Yixing Yaohu Town | Discover a Hidden Gem Vacation Spot

| Discover a Hidden Gem Vacation Spot. Yixing Yaohu Town | Discover a Hidden Gem Vacation Spot Yixing Yaohu Town, a poetic place hidden in the depths of Jiangnan, combines the rich cultural heritage of the Pottery Capital with the elegant scenery of a Jiangnan water town. With an average annual temperature of 15.7°C, it's beautiful in all four seasons, offering a delightful experience whenever you visit. Transportation Guide - Driving: The most convenient option—simply navigate to "Yixing Yaohu Town." It's about 1 hour from Hangzhou and 2.5 hours from Shanghai, with beautiful Jiangnan scenery along the way. - High-speed Rail: First arrive at "Yixing Station," then take a 30-minute taxi ride to the town. There are also direct shuttle buses to the scenic area. - Air Travel: Choose from Nanjing Lukou Airport, Changzhou Benniu Airport, or Wuxi Shuofang Airport in Jiangsu Province, then rent a car or take an airport shuttle to Yixing before transferring to the town. Must-Try Activities & Photo Spots - Cloud Train: Ride the 6.2 km scenic train that circles the town. Enjoy a 50-minute immersive journey through elevated tunnels, bamboo groves, tea fields, and hidden lakes—like entering a Hayao Miyazaki anime world. Choose a window seat for the best photos 📷 - Dragon-shaped Water Show & Fireworks: When night falls, a spectacular water-screen light show inspired by dragon imagery begins. For 20 minutes, water jets, flames, and lasers dance to music, culminating in brilliant fireworks. Secure a prime spot along the lakeshore for an immersive 3D visual experience. Check the scenic area announcements for performance times and arrive early for good positions. - Yaohu Boat Ride: Take a traditional rowing boat across the sparkling lake to admire the white walls and dark tiles of buildings reflected in the water. You might catch a glimpse of the intangible cultural heritage performance of "Single Bamboo Rafting," where artists gracefully dance while standing on bamboo poles—just like a scene from a martial arts film. - Pottery Making Experience: Under professional guidance, create your own purple clay teapot or pottery and experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage. Pottery wheel experiences cost 80-150 yuan, while purple clay teapot DIY starts at 200 yuan. Items can be fired and taken home. Remember to book in advance, as weekends get crowded. - Yaoqu Market (Weekend Only): Open Saturdays from 9:00-15:00, where you can find exquisite handmade purple clay items, bamboo crafts, Yixing red tea, and other treasures. Food Recommendations - Yaohu Three Whites: Steamed eggs with whitebait, white shrimp with green peas, and white fish soup—all using fresh local lake ingredients for authentic, nutritious flavors. - Black Rice Balls: Glutinous rice dyed with Nandina leaves and paired with osmanthus sugar—sweet but not cloying, full of Jiangnan charm. - Yixing Clay Pot Rice: Fragrant, with soft rice grains and rich ingredients—incredibly satisfying with every bite. - Purple Clay Tofu: Melt-in-your-mouth tofu with unique spice seasonings, a distinctive local specialty. - Yaohu Tea: Made from Yixing's specialty tea leaves with a fresh, crisp taste—perfect for enjoying during breaks between sightseeing. Accommodation Options - Yaohu Grand Hotel: Located in the center of the scenic area with 675 rooms featuring pottery-themed cultural design. Equipped with a gym, card room, yoga studio, and other recreational facilities. Lake-view rooms offer excellent vistas, and guests enjoy unlimited access to the scenic area plus complimentary tickets for the mini train and water park. - Pottery Factory Resort Hotel: Rooms start at 70 square meters, with options for twin or double beds—perfect for families of three. Includes daily breakfast buffet for two, Yaohu Town tickets, access to the indoor temperature-controlled water world for two, Bamboo Rat Water Park tickets, hot spring tickets for two, and free shuttle service—excellent value for money. - Nearby Guesthouses: Options like Jinyu Baita Guesthouse and Jianxi Lanting Life Boutique Accommodation each have their own charm. Some are near the lake, offering morning mist and evening tranquility; others feature unique decor with artistic atmospheres. Choose according to your preferences. Travel Tips - Plan Ahead: Purchase tickets online in advance for discounts and to avoid queues. Check opening hours for various attractions to plan your itinerary efficiently and not miss performances or activities. - Sun Protection: For summer visits, bring sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses. If you plan to enjoy water activities, prepare swimwear, water guns, waterproof bags, and other equipment. - Check Announcements: Pay attention to scenic area notices, as some facilities may have adjusted opening hours due to maintenance or special circumstances. - Food Exploration: When sampling local cuisine, ask residents for recommendations—you might discover hidden culinary gems. - Additional Reminders: Cell signal may be weak in some areas, so download offline maps. Bring a blank notebook, as there are many commemorative stamps to collect around the town. Come to Yaohu Town and enjoy a leisurely vacation amid mountains, waters, and pottery culture!