3-Day 2-Night Tianmu Mountain Travel Guide

Day 1: First Exploration of the Giant Tree Kingdom Morning: Arrive at Tianmu Mountain Scenic Area - Drive to Tianmu Mountain parking lot (~1 hour from Hangzhou downtown) - Public transport: Take Metro Line 16 to Jiuzhou Street Station, then transfer by bus/taxi - Recommended arrival before 8:30am to avoid crowds Noon: Vegetarian Meal at Chanyuan Temple - Visit thousand-year-old Chanyuan Temple (free entry) - Must-try temple vegetarian cuisine (¥30/person) - Highlights: Ming Dynasty murals & millennium-old ginkgo tree Afternoon: Essential Hiking Route - Route: Chanyuan Temple → Wuli Pavilion → King of Trees - Duration: ~3 hours (including photo stops) - Key sights: √ Ancient Chinese fir groves along Wuli Pavilion √ "King of Trees" bestowed by Emperor Qianlong (5-person circumference) √ Stream waterfalls (recommend water shoes) Accommodation: Dusit Thani Tianmu Mountain (Hui-style architecture) - Must-experience: Courtyard afternoon tea (¥88/person) - Recommended room: Courtyard suite with balcony view Day 2: East-West Tianmu Crossing Morning: East Tianmu Adventure - Transport: Hotel → West Gate of East Tianmu (15min drive) - Must-see: √ Twin waterfalls (West & East Falls) √ Zhaoming Temple (Liang Dynasty relic) - Cable car tip: Recommended hiking up (partial cable operation) Afternoon: West Tianmu In-depth Tour - Suggested routes: 1. Longfengjian Parking → Immortal Summit (2 hours) 2. Pass Sifeng Peak, Hanging Lotus formations - Photography spots: √ Best sea of clouds at 3pm √ Wide-angle shots for canopy layers Local Delicacies: 1. Braised pork with Tianmu bamboo shoots 2. Stone ear fungus with free-range eggs 3. Changhua dried tofu (best souvenir) Day 3: Cultural Leisure Day Morning: Tianmu Mountain Museum - Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm - Key exhibits: Ancient tree rings, insect specimens Afternoon: Pre-departure Must-dos 1. Souvenir shopping: - Tianmu Qingding tea (spring harvest best) - Mountain walnut cookies (recommended) 2. Instagrammable roads: - Dayu Line (wheat field views) - Best photo time: 4-6pm Tips: 1. Essentials: Anti-slip shoes, mosquito repellent, foldable umbrella 2. Last scenic bus at 4pm - plan accordingly 3. Free entry for veterans/culture-tourism card holders (ID required) Best Seasons: - Spring/Autumn (March-May for azaleas, Sept-Nov for fall foliage) - Summer retreat (July-Aug average 22°C) Hidden Experiences: 1. Firefly watching (July-Aug only) 2. Sunrise cloud sea at 5am 3. Hunt for "Tianmu Four Treasures" (ginkgo, fir, golden larch, ironwood)