweet yet cool girl. Bumper cars are perfect for releasing stress – right here, right now, amid the collisions, all my worries simply vanished.

A bit tired after all this excitement, we went to Mengbao Pet Village to see the animals. It was my first time seeing an alpaca, and it was even cuter than the average! Its thick, white wool, fearlessness around strangers, enviable long eyelashes, and love for carrots – my heart melted. I couldn't tear myself away; I even wanted to rustle one away. The pet village also has peacocks, bunnies, geese, goats, and more. Take your time to play here.

Right next door, you can ride horses at the racecourse. Professional staff accompany you, so it’s very safe. A short loop is perfect for beginners who’ve never ridden before.

After horse riding, we visited the rotating seahorses ride across the way. One song’s length fulfills your fairytale dream. As the seahorses spin to the music, a sense of blissful imagination takes over, your face glowing with happiness.

Nearby, the excavator zone is a hit with kids. My nephew, who has a toy excavator at home and can play with a pile of sand for hours, would be over the moon seeing this. Here, they can actually operate a mini-excavator and dig real sand – a perfect hands-on experience.

The Video Game Bus is also a must-visit. Inside are claw machines, Whac-A-Mole, Golden Train, and more – sure to entertain arcade-loving boys and girls for an hour or two.

The day we went had especially fine weather; by midday it was warm and pleasant, and strolling through the park felt wonderful. Cartoon characters from the Time Tunnel came out for a parade. The clowns, each with their own tricks, quickly twisted balloon hearts, delighting the children. They also interacted enthusiastically with visitors, filling the air with laughter.

In addition to all these, there are the Steel Forest, rainbow slide, pedal karts, go-karts, fishing games, whirling chairs, and many other activities.

In summer, you can also head to the water park for water walking balls, bumper boats, and more – the fun simply never stops.

Of course, apart from rides, you can watch performances here. On the central stage, a wonderful show was underway. It started with Sichuan opera face-changing, earning warm applause, followed by a Sun Wukong vs. Bull Demon King battle, children’s talent show, bubble show, and more. Each act was brilliant, and the kids were riveted. I remember the bubble show most – the performer created all sorts of bubbles from a basin of soapy water, and some children even went on stage to join in.

Dining at Fenghuang Paradise – rice combos or burgers & fries, the choice is yours

By the time the show ended, our stomachs were rumbling. We headed to the Train Restaurant for a hearty lunch. It’s a renovated green train car, with a giant Brown Bear (Line character) at the entrance you just want to hug. Inside, it’s bright and clean. Sitting by the window, you can bask in the sun while enjoying your meal.

The menu offers popcorn chicken, burgers, fries, mille crepes, as well as rice dishes like mushroom chicken, minced pork with eggplant, and house-special chicken leg rice. I ordered the minced pork and eggplant rice and cleaned my plate in no time – absolutely delicious, and reasonably priced. You definitely get your money’s worth.

Exploring Dongyue Temple – sense the canal culture and Southern Song heritage

Because we had arrived early that morning, by around 3 p.m. we had already tried nearly all the rides. So we decided to visit Dongyue Temple on the nearby Fenghuang Mountain, just a five-minute walk from the park.

Fenghuang Mountain sits in the north of the village, separated by a river from Guayuan Town’s Yantang Village and Fengsheng Village, resembling a reclining phoenix, hence the name. Dongyue Temple in Xiaoshan, dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty (so 888 years already), is located on Mengshan Mountain on the southern bank of the Zhedong Canal (Xiaoshan section). Its main hall was destroyed by a fire in 1994, and though only broken walls remain, its former grandeur is still faintly discernible.

By late 2016, Dongyue Temple was the largest temple in Fenghuang Village and officially approved for public worship. Facing south, the temple has an axial stone staircase leading up to the highest point – the Dongyue Great Hall, with double-eave hip roof and soaring upturned eaves.

Stepping inside, you immediately feel its majestic atmosphere. As you ascend the stairs, the height increases, and a sense of reverence rises from within. Today, Buddhist ceremonies and incense fill the temple, especially bustling from the 1st to the 28th day of the third lunar month, and from the 1st to the 7th day of the seventh lunar month.