This Summer, Come to Gaochun Slow City and Savor Slow Living with Lotuses

After long days in the city, rushing from one thing to the next, I always want to find a beautiful place to unwind and steal a moment of peace come the weekend.

In this flashy world, many of us are yearning to slow down.

Summer — the loveliest season — is all about being with the people you care about and doing the things you love; that might just be the ultimate happiness of the season.

Gaochun, China’s first Cittaslow, offers a quiet, unhurried rhythm far removed from the usual noise and traffic.

Here, you don’t need to chase time; you just need to savor it.

First, watch a short video to get in the mood:

Gaochun Two-Day Itinerary:

Our first stop in Gaochun is the scenic Water Slow City, nestled on the western shore of Gucheng Lake in Nanjing — a true paradise for lotus lovers.

As the poem goes, 'Green lotuses grow from a hidden spring, radiant and fresh in the morning sun.' By June, the lotus reigns supreme as the season’s brightest star.

In spring, the ground is carpeted with fragrant grass; in summer, rippling green waves stretch as far as the eye can see. Come summer, the nearly 1,000-mu (about 165 acres) Hundred Lotus Garden bursts into full bloom. It gets its name from the nearly 100 precious lotus varieties cultivated here, such as 'Pretty Girl', 'Friendship Peony Lotus', and 'Sword Dance Lotus'. The display lasts from June to August, drawing countless visitors eager for a photo.

Gather a few friends and hop on a bamboo raft — it’s laid-back and full of fun. For couples, there’s also the trendy transparent kayak.

Billed as a 'water paradise, resort destination, international competition venue, livable home, and leisure park,' Water Slow City is ideal for families, couples, classmates, and groups of friends.

In what’s known as the Water Charm Town, slow down and soak up the authentic slow life; that’s how you’ll truly taste the sweetness of summer.

This summer, come to Gaochun Water Slow City and feast your eyes on the season’s most stunning lotuses — they’ll leave you spellbound all summer long!

In the evening, we had dinner at the Gucheng Lake Happy Fishing Hotel.

The grounds are gorgeous, more like a park, complete with a large lotus pond that’s incredibly photogenic.

The hotel also serves a special lotus banquet, where you can feast on lotus dishes while admiring the blooms — it’s a delightfully immersive 'lotus' experience. I never knew lotus could be eaten, and it tastes surprisingly good.

Since it was the Dragon Boat Festival, the hotel also prepared some adorable zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) for us — both sweet and savory.

After dinner, we saw anglers still practicing in the lake outside; they told us there was a competition the next day, so they were getting in some last-minute training.

That night, we headed to the distinctive Gaochun Old Street, where we’d be staying overnight.

Gaochun Old Street was officially established as a marketplace in the Song Dynasty, giving it over 900 years of history.

Stretching along the water’s edge, the old street is lined with clusters of Ming- and Qing-dynasty buildings. With their whitewashed walls, grey-tiled roofs, upturned eaves, intricate brick, wood, and stone carvings, and traditional calligraphy plaques, they exude a simple yet elegant charm. Scholars and travelers from around the world have praised them as 'a microcosm of Eastern civilization' and 'a treasure trove of ancient architectural art.'

A must-visit on the old street is the Old Street Book Nook, where you can read, sip tea, and chat.

The whole space is steeped in old-world charm — quiet and cozy.

When you’re tired from wandering, taking a break here is a lovely way to unwind.

That night we stayed at Ruixuan Bieyuan, right opposite the exit of Gaochun Old Street — super convenient.

The hotel is tranquil and elegant, like a classical Chinese garden, and brims with a rich Chinese atmosphere.

In the lobby, the 'four treasures of the study' (brush, ink, paper, and inkstone) are set out for guests to use.

As the evening lights came on, sitting by the lotus pond with a loved one, chatting and laughing about life, felt like the very essence of slow living.

The next day, our itinerary took us to the more playful Yaxi International Slow City, officially recognized as an 'International Cittaslow' — the first of its kind in China.

The snail logo is perfectly apt, embodying the site’s leisurely pace.

We toured the area by sightseeing car, enjoying seasonal flower seas and folk culture while also diving deeper: challenging ourselves on popular treetop adventure courses that have swept across Europe and America, and exploring a cluster of creative cultural experience venues.

One of the most entertaining zones inside Yaxi International Slow City is the 'Slow Fun Zone,' which is divided into Wood, Forest, and Deep Forest areas. Activities here include treetop ropes courses, canopy walks, live-action Battle Royale (CS), rainbow slides, and more — a thrilling fusion of nature and technology.

The treetop adventure course is great for families with kids. It challenges your physique, taps into hidden potential, and showcases bravery and wit — children can hone coordination and various skills. Suspended between trees, a series of obstacles await. Donning professional gear, you can immerse yourself in the high-altitude thrills, a world away from the ground below.

The canopy walk is the most immersive experience. Made up of glass walkways and elevated boardwalks about 8 to 12 meters above the ground, it links treetop platforms into a loop that circles the island. Meandering through the tree canopy, you come face-to-face with nature.

This activity is usually done in groups of two or three. The heavier the participants, the faster you go, and each bump draws a chorus of shrieks. If you’d rather not get soaked, be sure to wear a raincoat!

Last up was the rainbow slide, with its vivid colors that lift your spirits. It’s not overly thrilling, but it’s great fun, and suitable for both adults and kids.

Beyond the exciting 'Slow Fun Zone,' Gaochun International Slow City has also cultivated a number of distinctive cultural and creative experiences, some of them located in Longshang Village.

Here you’ll find Wuwai Coffee, Yinshe Book Room, a pottery workshop, a tea art workshop, artist studios, Buyu Design, and unique homestays. Each has its own personality, yet they all blend into the village setting.

In the afternoon, the sky suddenly cleared, and the renovated buildings looked especially striking against the blue sky and white clouds.

This summer, let’s hit the road for a weekend getaway in Gaochun!

Here, slow your pace and discover the beauty in everyday life.

Even if all you do is idle the time away, you can live at your own rhythm.

All the time is yours.

The Slow Fun Zone truly lives up to its name — a place that never wastes a slow moment.

Quick Tips:

When taking a bamboo raft in Water Slow City, ask your boatman to pause by the lotus pond along the shore so you can snap some photos.

For the activities in the Slow Fun Zone, avoid wearing short skirts.

Wearing traditional Hanfu while sightseeing will make the experience even more wonderful.

And of course, don’t forget sun protection when heading out in summer.

Also, there’s a photogenic guesthouse in Gaochun called Pillow Pine Homestay — if you’re keen to stay, make sure to book well ahead. On the day we visited, it was fully booked, so we missed out.

So, would you enjoy this kind of slow life? If you get the chance, will you come to Gaochun to admire the lotuses? Feel free to leave a comment!

— By Ziman, globetrotting travel writer and verified content creator across major platforms. She has traveled to all seven continents and over 70 countries, reaching both the North and South Poles. Her published travelogues include Light-footed Wanderings under the Sun and Travel Encounters with the Artistic.