Visited Yixing Yaohu Town 4 times, finally figured it out!

📍 Address Zhuhai Village, Hufu Town, Yixing City, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province. 🚌 Transportation 1. Self-driving: - From Shanghai/Nanjing: Take Huning Expressway to Ninghang Expressway, exit at Yixing, and follow Zhanglingmu Line straight ahead (about 2.5 hours). - Parking: Scenic area P1 parking lot (15 RMB/day), recommended to arrive before 9 AM during peak season. 2. High-speed rail + bus: - Take high-speed rail to "Yixing Station," then transfer to tourist line 201 or the free Hufu tourist shuttle bus (about 1 hour direct). 3. Long-distance bus: Direct buses available from Yixing Bus Station (1-hour ride). 🌳 Introduction Yixing Bamboo Sea is known as the "No.1 Bamboo Sea in East China," covering over 20,000 mu of lush bamboo, with negative oxygen ions reaching 100,000/cm³, a natural oxygen bar🌿. Key highlights: - Mirror Lake: The lake is as clear as a mirror, reflecting the bamboo forest. From August to November, you can see the rare peach blossom jellyfish ("Panda of the Water"). - Southern Jiangsu’s No.1 Peak: Yunu Peak stands at 611.5 meters. From the Lingyun Pavilion at the summit, you can overlook the entire bamboo sea and see the three provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui. - Jade Corridor: A natural green tunnel deep in the bamboo forest, with light and shadow interweaving like a forest painting. - Hanging Walkway: Pass through the bamboo sea and mist, perfect for adventure lovers. 🗺️ Travel Guide ✅ Recommended Routes - Easy half-day tour (3-4 hours): Mirror Lake → Jade Corridor → Cable car up the mountain (one way 60 RMB) → Lingyun Pavilion → Yunu Peak → Cable car down. - In-depth hiking route (5-6 hours): Mirror Lake → Hanging Walkway → Yunu Peak → Hike down → Hundred Bamboo Trail → Bamboo Culture Museum. - Family route: Sightseeing bus (one way 15 RMB) + cable car up and down, focusing on Mirror Lake floating bridge and non-powered playground. ✅ Must-try Activities - Cable car overlooking the bamboo sea (total length 1300 meters, height difference 400 meters). - Boating on Mirror Lake or photographing the "Sky Mirror" reflection. - Summer exclusive: Bamboo sea rafting, bamboo forest camping coffee house. ⚠️ Tips for Visiting 1. Time management: - Summer opening hours: 8:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30), cable car stops at 16:00⏰, recommended to reach the summit in the morning. 2. Clothing and gear: - Wear light colors or Hanfu for better photos📸, pair with comfortable non-slip shoes; bring mosquito repellent and a light jacket (temperature difference in bamboo forest is large). 3. Avoid crowds: Enter before 8 AM on holidays to avoid peak crowds. 4. Ticket discounts: - Adult ticket 80 RMB (70 RMB if purchased online in advance), half price for students/seniors, free for children under 1.4 meters. 🍽️ Food Recommendations - Full bamboo feast: Stir-fried bamboo shoots with shredded pork, bamboo fungus egg soup, bamboo tube rice (fragrant), recommended outside the scenic area at "Heming Restaurant." - Black rice: Glutinous rice soaked in southern candle leaf juice, eaten with sugar, a traditional Yixing "filial son meal." - Chestnut free-range chicken: Free-range chicken raised in bamboo forest + local chestnuts, rich sauce and tender meat, try at "Qizhu Restaurant." - Wild flavor stir-fry: Wild onion scrambled eggs, salted meat stewed bamboo shoots, a must-order at farmhouse restaurants. - Snacks: Hufu small wontons (thin skin, fresh soup), lily pastries (crispy outside, soft inside). 🛏️ Accommodation Recommendations - High-end resorts: - Yuzizai Bamboo Sea (cliffside pool homestay, 800 RMB+/night). - Huazhu Huajian Hotel (5-minute walk to the scenic area, mountain view balcony rooms, about 300 RMB per person). - Cost-effective options: - Zhuyue Yuanshang (Loft style, 300 RMB/night, near the scenic area). - Zhujia Dayuan (farmhouse with meals included 178 RMB/person, authentic three meals). - Pitfall warning: Be cautious choosing low-priced farmhouse meals near the scenic area; the city’s old brand "Zhouzhen Wontons" is more reliable. 🌄 What else to do nearby 1. Cave wonders: - Zhanggong Cave (underground river boating + cave drifting combo ticket 110 RMB). - Shanjuan Cave (one of the "Three Great Caves of Jiangnan," birthplace of Liang Zhu culture). 2. Cultural experiences: - Shushan Ancient South Street (Zisha old street, handmade teapots for around 100 RMB). - China Zisha Museum (DIY pottery, 50 RMB/person). 3. Nature and leisure: - Longchi Mountain Bicycle Park (tea garden cycling, free entry)🚴‍♀️. - Yada Yangxian Xishan Town (climb Dongpo Pavilion to enjoy lake and night views). Summary: Yixing Bamboo Sea is the ultimate summer retreat in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai area. Combining bamboo sea hiking, cave adventures, and Zisha culture, a 2-3 day trip is best✨. Avoid holiday crowds, breathe fresh air in the morning, enjoy tea in the afternoon, and savor fresh food in the evening to truly understand the poetic charm of "Buying land in Yangxian to grow old."