A Spontaneous 10-Day Trip to Wuyi Mountain, Huangshan, Hangzhou, and Wuzhen — Accompanying You as We Grow Older and Grow Up: 2021 Summer Travelogue

This trip was completely spontaneous. In early July, friends invited us to Wuyi Mountain, and we decided on the spot to leave as soon as the holiday started. We booked the high-speed train tickets just a few days before departure. We didn't do much planning; I suggest it's better to travel with a plan. Because we hadn't booked anything in advance, the originally planned itinerary was completely overturned, which was quite something. Almost every day, we booked accommodation for the next day at the last minute. Fortunately, our summer break had just started and it wasn't yet the peak season, so there was still lodging available.

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

Actual route (10 days, 9 nights): Shenzhen - Wuyi Mountain (3 days) - Huangshan (three days) - Hangzhou (2 days) - Wuzhen (2 days)

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

5. Xixinan Ancient Village in Huizhou District, Huangshan

July 10: Shenzhen - Wuyi Mountain

The wonderful 2021 summer trip of accompanying you as you grow up and we grow old began with a big blunder. The night before, Yuanyuan had a high fever in the early evening. We took her to the emergency room and got home after 11 p.m. We went to bed very late and, after closing the luggage, forgot to take it out of the living room. I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and wanted to let the kids sleep a bit longer, so I didn't turn on the lights. The room was dark, and I completely forgot that I hadn't brought the luggage out. Our group of seven — five adults and two children — left separately and took two taxis. It was only after we got in the car at 7 a.m. that I suddenly realized I had forgotten the suitcase. Grandpa asked, 'Should we get off?' Finally, we decided to ask a neighbor to get it out and mail it directly to Wuyi Mountain. Fortunately, Grandpa had left a spare key somewhere. It's okay — smooth roads never make good travelers. The most important thing was that we had the two kids with us. It takes about 7 hours from Shenzhen to Wuyi Mountain.

We arrived at 2:14 p.m., rested until after 5 p.m., then got up to take a walk in the nearby park. Our accommodation, Xuncha Yichu, was very distinctive, located in the Jiulongwan Villa complex at the foot of Wuyi Mountain. The environment was beautiful and the air was great!

Accommodation: Xuncha Yichu (excellent)

After resting for about two hours, we walked five minutes to the nearby park.

This little one still had a slight fever and was weak.

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

July 11: Wuyi Mountain Nine-Bend River Bamboo Raft – Impression Dahongpao

We got up just after 5 a.m. and hurried to the dock to buy tickets for the 6:40 raft trip (it was already the peak tourist season; only tickets for 7:40 and 12:40 were left). Summer break had truly arrived. Everyone had been cooped up during the pandemic and was bursting to get out.

Yuanyuan composed a tongue twister:

One bend, two bends, three and four bends,

Five bends, six bends, seven and eight bends,

After nine bends comes little nine bends,

After little nine bends comes creek nine bends,

Ate eleven cookies,

Sang eleven little songs.

After the raft ride, we went ashore to take photos.

Then we visited Wuyi Palace and the Wuyi Mountain Museum.

We had an early lunch at Zhuzi Snacks — great local street food!

Steamed egg with lotus seeds — a must for those with a sweet tooth!

After lunch, we went to a tea house called Liuming Tea Room to drink tea.

In the evening, we watched the live performance 'Impression Dahongpao' directed by Zhang Yimou. The 360-degree rotating stage was quite impressive, and the interaction was good. Tuanzi and Grandpa even drank some Dahongpao tea on site. There were also many people watching. It is said that during the May Day holiday, five performances were staged in one evening, lasting until early morning.

July 12: Tianyou Peak – Xiamai Historical and Cultural Village – Wufu Zhuzi Hometown

Today, Grandpa and the kids' father went to climb Tianyou Peak on Wuyi Mountain early in the morning.

The rest of us slept in until we naturally woke up. The luggage finally arrived at 9 a.m., so Grandma's swimsuit and jacket were put to use.

Finally, I could wear my own clothes!

When bored during the day, we could take photos at the hotel.

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

At 4 p.m., we set off for Xiamai Historical and Cultural Village — traces of history, deposits of culture.

Then we drove to Zhuzi's hometown, with beautiful scenery along the way.

We encountered a vast lotus pond.

Xingxian Ancient Street — since we visited after 6 p.m., the tourists had left. It was quiet and peaceful — wonderful! The ancient buildings here are well preserved. I really enjoy strolling in such ancient districts.

At Wufu Zhuzi Hometown, Tuanzi kept asking for ice cream. Coincidentally, I had promised Yuanyuan ten ice creams as a reward for her exam, so she got them. Then a group of college students from Jimei University gathered around to take photos.

The night view of the ancient town was very tranquil.

Unfortunately, when we finished here and rushed to Zhuzi's former residence, it was already closed. We watched the sunset over the lotus pond, ending the day's itinerary.

Dinner was at a local farmhouse restaurant (opposite the gas station, see photo below).

July 13: Wuyi Mountain – Huangshan Huizhou District Xixinan Ancient Village

We slept in and then took photos at the hotel. Xuncha Yichu was really beautiful!

The little one cried again because she misbehaved and fell.

After lunch, we took a group photo to end our Wuyi Mountain trip.

Without a moment's rest, we headed to another mountain — Huangshan.

We took the 12:40 p.m. high-speed train, which took about an hour to reach Huangshan East Station. We found accommodation on the train, near the ancient village, thinking we could take a walk there in the afternoon.

After half an hour of freshening up, we set out to visit Xixinan Ancient Village. This ancient village has a history of 1,200 years. It was a ten-minute walk from the hotel. It felt very authentic and charming, with a beautiful wetland area.

The accommodation was lovely, and the evening sunset was gorgeous. Unfortunately, we were too tired when we got back from the walk and only took photos for a short while. When we went out for dinner, the moon had already risen.

We stayed at Huixi Yayuan. The landlady was extremely kind — she helped us arrange a car to Huangshan and prepared an early breakfast for us, which was excellent! We had lunch and dinner at her restaurant, and her cooking was delicious!

July 14: Huangshan Cloud Valley Cable Car up – Shixin Peak – Bai'e Ridge – Dream Pen Flowers Bloom – Bright Summit – Ao Yu Peak to watch sunset (back mountain route)

We got up before leaving to watch the sunrise — an infinite beauty!

We departed at 7 a.m. for the foot of Huangshan and arrived at the scenic area a little after 8 a.m. Then we had to take a bus to Cloud Valley Temple and ride the cable car for ten minutes.

At 9 a.m., our two groups parted ways here.

We strolled slowly and also visited the Huangshan cultural and creative shop at the foot of the mountain.

Grandpa and Dad climbed the mountain; it took three hours.

Our first sight of Huangshan — truly beautiful!

Shixin Peak (absolutely stunning)

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

We walked from Black Tiger Pine to Bai'e Ridge, where there were some monkeys.

We returned to Black Tiger Pine, and the three dads went to see Shixin Peak again before continuing forward.

From Lion Hotel, we turned towards Bright Summit. We took a winding path, and the kids bravely persisted — so impressive!

Rewarded with Sprite and Wong Lo Kat — cheers.

Looking at Xiantao Peak in the distance (the 'Flying Stone' from Dream of the Red Chamber).