3 Days Immersed in Yangshan: Ancient Charm Hidden in the Karst Peaks, a Slow Travel Journal Wrapped in Local Traditions and Flavors

Escape the city with a 3-hour drive and dive into the mountains and waters of Yangshan to truly understand—the beauty here cannot be unlocked by a quick visit. The peak forests, ancient villages, and Yao ethnic hamlets hold stories spanning a thousand years, and the intangible cultural heritage cuisine is soul-stirring with every bite. This deep experience is the right way to explore Yangshan. The first stop is straight to Xianling Mountain, where the trees planted by Han Yu when he served as county magistrate still provide shade. In the Han Yu Memorial Hall, built in Tang-style architecture, the spring water of Han Gong Well is crystal clear, and the inscriptions on the stele corridor reflect the literary heritage. Standing on the Study Platform overlooking the county town, you finally understand the artistic conception of “kites flying and fish leaping.” In the afternoon, visit the Xuefa Ancestral Hall, where the Hakka walled village meets Western palace design in a stunning way. The auspicious patterns carved in bricks contrast interestingly with the reinforced concrete main building, earning it the local nickname “Folk Palace” for good reason. On the second day, immerse yourself in nature and breathe deeply. Walking on the Tianyundu Glass Bridge in Xiatiandi makes your legs weak; the 488-meter drop beneath turns the peak forest into a miniature bonsai. Inside the Yanziyan cave, the stalactites sparkle under the lights like scattered diamonds, and the cool 18°C temperature is perfect for escaping the late summer heat. In the evening, take a bamboo raft ride in the Yushui Scenic Area, where the lush bamboo and strange peaks on both sides of the Lianjiang River resemble the Li River. The raftman sings mountain songs, and the air is filled with the fragrance of plants—no wonder Han Yu wrote “Fragrant winds are heard across the river.” The biggest surprise is the slow pace of life in Chengjia Village. The mortise and tenon structure of Shanmei Kangqiao is so exquisite that it stands firmly over the river without a single nail. Yao village aunties greet you with a cup of welcoming rice wine, sweet and fresh with a wild mountain aroma. Wandering the village until sunset, you see elders chatting under century-old trees, and Yao embroidery decorations hanging from the eaves sway in the breeze, instantly healing all anxiety. Food lovers must not miss the local flavors of Yangshan! At Lianxiang Bieyuan, the white-cut Yangshan chicken is freshly killed and cooked on the spot; the crispy chicken skin is chewy, dipped in sand ginger soy sauce that’s so fresh it makes you stomp your feet, and the watercress soup made from the chicken bones is so good you won’t leave a drop. The red yeast pork from Libu looks like amber rouge, melts in your mouth without greasiness, and the intangible cultural heritage wheat soup is warm and silky, paired with street stall fried tofu kernels—the spicy aroma mixed with the bean fragrance is intoxicating. Before leaving, take home some Qinglian fermented black beans and Dongshan dried bean curd sticks to pack the taste of the mountains and fields. Tips: Driving is the most convenient way; the Qinglian Expressway is lined with stunning karst landscapes. Stay in a stilted house in the Yao village to hear insects and watch stars at night. Wear non-slip shoes for hiking and bring a light jacket for the caves. The beauty of Yangshan has always been hidden in the slow moments, waiting for you to unlock it yourself.