Things to do in Xinyi

This town is located east of Xuzhou and is currently undergoing expansion. There aren't many tourists, probably because there's an entrance fee. It's okay to stop by for a quick visit, but not worth making a special trip for.

I've realized I haven't had many proper trips this year, mostly just visiting tourist attractions in some lesser-known cities. I just visited Yanzhou and Ju County with friends in May. This time, we went to Xinyi City, under the jurisdiction of Xuzhou, and the Xinyi Malingshan Scenic Area is a vast, mysterious mountain and water landscape with a thousand-year history. It's also one of the most worthwhile culturally significant mountains around Xuzhou to explore at a leisurely pace, perfect for both historical exploration and hiking! The scenic area covers a massive 28.9 square kilometers, far too large to be explored in a quick glance. The mountains are continuous and varied, with deep valleys and streams. A complete loop of the entire scenic area requires a full day. Those with average stamina can choose shorter routes, one to the north and one to the south, each offering different scenery and preventing visual fatigue. The dense forests are rich in negative ions, making walking through them an immersive natural oxygen bar. It's especially cool and comfortable to visit in the summer. What moved me most was the profound and enduring historical heritage. This is the ancient battlefield of the Battle of Maling during the Warring States period. The remains of the Maling Road, where Sun Bin and Pang Juan outwitted each other, still exist today. Walking along the ancient road, one can almost glimpse the legendary military strategy of using reduced cooking fires to lure the enemy. Emperor Qianlong visited this place three times during his southern tours and personally inscribed the stone tablet "First Landscape of the Land," which stands quietly in the mountains, exuding the majestic aura of imperial calligraphy. There are also the Sanxian Cave, the prototype of the stories in "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio," the long and mysterious Hidden Soldier Cave, the 5,000-year-old Huating prehistoric civilization site, and the Cretaceous dinosaur footprint rock wall. From ancient civilizations and the ancient battlefield of the Warring States period to the cultural relics of the Qing Dynasty, layers of historical imprints are scattered throughout the mountains. Each attraction comes with detailed explanations, making a visit to the mountain like flipping through a three-dimensional history book. Cultural enthusiasts will definitely find it worthwhile. Here are two practical routes and key attractions: ** **Effortless South Loop (3 hours, suitable for seniors and children):** Mountain Gate → Longtai Lake Loop → Sanxian Cave Exploration → Shanyin Ancient Temple → Red Culture Park → First River Mountain Stone Carvings. The trails are gentle and easy to walk, focusing on historical sites and cultural landmarks. Relaxing and stress-free. **Deep North Loop (3-4 hours, ideal for hiking enthusiasts):** Wuhua Peak Ascent → Thousand-Meter Hidden Soldier Cave → Xiaolonggou Mist Forest Waterfall Group → Dalonggou Glass Skywalk → Sun Bin's Military Strategy City. The popular Xiaolonggou is shrouded in mist, with cascading waterfalls and streams, perfect for photos. The glass skywalk offers stunning views of the Danxia landforms and breathtaking natural scenery. For those who don't want to hike the entire route, the scenic area offers unlimited shuttle buses for 40 yuan, taking you directly to all key stops, saving time and effort. The scenic area boasts excellent facilities, ample parking, and numerous supply points in the mountains. Rich in history, with magnificent landscapes and a vast area, it possesses both cultural and natural charm, making it suitable for both a short day trip and a leisurely two-day visit. Highly recommended for history buffs and hiking enthusiasts! The two routes I've outlined are based on consultation with customer service and the guide map. I haven't actually explored the entire scenic area myself, so the specific route will depend on your own time and other factors.

Mount Tai, the most revered of the Five Sacred Mountains, is a must-see. Remember to bring a five-yuan ticket to check it off your list. The natural grandeur and millennia-old cultural heritage blend seamlessly. The winding stone steps are dotted with cliff carvings, and the Eighteen Bends offer a challenging and treacherous experience. Only by reaching the summit of Jade Emperor Peak can you truly appreciate the awe-inspiring feeling of "Ascending to the highest peak, all mountains appear small." For sunrise and sea of ​​clouds views, consider a night climb; be prepared for the wind at the summit. If your stamina is average, you can take a bus and cable car from Tianwai Village, choosing your route flexibly. Although the climb is arduous, the expansive feeling at the summit makes all the fatigue worthwhile. Everyone should climb Mount Tai at least once in their life.

The antique style is quite nice. I like it.

Today at the Qingdao Beer Museum, I was fortunate enough to meet guide Zhao Lin. She gave a clear and comprehensive explanation of the history of beer and the entire brewing process, making the production flow crystal clear. Her voice was soft and sweet, making the whole experience very enjoyable and a fulfilling visit.

There are flower fields at Rainbow Bridge in June and July; they're very beautiful, but be sure to wear sunscreen. The lotus flowers at Mirror Lake are also beautiful. It's a great place for a family stroll. The scenic area's mini-train route has serious issues, causing you to miss most of the flower fields. To see the flowers, get off at the Children's Park station, then walk to the next intersection and turn left; that's the flower field at Rainbow Bridge (the mini-train will turn right at the intersection). Alternatively, go to Mirror Lake station to see the lotus flowers. Don't go to the flower field on the left-hand side at Mirror Lake station; there are no flowers there this season. Go to the lake on the right-hand side; walk around the viewing platform to reach Mirror Lake.

Personally, I think the Buddha Palace is the best part of the entire scenic area. It's magnificent and ornate. You should definitely try the Heavenly Vegetarian Noodles at the Buddha Palace; they're inexpensive and taste good. The other attractions aren't as outstanding. Actually, if the weather is nice, walking up and down the mountain is quite pleasant, even without taking the minibus.

Not bad, we climbed up and took the cable car down. But I actually think we should have taken the cable car up and then continued climbing to the very top of Tianyuan, and then come down. That way we could have seen the whole panorama. We were so tired climbing up that when we saw the cable car, we didn't want to climb anymore, and we didn't reach the top; we just came back.

The scenery is beautiful and breathtaking! Worth spending a whole day there! However, I couldn't find the 9D experience; the staff didn't know either. It was a complimentary service, so I didn't bother looking for it. I'll just focus on enjoying the real scenery!

It's been a long time since I've been to Jinan. I took advantage of some free time to visit Baotu Spring. It didn't seem as bubbly as it used to be, but it was still alright. There were a lot of people, but I took my child there, and it was a great experience.