Shaanxi｜Shiquan - Hanyin - Ziyang Buddhist-style Relaxed Family Trip Route

✅ Main route with homestays for a laid-back family trip + delicious food, secondary route for casual sightseeing ✅ Eyes need to be satisfied, and good sleep is equally important‼️ ✅ Perfectly avoids summer crowds ✅ This is the 2nd trip to Shiquan, so the two trips have been combined and optimized ✅ Cooler than Xi’an, but not suitable for very physically demanding attractions ✅ The lush green mountains from Shiquan to Zuoshouxiang, and the Oriental Little Switzerland vibe from Xiejia Courtyard to Ziyang, the most beautiful scenery is on the road, good weather is definitely a plus. Itinerary: Day 1️⃣: Depart from Xi’an Qujiang Expressway exit, about two and a half hours to Shiquan Old Street. The Jingkun Expressway through Qinling has many curves and tunnels, be careful not to drive tired. First stop 📍Ximen First House for stone pot fish 🐟, eat well then next door 📍Chahua for a plum juice, stroll around the ancient street to digest, then head straight to 📍Yinju Xiangli · Zuoshouxiang to start the laid-back vacation mode 🔛. Day 2️⃣: After checking out at noon, drive to Houliu Water Town, lunch 🉑 can continue with stone pot fish 📍Jiangqiao Yuhuo, the flavor is on point, must try local specialties since you’re here 🤣, then take a boat tour on the Han River, finish and drive to 📍Yinju Xiangli · Xiejia Courtyard. Day 3️⃣: After checking out, drive about an hour and a half to Ziyang County, first have a meal of Ziyang steamed basin 📍Fumanlou, after eating head straight to the tea mountains, check in at 📍Shanzhicha Homestay, afternoon tea, pool time, kids have a blast playing. Day 4️⃣: Experience the homestay’s complimentary tea picking activity, then go back to the pool to play 💦, after checking out have lunch in the county, eat well and then return to Xi’an. Take the Baomao Expressway, about a three-hour drive. Tips: 🔆🔆🔆 About Shiquan This is the 2nd time visiting Shiquan. Last time experienced the ancient street, Houliu Water Town, and boat tour on the Han River, stayed at 📍Shiquan Grand Hotel in Shiquan County, more suitable for a tight schedule with many attractions. This time mainly for outdoor relaxed family trip, so chose a mountain retreat homestay far from the county town with winding mountain roads, more suitable for a laid-back vacation mode. 🧩Shiquan Old Street: Many stone pot fish places, both times ate at Ximen First House which I personally think is very good. No need to spend much time wandering this street, just eat some 🐟 and stroll around. 🧩Houliu Water Town: More rustic than Shiquan Old Street, but the old street is short. Nearby dock 🉑 take a boat tour on the Han River to experience the southern Shaanxi “Little Jiangnan” scenery, highly recommended 👍. Adult ticket: 50 RMB/person. 🔆🔆🔆 About Hanyin Kids didn’t want to leave the homestay, so no other attractions visited. If you have energy, you can also arrange: 🧩Shuanghekou Ancient Town, explore Qing Dynasty old street and snacks, 15 minutes by car from homestay; 🧩Sanliu Village lotus pond/rice fields, perfect for lotus viewing and photos, 5 minutes by car from homestay; 🧩Fengyan Ancient Terraces, over 1 hour drive from homestay; 🧩Thousand-acre lotus pond, 45 minutes drive from homestay. 🔆🔆🔆 About Ziyang 🧩Truly a mountain city, not very family-friendly for strolling in the county town. 🧩Navigation is unreliable, shows arrival but still need to climb stairs for 10 minutes 🤣 🧩But driving around the scenery is beautiful. Final notes: Southern Shaanxi really has many hidden gem small towns. Choose one for a two-day one-night weekend trip, or arrange a few more days for a loop trip. If you have more time, you can add Ningshan and Zhashui. More updates will follow. If you, like me, love outdoor relaxed family trips, be sure to mark this 🫰 Accommodation recommendations 📝 links Shaanxi Shiquan｜A mountain retreat full of relaxation Shaanxi Hanyin｜Isn’t this the countryside dream for city people? Shaanxi Ziyang｜Stay in a wooden house with a morning window view of the sea of clouds