3 Days 2 Nights Slow Travel in Xuancheng | The Charm of Anhui's Mountains and Rivers, Ancient Villages shrouded in Morning Mist, a Gentle Touch of Southern Anhui
The gentleness of southern Anhui is half hidden in Huangshan Mountain and half woven into the morning mist of Xuancheng. A 3-day, 2-night trip offers no rush; step on the morning dew of Chaji, drift on a small boat on Peach Blossom Pool, read poetry in the gentle breeze of Jingting Mountain, and experience the essence of Hui-style landscapes and local life.
🌿 Day 1: Seeking Poetry at Jingting Mountain, Touching the Soul of Xuancheng Through Ink and Brush
At Li Bai's Solitary Pavilion on Jingting Mountain, a distant view unfolds. The winding cobblestone path ascends, flanked by newly blossoming red maples. Tourists sit on stone benches gazing at the layered green mountains, the light and shadow falling on the stone steps, creating a scene of poetic beauty, a feeling of "gazing at each other without weariness."
In early autumn, the summer heat of Jingting Mountain has long since dissipated. Walking up the cool stone path, the breeze carries the crisp fragrance of pine needles and vegetation. Occasionally, a few birdsongs drift through the forest, and suddenly you understand Li Bai's fondness for Jingting Mountain: "We gaze at each other without weariness, only Jingting Mountain remains." It's not the mountain's grandeur, but the tranquility that pervades the entire landscape, capable of dissolving any restlessness in your heart.
Upon reaching Li Bai's solitary pavilion, there's no need to rush for photos. Find a sun-warmed stone bench to sit on for a while, watching the distant green mountains layer upon layer, the clouds slowly drifting across the peaks—time itself seems to slow down into a line of poetry. In the afternoon, stroll along Xuancheng's stationery street. Craftsmen sit on wooden benches, skillfully manipulating the tips of Xuan brushes, their fingers deftly weaving rabbit hair into bamboo tubes. The freshly dried Xuan paper on bamboo mats has a matte sheen; touching it reveals a rough texture, full of the warmth of old Xuancheng's craftsmanship.
✨ Have you ever had that moment in the mountains when you suddenly understood a line of poetry?
A close-up of artisans making Xuan brushes on Wenfang Sibao Street; Xuan paper drying on bamboo mats gleaming softly in the afternoon sun; brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones arranged haphazardly—a literary charm hidden within the everyday life.
An evening stroll along the Shuiyang River, the evening breeze carrying the cool water, the aroma of potstickers wafting from roadside stalls—a bite of a crispy-skinned, juicy potsticker paired with a bowl of red bean paste sprinkled with scallions, the warm, smoky atmosphere enveloped in the river breeze—this is what travel should be like!
👉 A little-known detail: This potsticker stall by the Shuiyang River only accepts cash. The owner, an elderly woman with white hair, is quick and efficient, and will even add a spoonful of homemade chili oil—fragrant but not pungent, a local favorite.
A close-up of the night market snacks along the Shuiyang River: golden and crispy potstickers arranged on a white porcelain plate, next to a bowl of red bean paste sprinkled with finely chopped scallions, against a hazy river view, the warm tones creating a lively and inviting atmosphere.
🕰️ Day 2: Morning mist in Chaji Ancient Village, Peach Blossom Pool shattering the dream of Jiangnan
In the morning mist of Chaji Ancient Village, old houses with white walls and black tiles are half-hidden in the thin fog. The damp bluestone path reflects the eaves, and villagers carrying bamboo loads walk by, their footsteps seeming to knock on the door of time.
I drove early to Chaji Ancient Village in Jing County. During the one-hour drive, the rice paddies along the way were a pale yellow, the rice ears swaying gently. Just as I arrived at the village entrance, I was amazed by the morning mist—old houses with white walls and black tiles were hidden in the mist, only their dark blue eaves showing. The bluestone path was wet with dew, soft to the touch. Occasionally, villagers carrying loads would walk by, their footsteps echoing on the stones, like knocking on the door of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Exploring Zhaoji Ancient Village doesn't require following navigation. Just wander into any alley and you'll find ivy climbing the walls, red and green vines clinging to the mottled bricks. The wood carvings in the Hu Clan Ancestral Hall are hidden in the play of light and shadow, so detailed that even the feathers of birds are clearly visible. Running your fingertips across the cool wood feels like touching the craftsmanship of centuries past.
👉 A hidden gem: At the entrance of a lane in Zhaoji Ancient Village, there's an unnamed handmade rice cake stall, open only from 7-9 am. The rice cakes are coated in osmanthus sugar, with a chewy, glutinous texture. Paired with a cup of chrysanthemum tea made by the villagers, it's incredibly satisfying in the morning mist.
In the afternoon, head towards Taohuatan Scenic Area. Take a small boat and float on the surface of the pool. The oars cut through the emerald water, and sunlight dapples the surface like scattered gold. In the corner of your eye, you see Wang Lun bidding farewell to Li Bai at the Treading Song Pavilion. Suddenly, you understand that "Taohuatan is a thousand feet deep"—the depth isn't just in the water, but in the warmth and hospitality hidden within the mountains and rivers of southern Anhui. ✨ When you stroll through an ancient village, what details do you most like to focus on? Is it the carved windows or the flowing alleys?
A close-up of a black-awning boat at Peach Blossom Pool: the oars cut through the emerald green water, ripples spreading outwards, and the reflection of the distant pavilion on the shore is cast in the water, perfectly capturing the essence of a traditional Chinese ink painting of Jiangnan.
Spending the night by Peach Blossom Pool, order a Hu Shi hot pot. The cured pork, dried bamboo shoots, and tofu are stewed until tender in the broth; one bite warms your stomach. Looking up, you can see lanterns lighting up one by one along the pool, their orange light falling on the water's surface, as if the stars have also fallen into the pool, even the evening breeze carrying a gentle warmth.
🍵 Day 3: Exploring the Charm of Huizhou Architecture in Longchuan, Jixi, Weaving Gentleness into the Journey Home
A close-up of the wood carvings at the Longchuan Hu Clan Ancestral Hall. The lion carvings on the ox legs are lifelike, their manes clearly defined. The dappled light and shadow between the beams and pillars reveal the essence of Huizhou architecture hidden within the wood carvings.
On the last day, there's no need to rush. Take your time strolling towards Longchuan Scenic Area in Jixi. It lacks the hustle and bustle of Zhaoji, but it holds the essence of Huizhou architecture. The wood carvings in the Hu Clan Ancestral Hall are exquisite; the lions on the ox-legs seem ready to leap from the wood, and the flowers, birds, insects, and fish on the beams and pillars are lifelike. Touching the cool wooden pillars feels like touching the thousand-year-old cultural heritage of Huizhou.
If you want a more relaxed experience, take a walk along the stream in Longchuan Village, watching the water flow around the white walls and black tiles, and listening to the villagers chat in their southern Anhui dialect. If you have the energy, climb Longxu Mountain. The mountain breeze carries the scent of the wilderness, offering panoramic views of the rolling green hills of Huizhou, with clouds drifting by. Before heading back in the afternoon, stop by the Xuan Paper Culture Park to experience papermaking firsthand. Watching the pulp slowly gather on the bamboo screen to form paper, you'll understand how many meticulous processes are involved in crafting a single sheet of Xuan paper.
✨ On the last day of your trip, do you prefer a leisurely stroll or rushing to see as many places as possible before heading home?
At the Xuan Paper Culture Park, visitors experience the papermaking process by gently lifting bamboo screens from the pulp vat, the paper beginning to take shape. Surrounded by rustic papermaking tools, the atmosphere is incredibly immersive.
The night view at Peach Blossom Pool concludes the trip. Lanterns illuminate the banks, their warm light reflected in the water, the distant mountains appearing hazy, the surface shimmering with delicate light – a gentle and soothing scene.
💡 Personally Tested Tips for a Hassle-Free Trip | Avoid These Pitfalls for a Relaxed Travel Experience
1. Avoid Transportation Pitfalls:
❌ Don't rely on public transportation! Buses between ancient villages in Xuancheng are infrequent, and waiting times can be incredibly tedious.
✅ Driving is fantastic! Road conditions are good throughout, and parking is free in Zhaoji, Peach Blossom Pool, and Longchuan – park whenever you want!
2. Avoid Experience Pitfalls:
❌ Don't buy overpriced brushes and ink on the Four Treasures of the Study Street! Shop around and compare prices; local artisan shops offer better value.
✅ The most beautiful time to see the morning mist in Chaji is between 7-8 am. Don't get up too late and miss this gentle beauty.
3. Pace and Mindset:
❌ Don't force yourself to visit two ancient villages in one day! Rushing your itinerary will cause you to miss the morning mist and evening breeze of the ancient villages.
✅ When you're tired, find a teahouse to sit for a while, have a cup of Jingting Green Snow Tea, and savor the slow pace of southern Anhui.
This tried-and-tested, foolproof 3-day, 2-night slow travel guide to Xuancheng clearly outlines everything from seeking poetry at Jingting Mountain, enjoying the mist in Chaji Ancient Village, boating on Peach Blossom Pool, and experiencing the charm of Huizhou culture in Longchuan!✨ Save it, and next time you're on an autumn trip to southern Anhui, just follow along without having to plan anything, and you can capture the beauty of Xuancheng's mountains, rivers, Huizhou charm, and the gentle charm of its ancient villages.
If you have any more comfortable ways to enjoy the trip, feel free to share them in the comments section. Let's unlock more beauty in southern Anhui's autumn together!