Escape Hangzhou: Discover the Low-Key, Stunning Secret Spots on Its Outskirts
About this trip: I've been on the road with a backpack for 8 years, travel is my profession. Please follow: Eagle Wang Jun, sharing stories from the journey every day.
Itinerary
D1: Xuzhou → Tonglu, Yan Ziling Fishing Terrace, stay at Red Lantern
D2: Yaolin Wonderland → Daqi Mountain, stay at Red Lantern
D3: Shen'ao Village → Tonglu → Shanghai
Yan Ziling Fishing Terrace
When talking about Jiangnan scenery, a famous ancient poem by the late Tang poet Du Mu immediately comes to mind: "Four hundred and eighty temples of the Southern Dynasties, how many towers and terraces stand in wind and rain." Indeed, only in the misty, drizzly rain can one truly grasp the charm of Jiangnan. Full of excitement, I set out from home and arrived at Yan Ziling Fishing Terrace in Tonglu County, Hangzhou, around one in the afternoon. I must say, in this hazy, rainy atmosphere, the terrace at the foot of Fuchun Mountain is well worth visiting—the beauty is simply overwhelming.
This scenic spot is named after Yan Ziling, a famous scholar of the Eastern Han Dynasty who lived here in seclusion. Yan Ziling studied with Liu Xiu in his youth. After Liu Xiu fought through difficulties to establish the Eastern Han, he summoned Yan Ziling multiple times to serve in government, even offering him the position of remonstrance counselor with grand ceremony, yet Yan "refused and cultivated the land at Fuchun Mountain." This shows Yan was a hermit who would not bow to power, while Liu Xiu, recognizing his talent, persistently urged him to take office. I think if Yan had come out to serve, it would have become a legend passed down through the ages.
After listening to the guide's story, we took a boat ride through the green waters and blue hills, with stunning scenery on both banks and profound depth—no wonder Yan was so fond of this place; it's truly a perfect hideaway. Disembarking, the first thing we saw was a stone archway on the shore inscribed with "Yan Ziling Fishing Terrace." Walking along the riverside path, numerous historical sites evoked deep feelings. On the return journey, I looked back at the fishing terrace and seemed to glimpse Mr. Yan drifting on the river, a trace of sunset glow scattered on the water—the ultimate beauty lies on the Fuchun River.
【Attraction Tips】
Full Address: Qililong section, Fuchun River Town, Tonglu County, Zhejiang Province
Transportation Tips: Take a high-speed train to Tonglu Station, then taxi to the scenic area.
Opening Hours: During the pandemic, entry stops after 14:30.
Ticket Information: Purchase online for discounts.
Recommended Visit Duration: 3 hours
Highlights: I think the area is incredibly beautiful on rainy days, with misty rain, clouds, and swirling fog.
Little Tips: The scenic area is large, so bring food and drinking water.
Yaolin Wonderland
I often travel to Hangzhou for work, and having visited the city so many times, I kept hearing how beautiful Yaolin Wonderland in Tonglu was, but never had the chance to go. I always felt a deep regret. Finally, with some free time recently, I got a few friends together and went specifically to explore it.
Yaolin Wonderland is located in Tonglu County, Hangzhou, 80 km from Hangzhou's urban area and 23 km from the county seat, so the best way to get there is by car. However, since we took the high-speed rail, we got off at Tonglu Station and taxied to the scenic area. This is a typical karst cave, 1 km deep and covering 28,000 square meters. I imagine visiting in summer must be wonderfully cool and comfortable.
As luck would have it, because it was a weekday, there weren't many visitors in the entire scenic area, and with a guide, our tour was very pleasant. The guide was very attentive, enthusiastically telling us stories at each spot, which was truly eye-opening. There are many beautiful sights in the cave, but what impressed me most was the "Thirty-Three Heavens" in the southwest corner of the third cave hall. A large collection of bizarre rocks and stalagmites formed various shapes here, really giving a sense of the heavenly realm from myth and legend. It's no wonder ancient travelers compared this place to the fabled "Peach Blossom Spring" and "Wuling Village."
It's worth noting that the wonders aren't just above your head; look down, and you'll find beauty everywhere. Besides the cave, the scenic area's ground-level train, bonsai, and ancient trees are also full of interest. If you're curious, do take some photos here.
【Attraction Tips】
Full Address: Yaolin Town, Tonglu County, Zhejiang Province
Transportation Tips: I suggest taking a high-speed train to Tonglu Station and then a taxi, or driving from Hangzhou.
Opening Hours: During the pandemic, entry stops after 14:30.
Ticket Information: I recommend online purchase for discounts.
Recommended Visit Duration: 1-2 hours
Highlights: I observed that there are two projection shows in the cave—one educational, one fantastical—worth watching.
Little Tips: The scenic area is large, so bring food and drinking water.
Daqi Mountain National Forest Park
When it comes to Tonglu, many people think of it as a summer retreat near Hangzhou. Indeed, before visiting Tonglu personally, I only had Yaolin Wonderland in mind. But Tonglu has so many beautiful sights, like Daqi Mountain, which I'm eager to introduce today.
Daqi Mountain lies on the south bank of the Fuchun River in Tonglu County, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It was anciently called "Saiji Mountain" and historically known as the "Number One Mountain in Jiangnan." It's famed for its peaks, strange rocks, gorges, streams, and waterfalls—grand, perilous, peculiar, elegant, and vast.
Arriving with friends full of anticipation, the first thing we saw upon entering was a vast bamboo forest. The poet Su Shi once wrote, "I would rather have no meat than live without bamboo." Seeing this bamboo forest, I was truly struck inside. Moving on, we soon came to Jinniu Wenqiju, a distinctive bamboo tea house by Jinniu Pond. Built entirely of wood and nestled next to a tea garden, it's a perfect spot to rest, drink tea, and chat—especially when a gentle breeze blows, it's wonderfully cool and pleasant.
Further ahead is the core area of the scenic spot, where natural beauty is not only abundant but also unique—babbling streams, small bridges, and flowing water are breathtaking. Even the pretty young lady in our group couldn't contain her joy and kept asking me and friends to take photos of her. After some trekking, when we finally reached the Heavenly Pool, seeing it like a piece of green jade filled our hearts with delight. Another ten minutes of climbing led to the deepest waterfall. Having seen Lushan's Three-Step Waterfall, I found it surprisingly similar, evoking Li Bai's verse: "A flying stream plunges three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way fell from the ninth heaven."
On the way back, you can try real-life CS or forest zip-lining at the adventure base near Jinniu Pond—really fun. If you bring kids, they'll have such a blast they won't want to leave.
【Attraction Tips】
Full Address: Daqi Mountain Road, Chengnan Subdistrict, Tonglu County, Zhejiang Province
Transportation Tips: Take a high-speed train to Tonglu Station, then taxi.
Opening Hours: 08:00-16:00
Ticket Information: I recommend online purchase for discounts.
Recommended Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
Highlights: The flying squirrel slide is thrilling—I suggest anyone who hasn't tried it give it a go; it's really fun.
Little Tips: The scenic area is large, so bring food and drinking water.
Shen'ao Village
After visiting Tonglu's famous sights—Yaolin Wonderland, Daqi Mountain, Yan Ziling Fishing Terrace—we were about to return to Hangzhou when a friend suddenly mentioned a fun ancient town in Tonglu called Shen'ao, suggesting we experience it. I checked online photos, and it looked great, so we took a taxi there.
Shen'ao Ancient Village lies northeast of Tonglu County. The village is famous for its water system—an ancient drainage system from a thousand years ago, still in use today, with an 800-meter underground canal running through the whole village. It's one of the most representative villages in Zhejiang. While exploring, I noticed many villagers share the rare surname Shentu. It's an old surname; I recall Shentu Jia, a founding minister, five-dynasty elder statesman, and prime minister in the early Western Han, was a notable historical figure from the Shentu clan.
Looking closely, you'll see that many buildings in the village date to the Qing Dynasty. Why? I checked and found that the Qing period was a time of rapid development for Shen'ao. In the mid-to-late Qing, a group of merchants made their fortune trading straw paper, and naturally, they built grand houses. So the village architecture mostly comes from local wealthy merchants of that era.
Walking through this time-worn ancient village, I felt deeply moved. The old street, over 200 meters long, is especially rich in history. Notably, this simple and weathered street was no ordinary place—it was actually the trading hub of the surrounding area back then. The street is dotted with quaint little shops; if you like that sort of thing, take your time strolling here.
Near Shen'ao, there's a flower field called Dipu Huahai. This 130-acre scenic area focuses on local rural pastoral charm, with "flower viewing, leisure, and activity scenes" as its themes. As the name suggests, it's mainly a beautiful sea of flowers, stunning in April-June and October-November. If you're passing by, I recommend a visit.
【Attraction Tips】
Full Address: Shen'ao Town, Tonglu County, Zhejiang Province
Transportation Tips: Take a high-speed train to Tonglu Station, then taxi.
Opening Hours: Open all day
Ticket Information: No ticket. I suggest visiting in the morning when there are fewer tourists.
Recommended Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
Highlights: The village's old street is very atmospheric. Hanfu enthusiasts can take photos of ancient-style ladies here.
Little Tips: The scenic area is large, so bring food and drinking water.
Before the Trip
The most important and urgent task when traveling is planning your itinerary. Here, I'd like to share my approach and methods. Items I brought on this trip:
1. Documents:
① ID card: This is first and foremost, essential for hotel check-in and transportation.
② Bank card: With digital payment so convenient today, a bank card isn't strictly necessary, but I suggest carrying one just in case.
2. Photography equipment:
Camera: Canon 6D2
Lenses: 16-35 F4.0 (wide-angle), 17-40 F4.0 (wide-angle), 50 F1.8 (fixed focal length), 85 F1.4 (fixed focal length), 70-200 F2.8 (telephoto)
Drone: DJI Mavic Air
Phone: Vivo phone (though image quality isn't great, it's handy for street photography)
Accessories: Shutter release, tripod, ND filter, spare batteries ×2, camera bag, portable fill light, etc.
3. Personal items:
① Clothing: If you're not particular, light and casual clothes are fine. If you care, pack outfits that suit the setting.
② Toiletries: Besides toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, and skincare products, if you're uncomfortable with hotel supplies, bring your own preferred items.
③ Umbrella: I'm not sure if you've experienced this, but whenever I forget an umbrella, it rains. So I suggest bringing one—it's light and very practical.
4. Optional items:
① Laptop: As a professional traveler, a laptop is essential for me—whether editing photos or writing drafts. For ordinary tourists, I'd suggest leaving it behind.
② Small change: Taking taxis everywhere can be expensive, so I recommend having some change for public buses.
About Accommodation
When traveling, food, drink, fun, and accommodation are top priorities. As a tourist county, Tonglu has hotels of all levels—endless choices. I suggest staying near the scenic areas for convenience.
About Food
Every city has its own specialty cuisine, and Tonglu is no exception. Next, join me in savoring the dishes I tasted on this trip.
