Tracing the Lakes and Waters of Xianning

Xianning, the city of hot springs, is truly perfect for a short getaway! In just two days, you can soak in hot springs, admire osmanthus flowers, and explore ancient towns—making it an ideal choice for a trip around Wuhan. 🚶♀️ Itinerary Day 1: 📍 Sanjiang Forest Hot Springs: The most famous hot spring resort in Xianning, with numerous pools of various therapeutic benefits. Don’t forget to bring a cute swimsuit for photos! 👙 📍 Osmanthus Garden: Xianning is known as the "Hometown of Osmanthus in China." From September to October, the city is filled with fragrance, and here you can see over 3,000 acres of osmanthus trees—absolutely breathtaking! 🌸 📍 Tingsiqiao Ancient Town: Preserving many Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, the cobblestone streets exude charm. Be sure to try the local sweet potato noodles and spicy dried duck! 🦆 Day 2: 📍 Yinshui Cave Geological Park: A magical karst cave that’s especially cool in summer. The walk through takes about 2 hours. 🚶 📍 Xianning Museum: A great place to learn about Xianning’s history, with highlights including bronze artifacts and Han dynasty relics. Free entry—remember to bring your ID! 🆔 📍 Country Garden Hot Springs: A stunning hot spring resort surrounded by forests. Soaking under the stars at night is incredibly romantic! ✨ 🍜 Food Recommendations ✅ Heshengqiao Chicken Soup: The broth is rich and the meat tender, paired with local sweet potato noodles—absolutely divine! ✅ Spicy Dried Duck: A Xianning specialty, packed with bold flavors. Vacuum-sealed versions make great souvenirs. ✅ Lotus Root Soup: Pork rib soup stewed with local lotus root—sweet and hearty. ✅ Sweet Potato Balls: Made from sweet potato starch, chewy and bouncy—a nostalgic local favorite. 🏨 Accommodation Tips ✅ Stay near the hot springs on the first night. Both Sanjiang and Country Garden have their own hot spring hotels, making it super convenient to return to your room after soaking. ✅ On the second night, stay downtown for easy access to food and shopping. The Qianshan Road area is recommended for its convenient transportation. 🚗 Transportation Guide ✅ The high-speed train from Wuhan to Xianning takes just 30 minutes—super convenient! ✅ Taxis to most attractions within the city cost under ¥20. ✅ For farther destinations like Jiugong Mountain, consider hiring a private car. Tips: 1. Remember to bring a swimsuit and a waterproof phone case for the hot springs. 2. Osmanthus season (September–October) is the most beautiful time in Xianning. 3. Besides osmanthus, Xianning’s specialties include brick tea—great for gifts!