Jiangxi's Rural Utopia | A hidden gem to escape the city's hustle and bustle and embrace the slow life of the mountains and countryside

Xipo-Hengfeng Travel Guide: A pastoral secret nestled in the Wuyi Mountains Xipo·Hengfeng is located in Geyuan Town, Hengfeng County, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, along the Wuyi Mountain range. Surrounded by Geyuan Town, named after the wild kudzu and the source of the streams, it is a hidden gem for escaping urban noise and embracing a slow mountain and rural lifestyle. Here, you can experience the rustic charm of Gan-style old houses alongside the comfort of modern vacationing, making it ideal for families, couples, and friends. Best Travel Time - April to May: The season of mountain flowers overlaps with the rapeseed flower season, with terraced fields shrouded in clouds and mountains covered in blossoms, offering a full sense of healing. - September to October: Rolling waves of rice and thousands of acres of terraced fields form a golden landscape, perfect for sunset watching and autumn scenery appreciation. - Spring and autumn have large temperature differences between morning and evening, so bring a light jacket; summer has many mosquitoes, so mosquito repellent and sunscreen are essential. Transportation - Self-driving: About 1.5 hours from Shangrao city center; parking is available near the guesthouses, convenient for exploring nearby attractions. - Public transport: Take the high-speed train to Hengfeng Station, then a 30-minute taxi ride; if departing from Changzhi Lucheng, take a bus to Xipo Village and transfer (first and last buses run from 7:00 to 16:30, fare 2 yuan). Accommodation Recommendations Xipo·Hengfeng consists of 9 independent courtyards with 31 rooms that retain traditional elements such as rammed earth walls and wooden beams typical of northeastern Jiangxi mountain villages, combined with local decorations like rattan furniture and kudzu root woven lamps, blending modernity with rustic style. - Room options: Three-bedroom courtyards are suitable for families or three-generation trips; some rooms feature private soaking pools and scenic terraces, all equipped with large bathtubs and Yamaha sound systems. - Special services: Attentive butler service throughout your stay, assisting with meal reservations and itinerary planning; pets are allowed with an additional fee of 300 yuan per pet. Core Experiences Must-try activities within the guesthouse 1. Rural Handicrafts: Experience traditional stone-milled tofu making, coffee grounds soap making, plant dyeing, and more. The tofu-making session is especially recommended for families with children. 2. Mountain and Countryside Relaxation: The infinity pool faces the cascading terraced fields, perfect for photo ops; watch the sea of clouds from the terrace at dawn, gather around the stove for tea in the evening or chat by the fireplace, and join stargazing classes at night to see the Milky Way. 3. Farming Experience: Follow local farmers to pick tea, dig bamboo shoots, plant rice, or harvest fresh vegetables from the garden to experience the entire crop growth process. Nearby Must-Visit Spots 1. Mitoujian: The highest peak in Hengfeng, reachable by a 20-minute drive, is an excellent spot for sunset watching. It is recommended to check road conditions with the butler before heading out. 2. Geyuan Old Street: A stroll here takes you back to the 1990s with a nostalgic atmosphere. You can also visit nearby revolutionary base sites to trace red history. 3. Shiqiao Village: Home to thousand-year-old trees, with blue stone paths and ancient residences, every snapshot here looks like a pastoral masterpiece. 4. Extended Surroundings: Within 1 hour, you can reach Wangxiangu (a fairyland-style scenic spot, ticket 120 yuan); 90 minutes to Yiyang Guifeng (Danxia landform); 2 hours to Gexian Village (prayer and nostalgia, ticket 120 yuan). Taste of Hengfeng Must-try Foods - Geyuan’s Three Treasures: Geyuan kudzu steamed pork is soft and not greasy, Geyuan tofu is rich in bean fragrance, and black rice is fragrant and delicious, all iconic local delicacies. - Specialty Banquets: The hanging pot feast requires advance booking, with ingredients mostly freshly picked locally; rural hot pot and firewood stove stewed native chicken are incredibly fresh and flavorful, costing about 50 yuan per person for a satisfying meal. - Snacks and Drinks: Breakfast recommendations include kudzu flour dumplings and mountain spring soy milk; afternoon tea features sweet and refreshing kudzu root juice, and spicy pomelo peel sauce snacks made from Majia pomelo peel, full of local flavor. Classic Itinerary Reference (Three days, two nights) Day 1: Arrival and First Encounter with the Countryside 15:00 Arrive at the guesthouse by car or taxi, with the butler assisting check-in; 16:00 Terrace tatami afternoon tea, tasting the special kudzu root juice; 20:00 Enjoy the hanging pot feast, followed by a stargazing class. Day 2: In-depth Rural Experience 9:00 Experience traditional stone-milled tofu making; 14:00 Stroll through nostalgic Geyuan Old Street; 17:30 Head to Mitoujian for sunset watching; after dinner, gather around the stove for night talks and roasted sweet potatoes. Day 3: Nature and Departure 7:00 Early morning cloud sea viewing on the terrace; 9:00 Visit the thousand-year-old trees in Shiqiao Village; 12:00 Lunch followed by a photo session at the infinity pool for a family portrait; pack up in the afternoon and take kudzu flour, black rice, and other souvenirs home.