Cherish the Summer Splendor: Unveiling the Slow Life of Gaochun, Nanjing

📍 Nanjing · 👁 3 reads · ❤️ 67 likes

Gaochun, Nanjing, is China's first 'International Slow City' and also home to the Chinese headquarters of the International Slow City Alliance. When summer heats up, a vacation at Gaochun International Slow City is just the ticket. It boasts not only beautiful natural scenery and eco-agriculture but also a wide range of leisure, entertainment, and service facilities. Plus, it features the best-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty street in East China—Gaochun Old Street.

When you mention Nanjing, many might say that as the ancient capital of six dynasties, it's rich in history and has far too many sights to explore. The solemn Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Republic-era Presidential Palace, the Confucius Temple by the Qinhuai River, the imperial garden lake of Xuanwu Lake—the natural and cultural landscapes are both outstanding.

And Gaochun is precisely the backyard garden of Jinling (Nanjing), and even the backyard garden for the entire Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui region. Located at the southernmost tip of Nanjing, Gaochun District borders Ma'anshan and Xuancheng cities in Anhui Province. It enjoys a uniquely advantageous location and a long history and culture.

This trip started from Hangzhou, a 2-day, 1-night getaway to Gaochun.

Day 1: Gucheng Lake Water Slow City – Gaochun Old Street.

Day 2: Gaochun International Slow City Yaxi – Youzi Mountain Special Rural Village.

About transportation: From Nanjing city center to Gaochun, there's a metro, about 1 hour.

About accommodation: Gaochun has many resort hotels; I stayed at the Zhensong Holiday Hotel, which features cozy wooden cabins.

About cuisine: Gucheng Lake crabs, crab roe soup dumplings, Water Eight Delicacies (seasonal aquatic vegetables), etc.

TIPS: When traveling in summer, remember to take precautions against mosquitoes and heat.

Gucheng Lake Water Slow City is huge, covering thousands of acres. More precisely, it's a lakeside resort that combines eco-tourism, water recreation and sports, leisure vacations, science education, and ecological aquaculture.

It's lotus season, and the thousand-acre lotus pond in the Hundred Lotus Garden naturally steals the show. Visitors flock here to revel in the magnificent sight of endless blossoms. The poetic line 'boundless green lotus leaves stretch to the horizon, sun-kissed lotus blooms glow in extraordinary red' perfectly captures the scene. For this reason, a Lotus Tourism Festival is even held here.

The lotus varieties here are many, including rare and pricey ones like the 'Sword Dance Lotus' and 'Pretty Girl'. Winding wooden walkways and quaint little wooden bridges weave through the vast lotus fields. You can also buy boat tickets to glide right through the blooms—choose from bamboo rafts, black-awning boats, or kayaks. Paddling through a thousand acres of lotus is pure bliss.

Beside the lotus pond, there are water play areas that kids absolutely love. A giant water castle, exciting obstacle courses, and water fights can keep them entertained all day. There's no need to worry about safety—lifeguards are on duty full-time. Playing in the water on a summer day is such a joy, and the kids' beaming smiles are priceless.

Besides the Hundred Lotus Garden and water activities, there are many other attractions: a golden sand beach that feels like the seaside, the Lohas Forest for camping, a wetland zoo with flamingos, the Xiyu Fishing Fun Valley, reed marshes, and a wedding garden.

Gucheng Lake Water Slow City Tips:

Detailed address: No. 9 Yinghu Road, Gaochun District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.

Getting there: Self-driving recommended, or take Nanjing Metro Line S9 to Gaochun Station then a taxi.

Opening hours: Daytime.

Ticket price: 80 RMB (excluding boat tickets and other small fees); discounts available online.

Highlight: Thousand-acre lotus in full bloom.

Tip: If you have time, other spots in the scenic area beyond the lotus garden and water projects are worth a visit.

Gaochun Old Street dates back to the Song Dynasty with over 900 years of history, known as the First Old Street of Jinling! Its pavement is distinctive: the sides are paved lengthwise with blue-gray stone, while the center is laid crosswise with rouge-colored Zongyang stone. The buildings on both sides blend Huizhou-style architecture with traditional Jiangnan regional styles.

So-called 'old streets' are a dime a dozen across the country, but Gaochun Old Street is the real deal. It features the best-preserved Ming and Qing architectural complex in Jiangsu Province, along with the Gaochun Folk Performance Hall, the Gaochun Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall, the former site of the New Fourth Army's Gaochun office, the Wu Family Ancestral Hall, and the Old Street Bookshop.

Not only is it historically rich, but many businesses here have been renovated from the original buildings. Everywhere you'll find specialty snacks, inns, bars, and cafés that make you want to linger.

Gaochun Old Street Tips:

Detailed address: No. 114 Zhongshan Street, Chunxi Town, Gaochun District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.

Getting there: Self-driving recommended, or take Nanjing Metro Line S9 to Gaochun Station then a taxi.

Opening hours: Day and evening.

Ticket price: Free, but some venues inside require tickets; combo tickets available online at a discount.

Highlight: Jinling's premier old street.

Tip: With everything you need for food, fun, and relaxation, it's a great place to base yourself.

Gaochun International Slow City Yaxi received the 'International Slow City' title ten years ago and was China's first. The entire resort stretches 48 kilometers and covers 80 square kilometers.

The whole area feels like a giant theme park, blending tranquility with excitement. You can peacefully admire seasonal flower seas and scenic mountains and waters, or dive into thrilling activities like jungle crossings and treetop rafting. Both adults and kids can savor the slow, wonderful life amid nature here.

The Treetop Walk in Slow Paradise is an internet-famous spot. The glass corridor and the elevated skywalk are must-visit attractions. You get to stroll high up with a thrilling view, all while admiring the scenic beauty.

The Rainbow Slide offers a speedy descent in vibrant colors. The most fun part? There are two types of tracks: wavy and straight. The wavy one gives you a taste of freefall excitement.

The Treetop Water Slide is perfect for summer! Nearly 500 meters long with an 18-meter drop, the slide is made of transparent glass. You'll feel the rush of soaring down through the air, and when you splash down, the summer coolness is a hit with everyone.

Gaochun International Slow City Yaxi Tips:

Detailed address: No. 6 Shengtai Road, Yaxi Town, Gaochun District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.

Getting there: Self-driving recommended, or take Nanjing Metro Line S9 to Gaochun Station then a taxi.

Opening hours: Daytime.

Ticket price: Single tickets available, or choose combo tickets; discounts online.

Highlight: A huge variety of activities.

Tip: With so many attractions, plan your energy accordingly.

Heading south from International Slow City brings you to the famous Youzi Mountain National Forest Park. In this area, there are several provincial-level special rural villages. Qingqingshan Longshang Village is one of them. It has well-developed infrastructure, is clean and sanitary, and boasts a beautiful environment. Besides a visitor center, there are old houses transformed into cafés and design studios.

Another is Xiaomaoshanjiao Natural Village, equally scenic. It has attracted many hotels and guesthouses, like the notable Floral Luxury · Zhengfu Thatched Cottage. Its name pays homage to Du Fu's Thatched Cottage and Lushan Thatched Cottage. The hotel is a new Chinese-style garden of understated luxury, seamlessly blending into the village's natural setting.

Gaochun Chunqing Tea Garden is honored as 'China's Most Beautiful Tea Garden'. Inside, the scenery is gorgeous, with birdsong and fragrant flowers. There's also a Ten-Li Ancient Ship Plank Confucian Integrity Culture Trail. Walking along this trail through the tea garden offers a unique and delightful experience.

Next to the tea garden is a tea culture experience station called Qingcha Space. Tea lovers can stop in for a tasting—the owner is extremely welcoming.

Gaochun's cuisine is typical Jiangnan fare. However, one dish left the deepest impression on me. At the Happy Fishing Hotel in Gucheng Lake Water Slow City, with lotus in full bloom, they created a seasonal dish called 'Blossoms of Prosperity' (Huakai Fugui). The main ingredients are lotus, steamed buns, and seasonings. It was really tasty, with a delicate fragrance. The hotel also offers fishing, which is great fun.

As an International Slow City, Gaochun has countless resorts and guesthouses. I stayed at the Zhensong Holiday Hotel. Its biggest draw is the cozy wooden cabins perched on the hillside. Built into a pine forest, each cabin is a guest room. They're categorized as 'Wood', 'Forest', and 'Jungle'—corresponding to single, double, and triple rooms. With mountain and lake views, plus the charming cabins, it's undeniably an internet-famous hotel.

Gaochun is truly fantastic! It has everything: culture and history, natural scenery, recreation, and hotel amenities. Fellow vacation lovers, don't miss it.

Travelogue Contents

1.【International Slow City】

2.【Itinerary Overview】

3.【Practical Tips】

4.【Gucheng Lake Water Slow City】

5.【Gaochun Old Street】

6.【Gaochun International Slow City Yaxi】

7.【Youzi Mountain Special Rural Village】

8.【Chunqing Tea Garden】

9.【About Cuisine】

10.【About Accommodation】

11.【Postscript】