A Leisurely Summer Weekend with Lotuses in Gaochun’s Slow City
By June, the balmy breeze intoxicates and travelers are tipsy with joy. They say summer now comes with a romantic filter—tree shadows dance, cicadas sing, and girls’ dresses and dewy skin glow with a faint fragrance, sprinkling small, certain happiness through the slow summer days.
Though we envy these movie-like romantic scenes, they often dissolve into mirages under the scorching summer sky. People living fast-paced lives amid glitz and glamour are easily dazed by the fierce heat, turning instead into loyal fans of air conditioning, fans, watermelon, and mung bean soup.
Yet there is a place renowned for its slowness, cool and serene, tranquil and leisurely. With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, why not join me in Gaochun, Nanjing, to experience firsthand the laid-back charm of an International Cittaslow and immerse yourself in a snail-paced life shielded from the hustle and bustle?
About Nanjing, About Gaochun
Nanjing, a city that served as the capital of six dynasties and the political hub of ten, was praised by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in his "Plan for National Reconstruction": “Its location is in an area of outstanding beauty, with high mountains, deep waters, and plains—three natural wonders concentrated here. Such a splendid setting is rarely found among the world’s great cities.”
Many people, when mentioning Nanjing—a city that has witnessed the rise and fall of six dynasties—always recall the tragic massacre, the solemnity of the Presidential Palace, and the sorrowful tone from films, as it cycles between extreme prosperity and devastation. But the Nanjing of today offers not only the grandeur of “Four hundred eighty temples of the Southern Dynasties, how many towers and terraces in misty rain,” and the romantic love story of the plane trees and Meiling Palace, but also the misty rain of the Qinhuai River and the charm of the ancient capital.
Gaochun, at the southern tip of Nanjing, is China’s first International Cittaslow. Its eastern part merges with the foothills of Maoshan and Tianmu Mountains, forming undulating hilly terrain; the western part is embraced by the shimmering Gucheng Lake and Shijiu Lake, endowed with innate mountain and lake resources and typical Jiangnan ecological features.
Whether it’s the town of Yaxi, where trees encircle villages and ponds brim with water; the “No.1 Ancient Street of Jinling,” where Jiangnan grace meets Huizhou-style architecture; or the lotus-filled ponds in the Water Slow City by Gucheng Lake, staying in Gaochun for a day or two lets you feel the ease and leisure in its bones.
DAY 1: Hangzhou – Gaochun – Gucheng Lake Water Slow City – Gaochun Old Street – Fishing Hotel
DAY 2: Yaxi Slow City – Youzi Mountain – Return
Gucheng Lake Water Slow City: Romance from the Depths of Lotus Flowers
Gucheng Lake, also known as Xiaonan Lake, lies in the south of Gaochun District and was historically part of the ancient Danyang Lake along with Shijiu Lake. Within the vast Gucheng Lake, there is the Gucheng Lake Water Slow City, where lotus ponds are now in full bloom—this was the very spot that first drew me to Gaochun!
Located on the western side of the Nanjing Gucheng Lake Tourism Resort, Gucheng Lake Water Slow City covers over 8000 mu. It takes at least a full day to explore thoroughly, serving as a destination that combines science education, ecological sightseeing, water entertainment, water sports, and leisure vacations.
We took a sightseeing bus straight to the Hundred Lotus Garden. The moment we got off, everyone was awed by the lotus flowers blooming in abundance, as if we had instantly teleported from a city of high-rises to a countryside of lotus fields.
They say a summer without lotus appreciation is incomplete, and a summer without playing in water is joyless! Gucheng Lake Water Slow City happened to gather my two favorite summer activities! Lotus leaves, lotus flowers, wooden oars, light boats, flowing water—every corner was packed with visitors on leisurely holidays.
The lotus varieties here are diverse, with different colors and blooming times.
Sheets of lotus ponds, an expanse of emerald green; blossoming lotuses, tender pink and dewy. The extraordinary, vibrant lotuses tug at your heartstrings.
A single lotus bloom, still elegantly opening; the poetic Jiangnan, lingering in verse;
Emerging from morning mist, blooming green beneath the creek; curtains rolled by west wind, smiling fragrance mirrored in the water;
Mid-summer among lotuses, every step births a lotus. Walking along the path between lotus ponds feels like traveling back to a tranquil time. Flowers and leaves stay silent, tender on their own; time flows, they unfurl longingly—it is song, poem, and painting!
Strolling along the winding wooden walkway through the lotus pond, lotuses and leaves gently sway in the breeze, like a breathtaking landscape painting!
Take a few friends for a boat ride on the lotus pond, gently gliding among emerald leaves and red blossoms. Follow the waterway, accompanied by lotus fragrance. As far as the eye can see, the vast lotus field is packed full with green leaves and red flowers. Occasionally, encounter a black-awning boat or rowboat coming the opposite way, exchange smiling greetings—it adds a unique charm!
But don’t think this is just a place to quietly admire lotuses. Opposite the Hundred Lotus Garden, there are also cool and thrilling water challenges and other activities.
Known as the largest water carnival in all of Gaochun, from a distance you can see a 50-meter-long water slide with various floating mats and swim rings. Many parents bring their children to take turns splashing in the water, having a cool and exciting water game in the scorching summer, challenging the multiple obstacles and feeling the refreshing spray and the passion and thrill exclusive to summertime.
Ladies coming to play are strongly advised to bring an extra set of clothes. After the water activities, you can change into another outfit and head to the verbena area ahead to snap some Instagram-worthy photos.
Because verbena resembles lavender, it’s adored by trendy young ladies. Clusters of purple flowers are particularly elegant; a riot of purple instantly dilutes the summer heat, bringing a heart full of coolness and amazement, full of romance and dreams!
Walking among them, you don’t need to seek angles—every shot is beautiful. Wind blows, flowers dance; the whole flower sea undulates like purple waves, layer upon layer, rising and falling, picturesque!
[Practical Tips]
(1) Address: No.9 Yinghu Road, Gaochun District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province – Gucheng Lake Water Slow City.
(2) How to get there: Take Gaochun Tourist Bus Route 2 to the Gucheng Lake Water Slow City (International Fishing Center) stop and walk 310 meters.
(3) Opening hours: 09:00–17:00 (Mon–Sun, Jan 1–Dec 31); 08:30–17:30 (holidays, Jan 1–Dec 31).
(4) Tickets: 80 yuan/person, 40 yuan during the pandemic; Nanjing Annual Parks Card accepted.
(5) Other: Sightseeing car costs 10 yuan per person for unlimited rides—otherwise walking back and forth is too tiring!
At the Fishing Hotel, I Tasted the Most Delicious Lotus Flower
When you come to Gaochun, Nanjing, don’t forget to try Huaiyang cuisine. Known for its emphasis on natural freshness and pleasant balance of sweetness, Huaiyang cuisine is a regular on state banquet menus. After leaving Gucheng Lake Water Slow City, we went directly to the Happy Fishing Hotel by Gucheng Lake for a meal of local dishes.
What left the deepest impression was the dish “Flowers of Wealth,” where lotus petals wrap small stir-fried fillings tucked into tiny pancakes, accompanied by a faint lotus fragrance—it was exceptionally sweet and delicious.
On the way out, I heard locals say this is a resort hotel adjacent to the lake, integrating fishing, dining, accommodation, and entertainment. Guests staying here can fish for free; fish caught in the wild fishing pond can be taken away or cooked at the hotel at no charge. As we left, we saw a group of people in a fishing competition, each pulling up lively fish from the water!
Gaochun Old Street: The No.1 Ancient Street of Jinling Amidst the Hustle
After dinner, my companions and I happened to step out of the Fishing Hotel. Wanting to both digest and cool down, we decided to stroll around the nearby Gaochun Old Street.
Gaochun Old Street, also called Chunxi Old Street, is located in Chunxi Subdistrict, Gaochun District, Nanjing. It is the commercial center of Gaochun, the best-preserved ancient architectural complex in Jiangsu Province, and the most intact Ming-Qing old street in East China, earning the titles “Second Confucius Temple of Jinling” and “No.1 Ancient Street of Jinling.”
According to historical records, Gaochun Old Street was officially established as a market street in the Song Dynasty, with over 900 years of history. Running east-west, it stretches about 800 meters, lined with tightly packed folk houses. Because it borders Anhui, it’s deeply influenced by Huizhou culture; the buildings everywhere display distinct Huizhou features yet retain the gentle grace of a Jiangnan small town.
Mottled brick walls, long alleyways, creaking wooden doors, and scattered pedestrians on the street—it feels as though time has stood still. Everything seen and heard seems like a vivid, fragrant “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” painting of Gaochun Old Street!
Shops flank both sides of the old street in double-story, face-to-face style, mainly selling famous local specialties, pastries, and souvenirs.
Cats on the street lounge lazily, nestling beside shop owners at the storefronts.
Take a slow walk along the old street, and you’ll find spots like the Guanwang Temple, folk museum, Yang Hall, Qianlong Ancient Well, the former site of the New Fourth Army office, and a Jesus church. Films like “The Battle of Huangqiao” have been shot here.
Rows of Ming-Qing buildings line the water, adorned with exquisite brick, wood, and stone carvings and traditional calligraphy plaques. Rustic and elegant, they have their own charm. No wonder some say this is “an epitome of Eastern civilization” and “a treasure trove of ancient architectural art.”
As night gradually falls, the surface of Gucheng Lake turns emerald green; the Guanxi River glimmers. Street lamps and fishing boat lights reflect on the water, presenting a bustling scene.
If you have time, drop by the Old Street Post Office nearby. Follow the owner upstairs—every stair landing unintentionally exudes a cultural vibe. Sit by the window: inside is a quaint, elegant tea-sipping space; outside, another lively, worldly bustle.
[Practical Tips]
(1) Address: Gaochun Old Street, Gaochun District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province.
(2) How to get there: Take Nanjing’s Gaochun 105 Ring 2 bus to the Construction Bureau stop and walk 320 meters to Gaochun Old Street.
(3) Opening hours: 08:30–17:00 (Mon–Sun, Jan 1–Dec 31).
(4) Tickets: The street area is free. Tickets for attractions cost 70 yuan/adult; 35 yuan for children between 1.3–1.5 meters, seniors aged 60–69, active military personnel, and students.
Ruixuan Bieyuan: Sleep in an Elegant Guesthouse on the Ancient Street
By the time we left Gaochun Old Street, it was already evening, so we stayed at Ruixuan Bieyuan, directly opposite the old street. Situated in the Gaochun Old Street scenic area within the core business district of Gaochun District, it faces the thousand-year-old Gaochun Old Street and the Mandu commercial pedestrian street, making it super convenient for going out and shopping.
Ruixuan Bieyuan, nestled by the lake, is filled with Huizhou-style corridor architecture. Deep courtyards, rustic elegance, a serene and refined environment, a quiet and natural atmosphere, wooden minimalist furnishings, and tranquil, exquisite spaces all exude the romantic charm of a Jiangnan household.
Push the door open: the spacious and bright guest rooms, complemented by unique interior designs, make your stay more comfortable. Opening the window in the morning brings wafts of birdsong and flower fragrance, evoking Wang Ji’s line, “Cicadas drone, the woods seem stiller; birds sing, the mountain grows more secluded,” leaving a hint of fragrance in silence.
The next day’s itinerary was reserved for Yaxi Slow City! On the way to Yaxi Slow City, we happened to see an elegant hotel nestled in the mountain forest called Shanlinjia, so we stopped by for a look. Only as we got closer did I realize it was the Zhensong Hotel my bestie had been recommending before the trip. Perched amidst the tranquil pine forest on the hill, it is exceptionally peaceful and serene. Locals say the hotel was built according to the terrain, among the trees without disturbing the pine forest one bit. Walking forward, you truly feel the leisure and elegance of “Idly watching bamboo color shake in frost; drunkenly cherishing pine sounds, pillowed under the moon.”
Yaxi Slow City: A One-Stop for All Trending Activities
Inside Gaochun Slow City, every village is a scenic spot. Only by coming here do you truly experience the scene of “crisscrossing paths, the sounds of chickens and dogs.” Every landscape is naturally beautiful yet meticulously managed, allowing your body and mind to briefly escape the city’s din.
[Slow Paradise Glass Corridor]
When visiting Yaxi Slow City, you can’t miss the Slow Paradise, most loved by young people!
Slow Paradise is located in the Pine Forest Island of Yaxi International Cittaslow and includes the expansion projects: Jungle Crossing, Real-life PUBG, and Speed Descent, plus the newly introduced leisure activity Treetop Walk.
It is said that Jungle Crossing originated in Europe, a pine forest adventure that combines safety, thrill, and fashion, and is currently the most popular treetop outdoor activity. It uses various obstacle links to form a route; players must climb, slide, stride, jump, and fly to overcome all obstacles and reach the finish line.
The Slow Paradise in Yaxi Slow City, this resort hideaway in the urban jungle, features 47 diverse and fun challenge projects that test your physical strength and courage. It is mainly divided into the “Rope Net Tribe” suitable for children and the “Jungle Crossing” for youth and adults. The rich and thrilling game sequences make your heart race and blood rush.
Beyond that, the Glass Corridor in Slow Paradise is another must-see attraction. Climb the tree slope with friends and pause for a moment on the glass walkway—not only can you enjoy the sensation of walking on clouds, but if you’re lucky, you might encounter a sea of clouds.
Looking down from the bridge, each glass panel has very high transparency, making you feel as though you’re suspended in mid-air—an illusion of walking on thin air.
Breeze slips through sparse clouds and flows through the lush greenery, gently caressing green hills and trees, like a landscape painting. In this tranquil, lofty, majestic, and serene scenic spot, each day feels light and breezy.
Underfoot is a hundred-meter high cliff; before you is the beautiful mountain scenery shrouded in mist. Verdant hills, clear waters, blue sky, and white clouds stretch into the distance. On the Lingyun Sky Bridge, sit facing the landscape—sky vast and wide, enjoying a moment of pure delight alone.
[Rainbow Slide]
I first noticed the Rainbow Slide because of its looks—bands of various colors cascading down like a rainbow fallen to earth, incredibly dazzling.
Even though it looks massive, it’s not that scary. Simply sit tight in the air cushion boat, hold on firmly, and you can slide down the Rainbow Slide to experience the thrill and let screams echo through the sky.
[Treetop Drifting]
Yaxi Slow City’s Treetop Drifting is built atop the crowns of Pine Forest Island. Stretching over 500 meters with a drop of 18 meters, the entire slide is constructed of highly transparent glass, winding and twisting.
Put on a raincoat, drift down the glass bridge, and you can surround yourself 360 degrees in nature, enjoying the thrilling yet lush and beautiful mountain forest scenery.
Riding the water current downward, before you is a canopy of verdant mountain forest. Accompanied by the whooshing wind, gurgling water, splashing waves and the constant screams, you wind along a path—heart-pounding excitement speaks for itself.
[Practical Tips]
(1) Address: Hongqi Road, Dashan Village, Yaxi Town, Gaochun, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province.
(2) How to get there:
A. Public transport: From Nanjing South Bus Station, buses to Gaochun depart from 6:20 to 19:00, roughly every 10–15 minutes, ticket 25 yuan. At Gaochun bus station, there are direct long-distance buses to Yaxi, but note that the route differs for going and returning.
B. Self-driving: From the urban area, take the Ninggao Expressway and exit at Shuangpai Shi intersection; it takes about 1 hour to reach the Shuangpai Shi (Qi Qiao) town. Turn left at this intersection into Shuangpai Shi town. Continue straight until the T-junction (Shuangpai Shi long-distance bus station) and turn right. Further inside is Yaxi town; the whole scenic area is within that range.
(3) Opening hours: 08:30–17:00 (Mon–Sun, Jan 1–Dec 31).
(4) Ticket: Free.
Youzi Mountain: A Characteristic Pastoral Village in the Slow City
For our final stop, we chose Youzi Mountain in Gaochun. Comprising the Youzi Mountain cultural experience zone and the Santiaolong ecological leisure area, with a forest coverage rate of 89%, it is known as the “green lung” of Gaochun. Here you’ll find Chunqing Tea Garden, one of “China’s 30 Most Beautiful Tea Gardens,” as well as Youzi Mountain National Forest Park, praised as “the premier scenic spot of Laizhu.”
In Qingshan Village of Dongba Subdistrict, Gaochun District, there is an “earthly tea paradise.” Walking through it feels like being immersed in an emerald ocean. The fragrance of tea and the leisurely life enchant every visitor—this is Longshang Natural Village.
Today’s Longshang Village still retains old buildings from the 1960s and 1970s. Farmhouses and fields radiate an artistic and cozy atmosphere, as if you’ve stepped into the countryside, embraced by a natural serenity.
In Longshang, there are guesthouses, a study, a coffee shop, a tea room, a studio, and public spaces like a market and experiential classrooms. Among them, Wuwai Coffee is a literary café converted from a 1960s old house. Only by being there can you truly feel the relaxation and leisure incomparable to urban life.
[Ten-Li Ancient Ship-Plank Confucian Incorruptibility Culture Plank Road]
Longshang Natural Village lies in a hilly area with many dry fields suitable for tea planting. As far as the eye can see, there are treeless, green hills.
Hidden within is a plank road over ten li long, the “Ten-Li Ancient Ship-Plank Confucian Incorruptibility Culture Plank Road,” paved with old, abandoned ship planks treated for preservation, symbolizing resistance to corruption and degeneration.
Strolling on this plank road, you are flanked by calligraphic maxims and vivid, simple cartoons about clean governance—truly thought-provoking.
Because of the natural connection between Youzi Mountain and Confucius, the scenic area has designed many display boards recounting stories of Confucius, showcasing his thoughts and the finest aspects of Confucian culture to inspire and nourish visitors morally.
When tired, you can visit the nearby Qingcha Space tea culture experience hall to sip tea. It is said that the Jiangnan region is rich in products and famous teas; the tea industry flourishes, and many literati and refined scholars reside there. As early as the Six Dynasties, the custom of tea tasting and pure conversation was already prevalent in Jiangnan, so Jiangnan teahouses have been endowed with more literati colors and elegant charm.
Here, you can quietly listen to the flow of time, let your thoughts settle; you can while away post-meal hours, chatting with friends about the past; or you can sip tea and savor life, escaping the noise, giving yourself a peaceful and beautiful rest, and living a dream-like tea-infused life.
[Little Maoshan Jiao]
Continuing forward, you reach Little Maoshan Jiao. Little Maoshan Jiao Natural Village in Dongba Subdistrict’s Youzi Mountain Village is right next to Gaochun Slow City. Leveraging its natural resources, the village has winding paths leading to secluded spots, ancient trees forming shade, with mountains, water, and bamboo groves.
The guesthouses here are deeply attuned to this. Among them is Huazhu Zhengfu Thatched Cottage—rows of standalone huts compose a picture of leisurely Jiangnan countryside living. It advocates a new Chinese lifestyle aesthetic, fusing the essence of Suzhou gardens into the design of the guesthouse cluster, creating a space where each step reveals a new scene, with a quiet elegance and charm that captivate.
[Practical Tips]
(1) Address: No.6 Youzi Mountain Huanshan Road, Dongba Town, Gaochun District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province.
(2) How to get there: Take Gaochun Bus Route 209 to Youzi Mountain stop and walk 1300 meters to the Youzi Mountain Scenic Area in Gaochun County, Nanjing.
(3) Opening hours: 08:30–17:00 (Mon–Sun, Jan 1–Dec 31).
(4) Ticket: Free.
In just two short days, the Dragon Boat Festival slow-city trip to Gaochun has come to an end, yet it leaves me longing even more.
Riding painted boats, sitting in black-awning boats, admiring lotuses—the thirty-li lotus fragrance of Water Slow City stirs the heart;
Tasting cuisine, enjoying fishing, strolling through the ancient city—the leisurely life on Old Street shuts out much noise;
Leaping in the forest, drifting on water, sliding on rainbows—Yaxi Slow City holds a snail-paced life you can’t imagine;
Ancient ship planks, vast tea gardens, zen spaces—the secluded romance of Youzi Mountain is an elegance beyond your imagination.
If I had more time, I would certainly return to slowly savor the ease and comfort here.
Here’s a Travel Guide for You
It’s said that Nanjing is a city rich in history and culture, with outstanding natural and cultural landscapes, and many beautiful spots to soak in its profound cultural atmosphere. To visit Gaochun, it’s generally recommended to first arrive in Nanjing, then take the metro to Gaochun.
1. About Transportation:
(1) By Air: All flights to and from Nanjing operate at Nanjing Lukou International Airport, located south of the city. It is a major passenger hub in East China, serving Nanjing and many surrounding small and medium-sized cities.
(2) By High-Speed Rail: Nanjing’s railway network extends in all directions, making it very convenient to travel to and from anywhere in the country. Currently, Nanjing has two main passenger railway stations: Nanjing Station and Nanjing South Station. Nanjing Station handles regular, express, and some high-speed trains. Nanjing South Station, a modern high-speed rail hub, only serves high-speed trains traveling north and south. High-speed trains from Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Wuxi, etc., all stop at Nanjing South Station.
(3) By Long-Distance Bus: Nanjing’s highway passenger transport system is highly developed, with expressways radiating from the city. Long-distance buses carry passengers to numerous cities and counties within the province and neighboring provinces via convenient expressways. The city has several bus stations, including the East Bus Station, North Bus Station, South Bus Station, Xiaohongshan Bus Station, Jiangning Bus Station, and Getang Bus Station. Among them, Nanjing Bus Station is the largest in terms of departure scale and passenger flow in the province.
2. About Food: Besides the famous tourist attractions, Nanjing’s cuisine is not to be missed. I recommend the various snacks at Laomendong: steamed rice cakes with fillings, plum blossom cakes, green rice dumplings, fermented rice balls, stinky tofu, etc., all authentic Qinhuai snacks.
3. About Souvenirs: Nanjing not only has unique handicrafts like Jinling folding fans and Nanjing cloud brocade, but you can also take home vacuum-packed salted duck, Yuhua tea, and other special local delicacies.
