DE YUE LOU

I was so lucky to be driven away by the so-called Internet celebrity restaurant Longfeng Hui Cuisine Restaurant (I wrote a bad review for it, and it seems it failed the review), and then I found this restaurant with a better environment and better taste, especially the stinky mandarin fish, braised spare ribs, fresh bamboo shoots and bacon, which are all very authentic. The homemade bayberry wine is not bad, too.

The hotel has good features, next to the ancient city wall of Huizhou, with an ancient atmosphere. The stinky mandarin fish and hairy tofu are both worth tasting, and the per capita consumption is not expensive. I ordered a stinky mandarin fish dry pot for 128, but there was no price on the sign. The stinky mandarin fish next to it was 98. The sign is unclear, which makes people suspect of misleading. Although it is 30 yuan more expensive, it makes people feel uncomfortable. I hope the store can understand consumption.

A good Anhui cuisine restaurant in the scenic area, the consumption level is not high, and the price-performance ratio is acceptable!

Who knows! Just escaped Hongcun back to the city, and I have to spill the beans! ‼️ Don't be fooled by filters! As a "Hongcun Experience Officer" who's just experienced the pitfalls and gotten two degrees of tan, this guide will reveal all the delicious and rip-offs. Save this and you'll save enough for three more bowls of Mao Tofu! 🚗 Transportation: Don't be a "scammer"! Saving money is king. - After arriving at Huangshan North Station by high-speed rail, ignore the taxis soliciting passengers at the entrance! Go directly to the nearby passenger transport center and take the 30-yuan bus directly to the entrance of Hongcun. The one-hour ride is half the price of the taxis and safer! - Hongcun is so small you can easily explore on foot! Riding a shared bike will only give you a sore bottom from the bumpy cobblestones, so don't waste your money (unless you want to experience "village disco"). 🏠 Accommodation: Stay in the right place and get an extra hour of sleep each day - I highly recommend staying inside the Hongcun Scenic Area! It's deserted before 7 a.m., so you can enjoy the tranquility of Yuezhao and Nanhu Lake all to yourself. The photos you take, free of strangers, will instantly become viral on your social media feed! - Avoid the B&B right at the entrance to the scenic area! It looks close, but it's actually a 10-minute detour every day. On rainy days, the cobblestones get all muddy on your pants. Don't ask me how I know 😭 🍜 Food: A local's hidden gem, with a warning about potential pitfalls. - ✅ Must-try recommendations: 1. Hairy Tofu: Don't be scared by the "hairy"! It's fried to a crispy exterior and tender interior, and it's incredibly delicious when dipped in chili powder. The most authentic one is from Fang Xinyu in the scenic area, and it's a filling meal for 15 yuan. 2. Stinky Mandarin Fish: Choose the small portion! Perfect for 2-3 people, I recommend Deyuelou. The fish is firm and not fishy, ​​but the price is a bit high, at 80 yuan per person, which is acceptable. 3. Huangshan Shaobing: Buy freshly baked! They're delicious in both sweet and savory flavors. 3 bags for 10 yuan. Take them back as souvenirs, much more affordable than the "expensive nuts" in the scenic area. - ❌ Warning: - Avoid the "expensive fruit" at the entrance to the scenic area: a bunch of grapes for 30 yuan. Prices in the village shops are reasonable. - Roadside "farmhouse dishes": The portions are small and expensive. It's better to check out highly rated restaurants online in advance. 📸 Photography Tips: Avoid the crowds; these angles are breathtaking. - Yuezhao: Go before 7 AM or after 5 PM! Avoid the tour groups and take photos of the white walls and black tiles reflected in the water, creating an ink painting. - Nanhu: Don't just take photos of the bridge! Walk along the lakeside, find a corner with willow trees, and take photos with a white wall in the background. Wear light-colored clothing for a truly gentle look. - Alleys: Hongcun's alleys are incredibly charming! Just find an empty alley and let the sunlight filter through the horse-head walls. Side profile shots are incredibly atmospheric. Remember to use live mode to capture the wind blowing your hair. 💡 Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls: These are all lessons learned the hard way! 1. Don't buy the "all-inclusive package"! The 104 yuan Hongcun ticket covers three days of fun, which is plenty. The extra "surrounding ancient village combined ticket" is a complete waste of money, as it's a complete waste. 2. Wear comfortable shoes! The cobblestone paths are uneven, and I spent a day walking in my white sneakers until the soles of my shoes were worn flat. When I got home, my heels were covered in blisters. 3. Wear sunscreen! The Hongcun sun is incredibly strong. I wandered around for a long time without sunscreen, and my neck got sunburned and the pain kept me awake at night. Overall, Hongcun is worth a visit, but don't be fooled by its "influencer" image! Only by carefully planning and avoiding pitfalls can you truly enjoy the beauty of this Jiangnan water village. For those of you who have been, if you have any tips for avoiding pitfalls, please share them in the comments! #RuGeDeJiYi #HongCunScenicArea #InkHongCun #HongCunTourism #HongCunTravel

🔥Ink paintings adorned in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"! What to do in Hongcun for 3 days and 2 nights? Don't just check out Moon Pond! 🌿🌙 Think Hongcun is just "small bridges, flowing water, and houses"? Wrong! It truly is a thousand-year-old poetic wonderland hidden in the mountains of southern Anhui— ✅ In the misty morning, Moon Pond reflects like a mirror, and the sound of reading lingers from Nanhu Academy. ✅ The bluestone slabs in the alley reflect the light, an old lady sits on the doorstep drying beans, and a cat takes a nap on the horse-head wall. ✅ A cup of tea, a bowl of stinky mandarin fish, and a rainstorm can make you forget time. But 90% of people— ❌ Rush in on the high-speed train in the morning, take photos of Moon Pond, and leave immediately. ❌ Stay in a 200-yuan "scenic area inn" with poor soundproofing and no hot water. ❌ Eat the "tourist version of stinky mandarin fish"—expensive and tasteless! The real Hongcun is about living there, slowing down, and savoring the flavors! As a travel blogger who visits three times every spring and autumn, I'll give you this: 👉 A comfortable 3-day, 2-night guide to Hongcun and surrounding highlights. ✅ Slow pace, rich photo opportunities, and a deep experience. ✅ Budget under 3,500 yuan for two, excellent value. ✅ Perfect for couples, friends, families, and photographers! 🌟[Why 3 days, 2 nights?] ❌ 1-2 days: Leave as soon as you've found your groove; a pure "check-in" experience. ❌ 4+ days: A bit longer, suitable for in-depth hiking or sketching. ✅ 3 days and 2 nights is just right: ✔️ Spend 2 nights in Hongcun, experiencing this "uninhabited secret" at dawn and dusk. ✔️ Add a visit to a nearby ancient village (Xidi, Tachuan, or Lucun) for even more options. ✔️ Enjoy time for tea, photos, daydreaming, and authentic cuisine—truly "living in a painting"! 🗓[3-Day, 2-Night Boutique Itinerary | All-Inclusive: Food, Accommodation, and Transportation] 📍 Day 1: Arrive in Hongcun → Check into a B&B → Visit Moon Pond at Night | Experience Ink Painting 🚄 High-Speed ​​Rail to Huangshan North Station (Direct connections available from Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou) 🚌 Transfer to the scenic area bus → Hongcun (¥20/person, 1 hour) or taxi (approximately ¥150) 🏨 Check into [Boutique B&Bs within Hongcun Scenic Area] | Recommended B&Bs include "Shilili·Shanwai," "Yuqian Shiwei," and "Nanping Shanju" ✅ Enjoy a panoramic view of Nanhu Lake and the croaking of frogs at night. ¥400-600 per person per night (book in advance!) 🌙 Evening: Enjoy the stunning night view of Moon Pond (free of charge), with red lanterns lit up and reflections reflecting in the dreamlike scenery. Avoid the daytime crowds! 🍽 Dinner: At Deyue Tower or Datang Restaurant, order the must-try dishes: stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu, and bacon and bamboo shoots stew! 📍 Day 2: Hongcun In-Depth Tour + Lucun/Tachuan Day Trip: Secrets Hidden in Paintings 🌅 6:30 AM: Morning mist over Nanhu Lake, most beautiful when deserted! Take "Walking Through a Painting" Photos 🏯 Morning: Explore Hongcun Fully ✅ Yuezhao, Nanhu Lake, Chengzhi Hall (wood-carved ceiling), Nanhu Academy, Leigang Mountain (panoramic camera) ✅ Ticket price: ¥94 (valid for 3 days). We recommend requesting a guided tour (¥80/person) or renting a guide. 🚗 Afternoon: Lucun (3km from Hongcun, ¥15 taxi) | See Zhicheng Hall, the "First Woodcarving Building." 📷 Or Tachuan Autumn Scenery (A must-see in autumn! Late October to mid-November) | A vibrant forest, a photography paradise. 🍵 Evening: Return to Hongcun, find a teahouse (such as Shiting Huayi) for a glass of Huangshan Maofeng tea, and gaze at the rain. 📍 Day 3: Xidi Ancient Village + Return Trip | The final day of your journey through the Ming and Qing dynasties. 🚗 Morning: Xidi (30km from Hongcun, ¥80 taxi or bus) ✅ One of China's four great ancient villages, even more pristine than Hongcun! ✅ Must-sees: Hu Wenguang Memorial Archway, Jing'ai Hall, Dafu's Mansion, and Xiulou ✅ Tickets are ¥94. Village elders dry their crops and weave cloth, exuding a vibrant sense of life. 🍽 Lunch: Recommended dishes at a Huizhou home at the entrance of Xidi Village: Chicken stewed with stone ear mushrooms and bracken stir-fried with meat. 🚌 Afternoon: Take the bus back to Huangshan North Station (approximately 1.5 hours). Return feeling "healed by the mountains and rivers"! 💰Budget Details: Comfortable stay within 3500 RMB for two people - Transportation (round-trip high-speed rail + local bus/taxi): 1000 RMB - Accommodation (2 nights in a boutique B&B): 1200 RMB (600 RMB/night) - Meals (5 meals + snacks): 600 RMB (includes stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu, etc.) - Tickets (Hongcun, Xidi, and Lucun): 400 RMB (Hongcun 94 RMB + Xidi 94 RMB + Lucun 20 RMB) - Others (tea, souvenirs): 200 RMB ✅ Total: Approximately 3400 RMB, more than enough for a 3500 RMB budget! Hot Interaction Message: 🔥 "Where is the most amazing stinky mandarin fish you've ever had?" 🎁 "Like, save, and comment on 'Hongcun Guide' to receive a PDF of the [Ancient Anhui Village Avoidance Map + Anhui Cuisine Hot and Black List]!" ” 📩 "Forward this to that friend who says 'all ancient towns look the same'—Hongcun's early morning, Xidi's alleys, and Tachuan's autumn—these are China's most beautiful 'slow-motion' moments!" 🌈[Ending Quote] Hongcun isn't just a postcard, but a poem written with its blue tiles, white walls, and flowing water. 3 days and 2 nights, no rush, no rush, Just enough time for you to: 📸 Take a photo of the deserted Moon Pond, 🍵 Drink a glass of mountain Maofeng tea, 🍽 Eat a bite of stinky yet fragrant mandarin fish, 💭 Dream a 600-year-old dream beneath the Matou Wall. #HongcunTourism #AncientVillagesofSouthernAnhui #XidiHongcun #HuizhouFood