Xinyang Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel Guide: A Journey Through Southern Henan's Landscapes and Tea Aromas

1. Transportation Optimization High-speed round trip: Zhengzhou East Station → Xinyang East Station (fastest 1 hour), taxi to downtown costs about ¥15 after arrival. City travel: - Nanwan Lake Scenic Area: Take bus No. 7/25 from Xinyang East Station to Nanwan Lake Pier (about 40 minutes). - Wenxin Tea Village: Take L3 bus from Hongyun Bus Station directly (about 1 hour), note return trip's last bus time (recommended before 17:00). 2. Itinerary Highlights & Pace Adjustment Day 1: Campus Culture → Lakeside Scenery 08:30-10:00 Xinyang Normal University Tanshan Campus: - Walk along the Metasequoia Avenue (most stunning in golden autumn), - Try stone-ground soy milk (¥5/cup) made by retired professors on campus. Transport: ¥12 taxi from high-speed rail station, or direct bus No. 7. 10:30-16:00 Nanwan Lake Scenic Area: - Ticket: ¥70 (includes boat ride), half price for students (¥35). - Highlights: Pier → Tea Island (tea-picking experience + Maojian Tea Corridor) → Monkey Island (watch monkeys dive) → Bird Island (observe egrets flying), about 3 hours total. Tips: - Lunch at Tea Island farmhouse: steamed Nanwan fish (¥60/jin) with stir-fried bamboo shoots and bacon. - Last boarding at 15:30 (park closes at 17:00). Day 2: Morning Market → Tea Mountain Therapy 07:30-08:30 Tianlun Bonsai Garden Morning Market must-tries: - Zhao's stuffed pancake (¥3) + Lao Zhang's hot dry noodles (¥5), - Pair with Xinyang-style savory tofu pudding (¥2). Transport: ¥8 taxi or direct bus No. 8. 09:30-12:00 Wenxin Tea Village: - Wear white dresses or Hanfu for "matcha mille crepe" terrace photo ops. - Try Maojian tea ice cream (¥25) at mountaintop café. Pro tip: - Avoid crowds by visiting Jiamu Tea House at foothills (reservation required) for handmade tea experience (¥150/person includes tea-frying and packaging). 12:30-14:00 Lunch·Shihe Snacks: - "Li's Braised Chicken" in local alleys (¥40/person) with Xinyang stewed noodles. Day 3 (Optional): Ancient Village → Night Feast Haotang Village: - Transport: Bus No. 10 to terminal + 20-min walk. - Highlights: Flagstone paths + Ming-Qing architecture, - Hanfu photos at Heyetian Poetry Photography Base under century-old ginkgo tree. 19:00-21:00 Luming Night Market: - Must-tries: Roasted Xinyang black pork (¥68/jin), Maojian tea shrimp balls (¥58), craft beer (¥15/cup). - Location: Intersection of Shihe South Road/Tongyi Street - locals' favorite. 3. Accommodation Recommendations Downtown convenience: - Jinjiang Inn (Xinyang Train Station branch) ~¥150/night, walkable to night market. Night market experience: - Don't miss "Xiguan Bridge Night Market" with roasted silkworm pupae (¥10/skewer) and Gushi goose stew (small portion ¥58). Tea mountain immersion: - Jiamu Tea House ~¥300/person (all-inclusive), includes morning tea-picking, afternoon tea-frying, and evening tea-boarding. 📌 Pro Tips - Nanwan Lake bargaining: Halve initial prices for island souvenirs (tea/bamboo products). - Morning markets: Choose queues at fresh-food stalls over pre-packaged items. - Tea village: Arrive before 7:00 or midday to avoid crowds. 5. Contingency Plans & Seasonal Notes Rainy day alternatives: - Free visit to Henan Provincial Museum (Xinyang branch) or indoor tea-frying at Mingyang Tea Culture Center. Seasonal impacts: - Best tea-picking: April-May (Maojian harvest season), winter alternatives include snow hikes. - Summer: Bring mosquito repellent for Nanwan Lake; autumn/winter: pack warm layers. Xinyang's charm lies in Maojian tea's slow rhythm, Nanwan Lake's morning mist, and steaming street food aromas. Take this guide to explore Henan's "Little Jiangnan"! 🌄