Step into a Fairyland: Complete Guide to 4 Real-Life Xianxia Secret Realms
Always wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of the world and enter a misty xianxia (immortal hero) realm? No need to flock to popular tourist spots—morning mist cattle herding in Xian Du, Jinyun, Zhejiang; the Danxia Taoist realm of Qiyun Mountain, Anhui; the floating boat shadows in Pingshan Gorge, Hubei; and the wondrous cliffside plank roads of Lingshan, Jiangxi, all hide unfiltered fairyland scenery. This guide, blending Trip.com's top travel tips, will help you unlock carefree adventures amid mountains and waters.
Xian Du, Jinyun, Zhejiang: Morning Mist Traces of Immortals at the Yellow Emperor’s Alchemy Site
As a filming location for "The Legend of Sword and Fairy," every wisp of morning mist in Xian Du carries the charm of xianxia tales. Mount Zhutan is a must-visit birthplace of iconic "immortal scenes." At the Shidun Bridge around 5:30 AM, morning mist drapes Haoxi like silk, an old farmer leads cattle through the water, and sunlight pierces the fog onto the surface, vividly bringing to life the "A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains" painting. Remember to bring Jinyun sesame cakes as a "cast fee" to encourage the farmer to pause for photos, doubling your chances of great shots.
Dinghu Peak is the soul landmark of Xian Du, a 170-meter-high stone pillar piercing the clouds, said to be where the Yellow Emperor practiced alchemy. Climb the stone steps to the top; bats rest in the mid-mountain caves, and at the summit, you can tie a red prayer ribbon at the Yellow Emperor’s temple, overlooking swirling clouds that seem to touch immortal energy. In the afternoon, seek tranquility at Little Red Cliff; walking along the Dragon Plowing Road plank path in a white dress, the Danxia rock walls glow red, and the wind whistles through the cliffs like a heroic call. At dusk, the Yan Dang study room offers a magical scene with moonlight filtering through stone cracks onto the pages.
Food recommendations include charcoal-grilled Jinyun sesame cakes—crispy and flaky—paired with a bowl of fresh, savory meat soup; the spicy duck pot is rich in sauce, and local farmhouses offer hearty meals for about 50 RMB per person. Stay at guesthouses near the scenic area, some offering Hanfu photo packages with peak forest views from the window. Travel by high-speed train to Jinyun West Station, then a 30 RMB taxi ride to the site; self-driving navigation to "Xian Du Tourist Center" with parking at 10 RMB/day.
Qiyun Mountain, Anhui: A Taoist Town in the Danxia Realm
Qiyun Mountain, known for its "Danxia landform + Taoist culture," is recommended by National Geographic. Red rock walls and white mist create a watercolor xianxia painting. Moonlight Street is a Taoist town built on a cliff, with white walls and black tiles in Huizhou style, where Taoist priests in robes stroll leisurely, making you feel like you've stepped into a sect headquarters from a xianxia drama.
The Wangxian Tower viewing platform offers a perfect vantage point over the sea of clouds; in the distance, Incense Burner Peak appears faintly through the mist, and the clouds churn beneath your feet, evoking the feeling of "sword flying." Climb stone steps to see wonders like "One Line Sky" and "Little Pot Sky," with red rocks burning like fire under the sun. After rain, the Yuxu Palace hanging plank road is most stunning, with mist rolling up from the valley, seemingly within reach of immortality. At dusk, listen to Taoist priests at Taisu Palace and watch the sunset gild the golden peak.
Try "Taoist Nun Tea" with Huizhou peach crisp; vegetarian dishes at the temple like mushroom vegetarian chicken and Luohan vegetarian pot hide health wisdom. Stay at Moonlight Street guesthouses, awakened by morning bells, and encounter water-carrying Taoists outside, experiencing the tranquility of "no time in the mountains." After arriving at Huangshan North Station, transfer to a tourist shuttle for an hour to reach the site. Tickets cost 80 RMB including shuttle; buying online in advance is cheaper.
Pingshan Gorge, Hubei: A Floating Fairyland Deep in the Earth
Pingshan Gorge is known as "China’s Semporna." The wooden boats float on clear rivers, with fish visible beneath; sheer cliffs like knife cuts flank the banks, vines hang like fairy ribbons, and sunlight forms Tyndall beams through the valley, creating a secret forbidden land. Before noon is the best time to photograph floating boats; light and shadow on the water make the boats appear to float in midair, especially stunning when paired with light-colored Hanfu.
The Ada Platform glass viewing deck is a "test of courage," with emerald river water below and misty Jiudie Gorge in the distance. Hiking the "One Line Sky" path allows only one person at a time, with a "sky split in a line" view overhead. The gorge’s air is moist and fresh, rich in negative ions, making a stroll feel like lung cleansing and immortal cultivation.
Must-try dishes include steamed Pingshan fish from mountain spring water, melting in your mouth; spicy stir-fried cured meat with Tujia chili peppers; and simple, warming Hezha tofu. Stay at "Pingshan Secret Realm Guesthouse," 20 minutes by car, with rooms offering starry sky reflections over rice fields. Travel requires arriving at Enshi Station, then a 2.5-hour direct shuttle to the scenic area. Tickets are 210 RMB, with an optional 45 RMB "boat in, boat out" route.
Lingshan, Jiangxi: The Xianxia Dojo on the Dragon’s Spine Cloud Peak
Lingshan is called the "Chinese Dragon Spine Mountain" for its dragon-spine-like shape, praised by National Geographic as "the most fairy-like mountain landscape." Seventy-two peaks vary in shape, with granite landforms sculpted by nature; when shrouded in mist, it resembles a xianxia cultivation site.
After taking the cable car up, stroll along the high-altitude plank road, with a deep abyss below and towering strange peaks beside you. Mist flows around, as if you could reach out and touch immortal energy. The "Crystal Waterfall" is most breathtaking, with water cascading from a hundred-meter cliff, refracting sparkling light in the sun, like a tribulation site in a xianxia drama. The "Heaven Ladder Peak" hiking route is the most challenging, with steep steps leading to the clouds; from the top, you overlook the rolling sea of clouds, feeling the grandeur of "all other mountains are small."
Dining options are limited inside the park; bring light snacks and water. After descending, try local yellow rice cakes and preserved vegetable sesame cakes. Stay at mountaintop guesthouses for easy sunrise and sea of clouds photography. Travel by high-speed train to Shangrao Station, then a 1.5-hour tourist shuttle. The scenic area is large; allow 5-6 hours for touring. Some sections are steep; those afraid of heights should be cautious.
Tips and Precautions
Wear light-colored Hanfu or modern Chinese-style clothing, paired with oil-paper umbrellas or round fans for ethereal photos in the morning mist. Essential items include non-slip shoes (many slippery plank roads), mosquito repellent (dense mountain insects), and a wide-angle camera (to capture sea of clouds and peaks). Don’t buy "wild creek fish" in Xian Du—they are mostly farmed; be cautious eating "freshly picked wild fruit" in Pingshan. The last boat leaves at 5:00 PM; missing it means a 1-hour detour.
These secret realms lack the noise of internet fame, offering only poetic blends of nature and culture. Pack your bags and set off to become a painting immortal for a few days amid the clouds and mist.