Hangzhou → Anji Two-Day One-Night 'Easy Trip'
Before traveling to Anji, I read many Xiaohongshu posts and noticed a lot of "avoidance" posts (Is it still Xiaohongshu? It’s almost becoming an "Avoidance Book" [Joyful]). Of course, Xiaohongshu is still useful—after synthesizing some of these avoidance posts, I crafted my own itinerary and was quite proud of my "travel plan."
Originally, I wanted to visit Yunshang Grassland, but after seeing too many negative posts and videos about it, plus the tickets being quite expensive, I changed my mind. By chance, I stumbled upon a live stream by "Anji February Flower Resort Hotel," showcasing their infinity pool, which was absolutely stunning. The host happened to be a local from Anji and a hotel staff member broadcasting on the hotel’s official account, so I tuned in (I usually dislike big influencers’ live streams—been scammed before with promises that never materialized at the hotel). The host was recommending travel options around the Yunshang Grassland area, and while I won’t detail his pitch, my "itinerary" essentially copied his.
Departing from Hangzhou, it took about two rounds of *Honor of Kings* to reach the hotel (the host’s exact words)—no lies, an hour was enough. After exiting the Louniao Expressway, the closer we got, the more we felt surrounded by mountains. By the time we saw the most majestic peak, the hotel had arrived. It was easy to find, right by a stream, with all its Chinese-style buildings lining the water.
Since it was already late on the first day, we decided to stay at the hotel instead of venturing out. The whole point of traveling is to leave work behind and enjoy freedom. First, we took photos in the Chinese-style courtyard and gardens, then went stream-trekking (free for hotel guests)—swinging over the stream, lying on net hammocks, and letting the kids catch tiny shrimp. Great family time. Next, we tried crayfishing (also free for guests). I had a clever plan: catch some crayfish, spend time with the kids, and have them for dinner. But my skills were lacking—only about a dozen were caught. Still, we took them to the restaurant, added a few more, and had them cooked. The restaurant was excellent—high-end but affordable, under ¥200 for three people. Best of all, there was a large kids’ play area nearby, so we could relax and eat while the children played. After dinner, the hotel’s nighttime scenery was beautiful, though the weather was too cold for the infinity pool from the live stream. We settled for the shallow pool with starry lights at the bottom—I think it’ll go viral someday. Also, their cave hot springs were closed for the season.
The room’s exterior followed Hui-style Chinese architecture, but the interior was modern Chinese—giving the feeling of experiencing two styles in one stay. I won’t overdescribe the room, but it’s clear the owner put great care into this hotel. The quality of everything far surpasses that of so-called "Instagrammable" homestays, which often feel like they’re furnished from Taobao. If you ever visit, you’ll see if I’m exaggerating. The attention to detail in the decor was impressive (a professional habit of mine). In short, it met five-star hotel standards. Oh, and the bedding was top-notch—the mattress was comfortable, especially the pillows (no buckwheat or plain cotton here). Soundproofing was good; I stayed at the far end and could faintly hear the stream but nothing from next door (though I’m not sure if anyone was there).
The next morning, I woke up around 7 and headed for breakfast. For a resort hotel, the spread was lavish—far better than some homestays that either skip breakfast or serve premade dumplings and porridge. After breakfast, we set off for Lingxi Mountain. The hotel arranged our tickets (¥20 vs. the market price of ¥27 or ¥28). A 5-minute drive brought us to the parking lot right by the ticket office—very convenient. The mountain offered natural scenery, with photo spots enhanced organically, showing minimal commercialization. Streams flowed down from the high peaks, forming small waterfalls—pure mountain spring water with excellent quality. Facilities along the streams were kid-friendly, and those with energy could hike, snapping photos along the way. For those who couldn’t, a cable car cost ¥50–70. I hiked up, where a glass walkway shaped like a flying saucer offered panoramic views of the mountains—truly spectacular. (As the host recommended:) Lingxi Mountain and Yunshang Grassland belong to the same mountain range. Yunshang Grassland has more facilities, so if you prioritize activities, go there during off-peak times. But if you prefer natural scenery, Lingxi Mountain is the obvious choice—huge value for money.
Finally, full disclosure: I’m writing this because my daughter wanted to take the panda toy from the room. The hotel had signs stating they couldn’t be taken, but after staff checked with their manager, they allowed it—on the condition I leave a good review. Honestly, visiting Anji this season, enjoying local food, stream-trekking, crayfishing, and soaking in the green mountains and clear waters—all of which filled my social media—cost me just the price of a room and tickets... Sharing this with everyone.