Cixi has endured and returned, so here are some blunt truths

​​🌿Cixi August Summer Escape Guide: The Healing Slow Life of a Thousand-Year-Old Water Town​​ ​​Geographical Location Cixi, this low-key treasure city in Ningbo, holds celadon culture in its left hand, yangmei mountains and sea in its right, and the lively Minghe Ancient Town in the middle～In the gentle breeze and drizzle of August, even the air carries the sweet fragrance of Sanbei bean crisp candy! ​​🚶♀️Three-day itinerary that makes you not want to go home​​ ​​Day 1: Celadon Traces + Ancient Town Stroll​​ • ​​Morning​​: Head straight to ​​Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site​​ (free!), admire the “sky blue waiting for the misty rain” of Tang and Song secret color celadon • ​​Noon​​: Rush to ​​Minghe Ancient Town​​ (free!), dive into the “Ancient Town Three Whites Museum” and order iced drunken mud snails + steamed river eel with preserved vegetables • ​​Evening​​: Stay overnight at ​​Xinmu·Blue Lotus Homestay​​ next to the ancient town, soak in the outdoor hot tub under the stars, the tatami mats and Dyson hairdryer in the room are plus points! ​​Day 2: Yangmei Mountains & Countryside + Artsy Check-ins​​ • ​​Morning​​: Dash to ​​Kaolao Mountain Trail​​ (free!), the rainbow halo under the waterfall after rain is stunning! Families can bring kids to step in the creek～ • ​​Noon​​: At the foot of the mountain, enjoy yellow croaker noodles at ​​Old Alley Farm​​, the fish meat is so tender it breaks with chopsticks! • ​​Evening​​: Stay at ​​Cixi Sports Center Xinhefang Qingju Hotel​​ (under Atour), floor-to-ceiling windows + free coffee machine, super convenient for night strolls on Xinhefang Pedestrian Street～ ​​Day 3: City Green Lung + Taste Bud Explosion​​ • ​​Morning​​: Check in at ​​Mingyue Lake Internet-famous Beach​​ (free!), pretend you’re by the sea, the white arch and mist system make photos magical! • ​​Noon​​: Eat belt noodles soaked in sauce and sizzling lamb skewers at ​​Beijiang Song·Big Plate Chicken​​ (Aegean Sea branch), the aroma will make you stomp your feet! • ​​Evening​​: Before heading back, rush to ​​Yintai City​​ to buy souvenirs, stuffing your backpack with yangmei crisps and mouse sugar balls～ ​​🔥Must-visit Top List​​ 1. ​​Minghe Ancient Town​​: Free! Open 07:00-21:00, the old pharmacy house on Middle Street feels like time travel, the century-old ginkgo at Jinxian Zen Temple is stunning on rainy days. 2. ​​Shanglin Lake Celadon Heritage Park​​: Free! 09:00-16:30, wear Hanfu to shoot the sky-blue glaze, recommended for families to make traditional sachets (30 RMB fee). 3. ​​Kaolao Mountain Waterfall​​: Free! Fewer people in the morning, wear non-slip shoes to step in the water, the rainbow ring under the waterfall is a divine photo spot. ​​🏨Accommodation Recommendations​​ • ​​For Selectors​​: Hilton Hampton by Hilton Ningbo East New City (482 RMB/night), Serta mattress + Petrov toiletries, family rooms have separate sofa beds. • ​​For Artsy Types​​: No.9 Under the Sophora Tree Homestay, open the window to see bamboo groves, fall asleep to the sound of the stream at night. ​​🚌Transportation Guide​​ • ​​Day 1​​: Cixi Tour Bus Line 1 → Shanglin Lake Station, 15-minute taxi to Minghe Ancient Town. • ​​Day 2​​: Cixi Bus 226 → Kaolao Mountain Station, 10-minute walk to trail entrance. • ​​Day 3​​: Taxi starting fare to Mingyue Lake, Bus 263 direct to Yintai City. ​​📸Photo Secrets​​ • Minghe Canal side’s ​​Ming and Qing Corridor​​, the reflection on rainy day bluestone slabs is amazing! • Shanglin Lake ​​Sky Blue Lakeside​​, stand by the lake in a white dress and instantly become the heroine of an ink painting～ ​​🍜5 Foods That Will Make You Scream​​ 1. ​​Mouse Sugar Balls​​: Pulled fresh on Minghe Old Street, maltose wrapped in sesame is finger-licking good! 2. ​​Steamed Preserved Vegetable Eel​​: Fish meat as tender as tofu, mixed with the salty and fresh flavor of pickled vegetable broth. 3. ​​Sanbei Bean Crisp Candy​​: Crispy to the point of crumbling, just the right sweetness without being cloying. ​​💰Three-day Expense List​​ • ​​Accommodation​​: 2 nights at Hampton by Hilton 964 RMB, waking up feels like lying on clouds～ • ​​Food​​: About 600 RMB for three days, from Michelin to street stalls, the stomach is very satisfied! • ​​Experiences​​: Celadon handcraft 50 RMB, sachet 30 RMB, such great value it makes you laugh out loud! ​​💡Tips​​ • August is rainy, bring quick-dry clothes + folding umbrella, rainy days see 40% fewer visitors in Minghe Ancient Town, making photos even better! • Yangmei season is over, but yangmei crisps and yangmei wine are available year-round～ ​​😭Challenges: Kaolao Mountain Trail is slippery, wearing the wrong shoes almost made me do the splits! Queued 1 hour at Beijiang Song, but the first bite of big plate chicken instantly forgave the whole world～ ​​🌸Personal Ramblings​​ Who can resist Cixi! Pretend to be cultured at the Celadon Museum by day, chow down on lamb skewers as a foodie by night, even the homestay owners are as warm as long-lost relatives～This time I didn’t get to visit Dapeng Mountain Star Dream Park, any experts have wilder plans? Drop them in the comments!