Things to do in De'an

This is the world's largest golden statue of Maitreya Buddha, two meters taller than the Statue of Liberty, and 30 kilometers of gold were poured into its body. A straight staircase leads directly to the statue. Worshippers should walk on the right side, where the wooden flooring makes it easy to bow. Tourists should walk on the left side, where the terrazzo flooring is tiled. This scenic area is free, built with donations from believers from around the world. However, entry is restricted after 5:30 PM, so it's recommended to visit early in the morning.

I took my parents and pet to Lushan Mountain for three days. Every day was a different view. We saw the ever-changing fog, which was really magical. One second you could see the lake through the fog, and the wind would blow it away instantly. On the third day, it was really foggy with visibility of only ten meters 😂. I didn't dare to drive faster, even though the scenery was really unique. Parking, accommodation, and dining on the mountain were all very convenient, and there was also a direct shuttle bus to the scenic area, which made things even easier. I look forward to going back again.

The museum with the most gold also houses some bronzes, the earliest known depiction of Confucius, and a considerable collection of jade artifacts, offering insights into the life of the Marquis of Haihun.

It's better to take the cable car up and walk down; it saves energy and allows you to see everything you need to see. Unfortunately, we went on a foggy day with low water levels, so we couldn't fully appreciate the atmosphere described in Li Bai's poem. We'll come back during the rainy season.

The environment of Tianmu Hot Spring is really great, and the service attitude is very thoughtful. Every time I come here, I feel as comfortable as coming home. I have been there 3 times, and I want to bring my baby to experience it next time. The transportation here is also super convenient, which is great!

The scenery is beautiful. We happened to be drizzling, and the rising mist over the islands reflected in the clear water, creating a scene like a fairyland. The nine islands scattered across the lake are all connected by boardwalks, offering stunning views. However, it's quite strenuous on your legs. It takes about three hours to travel from one island to the other by boat, and there are no other means of transportation. It's reasonably enjoyable, but those with less stamina are advised to take a boat back halfway through or take a boat to a fishing village for lunch before returning.

Lushan Mountain, if you have enough time, you really should spend three or four days exploring it at a leisurely pace. I only had an afternoon and a morning for a rushed tour. East Route: Three-Tiered Spring (2600 steps up and down, a real challenge!), Five Old Men Peak (you absolutely must climb to the top; I recommend climbing from one to five in order, try it and see!), Hanpokou, Dakou Waterfall (the water volume in the off-season is really...😅😅😅), Lulin Lake, Lushan Museum (Mao Zedong's former residence). West Route: Ruqin Lake, Fairy Cave, Bai Juyi's Thatched Cottage, Flower Path, Meilu, Lushan Conference Site. For meals, head to the main street of Guling Town; there are so many good places to eat! Food? Tonight you absolutely must watch "Romance on Lushan Mountain," a classic old movie that connects all the scenic spots of Lushan. It's a short film, perfect for a Guinness World Record attempt! On the road, the sightseeing cable car and shuttle bus are must-buys; walking will leave you exhausted. The shuttle bus is 70 yuan for 7 days—a great price! The drivers are generally very friendly, and since it's the off-season, there seem to be more buses than people, so there's no need to wait excessively or queue. 🫰🫰🫰 For the return trip from Lushan, there's a direct bus from the lower cable car station to the Lushan High-Speed ​​Railway Station for 10 yuan, a 20-minute ride.

Although it's a man-made scenic area created by a dam, it's absolutely worth the price. The water and sky blend seamlessly, islands are scattered like stars, and floating bridges and boats are very convenient. The weather was perfect when we went, and everything was just right.

Teacher Chenxi's lectures were excellent and very engaging; I gained a lot of useful but ultimately useless knowledge. The reception staff were rather incompetent, constantly trying to get me to change my schedule to the morning or earlier, until I finally had no choice but to transfer me to Teacher Chenxi's group.