Back from Tongren's "suffering" – seriously don't recommend visiting in June!

🌿🌄🚣‍♀️🍜🏨 Tucked away in southeastern Guizhou, Tongren is like a secret backyard garden hidden by fairies – all emerald mountains and crystal waters! June temperatures hover around 25°C (77°F), with breezes carrying the whisper of leaves, making it nature's perfect air-conditioned retreat. ✨ Must-Visit Spots 1️⃣ **Fanjingshan**: The sea of clouds atop Red Clouds Golden Peak looks like fluffy cotton candy, while the Mushroom Stone resembles a giant shiitake casually planted on the summit. Ticket: ¥120; cable car (one-way): ¥70. Arrive before 7 AM or prepare for soul-crushing queues. 2️⃣ **Zhongnanmen Ancient Town**: Free! At night, the illuminated Wenchang Pavilion glows like gold foil, and the cobblestone streets creak underfoot – every corner is a ready-made period drama backdrop. 3️⃣ **Yamu Valley**: An oxygen-rich hiking paradise where waterfall mist kisses your face. Wear anti-slip shoes (those river rocks are treacherously slick – trust me). 4️⃣ **Yunshe Village**: Discover traditional paper-making in Tujia stilt houses and try the "smashing bowl liquor" ritual – that cathartic *clang* as the bowl shatters releases all your stress! 🏨 Hotel Pick Tongren's grandest stay – **Jinjiang Hotel**! Right by the ancient town with rooms overlooking the Jinjiang River. Nighttime boat lights twinkle like drifting stars ✨, and their breakfast features authentic sour soup noodles so fragrant they'll jumpstart your soul. 🚌 Transport Tips From Tongren Station, take **Bus 7** (¥2) straight to Zhongnanmen. For Fanjingshan, carpool (¥50/person) – the 3-transfer bus route will break your spirit 😭. Taxis offer comfy rides with mountain views so stunning you'll blink. 🍲 Foodie Heaven 1️⃣ **Sour Fish Soup**: Fish so tender it disintegrates at chopstick-touch; the broth makes me devour three rice bowls! 2️⃣ **Crispy Rice Skin**: Crackling fried rice sheets stuffed with chili – that first *crunch* is an eargasm 👂. 3️⃣ **She Rice**: Wild chives and cured pork pack such bold flavors, each bite tastes like the mountains 🌱. 4️⃣ **Sesame Glutinous Balls**: Bite into molten brown sugar oozing from sesame-coated mochi – sugar addicts will ascend. 5️⃣ **Jiangkou Beef Jerky**: Fireworks of flavor explode in your mouth; so addictive you'll lick your fingers clean! 💡 Pro Tips - Mountain weather changes faster than an ex's mood – pack a windbreaker! - Fanjingshan's stairs are steeper than Jacob's Ladder – wear proper sneakers 👟. - Dong village rice wine tastes sweet but packs a delayed punch – don't be fooled 🍶. 💰 Budget Breakdown Jinjiang Hotel: ~¥400/night; Sour Fish Soup: ¥60/person; Fanjingshan ticket + cable car: ¥190; transport: ¥100 total... A 4-day trip costs just ¥1,500 – laughably good value! Final thought: Tongren's beauty is "impossible to capture even 10% on phone" – dawn's Buddhist light on Fanjingshan 🌅, the clatter of woks in night markets, or Lusheng melodies floating over rice fields from Dong villages... Missing this is pure loss!