Zhao Liying's strongly recommended small town is actually a must-visit place according to National Geographic

**1. Overview of the Scenic Area** Xiandu in Jinyun County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, centers around **Dinghu Peak**. It combines unique peaks, beautiful waters, pastoral scenery, and Taoist culture. It has been a filming location for TV dramas like "The Journey of Flower" and "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," and is praised as "the elegance of Guilin, the wonder of Huangshan, and the danger of Huashan." --- **2. Must-Visit Attractions & Activities** **1. Dinghu Peak (Core Landmark)** - **Features**: Standing 170.8 meters tall, it is the world's tallest single stone pillar, shaped like a spring bamboo shoot piercing the clouds, symbolizing Xiandu. - **Activities**: - **Photo in front of Dinghu Peak**: Best spot is a low-angle panoramic shot (recommended during soft light at dawn or dusk). - **Boat tour on Dinghu Lake**: Take a rowboat to experience the fairyland reflected in the water near the peak (ticket about 50 RMB/person). - **Huangdi Shrine**: Climb to learn about the legendary Yellow Emperor, the cultural ancestor of China (ticket included). **2. Zhutan Mountain (Famous Bridge)** - **Features**: The most photogenic "Xianxia Bridge" in Xiandu, a stone slab bridge spanning Hao Creek with Dinghu Peak behind, often called a "natural photo studio." - **Activities**: - **Morning mist photography**: From 6:30 to 8:00, farmers often lead cattle across the bridge (paid photo opportunity about 50 RMB/time). - **Time-lapse photography**: The bridge, flowing water, and peaks create a dynamic ink painting. **3. Niweng Cave (Cliff Inscriptions)** - **Features**: A natural cave with inscriptions by literati since the Tang and Song dynasties, a must-see for calligraphy lovers. - **Activities**: Explore the cave and find famous inscriptions (such as poems by Li Bai and Bai Juyi). **4. Little Red Cliff (Danxia Landform)** - **Features**: Red cliffs and steep walls resembling flames, perfect for hiking. - **Activities**: Walk along the plank road, overlook Hao Creek Gorge, especially stunning at sunset. **5. Furong Gorge (Martial Arts Style Secret Realm)** - **Features**: A deep gorge, filming location for the "Heartless Palace" in "The Journey of Flower," ideal for adventure lovers. - **Activities**: Hike through the gorge and experience the "One Line Sky" phenomenon. --- **3. Transportation Guide** **1. How to Get to Xiandu, Jinyun?** - **By Plane**: The nearest airports are **Wenzhou Longwan Airport** (about 2 hours by car) or **Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport** (about 3 hours by car), then transfer by high-speed train or bus to Jinyun. - **By High-Speed Rail**: - **Jinyun West Station** (most convenient): Direct high-speed trains from Hangzhou/Shanghai take about 1.5-2.5 hours; taxi from the station to the scenic area takes about 15 minutes (around 30 RMB). - **Lishui Station**: Transfer to bus or carpool to Xiandu (bus about 1 hour, ticket 15 RMB). - **By Car**: Navigate to "Jinyun Xiandu Scenic Area Visitor Center," about 3 hours from Hangzhou, 4.5 hours from Shanghai. **2. Transportation Within the Scenic Area** - Attractions are spread out; car rental (about 200-300 RMB/day) or taxis (10-20 RMB one way) are recommended. - Some spots are reachable on foot (e.g., Dinghu Peak to Zhutan Mountain about 15 minutes). --- **4. Ticket Information (Latest for 2025)** - **Xiandu Scenic Area Combo Ticket** (includes Dinghu Peak, Zhutan Mountain, Niweng Cave, Little Red Cliff, Furong Gorge, and other main attractions): - **Adult Ticket**: 90 RMB/person (valid for 48 hours). - **Discount Ticket**: Half price for students/seniors (45 RMB), free for children under 1.2 meters. - **Boat Ticket** (Dinghu Peak boat tour): 50 RMB/person (optional). - **Huangdi Shrine**: Included in the combo ticket. > **Tips**: The combo ticket offers the best value; plan 1-2 days for visiting. --- **5. Food Recommendations (Jinyun Specialties)** **1. Must-Try Foods** - **Jinyun Shaobing (Baked Flatbread)** (a must!): Made with preserved vegetables and pork belly, crispy and flaky, available inside and outside the scenic area, recommended "Ding Ji Shaobing." - **Tushuang Noodles**: Local handmade noodles served with chicken soup or mushrooms. - **Jinyun Spicy Duck**: Braised or stewed, tender meat. - **Qiao Meat Soup**: Meat slices pounded then cooked into soup, chewy texture. **2. Recommended Restaurants** - **Xuanyuan Grand Restaurant** (popular with locals, authentic shaobing and spicy duck). - **Xiandu Farmhouse Restaurant** (around the scenic area, recommended to try "wood-fired stove" farmhouse dishes). --- **6. Itinerary Suggestions (Classic 1-2 Day Plans)** **📅 One-Day Tight Schedule** - **Morning**: Dinghu Peak (photo) → Huangdi Shrine → Boat tour on Dinghu Lake. - **Noon**: Lunch at a farmhouse restaurant near the scenic area (recommended shaobing + spicy duck). - **Afternoon**: Zhutan Mountain (famous bridge) → Niweng Cave (inscriptions) → Little Red Cliff (Danxia hiking). - **Evening**: Return or stay in Jinyun County town. **📅 Two-Day In-Depth Tour** - **Day 1**: Dinghu Peak → Zhutan Mountain (morning mist photography) → Huangdi Shrine → Stay in Xiandu or Jinyun County town. - **Day 2**: Little Red Cliff → Furong Gorge (martial arts style hiking) → Niweng Cave → Return. --- **7. Accommodation Recommendations** - **High-End**: Jinyun Xiandu Radisson Manor (near the scenic area, good environment). - **Cost-Effective**: Xiandu Farmhouse (100-200 RMB/night, experience rural life). - **County Town**: Jinyun Xiangyi Grand Hotel (convenient transportation, suitable for next day departure).