Not Hiding Scenic Beauty: Take You into the Green Tea Hometown, the "Secret Realm" Journey of Langxi

I have always longed for a kind of life,

without too much noise, without excessive ostentation,

only a sense of calm.

I always want to take advantage of the long holiday to pack my bags and go far away to free my soul. Unfortunately, every long holiday, those "famous tourist attractions" I want to visit are always overcrowded. As a famous tourism province, Anhui has well-known attractions like Wuyuan, Hongcun, Jiuhua Mountain, and Huangshan. If you, like me, are tired of the crowding and noise of most popular spots, then why not come and see Langxi, this lesser-known city in Anhui, and discover what makes it impressively unique.

Shanghai - Xuancheng High-Speed Rail Station - Shifo Mountain Wind-Shaking Stone - Feili Town's Ten-Thousand-Mu Tea Fields - Nanyi Lake Fushou Island - Feili Village 3D Color Paintings - Lotus Pond Garden

Lunch: Xiyangyang Farmhouse

Dinner: Hubin Village Fisherman's Home

Accommodation: Wuyuan Mountain Scenery Homestay

Tour Luoshi Village - Xiawu Village Tea Garden - Haofeng Ecological Manor - Experience Longxu Lake Fishing - Giant Monster Farm - Dafo Mountain Nourishing Heart Valley

Lunch: Longxu Lake Fisherman's Farmhouse

Dinner: Jindu International Hotel

Accommodation: Jindu International Hotel

View the World (Shifo Mountain) - Tianzi Lake Scenic Area Sunrise - Tianzi Lake Tea Garden - Shizi Town Ten-Thousand-Mu Tea Garden - Xuancheng High-Speed Rail Station - Shanghai

Lunch: Xinsheng Farmhouse

Apart from taking the high-speed rail to Langxi South or Xuancheng, self-driving to Langxi is currently more recommended. Because Langxi is located at the junction of Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces, self-driving is very convenient. Some attractions are indeed quite niche, and self-driving makes the tour much more flexible.

Langxi County, the hometown of Chinese green tea, belongs to Xuancheng City, Anhui Province, and was historically called Jianping.

Langxi has been a county for a thousand years, with a long history and a gathering of talents. Wu Yinglong of the Southern Song Dynasty, Lü Sheng, Zong Xi, and Wang You of the Ming Dynasty all came from Langxi. Historical figures such as Wu Zixu, Yue Fei, Li Xiucheng, Zhang Daqian, and the older generation revolutionary Chen Yi have all left precious relics in Langxi.

As early as 2013, Langxi won the honorary title of one of China's "Top Ten Leisure Towns." Here, there are green mountains and clear waters, a beautiful and spiritual place, with captivating lake and mountain scenery, and ten thousand acres of tea gardens, fragrant with tea at every step. Since ancient times, Langxi's eight major landscapes, such as the Stone Buddha Holding Up the Clouds, Wuya Flying Green, and Taoshan Distant Peaks, are masterpieces of nature. Today, scenic areas like Shifo Mountain - Tianzi Lake, Gaojing Temple Forest Park, Wuyuan Mountain, and Nanyi Lake Fushou Island have been developed one after another, complementing each other harmoniously, with many cultural attractions also enhancing one another.

Within Langxi, the most unforgettable thing is the over 80,000 mu of tea gardens. Langxi is one of China's largest green tea production bases. On average, one out of every ten jin of tea in the country is produced in Langxi. In 1996, Langxi County was awarded the title "Hometown of Chinese Green Tea" by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Maybe when you first hear the name Langxi, you might feel a bit unfamiliar, just like I did. In fact, it has always been a key route between Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces. With the opening of the high-speed rail and the gradual expansion of mountain roads, Langxi now looks like a beautiful countryside. As the hometown of green tea, it is also widely loved by tea merchants and tea enthusiasts from near and far. During holidays, there are indeed many tourists who come here to taste lake delicacies and buy tea. If your understanding of Langxi is as limited as mine, then this trip will definitely help you step into this hidden treasure town in southern Anhui.

Shifo Mountain Tianzi Lake Scenic Area

Address: South Gate of Shifo Mountain, Yaocun Township, Langxi County, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province

Guan Tianxia Scenic Area (formerly Shifo Mountain Tianzi Lake Scenic Area) is located within Yaocun Township, Langxi County. Compared to other scenic areas in Langxi, transportation here is indeed very convenient, with National Highway 318, Provincial Highway 214, and the Xuanhang Railway passing nearby.

This national 4A-level scenic area mainly consists of three parts: Shifo Mountain, Tianzi Lake, and Hongqi Reservoir. The three blend seamlessly together, forming a unique pattern of mountains and waters. Looking at the high mountain before you, doesn't it feel daunting for most visitors to climb to the top?

Fortunately, the scenic area built a kilometer-long sightseeing cableway years ago, which can save a lot of time and energy. Of course, whether to take the cableway down depends on personal needs.

Ascend to the summit of Shifo Mountain and overlook the two lakes. Tianzi Lake to the east is shaped like the character "天" (heaven), magnificent; Hongqi Lake to the west is shaped like the character "下" (below). Climb one mountain and view the world! "A Buddha holds up clouds, a stone embraces the temple; two lakes embrace the moon, water surrounds the mountain" is the best description of the scenic area. Of course, this view may often need to be achieved through aerial photography. Nevertheless, when the cable car reaches the top, looking down from a height, Tianzi Lake truly has a majestic momentum.

In fact, after climbing to the top, you will understand why Shifo Mountain has so many strange rocks. The named ones include: Cloud-Holding Stone, Monk Stone, Wind-Shaking Stone, Toad Stone, Peach Stone, Golden Turtle Stone, Lying Ox Stone, Screen Wall Stone, Sword-Testing Stone, etc. Therefore, it is also known as "the Grand View Garden of Strange Rocks in Southern Anhui."

Among the many strange rocks and anecdotes, the most remarkable is undoubtedly the "Wind-Shaking Stone." This 32-ton giant boulder is located on a cliff at the top of the mountain. Whenever a breeze blows, it shakes continuously. It is hard to believe unless you see it with your own eyes.

The name "Wind-Shaking Stone" is both vivid and apt.

On the back mountain, the Dizang Hall, Panlong Temple, Dabei Building, Patriarch Hall, Maitreya Hall, and other temple complexes are grand in scale, reputed as "Little Jiuhua."

During Buddhist festivals, activities here flourish endlessly. The temple buildings are beautifully carved and painted, with flying eaves and arched walls, and incense smoke swirls around the mountain all day long.

The Wanfo Pagoda near the back mountain cliff was built later, but it offers excellent views. It is said that after a rain clears, large seas of clouds often appear here, a spectacular sight. However, whether you encounter them when you ascend the pagoda depends entirely on luck.

Climbing to the top and looking around, the bamboo paths of Shifo Mountain lead to secluded spots, clouds float, making it seem like a fairyland.

Nanyi Lake is located at the junction of Xuanzhou District and Langxi County in Anhui. It is the largest natural freshwater lake in southern Anhui and an important ecological function area of the county. Here, there are various natural and cultural landscapes such as farmland, waterways, wetlands, woodlands, ancient buildings, Huangxiang Hall, etc., with ancient trees everywhere.

On the way to Nanyi Lake, you pass through Feili Town's ten-thousand-mu tea fields. As mentioned earlier, Langxi is known as the hometown of green tea, so almost every town and village has vast tea gardens and seas to admire. But upon closer inspection, there are quite a few differences.

It is worth mentioning that Feili Town's tea garden has become one of Langxi's top ten popular check-in spots, largely because it is close to Nanyi Lake and Fushou Island.

Although the terrain is not high, the view here is excellent, making it a great place to watch the sunset.

Continue driving to Nanyi Lake Fushou Island. By the lake, there is a hackberry tree over 400 years old. According to locals, Fushou Island got its name from this tree, showing that the ancient tree has a deep cultural heritage in the area!

The shores of Nanyi Lake are winding, the lake surface merges with the sky, shimmering with ripples, and the air is fresh. The natural tourism resources here are extremely rich, with a superior environment and pleasant scenery, making it the top choice for ecological and leisure tourism in Langxi County.

Nanyi Lake is also the largest natural freshwater lake in southern Anhui. The lake has "nine points and thirteen bends, with harbors and channels like spider webs"; at the lake bends, the lake connects with fields, fields contain the lake, and there are large protected marshlands. The lakeside shallows are overgrown with reeds, providing rich natural bait, attracting swans to feed and flocks of geese to gather and roost, thus forming the wonder of "Wild Geese Landing on South Lake."

Since ancient times, literati and poets have visited Nanyi Lake and written many poems. The famous Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi wrote "Early Spring at South Lake" and "Late Autumn at South Lake."

Nowadays, enjoying the autumn scenery at Nanyi Lake has become a wonderful thing. It is also one of Langxi County's famous top ten check-in spots. Are you a little tempted?

Feili Town Village, adjacent to Fushou Island, is also a very special place. Currently, the newly painted 3D murals on the walls have infused the entire village with vitality. Unlike conventional wall paintings, many of these 3D murals are carefully designed.

Large lotus ponds elevate the entire ecological environment of the village. Although it's past the best season for lotus viewing, taking a walk in the village still allows you to feel a sense of contentment.

Dinner can be enjoyed at a local fisherman's home. Another major reason to eat here is that a friend told me Fushou Island is actually a good place to see the starry sky. Since we came, we might as well try to see it.

Nanyi Lake is extremely rich in aquatic and wild fowl resources such as fish, shrimp, crabs, birds, and geese, especially famous for its whitebait and crabs. It has been designated by the state as an export base for river crabs.

So dinner here naturally focuses on lake delicacies. The huge special clay pot fish head is impressive. If you are traveling with a small group of friends, it's advisable to order moderately to avoid waste.

After dinner, we returned to the lakeside and quietly waited for the night sky. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative; the clouds were too thick that night. After waiting for about an hour, we had to call it a day. However, personally, because there is little light pollution nearby, it's not just talk that you can see a relatively complete starry sky here. The actual effect will have to be judged by your own visit.

Overnight at Wuyuan Mountain Scenery Homestay

Compared to staying in a hotel, people naturally have higher expectations for a homestay. As luck would have it, the homestay a friend recommended at Wuyuan Mountain had just started operating. The tea garden in front of the mountain and the greenery behind surround the entire building. The homestay, shrouded in mist, appears even more mysterious.

Although we had been traveling for nearly an hour, the boss was still very warm and waited for us. The room was very spacious, and all the equipment was comparable to a four-star hotel. Most importantly, the bedding was very comfortable, and even the toiletries were their own brand. This is really rare for a mountain village homestay.

To provide guests with a better experience, although the homestay is a two-story structure, the number of rooms is not large. The rooms are more spacious and easier to manage, truly clean and hygienic.

If it weren't for the quiet forest in front of me, I would hardly believe I was staying in a homestay hidden in the mountains.

The journey continues. Leaving the misty Wuyuan Mountain homestay, we headed to Luoshi Village, a representative of the beautiful countryside. The green belts along the village road are being gradually improved. The words "Luoshi Tea Village" at the village entrance also incorporate unique tea culture symbols.

This is another village centered on tea culture. Although some village landscapes are still under construction, judging from what has been completed, it is quite impressive.

Walking around the lakeside area in the village center, you will notice that most of the buildings in the village have been uniformly built in white walls and black tiles. Many of the construction work was done by the original villagers themselves. Looking at the buildings, many local villagers can't help but exclaim that rural life today has changed greatly compared to the past, and they warmly welcome everyone to come and experience it.

Wuyuan Village, Wuyuan Mountain, Wuya Mountain, as local landmark attractions, the residents have boldly created based on various stories centered around Wu Zixu. The exquisite painting art makes the village walls highly three-dimensional.

Xiawu Village is the most remote village in Lingcha Township, located on the west side of Wuyuan Mountain.

It is a locally famous white tea production area. Although the tea garden is not as large as Feili Town's, due to the special nature of white tea, the local government has given considerable support and protection.

Local farmers said that in the past, except for some chestnut and bamboo plantings, most of the mountain was barren, covered with brambles and weeds. Therefore, most villagers chose to work outside.

Seeing the booming white tea industry in Liyang, the two village committees of Xiawu Village led a group of villagers with entrepreneurial aspirations to Jiangsu for inspection and to learn advanced concepts. After years of continuous reclamation and maintenance, 11 Jiangsu businessmen have invested in white tea and golden tea here, turning the original barren mountains into lush tea mountains, leading the villagers to prosperity.

Walking among the green mountains and tea seas, you can feel a faint tea fragrance. Some tea trees have already bloomed.

Although the tea trees before us don't seem very large-scale, it must be said that the poverty alleviation of the entire Xiawu Village really depends on them.

Haofeng Ecological Manor

This is a quite special green ecological manor. Mentioning this quiet and ancient place, two thousand years ago, it was a battlefield. The story of King Ping of Chu pursuing and killing Wu Zixu is still told. However, far from the urban noise, this manor lies quietly in this valley.

It not only has well-equipped forest cabin guest rooms but also an independent tea garden. The most unique feature is the special iron pot stoves for tourists to cook, and an independent barbecue area. Even if you don't stay overnight, you can still enjoy the natural rustic fun with your family, which is a great pleasure.

Standing on the spacious terrace and looking down, the beautiful pastoral scenery is unobstructed, orderly yet exuding wild vitality, dressing the earth in a lively manner.

Behind the hillside, the paths inside the independent villa gardens are paved with crushed stones, and the flower beds and vegetable gardens are built with stones, beautifully shaped and very stable, full of primitive natural flavor. Various vegetables and flowers are planted in the garden, creating a unique ecological farm. On weekends, many self-driving tourists come here, probably because most people are fond of this pastoral life hidden in the mountains.

Experience Longxu Lake Fishing

Adjacent to Longxu Lake, the local government has developed fishing projects for tourists and residents to enjoy leisure time, attracting many fishing enthusiasts from surrounding cities.

There are indeed many tourists fishing here every day. Enjoying a rare moment of leisure may be the most desired wish for people who live in cities for a long time.

The lake is rich in various fish species. The fish caught can be cooked on the spot by the shop or bought by weight and taken home. It truly allows you to enjoy nature and taste delicious food at the same time.

This fisherman's home by the Longxu Lake Reservoir enjoys a unique geographical advantage. The landlady is also very warm and hospitable. Knowing that we came from afar, she specially took out the big fish raised in the tank to entertain us.

Often, the most important thing when tasting lake or aquatic products is freshness. For self-driving tourists from surrounding cities, tasting authentic lake delicacies is an essential part of the Langxi trip.

Many young people may never have seen homemade large crispy rice cakes. They are baked until crispy and delicious. Generally, only the large stoves in rural areas, burning firewood, can make such tasty crispy rice cakes. The crispy rice cake from a big iron pot is even bigger than a face! The crispy rice cake in front of us is whole and shaped like the pot bottom. Paired with some pickled vegetables or chili sauce, it tastes even better. This staple food is even more popular locally than fish head. If you have the chance to visit Langxi, don't miss this special delicacy.

Giant Monster Farm

Before coming here, I was always curious: why is this place called Monster Farm? Are there really monsters here?

Actually, no. It turns out to be a natural parent-child park. The park not only has a variety of plants for children to learn and play, but also many large animals waiting for children to feed. It's like a mini wildlife park complex.

For children, these big animals might indeed be considered giant monsters. Introduced animals include Debao ponies, alpacas, sika deer, emus, ostriches, etc. It is a comprehensive ecological park integrating science education, ecological breeding, and tourism, very popular among tourists and children.

Of course, as a farm, various fresh vegetables and soilless cultivation experiences are also available. For children, compared to ordinary parks that are just for entertainment, this place has higher popular science value.

There are hundreds of koi in the fish pond. Because many other fish species are also raised, the water is not particularly clear. Fortunately, the manager has a special way of communicating with the fish to gather all the koi. As for what the method is, do you want to guess?

The last animal area has many rabbits, ducks, chickens, geese, and other poultry, allowing children to experience the joy of feeding.

It must be said that as a recreational venue in the village, it is truly remarkable that they have considered the play projects so thoroughly. Parents who often don't know where to take their children in the countryside should definitely check out the Giant Monster Farm.

Dafo Mountain Nourishing Heart Valley

Also a tea garden with ten thousand mu, Dafo Nourishing Heart Valley is more special because the tea here is mainly golden buds. This tea is not only delicious, but also looks particularly beautiful for photography in spring and summer.

Dafo Mountain Nourishing Heart Valley is located in Qingfeng Forest Farm, Taocheng Town, Langxi County, 8 kilometers from the county seat and 3 kilometers from the Langxi East Expressway exit, making transportation more convenient compared to other tea gardens.

There is no pollution for several kilometers around, with a forest coverage rate of 90%. It is a blessed land of Langxi and a natural oxygen bar. The endless golden tea garden, undulating with the mountain terrain, lies like a yellow carpet spread over Dafo Mountain Nourishing Heart Valley.

Dafo Mountain Golden Tea Garden is one of the earliest planted representatives in Langxi County. After six full years of growth, the tea plants are robust. Combined with the suitable climate, the tea quality is outstanding. The new leaves of golden tea are yellow all year round. The dried tea is bright yellow, the liquor is bright yellow, the taste is delicious, and it is as valuable as gold, hence the name. The amino acid content of golden tea is more than double that of ordinary tea, and it has always had excellent market sales.

In the most beautiful golden tea garden of Dafo Mountain Nourishing Heart Valley, there are three pavilions in Huizhou style, absolutely elegant. The three pavilions are a square pavilion, a hexagonal pavilion, and an octagonal pavilion. Sitting in the pavilion, with a gentle breeze, looking out, the golden tea garden lifts your spirits, turning into a sea of golden flowers.

Tourists here also have the opportunity to try cooking with a large iron pot (do it yourself, abundant food).

The park also features exciting activities like field CS jungle combat zones, maze areas, ancient military formation areas, island defense battle zones, etc. Compared to the previous tea gardens, the entertainment projects available here are more diverse.

Jindu International Hotel

After checking into Jindu International Hotel in Langxi city center, my overall impression exceeded my expectations. Actually, it is a four-star standard hotel combining entertainment venues, leisure vacations, and business relaxation. It is also the tallest building in the entire Shizi Town, making it very easy to find. Of course, what attracts people more are its rooms and dining.

The various hardware and lighting in the guest rooms are excellent, and the view from the room is unobstructed.

I originally thought that the dining at a star hotel might be somewhat lacking, but the meal we had here was almost perfect in every dish. I feel it can be recommended as the best dining place in Langxi. However, it is indeed the restaurant inside Jindu International Hotel. I must say that this stay and dining experience were very satisfactory, and I highly recommend it personally.

Tianzi Lake is located 35 kilometers south of Langxi county seat, a branch of the Huangshan Mountain range. Here, the lake and mountains are beautiful, the trees are lush, and the hilly areas around the lake are also covered with thousands of mu of tea gardens.

The tea gardens undulate with the mountain terrain, creating a spectacular view.

Connected to the tea gardens is the rippling blue lake water. The scenery where water and sky merge complements the green mountains and tea, like a beautiful painting of Jiangnan landscapes.

In Langxi, brew a cup of Ruicaokui tea, walk through the endless tea gardens, and fully enjoy the wonderful scenery of nature. The refreshing tea fragrance, along with the beautiful and moving legends and stories, makes one marvel. Every piece of this tea land reveals the abundant resources and spiritual essence of this Jiangnan water town.

Shizi Town Ten-Thousand-Mu Tea Garden

Compared to the several tea gardens we saw earlier, the tea garden in Shizi Town truly lives up to the name "ten thousand mu." The tea plants in the entire garden are endless. Even after driving for dozens of minutes, you still find yourself in the tea garden.

Xinhe Village in Shizi Town has established a green seedling planting base, planting flowers and seedlings such as cherry blossoms, crabapples, magnolias, oil tea, and osmanthus in different areas across nearly ten thousand mu of mountainous land. Every spring, this place becomes a sea of flowers.

Shizi Town is also planning and building the "Three Beauties" (creating beautiful roads, developing a beautiful economy, and revitalizing beautiful countryside) Xinhe Tourism Resort based on local conditions. The resort is located within Shizi Town, Langxi County, in the connecting area between the county seat, Shizi Town, Langxi Economic Development Zone Shizi Park, and Shizipu Tea Farm. It mainly includes Xinhe Village, Shuiming Community, Shizipu Tea Farm, Gaojing Temple Forest Farm, Shizi Village, etc., aiming to create a more refined and complete rural life for residents.

Langxi has been a county for over 1,000 years. Here lies the world's oldest man-made canal, the Xuhe River. The historical and cultural accumulation here is deep. Wu Zixu helped Wu to replace Chu, Yue Fei fought against the Jin dynasty during the Northern Expedition, leaving many relics. The ecological environment here is good, and the natural scenery is beautiful. The "one city, two mountains, three lakes" tourism geographical spatial pattern forms an absolutely beautiful ink-wash landscape painting, an elegant ecological pastoral scroll. Don't you want to come and see it for yourself?

Every meeting is like the first time. I am @Shanghai Cold Air. I am very glad to have the opportunity to share my Anhui Langxi trip with you. I look forward to meeting you in the next travel. Thank you for watching.