2 days and 1 night tour of Jijiadun Ideal Village in Kunshan - slow life in Jiangnan water village

Day 1: Pastoral poetry and handcraft time ★Morning: Arrive at Ideal Village and explore the water village It takes about 1.5 hours to drive to Jijiadun Village from Shanghai or Suzhou. There are camphor trees at the entrance of the village, a winding river runs through the village, and a group of homestays with white walls and black tiles are hidden among the rice fields and green shades, instantly allowing people to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. After parking, it is recommended to take a short break at the "Shiyue Coffee" at the entrance of the village. This log-style cafe is surrounded by big trees, with sunlight pouring in through the glass. Order a latte with a muffin, listen to the proprietress humming folk songs, or play with the stray puppies in the store and feel the lazy atmosphere of the village. ★Noon: Taste authentic rural cuisine For lunch, we recommend the "Shuguoshu Restaurant" in the village, which is known as the "Top 10 Restaurant" in Jijiadun. The dishes here are mainly Jiangnan style, such as steamed white fish, seasonal wild vegetables, etc. The ingredients are mostly taken from local farmland, fresh and simple. ★Afternoon: Handcraft experience and water village tour Pottery and woodworking: Visit Taolu or Kongchuanfang to experience handcrafting. Make pottery at Taolu and feel the clay flowing through your fingertips; or go to Kongchuanfang to learn how to make wooden boats (100 yuan for adults/60 yuan for children). After finishing, you can go boating on the homestay's private river. Boating and farming: If you stay in a riverside B&B (such as Yuanshe Yueshui and Dalezhiye), you can use non-motorized boats for free to travel through the village water system. In spring and summer, you can also participate in farming activities such as transplanting and harvesting. ★Evening: Check-in at homestay and rural dinner We recommend staying at the "Xidi Qingshe" with a strong sense of design or the "Alanruo Boutique Hotel" with a light luxury style. The former features a water-view courtyard, while the latter provides an independent space with great privacy. In the evening, we enjoyed dinner on the terrace of the B&B. The setting sun was reflected on the river surface and geese were calling in the distance. It felt like we were in a painting. ★Night: Campfire and Starry Sky Some homestays will organize campfire parties or open-air movies. You can also stroll along the paths in the village and look up to see the stars. If it’s the weekend, you might even come across a cultural and creative market or a glow-in-the-dark night run. Day 2: Natural healing and surrounding exploration ★Early morning: the pastoral morning light awakens the body and mind Get up early to participate in the mindfulness meditation or yoga classes provided by the B&B, or take a walk alone by the rice fields and feel the tranquility of the water village in the morning mist. The landscape fields at the entrance of the village change with the seasons, with rapeseed flowers in spring and rice waves in autumn, providing a perfect background for taking photos. ★Morning: Cultural and creative experience and parent-child interaction Children's Picture Book Library and Farming Classroom: Families with children can go to the children's playground in the village, or participate in farming classes organized by the homestay, such as feeding rabbits and picking fruits and vegetables (appointments must be made in advance). Art bookstores and handmade markets: Visit the "Pianmu Workshop" or the art space in the village to buy handmade wooden products, pottery and other cultural and creative products to support local artisans. ★Noon: Light meal and rest before returning home After checking out, you can try the light meals at the B&B or return to the "Shuguoshu Restaurant" for dinner. If you have enough time, you may order a cup of Shiyue Coffee’s signature drink to reminisce about your time in the village. ★Afternoon: Visit the surrounding ancient towns It takes 15 minutes by car to reach Jinxi Ancient Town, where you can stroll along the cobblestone road and visit the Ancient Brick Kiln Museum; or go to Zhouzhuang (about 30 minutes by car) to experience the classic style of "China's No. 1 Water Town". 【Travel Tips】 1. Transportation: Self-driving is the most convenient, and parking is free in the village; if you do not drive yourself, you can carpool or take Kunshan bus to Jinxi Town and then take a taxi. 2. Accommodation: The price of homestays ranges from 500 yuan to 2,000 yuan. It is recommended to book in advance. Some homestays include breakfast and activity experiences. 3. Seasonal activities: flower viewing in spring, boating in summer, harvesting in autumn, and fireside sitting in winter. Different seasons have unique experiences. 4. Family-friendly: Most B&Bs offer children’s facilities, and activities such as pottery and boating are suitable for the whole family to participate in. [Heart] Jijiadun Ideal Village takes "new rural life" as its core concept, which not only retains the original texture of the Jiangnan water village, but also integrates modern aesthetics and community culture. This is not only a utopia to escape from the city, but also a deep dialogue about land, nature and humanity.