Next Stop: Jixi
Pre-Trip Preparation
- **Documents**: Bring your ID card and other possible documents such as student ID, senior citizen card, etc.
- **Clothing**: Pack season-appropriate attire. In summer, bring sun-protective clothing and swimwear; in winter, focus on warmth.
- **Essentials**: Phone, camera, charger, power bank, umbrella or raincoat, etc.
- **Medication**: Prepare common medicines like cold medicine, stomach medicine, and motion sickness pills.
- **Miscellaneous**: Download offline maps in advance and check the local weather forecast.
**Transportation Guide**
- **External Transport**: It’s recommended to take the high-speed train to Jixi North Station, which offers frequent departures and convenient access.
- **Local Transport**: Within the county and nearby areas, taxis and ride-hailing services are available. For distant attractions like Zhangshan Grand Canyon and Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Trail, take shuttle buses from the bus station or opt for private/chartered cars.
**Attractions Overview**
- **Historical & Cultural Sites**:
- **Longchuan Scenic Area**: A thousand-year-old village where the Hu clan settled, featuring ancient structures like the Hu Family Ancestral Hall. The village’s terrain resembles a docked boat.
- **Three-Carving Museum**: Housed in the Zhou Family Ancestral Hall, it displays stone, brick, and wood carvings from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
- **Natural Scenery**:
- **Zhangshan Grand Canyon**: A paradise for water play with crystal-clear streams, whimsical boulders, waterfalls, and deep pools.
- **Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Trail**: A beginner-friendly hiking route offering breathtaking mountain and river views.
- **Ancient Villages**:
- **Kantou Village**: A historic settlement with a millennia-old "water street" and well-preserved architecture.
- **Renli Village**: Exudes rustic charm with its eco-friendly ambiance, where you can stroll on cobblestone paths and savor slow-paced tranquility.
**Food Recommendations**
- **Local Specialties**:
- **Jixi Taguo**: A signature stuffed pastry with fillings like leek or red bean paste.
- **Jixi Stir-Fried Vermicelli**: Made with local premium vermicelli, stir-fried with shredded meat and dried bamboo shoots.
- **Stinky Mandarin Fish**: A famed dish—tender fish with a pungent aroma but delicious taste.
- **Food Streets**: Explore old alleys like Shizhi Street in Jixi’s county town for authentic local eateries.
**Accommodation Options**
- **Luxury Hotels**: Jixi International Hotel, Jixi Duoli International Hotel—fully equipped with attentive service.
- **Boutique Inns**: Jixi Ruoyin, Jixi Fangkong Mountain Retreat—scenic settings offering local cultural immersion.
- **Budget Stays**: Jinjiang Inn, City Comfort Inn—great value for cost-conscious travelers.
**Itinerary Suggestions**
- **3-Day Trip**:
- Day 1: Explore Jixi Ancient Town, China Jixi·Huizhou Cuisine Museum, Jixi Museum, and Longchuan Scenic Area.
- Day 2: Visit the Three-Carving Museum, China Huizhou Cuisine Cultural Exchange Center, Ziyuan Scenic Area, and drive along the Anhui-Zhejiang Sky Road to Jingzhou Township.
- Day 3: Head to Zhangshan Grand Canyon for water fun.
- **4-Day Trip**:
- Extend the 3-day plan with Day 4 in Jiapeng Township, touring Shang Village, Kantou, Xiashui Ancient Village, Shanyun Ridge, and Meiganling Terraced Fields.