2025 Tonglu Field Test｜Explore China's Most Beautiful County with Just 300 RMB per Person!

"Among the world's finest mountains and waters, Fuchun is praised through the ages" — Tonglu, rated by National Geographic as one of the best travel destinations worldwide, has new experiences waiting in 2025! This thoroughly tested, step-by-step guide helps you unlock cave explorations, ancient village creek tracing, and fresh river delicacies with minimal spending, perfect for your weekend summer getaway! 🌄 Must-Visit Attractions (2025 Latest Edition) 1. Yaolin Wonderland｜16℃ Natural Air-Conditioned Cave ✨ Highlights Version 5.0 light show + naked-eye 3D performance of the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" mythology, stalactites falling like a galaxy under laser lights Free admission for 2025 high school graduates with exam admission ticket! (Until September 1) Constant 16℃ temperature inside the cave, the ultimate summer cooling spot 📌 Practical Information Ticket: 116 RMB/adult (10 RMB off if purchased online one day in advance), open 8:30-16:30 Essential Gear: Non-slip shoes (cave floor is slippery), light jacket (temperature difference over 10℃) Photo Tip: Use flash at the "Milky Way Waterfall" spot to enhance stalactite layers; don’t miss the 15 RMB cave-shaped creative ice cream at the exit! 2. Daqi Mountain National Forest Park｜Little Jiuzhaigou of Jiangnan 🚶 Recommended Route Bamboo Path to Seclusion → Water Curtain Waterfall → Iron Chain Bridge → Heavenly Pool Blue Lake → Flying Squirrel Zipline in the Forest (60 RMB/person) 💡 Tested Experience Wear bright colors (red/yellow best) for aerial shots of Heavenly Pool; drone view looks like a sapphire set in the forest Water Curtain Waterfall has the most water during rainy season (May-June), 90% chance of rainbow mist Avoid Pitfall: "Green World" kids’ area is great for families; hikers should take the deeper 3.5km/2h route ⚠️ Note: Mosquitoes are abundant in summer, bring repellent; some sections require holding iron chains for climbing, wear sportswear! 3. Fuchun River Little Three Gorges + Yan Ziling Fishing Platform｜Live Scene of Fuchun Mountain Residence Painting 🚤 Boat Tour Guide Best time: 14:00 boat ride (avoid tour group peak), route connects the "Mountains High, Waters Long" popular mural + 197-step steep stone viewing platform Hidden Fun: Bring a copy of the "Fuchun Mountain Residence" painting and compare details at the East Platform Ticket: 125 RMB/person (includes boat + attraction), self-drive parking at official lot (10 RMB/day) 📸 Photo Spot: Shoot backlit river silhouette from the second deck; 16:30 sunset bathes mountain shadows in golden red 4. Shishe Village + Maling Ancient Trail｜Millennium Ancient Village Slow Life 🥾 Highlight Hike Maoping Village → Shishe Village (3.5km/1.5h): 900-year-old camphor tree → Hu Family Ancestral Hall → Creek tracing in Shishe Village 🎨 Unique Experiences Plant dyeing workshop: 30 RMB/item (choose cotton-linen scarf, guided by instructor) Huangmaoxian Café: Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the creek, recommended "Osmanthus Latte + Handmade Cookies" (45 RMB/person) Creek play: Shallow water at village entrance, set up a canopy, bring a foldable bucket to catch small fish (free) 🍜 Must-Eat: "Casual Eatery" rice sieve noodles (15 RMB), diamond-shaped dough pieces with pickled snow vegetables and minced pork, so fresh you’ll lick the bowl! 5. Chuiyun Tongtian River (OMG Thrill Park)｜Earth Core Adventure + Exciting Rafting 🎢 Scream Package (Combo ticket 199 RMB includes 8 major attractions) Dark River Boat: 4.5km cave exploration, boatman’s impromptu mountain songs create great atmosphere Sky Drift: 3500m glass slide (500m drop), raincoat free but waterproof bag recommended Lingyun Sky Bridge: Wear non-slip shoes! Glass bridge surface is slippery when wet, not for those afraid of heights ⏰ Time-saving Tip: Arrive before 10:00 to avoid queues; "Angel Wings" photo spot has best light at 3pm 🍜 Local Secret Food List 🔝 Top 5 Must-Eats 🍽️ Type📍 Recommended Location🌟 Signature Dish💰 Avg. Price Fresh River Delicacies Luzicun "Old Lady Restaurant" stir-fried chicken (freshly killed native chicken + green pepper), mixed fish hotpot 55 RMB Ancient Village Snacks Shishe Village morning market rice sieve noodles (hand-rolled dough pieces), gray soup rice dumplings (soaked in plant ash) 15 RMB Night Snack Soul Jiangbei Old Town Night Market fried steamed buns with stinky tofu (freshly fried buns + sweet-spicy sauce) 8 RMB each Intangible Cultural Heritage Food Eshan She Ethnic Township red yeast rice wine (17% alcohol), black rice (She ethnic festival must-eat) 30 RMB Carb Bomb Deepao Ancient Village "Old Teahouse" fermented rice steamed buns with braised pork (buns fluffy like clouds) 12 RMB 🤫 Hidden Eats Cornbread dipped in pickled snow vegetable minced pork (Luzicun farmhouse): charcoal-grilled bread + salty pickled vegetables, carb lovers rejoice Tonglu Rice Cake (Tongjiang Farmers Market): shepherd’s purse tofu filling steamed 5 minutes, dip in soy sauce and vinegar, amazing She Ethnic Red Yeast Rice Wine Boiled Eggs: private recipe from homestay auntie, warming and nourishing (advance booking required) 📅 2-Day 1-Night Essential Itinerary 🌞 Day 1: Fuchun River Ancient Village Route 09:00 Jiangnan Longmen Bay bamboo raft drifting (50 RMB/person), check in at "Mountain Stone Wall" natural rock painting 12:00 Luzicun "Old Stove Head" for river delicacies (mixed fish hotpot + stir-fried snails, 60 RMB/person) 14:30 Maling Ancient Trail hike (Maoping Village → Shishe Village), tea break under ancient camphor tree 17:30 Creek tracing and water play in Shishe Village (bring change of clothes!), watch sunset turn creek red at Huangmaoxian Café 19:00 Stay at Wangwangshan Homestay (wabi-sabi style courtyard + cat café, starry sky terrace for Milky Way photography, bring tripod) 🌙 Day 2: Forest Cave Route 08:30 Daqi Mountain National Forest Park (take "Bamboo Path to Seclusion" route, 1.5h to summit) 12:00 Yaolin Town "Bipu Xiaolongbao" (30-year-old shop, fresh pork filling 10 RMB/steamer, thin skin juicy) 14:00 Yaolin Wonderland cave exploration (avoid 10:00 tour group peak, follow free guide to hear stalactite stories) 16:30 Buy Yu’s Green Bean Cakes before leaving (18 RMB/box, freshly made green bean paste filling, 3-day shelf life) 🚗 2025 Latest Practical Guide 🚇 Transportation Overview Self-drive: 1.5h from Hangzhou (Hangxin-Jing Expressway), 3h from Shanghai, parking 5-10 RMB/day at attractions High-speed Rail: Hangzhou East → Tonglu Station (40 minutes/23 RMB), taxi base fare to city attractions Local Transport: Y07/Y08 tourist lines free in summer! (covering Daqi Mountain - Yaolin Wonderland - Chuiyun Tongtian River) 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations Wabi-sabi Style: Wangwangshan Homestay (400 RMB/night, includes breakfast + cat café experience) Family Friendly: Meirong Village Jimuqiulin Farm (300 RMB/night, craft workshops + river view rooms) Cost-effective: Tonglu County Atour Hotel (350 RMB/night, free shuttle from high-speed rail station) 💡 2025 Latest Policies Shuttle Service: Summer (July-August) Y07/Y08 tourist lines free, hourly from 8:00 to 17:00 daily Travel Subsidy: Search "Tonglu Travel Subsidy" on Zheli Ban app, get 30 RMB back on highway/high-speed rail (limited to first 1000 daily) Ticket Discounts: Born in 1980 get free entry to Yaolin Wonderland, children under 1.2m free at Daqi Mountain "Step on the midsummer sunlight in the creek of Maoping Village, touch the 16℃ starry river in Yaolin Wonderland — 48 hours in Tonglu is a cool love letter to city dwellers."