4-Day Trip to Xinyang | Classic Combination of Jigong Mountain and Nanwan Lake・All-Age Friendly Guide

Xinyang is a picturesque landscape of southern Henan, featuring the rolling sea of clouds at Jigong Mountain, the vast blue waves of Nanwan Lake, and the fragrant charm of Maojian tea. Stroll with the elderly through the century-old summer resort, accompany children to pick tea and play in the tea fields—here, every day offers a poetic blend of nature and culture. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview D1: Arrive in Xinyang → Jigong Mountain (Baoxiao Peak + Meiling Ballroom) → Bolden Forest Park D2: Nanwan Lake (Tea Island + Bird Island) → Xianyin Temple D3: Lingshan Temple → Martyrs' Cemetery of the E-Yu-Wan Soviet Area Capital in Xinxian County D4: Zhenlei Mountain → Return trip ⛰️ Day 1: Walking in the Clouds · Forest Oxygen 📍 Jigong Mountain (4A, ticket 80 RMB, sightseeing bus 40 RMB) Highlights: One of "China’s Four Major Summer Resorts," with an average summer temperature of 23°C, famous for its "Buddha’s Light, Sea of Clouds, and Rime." Baoxiao Peak resembles a rooster crowing at dawn; elderly visitors can take the sightseeing bus directly to the summit. Meiling Ballroom (where Soong Mei-ling once danced) retains the Republic of China style, perfect for photos. The Natural History Museum has animal and plant specimens, great for kids to learn. 🕙 Opening hours: 8:00-17:30, recommended 9:00-15:00 (allow enough time) 💰 Fees: Adults 80 RMB, free for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.4 meters 📸 Photo spots: Baoxiao Peak viewing platform (shoot sea of clouds and mountain views, stand at cliff edge), in front of Meiling Ballroom (vintage villa background, wearing a qipao looks great) 💡 Tips: It’s windy at the top, bring a light jacket; bring mosquito repellent (many forest insects); elderly should choose gentle trails. 📍 Bolden Forest Park (4A, ticket 50 RMB) Highlights: A secondary virgin forest with century-old sweetgum trees and bamboo groves, wooden boardwalks along streams, ideal for elderly to stroll and breathe fresh air, kids can play in the water (summer), and the autumn red leaves are stunning. 🕙 Opening hours: 8:00-17:00, recommended 16:00-17:30 (fewer people, soft light) 🍜 Recommended dining: Jigong Mountain "Southern Henan farmhouse cuisine," must-try stone cold noodles (cooling treat, 5 RMB/bowl), chestnut braised chicken (savory and flavorful), average 40 RMB per person. 🏨 Recommended accommodation: Jigong Mountain "Yunzhong Hotel" (800 meters altitude, family rooms, breakfast included), 300-500 RMB/night, window views of the sea of clouds. 🌊 Day 2: Lake Scenery · Ancient Temple Serenity 📍 Nanwan Lake (4A, ticket 80 RMB, boat ticket 40 RMB) Highlights: "The First Lake of Central China," with 61 islands. Tea Island offers tea picking and frying experience (50 RMB/person, includes a small tea can), Bird Island has a peacock garden (10 RMB/person for feeding), elderly can enjoy lake views by boat, kids can play with macaques on Monkey Island (do not feed). 🕙 Opening hours: 8:00-17:30, recommended 9:00-15:00 (frequent boat departures) 📸 Photo spots: Tea Island viewing platform (shoot tea gardens and lake views, capture tea picking actions), Bird Island peacock display (catch the moment) 💡 Tips: It’s windy on the boat, bring a hat; tea picking clothes available for free photo shoots on Tea Island. 📍 Xianyin Temple (free) Highlights: A Tang Dynasty ancient temple with a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree (golden in autumn). Elderly can listen to morning bells and evening drums, kids can feed fish in the release pond (5 RMB/package feed). There is a gentle hiking trail behind the temple, suitable for the whole family. 🕙 Opening hours: 7:00-18:00, recommended 16:00-17:30 🔴 Day 3: Zen Blessings · Red History Tracing 📍 Lingshan Temple (4A, ticket 50 RMB) Highlights: "The First Ancient Temple of Central China," built in the Northern Wei Dynasty. The temple houses a seven-story glazed pagoda and offers peace amulets (10 RMB each). Elderly can worship in the Mahavira Hall, kids can see the "inverted ancient cypress" (roots up, said to be planted by Emperor Jiajing of Ming). 🕙 Opening hours: 8:00-17:00, recommended 9:00-11:30 📸 Photo spots: In front of the glazed pagoda (shoot the pagoda and ancient cypress, person standing sideways) 📍 Martyrs' Cemetery of the E-Yu-Wan Soviet Area Capital in Xinxian County (free) Highlights: Commemorates revolutionary martyrs, includes the "Red Army Cave" site and revolutionary museum. Elderly can view the "Huangma Uprising" history exhibition, kids can lay flowers in front of sculptures (free), fostering patriotism. 🕙 Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed Mondays), recommended 14:00-16:00 💡 Tips: Maintain solemnity, no loud noises; touching exhibits is prohibited. 🌿 Day 4: Suburban Outing · Trip Finale 📍 Zhenlei Mountain (free) Highlights: The city’s backyard garden, featuring Leifeng Ancient Temple and Wetland Park. Elderly can stroll along the lakeside trail, kids can play on swings in the "Children’s Playground" (free). Cherry blossoms in spring are very romantic. 🕙 Opening hours: All day, recommended 9:00-11:30 📸 Photo spots: Leifeng Ancient Temple gate (shoot red walls and yellow tiles, person standing on steps) 💡 Tips: The park is large, bring water and snacks; some areas have no shade, use sun protection in summer. 🍜 Recommended dining: City "Xinyang stewed dishes," must-try Gushi goose pieces (fresh soup, tender meat, can be non-spicy), stewed meat pot (rich but not greasy), average 50 RMB per person, warming and delicious. ✨ Xinyang Survival Guide 1️⃣ Transportation: From city to Jigong Mountain take tourist shuttle (15 RMB/person, 1 hour), taxi about 80 RMB; to Nanwan Lake take bus No. 2 (2 RMB), taxi about 20 RMB; within scenic areas: Jigong Mountain sightseeing bus and Nanwan Lake boat are musts to save effort. 2️⃣ Clothing: Wear windbreakers in spring and autumn (mountain winds strong), short sleeves + sun protection clothes in summer (strong UV by the lake), down jackets + non-slip shoes in winter (some icy paths), comfortable sports shoes for hiking. 3️⃣ Taboos: No photography or stepping on thresholds inside temples; no playing or loud behavior in martyrs' cemetery; do not tap bowls with chopsticks when eating stewed dishes (local taboo). 4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay near Jigong Mountain/Nanwan Lake for first 2 days (close to attractions), city center for last 2 days (convenient for Zhenlei Mountain). Choose hotels with children’s slippers if traveling with kids, elevator rooms for elderly. 🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs ① Xinyang Maojian Tea (100-300 RMB/can, spring tea fragrance, suitable for elderly) ② Vacuum-packed Gushi Goose Pieces (60 RMB/bag, firm meat, ready to heat and eat) ③ Xinxian County General County Cultural Products (bookmarks 15 RMB each, Red Army dolls 30 RMB each) ④ Nanwan Lake Dried Fish (40 RMB/bag, no additives, great for soup) The clouds of Xinyang wrap around the spine of Jigong Mountain; the waters of Xinyang reflect the sunset of Nanwan Lake. Whether you’re listening to tea-picking opera with your parents in the tea garden, feeding swans with your kids on the lake, or toasting with friends in a stewed dish restaurant, here you’ll find unforgettable everyday warmth. If you come to Xinyang, would you rather first escape the heat at Jigong Mountain or go boating on Nanwan Lake?