A Spontaneous 10-Day Trip to Wuyishan, Huangshan, Hangzhou, and Wuzhen — Growing Old and Growing Up Together: 2021 Summer Vacation Travelogue

This trip was truly spontaneous. In early July, a friend invited us to Wuyishan, so we decided on the spur of the moment to set off as soon as vacation started, booking high-speed train tickets just a few days before departure. We didn't do much planning. Honestly, it's better to have a planned trip. Because we hadn't pre-booked anything, our intended itinerary got completely turned upside down. Almost every day we booked the next night's accommodation just the day before. Luckily, summer vacation had just begun and it wasn't the absolute peak season yet, so accommodation was still available.

Original route: Shenzhen - Wuyishan (3 days) - Fuzhou (1 day in the city, 2 days on Pingtan Island) - Quanzhou (3 days)

Actual route (10 days 9 nights): Shenzhen - Wuyishan (3 days) - Huangshan (3 days) - Hangzhou (2 days) - Wuzhen (2 days)

Reason for change: We checked the weather in Fuzhou and Quanzhou and it was too hot, so we headed for the mountains. It turned out to be the right decision; it was indeed very cool up on Huangshan.

5. Xixinan Ancient Village, Huizhou District, Huangshan

July 10 Shenzhen - Wuyishan

The beautiful journey of growing old and growing up together during the 2021 summer vacation started with a huge blunder. The night before, Yuanyuan developed a high fever in the evening. We took her to the emergency room and didn't get home until past 11 pm, very late. We shut our suitcases but forgot to bring one out to the living room. In the morning, we got up at 5:30. Wanting to let the kids sleep a bit more, we didn't turn on the lights; the room was pitch dark, and we completely forgot about that one suitcase. Our group of seven—five adults and two kids—split up to take two taxis. It wasn't until 7 am, once we were in the car, that we suddenly realized the suitcase was left behind. Grandpa asked, 'Should we go back?' In the end, we decided to ask a neighbor to retrieve it and mail it directly to Wuyishan. Thankfully, Grandpa had left a spare key somewhere. No worries, good things take time. The most important luggage—the two kids—we had with us, and that's all that mattered. The trip from Shenzhen to Wuyishan takes seven hours.

We arrived at 2:14 pm, took a nap until past 5, then got up and strolled to a nearby park. Our accommodation, Xuncha Yichu (A Place to Seek Tea), was very distinctive, located right at the foot of Wuyishan in the Jiulongwan Villa complex. Beautiful environment and great air!

Accommodation: Xuncha Yichu (superb)

After resting for over two hours, we walked five minutes to a nearby park to explore.

This little one was still running a fever and feeling weak.

Dinner: Restaurant opposite Jiulongwan Villas (generous portions, local specialties)

July 11 Wuyishan Jiuqu Stream Bamboo Raft – Impression Dahongpao

We got up just after five in the morning and hurried to the dock to buy tickets for the 6:40 am rafting. (It was already peak season, and by then only the 7:40 and 12:40 tickets were left.) Summer vacation had truly arrived. After being cooped up during the pandemic, everyone was itching to get out and travel.

Yuanyuan composed a tongue twister:

One bend, two bends, three, four bends,

Five bends, six bends, seven, eight bends,

Beyond nine bends there's a small nine bends,

Beyond small nine bends there's a stream nine bends,

Ate eleven cookies,

Sang eleven little tunes.

After the bamboo raft ride, we went ashore for photos.

Then we visited Wuyi Palace and the Wuyishan Museum.

Brunch was at Zhuzi Snacks—fantastic local treats!

Steamed egg with lotus seeds—sweet food lovers, don't miss it!

After lunch we had tea at a tea room, Liuming Tea House.

In the evening, we watched the live performance Impression Dahongpao, directed by Zhang Yimou. The 360-degree rotating stage felt quite impressive, with good audience interaction. Tuanzi and Grandpa even got to drink Dahongpao tea right there. The audience was huge. It's said that during the May Day holiday, they put on five shows a night, performing until the early hours.

July 12 Tianyou Peak – Xiamei Historical and Cultural Village – Wufu Zhu Xi's Hometown

Today, Grandpa and the kids' dad got up early to climb Tianyou Peak in Wuyishan.

The rest of us slept in till we woke up naturally. The luggage finally arrived at 9 am, so Grandma's swimsuit and jacket came in handy.

Finally, we could wear our own clothes!

When it got boring during the day, we could take lots of photos at the hotel.

At noon, we bought groceries and cooked our own meal.

At 4 pm, we set off for Xiamei Historical and Cultural Village—marks of history, layers of culture.

Then we drove to Zhu Xi's hometown, with beautiful scenery all along the way.

We came across a vast lotus pond.

Xingxian Ancient Street: by the time we visited, it was past 6 pm and all the tourists had left, so it was quiet and nearly empty—bliss! The ancient architecture here is very well preserved. I really enjoy strolling through such old neighborhoods.

At Wufu, Zhu Xi's hometown, Tuanzi kept clamoring for ice cream. It turned out we had promised Yuanyuan 10 ice creams as a reward for her exam, so a bunch of university students from Jimei University gathered around to watch and take photos.

The night scene in the ancient town was so peaceful.

Unfortunately, by the time we finished here and rushed to Zhu Xi's former residence, it was already closed. We ended the day's trip watching the sunset over the lotus pond.

Dinner was at a nearby farmhouse restaurant. (Across from the gas station, see picture below)

July 13 Wuyishan – Xixinan Ancient Village, Huizhou District, Huangshan

In the morning, we slept in again and then took photos around the hotel. Xuncha Yichu is just too beautiful!

The little one cried after falling down from being disobedient.

After lunch, we took a group photo to wrap up our Wuyishan trip.

Then we hurried nonstop to another mountain—Huangshan.

We caught the 12:40 high-speed train, which took about an hour to Huangshan East Station. On the way, we spontaneously booked accommodation near an ancient village, thinking we could explore that afternoon.

After a half-hour rest, we set off to visit Xixinan Ancient Village. With a history of 1,200 years, it's only a 10-minute walk from the hotel. It felt very authentic and full of character, with a beautiful wetland area.

The place we stayed was quite pretty. The evening sunset was gorgeous, but unfortunately, we were too tired after wandering around and only snapped a few photos before stopping. When we went out for dinner, we noticed the moon had already risen.

We stayed at Huixi Yayuan. The hostess was incredibly kind—she arranged a car to take us to Huangshan and even prepared breakfast for us early in the morning, which was awesome! Both lunch and dinner were at the on-site restaurant, and the hostess's cooking was delicious!

July 14 Huangshan: Yungu Cable Car – Shixin Peak – Bai'e Ridge – Mengbi Shenghua – Guangmingding – Aoyu Peak Sunset (Back Mountain Route)

Before leaving in the morning, we watched the sunrise—incredibly beautiful!

We left at 7 am for the foot of Huangshan and arrived at the scenic area a little after 8. We still had to take a shuttle bus up to Yungu Temple and then a ten-minute cable car ride.

At 9, our group split up here.

We took our time, browsing the Huangshan cultural and creative shop at the base, while Grandpa and Daddy climbed up the mountain on foot, which took three hours.

First glimpse of Huangshan—so stunning!

Shixin Peak (absolutely gorgeous)

Tuanzi ate instant noodles with relish in front of the Black Tiger Pine. The two sisters played for two hours at the spot in photo number nine.

We walked from Black Tiger Pine to Bai'e Ridge and saw a few monkeys.

We returned to Black Tiger Pine, and the three dads went to see Shixin Peak again. Then we continued on.

From Lion Hotel, we turned toward the Guangmingding direction, walking a winding path. The kids were brave and persisted all the way—fantastic!

We rewarded them with Sprite and Wanglaoji (herbal tea), and toasted.

In the distance, we gazed at Xiantao Peak (the Flying Stone from Dream of the Red Chamber).