The Beauty of Xinyang: A Red Tea and Scenic Journey!
Itinerary Plan: 3-4 Days Exploring Xinyang
📌 Day 1: Arrival in Xinyang, Introduction to Tea Culture
Morning: Wenxin Tea Village (free admission, sightseeing bus 30-100 RMB) to start your Xinyang journey. Here you’ll find vast fields of Xinyang Maojian tea, with picturesque scenery perfect for listening to the wind, sightseeing, tasting tea, and relaxing. The endless greenery is incredibly soothing. Purchasing a sightseeing bus ticket also grants free tea tasting with unlimited refills.
Afternoon: Nanwan Lake Scenic Area (entrance 60 RMB, boat ticket 40 RMB) known as the "Pearl of Southern Henan," Nanwan Lake is surrounded by mountains, with shimmering waters and lush greenery. The lake has over 60 islands, with Monkey Island, Bird Island, and Tea Island developed for visitors. Tea Island is the largest, centered on tea culture, featuring tea culture experiences and tea art performances.
Evening: Taste local specialties such as chestnut stewed chicken, clear stewed Nanwan fish, and Xinyang salted duck. Overnight in Xinyang city.
📌 Day 2: Mountain Climbing and Summer Escape, Wild Adventures
Morning: Jigong Mountain Scenic Area (entrance 60 RMB) is a 5A-level scenic spot and one of China’s four major summer resorts, famous for its "clear mountains and waters, pure springs and lush forests, cool climate, unique scenery, and a world of its own." Must-visit spots include Baoxiao Peak, Sisters’ Building, Meiling Ballroom, and Changsheng Valley.
Afternoon: Borden Forest Park (entrance 60 RMB) named after British forester Borden. The terrain is undulating with continuous peaks, fresh air, and is known as a "natural treasure basin" and "natural oxygen bar." Attractions include the Memorial Forest, Ming Lake, and Han An Memorial Hall.
Evening: Experience Jigong Mountain nightlife. The scenic area offers stargazing camping paired with folk music nights. The Meiling Ballroom’s retro dance scene restoration and the Wisteria Courtyard’s "Day Coffee Night Drinks" create a time-space dialogue. Overnight at Jigong Mountain scenic area or return to the city.
📌 Day 3: Cultural Experience and Leisure Relaxation
Morning: Haotang Village (free) is hailed as "Henan’s most beautiful village." Unique ancient architecture, quaint stone-paved roads, tea gardens, bamboo forests, farmland, and streams combine to form a poetic pastoral landscape.
Afternoon: Shihe River Cruise (ticket price not yet announced) is in internal testing, departing mainly from Tianlun Square Pier, with a route set between two rubber dams. The cruise passes highlights such as Mingyang Pavilion, Rainbow Bridge, Shihe Night Market, Guan Bridge, Xinyang Ancient City Wall, Shenbo Tower, Shihe Park, and the pedestrian bridge—representing the most iconic scenic sections of Shihe River. The cruise ticket includes dried fruits, fresh fruits, cakes and desserts, Maojian tea, and coffee.
Evening: Xinshenhe Road Night Market, one of Xinyang’s busiest and most popular food night markets. Come here to taste delicious food and experience the city’s lively atmosphere. Recommended dishes include Li’s stinky tofu, lamb roll pancakes, and Little Red Riding Hood spicy hot pot.
📌 Day 4 (Optional): In-Depth Exploration
Option to visit Lingshan Temple (entrance 52 RMB), founded during the Northern Wei Dynasty over 1,500 years ago. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples established in China.
Or visit the newly opened Xingxiu Chuan Beach Camp, known as the "Maldives of Henan," about an hour’s drive from Xinyang city. The 20,000-square-meter seawater is automatically purified 24/7, with 100,000 square meters of sea sand transported in.
Special Experiences: Beyond the Usual Xinyang Activities
Tea Culture Experience: Xinyang Maojian is one of China’s top ten famous teas, and Xinyang is known as the capital of Maojian tea. You can deeply explore tea culture at Nanwan Lake Tea Island, Wenxin Tea Village, Jiamu Yin Ecological Tea House, and even personally experience tea picking and tea frying.
Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience: Xinyang has rich intangible cultural heritage. You can watch Luoshan shadow puppetry, learn bamboo weaving skills, experience Xinyang Maojian tea making techniques, and taste Guangshan pork buns.
Night Tour Experience: Starting this July, the Shihe River cruise will open night tours. The cruise operates from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM, with half-hour intervals between boats. The Shihe River at night is completely different from daytime, with dazzling lights and a unique charm.
Practical Information
Best Travel Time: Spring (March to May) is the most beautiful season in Xinyang, with lush green tea mountains and pleasant temperatures. Summer (June to August) is perfect for escaping the heat at Jigong Mountain and Nanwan Lake, where the perceived temperature is over 5°C cooler than the city. Autumn’s clear skies and refreshing air are also a great choice.
Transportation:
· Airplane: Xinyang Minggang Airport is about 50 km from the city center, approximately a 40-minute drive.
· High-speed Rail: Xinyang East Station offers high-speed trains to Wuhan (about 40 minutes), Zhengzhou (about 1 hour), and other destinations.
· City Transport: Buses cover major attractions, and taxis are convenient.
Accommodation Recommendations:
· City Center: A full range of hotels with moderate prices.
· Jigong Mountain: Choose accommodations within the scenic area for easy sunrise and sea of clouds viewing.
· Unique Homestays: Hejiazhai Camping Base, Zhenxi Secret Realm, Guizhuo Garden Homestay, and others offer distinctive experiences.
Food Recommendations:
· Xinyang Stewed Dishes: Local specialties with unique flavors.
· Nanwan Fish: Fresh and delicious, sourced from Nanwan Lake.
· Xinyang Salted Duck: A historic local delicacy.
· Hot Dry Noodles: Xinyang’s version differs slightly from Wuhan’s and is worth trying.
· Large Intestine Soup: A specialty from Luoshan.
Budget Suggestions (3 days per person):
· Budget: 800-1000 RMB (budget accommodation + casual dining + public transport)
· Comfortable: 1500-2000 RMB (mid-range hotels + specialty dining + taxis)
· Premium: Over 2500 RMB (high-end hotels or unique homestays + taxis or self-driving throughout)
Helpful Tips
1. Xinyang’s attractions are quite spread out; self-driving or chartering a car is recommended to save time.
2. For summer visits, bring sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, and an umbrella.
3. When touring Nanwan Lake, even in summer, it’s best to bring a jacket as it can be cool on the water.
4. Try to visit parks early in the morning or after 2 PM to avoid the midday heat.
5. Keep an eye on official announcements for free admission and discount events, such as the "Henan-Hubei Family" promotion, during which visitors from Wuhan, Suizhou, and other areas can enter Jigong Mountain free with an ID.
Xinyang, the mountain-water tea capital hidden in southern Henan, welcomes visitors from all directions with its unique charm. Whether you’re tracing the origins of tea culture, immersing yourself in nature, or simply enjoying a slow-paced life, this place will meet your expectations. Pack your bags and start your Xinyang journey!