Memories of Jiangnan, most memorable is Jinhua: The ultimate travel guide|3-7 day routes + food
🏞️ Must-visit attractions recommended
[One] - Hengdian World Studios: "The Hollywood of the East," with real filming locations like Qinwang Palace and Ming-Qing Palace Gardens, offering an immersive ancient costume drama experience, and you might even catch a film crew shooting.
[Two] - Shuanglong Cave: A spectacular scene described by Ye Shengtao, the "lying boat into the cave" experience is very special, with stalactites of various shapes inside, a perfect cool escape in summer.
[Three] - Yongkang Fangyan: Danxia landform plus the Hu Gong Temple blessing culture, climb the mountain to overlook the lush peaks, and feel the millennium-old folk customs.
[Four] - Zhuge Bagua Village: The largest settlement of Zhuge Liang’s descendants in the world, the village is laid out in the shape of the Bagua, with white walls and black tiles hiding ancient charm, and intangible cultural heritage handicrafts worth experiencing.
[Five] - Wuyi Niutou Mountain: The birthplace of "Zhejiang Central’s No.1 Rafting," with canyons, streams, and dense primeval forests, suitable for family trips and outdoor enthusiasts.
🍜 Must-try food list
- Jinhua Ham: A national intangible cultural heritage, salty and rich, can be sliced and eaten directly or paired with dishes, a top choice for souvenirs.
- Lanxi Jizi Guo: Thin skin wrapped with egg liquid, minced meat, and scallions, pan-fried to golden crispiness, bursting with juice when bitten, very satisfying.
- Wuyi Vinegar Chicken: Sweet and sour, appetizing, with firm and flavorful chicken, a must-have specialty dish at local banquets.
- Yongkang Roumai Bing: Thick dough pancake stuffed with fresh pork, roasted crispy outside and tender inside, authentic stalls can be found everywhere on the streets.
- Yiwu Brown Sugar Mahua: Crispy twisted dough sticks coated with brown sugar, sweet but not greasy, best eaten fresh.
🚗 Transportation guide
- External transportation:
- Airplane: Fly to Jinhua Yiwu International Airport, then take the airport shuttle bus (20 RMB/person) or a ride-hailing car directly to the city center.
- High-speed rail: Jinhua Station, Jinhua South Station, and Yiwu Station are major transport hubs, with direct connections from most cities nationwide, convenient transfers to buses/subways inside the stations.
- Internal transportation:
- City: Buses cover major attractions, apply for the "Jinhua Bus Card" on Alipay to scan and ride; ride-hailing starting fare is 8 RMB.
- Between attractions: Tourist shuttle lines (15-30 RMB/person) run between Hengdian, Zhuge Bagua Village, and other spots, or rent a car for self-driving (150-300 RMB/day) for more flexibility.
🎫 Attraction ticket references
- Hengdian World Studios (combo ticket): 348-518 RMB/person (includes 3-5 attractions, valid for 2 days)
- Shuanglong Cave: 80 RMB/person (includes Shuanglong Cave, Ice Pot Cave, and other attractions combo)
- Zhuge Bagua Village: 80 RMB/person (includes core ancient village area + ancestral hall)
- Wuyi Niutou Mountain: 110 RMB/person (ticket + round-trip scenic shuttle)
- Yongkang Fangyan: 65 RMB/person
🏡 Accommodation options
- City business districts: Recommended Wucheng District and Jindong District, with many hotel choices (budget 150-300 RMB/night, mid-to-high end 300-800 RMB/night), close to food streets and bus hubs.
- Hengdian scenic area: Stay in themed hotels inside the studio (400-1000 RMB/night) or nearby homestays (200-400 RMB/night), convenient for early morning park entry and filming.
- Wuyi Hot Spring area: Choose hot spring hotels (300-800 RMB/night) for a one-stop experience of soaking and lodging, ideal for leisure vacations.
- Zhuge Bagua Village: Village homestays (150-300 RMB/night), open the window to see the ancient village and feel the original ecological village atmosphere.
🗺️ Recommended travel routes
📅 3-day tour (compact highlights version)
- D1: Arrive in Jinhua city → Shuanglong Cave (experience lying boat into the cave) → city food street (try Jizi Guo, ham) → stay in city
- D2: Hengdian World Studios (Qinwang Palace + Ming-Qing Palace Gardens) → night tour of Dream Valley → stay in Hengdian
- D3: Zhuge Bagua Village (visit ancient village, see intangible cultural heritage) → return trip
📅 5-day tour (in-depth experience version)
- D1: Arrive in Yiwu → Yiwu International Trade City → Brown Sugar Mahua workshop → stay in Yiwu
- D2: Hengdian World Studios (Along the River During the Qingming Festival + New Yuanming Garden) → stay in Hengdian
- D3: Hengdian Dream Valley → head to Wuyi → soak in hot springs → stay in Wuyi
- D4: Wuyi Niutou Mountain (hiking + rafting) → head to Yongkang → stay in Yongkang
- D5: Yongkang Fangyan (blessing + Danxia sightseeing) → return trip
📅 7-day tour (panoramic slow travel version)
- D1: Arrive in Jinhua city → Wuzhou Ancient City (stroll ancient streets, taste snacks) → stay in city
- D2: Shuanglong Cave → Huang Daxian Ancestral Palace → stay in city
- D3: Head to Hengdian → Ming-Qing Palace Gardens + Qinwang Palace → stay in Hengdian
- D4: Hengdian Along the River During the Qingming Festival + Dream Valley → stay in Hengdian
- D5: Zhuge Bagua Village → Lanxi Underground River → stay in Lanxi
- D6: Yongkang Fangyan → Wuyi Hot Springs → stay in Wuyi
- D7: Wuyi Niutou Mountain → return trip
💰 Budget reference (per person)
- 3-day tour: 1500-2000 RMB (including transportation 500 RMB, tickets 400 RMB, accommodation 400 RMB, meals 500 RMB, others 200 RMB)
- 5-day tour: 2500-3500 RMB (including transportation 800 RMB, tickets 600 RMB, accommodation 1000 RMB, meals 800 RMB, others 300 RMB)
- 7-day tour: 3500-5000 RMB (including transportation 1200 RMB, tickets 800 RMB, accommodation 1500 RMB, meals 1200 RMB, others 300 RMB)
⚠️ Notes
- Hengdian World Studios is large, it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes, and you can rent electric carts in the park (50 RMB/person/day) to save energy.
- Shuanglong Cave requires "lying boat into the cave," children under 1.2 meters must be accompanied by parents, avoid wearing loose clothing to prevent snagging.
- Wuyi Niutou Mountain rafting peak season (June-August) requires advance booking, prepare change of clothes and waterproof bags.
- When buying Jinhua Ham, choose regular stores to avoid purchasing loose, unbranded products.
- Zhejiang is rainy, bring rain gear before traveling, and the mountain areas have large temperature differences, bring a light jacket.
Like this travel guide? Like and follow, leave a comment to tell me which sights you want to see, and I will explore them for you‼️‼️