Three days in Tonglu shattered my spending philosophy

🌿【Tonglu: Hangzhou’s Backyard Garden’s Summer-Only Romance】🌿 Hidden in the southwest corner of Hangzhou, Tonglu is a “mountain and water mystery box” by the Fuchun River💦! Coming here in August feels like stepping into a natural oxygen bar with air conditioning at 26℃～ Canyon rafting, cave exploration, ancient village relaxation… This wild travel blogger personally tested it, and this guide will let you have a blast without any pitfalls! ​​🚗【3 Days 2 Nights Super Detailed Itinerary】​​ ​​Day 1: Oxygen Boost + Ancient Village Slow Life​​ ☀️Morning: Rush into ​​Daqi Mountain National Forest Park​​ (open 8:30-16:00), the “sapphire” pool at the summit is breathtakingly beautiful💎! A 1.5-hour hike, remember to bring a watermelon to chill at the top (don’t ask why, locals all do this). 🍜Noon: Street food tour in the old town north of the river! ​​Old Street Pan-fried Buns​​ (No. 72 Kaiyuan Street) with crispy bottoms and juicy meat filling, paired with salty soy milk is amazing👏. 🌙Evening: Head straight to ​​Dongmen Wharf​​, take a cruise to enjoy the river breeze and light show～ Night owls recommend ​​Shuyu Coffee​​ (on top of Tongjun Mountain), hand drip coffee with night views, perfect for showing off on social media📸. ​​Day 2: Screaming Rafting + Cave Adventure​​ ☀️Morning: ​​Yalu Rapids Rafting​​ (starts at 13:00, 198 RMB/person)🌊! 7 km canyon with a 198-meter drop, kayaking feels like a roller coaster, get ready to get soaked! (Bring a change of clothes, showers are free). 🍜Noon: After rafting, rush to ​​Bishuiwan Farmhouse​​, the iron plate stinky tofu + skin-on beef steak pot is so fragrant you’ll want to lick the plate🤤 (1.6 km from Yalu). 🌙Evening: ​​Chuiyun Tongtian River​​ night tour (open until 22:30), take a boat through underground caves, 18℃ constant temperature + naked-eye 3D lights, like stepping into “The Lost Tomb”🔦. ​​Day 3: Ancient Village Healing Finale​​ ☀️Morning: ​​Shishe Village​​ (free!) with Ming and Qing dynasty houses + creek camping, experience the intangible cultural heritage “Rice Sieve Climbing” making, with warm-hearted aunties teaching you step by step～. 🍜Noon: ​​Ruyuan Private Kitchen​​’s steam pot fish, the fish is so tender chopsticks can’t hold it! The courtyard is perfect for photos, instantly turning you into a Jiangnan belle🌺. 🌙Evening: Skewer feast before heading back! ​​Yaolin Old Mom’s Pig Trotters​​ (No. 1111 Yaolin Road), the trotters are stewed to perfection, and the spicy sauce is so fragrant you’ll want to take some home. ​​🔥【Must-Visit TOP 5】​​ 1. ​​OMG Heartbeat Park​​: Glass rafting + aerial swing, scream level 💯! Night tickets for two at 699 RMB are more cost-effective～. 2. ​​Yanzi Ling Fishing Platform​​: Take a boat tour of the “Little Three Gorges of Fuchun,” check in at the real-life scene of “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains,” pretend to be a cultured person📜 (open 8:30-16:00). 3. ​​Baiyun Source​​: Free water playground! Diving, creek tracing, catching small fish, the mountain spring water is so cold it hurts your head🧊. 4. ​​Fangyu Capsule Bookstore​​: A trendy bookstore hidden deep in the mountains, floor-to-ceiling windows + sea of clouds, a production line for artsy photos📚. 5. ​​Tongjiang Rain Restaurant​​: Private river view rooms to eat Fuchun River bass, the sour soup style is so fresh your tongue will get tied🐟. ​​🏨【Accommodation Recommendations】​​ ​​Tonglu Kaiyuan Mingdu Hotel​​: Fuchun River view rooms + infinity pool, breakfast includes freshly made Tonglu rice cakes! Soak in the bath at night while watching the river view, about 300 RMB per person, totally worth it～ (ps: budget travelers can choose ​​Luci Village Homestay​​, 200 RMB to stay in a creekside cabin🌲). ​​🚌【Transportation Tips】​​ ✅Driving is best! Attractions are scattered and parking is free (Yalu has a 50,000㎡ parking lot with plenty of space). ❌Public transport warning: Tourist shuttle runs once an hour, packed like sardines and takes a detour… Don’t ask how I know😭. ​​💡【Life-Saving Tips】​​ • Wear quick-dry clothes for rafting! The raincoats sold in the park are just plastic bags, don’t waste your money. • Caves have big temperature differences, bring a jacket! Otherwise, you’ll be hugging the tour guide for warmth (don’t ask how I know). • Apply sunscreen in three layers! Tonglu’s UV rays are like a “tanning accelerator.” ​​🍜【Food Highlights】​​ 1. ​​Fermented Rice Bun with Braised Pork​​: The bun is as soft as a cloud, and the meat juice seeps into every fiber🍖. 2. ​​Mixed Fish Hotpot​​: Wild small fish from Fuchun River gather, the broth is so fresh you’ll want to soak rice in it🍲. 3. ​​Toona Shoot Scrambled Eggs​​: Spring exclusive! The Hermes of wild vegetables, the aroma is so strong neighbors will peek in🌿. 4. ​​Tonglu Mung Bean Cake​​: Freshly baked with a crust so crispy it crumbles, the bean filling is sweet but not greasy🍪. 5. ​​Bipu Soup Dumplings​​: Skin so thin it’s translucent, bursting with juice when bitten! Dipped in Tonglu spicy sauce, it beats Shanghai’s trendy shops🥟. ​​💰【Expense Summary】​​ The most expensive ticket is the OMG night session at 699 RMB for two, meals average 50 RMB per person to the point of being full, river view rooms cost 600 RMB per night, and driving fuel costs 200 RMB. Total spending for 3 days 2 nights is about 1500 RMB, offering way better value than Sanya! 🌄Tonglu’s summer is the mountain spring water that splashes in rafting, the sweetness of mung bean cakes burning your tongue, the rustling sound of old village grandmas weaving bamboo baskets… A secret you won’t want to leave once you arrive, waiting for you to unwrap it yourself✨