A New Night Tour Experience at Fantasy Valley
Deqing Xiazhuhu in Jiangnan, a secret wetland maze and the hometown of the crested ibis, offers boat rides through reed beds, encounters with elegant egrets, and a full enjoyment of natural wild charm and poetic tranquility. With a budget of 3000 RMB for 3 days, you can design an itinerary that deeply immerses you in nature while experiencing trendy activities. Here is a tailor-made guide for you, combining wetland birdwatching, popular check-in spots, and new nighttime experiences.
📍 Highlights and Must-Do Experiences
· Core Attraction: Take a boat through the reed maze in Xiazhuhu Wetland and encounter the rare crested ibis. This is one of the best places in East China to observe crested ibises.
· Novel Experience: At Fantasy Valley on Shangzhushan, enjoy a comprehensive resort experience combining outdoor adventure, cute pet interactions, and a magic show. For more thrilling activities, you can also visit nearby Anji to try the cliff-hanging heart-pounding projects at Cloud Grassland.
· Trendy Night Tour: Join the Summer Night Garden Party (seasonal event) at Fantasy Valley, or head to Motan Music Valley, a repurposed abandoned mine pit, to listen to live music in a unique industrial-style setting.
🗓️ Three-Day Itinerary Plan
This itinerary centers on Deqing Xiazhuhu, and you can choose different activities for the third day based on your interests.
Day 1: Xiazhuhu Wetland Exploration and Wind-Prevention Culture
· Morning: Arrive in Deqing and check into your hotel for a short rest. Recommended hotels are Xiazhuhu Resort Hotel (adjacent to the wetland) or Hanting Hotel (Deqing Station branch) for good value and convenient transportation.
· Afternoon: Visit Xiazhuhu Wetland Park. Take a boat from the visitor center to tour Le Island, Bird Island, and Jiao Island. Use binoculars at the Bird Island observation deck to spot crested ibises, and taste the local specialty "Three-Course Tea" on Jiao Island.
· Evening: Enjoy fresh lake delicacies at a local fishing family restaurant near the park. Then head to Motan Music Valley, an art space converted from a mine pit, which often hosts live music performances at night with a unique atmosphere.
Day 2: Full-Day Fun at Shangzhushan Fantasy Valley
· All day: Deeply explore Shangzhushan Fantasy Valley. The park offers a variety of activities; it’s recommended to plan ahead:
· Outdoor Adventure: Try non-motorized mountain carts and pump tracks.
· Cute Pet Interaction: Get close to raccoons, capybaras, and other animals in the pet park.
· Fantasy Art: Watch the resident magic show "Miracle Show," winner of the Merlin Award.
· Evening: If visiting in summer (usually July-August), Fantasy Valley hosts the "Fantasy Summer Night Garden Party," featuring water fights, starlit forest, and other themed night activities.
Day 3: Theme Options (Choose One)
Based on your preference, select one of the following three options:
· Option A: Thrilling Trip to Anji Cloud Grassland
Drive about 1.5 hours from Deqing to Anji Cloud Grassland to challenge cliff swings, glass plank roads, and more. In the afternoon, visit China’s Bamboo Sea or Zanglong Waterfalls, then return in the evening.
· Option B: Artistic Stroll in Moganshan
Drive about 40 minutes from Xiazhuhu to Moganshan. Spend the morning at Yucun Cultural Market, then choose a light hiking route like walking from Jianchi to Yinshan Street. Have dinner at a distinctive guesthouse or restaurant on the mountain in the evening.
· Option C: Leisure Time in Xinshi Ancient Town
Visit Xinshi Ancient Town, with a history of 1700 years, about 30 minutes by car from Xiazhuhu. Enjoy morning tea and traditional rice cakes on the arcade old street, visit Juehai Temple in the afternoon, and stroll through the water town to experience peaceful local life.
🏨 Accommodation and Budget Planning
Your total budget of 3000 RMB can be allocated as follows, depending on your preference:
1. Economy Comfort (Total cost about 1500 - 2000 RMB)
· Accommodation (2 nights): Choose Hanting Hotel (Deqing Station Xiazhuhu Wetland Park branch) or Shanke You Hotel (Huzhou Deqing High-Speed Rail Station branch), priced around 200-300 RMB/night, totaling about 400-600 RMB.
· Itinerary: Focus on Xiazhuhu and Fantasy Valley, with free or low-cost attractions on the third day.
· Meals: Mainly local snacks and regular restaurants, about 100 RMB per day.
2. Quality Vacation (Total cost about 2500 - 3000 RMB)
· Accommodation (2 nights): Choose Fantasy Art Hotel in Deqing or Xiazhuhu Resort Hotel inside the scenic area for convenience, priced around 500-800 RMB/night, totaling about 1000-1600 RMB.
· Itinerary: Cover Xiazhuhu, Fantasy Valley, and on the third day visit Cloud Grassland (higher ticket price) or Moganshan.
· Meals: Experience specialty restaurants (e.g., Naked Stables Country Restaurant in Moganshan), about 150 RMB per day.
For a clearer budget overview, refer to the estimates below:
Tickets and Experiences
· Xiazhuhu Wetland Park (including boat ticket): about 80 - 100 RMB
· Shangzhushan Fantasy Valley: around 100 RMB level
· Cloud Grassland (Option A): higher ticket, several hundred RMB
· Moganshan Scenic Area (Option B): about 80 RMB
· Xinshi Ancient Town (Option C): free (small attractions charge separately)
Accommodation (2 nights total)
· Economy hotels: 400 - 600 RMB
· Quality vacation hotels: 1000 - 1600 RMB
Meals (3 days total)
· Economy: about 300 RMB
· Quality: about 450 RMB
Local Transportation (3 days)
· Taxi/car rental: about 300 - 500 RMB
Estimated Total
· Economy Comfort: about 1500 - 2000 RMB
· Quality Vacation: about 2500 - 3000 RMB
🍜 Must-Try Flavors of Deqing
As a food blogger, these local specialties are worth trying:
· Xiazhuhu Fish Soup Rice: Available at the restaurant on Le Island in the wetland park, described as "soulful with one bite."
· Lake Fresh Seafood: At the "Xiazhuhu Fishing Family" near the wetland park, taste steamed white fish, stir-fried snails with sauce, and other seasonal river delicacies.
· Moganshan Bamboo Shoot Dishes: Spring specialties include oil-braised spring bamboo shoots and dried bamboo shoots with pork, available at "Old Yu’s Cuisine" in Yucun.
· Xinshi Tea Cake: Traditional rice cakes from the ancient town, perfect for breakfast or as souvenirs.
💡 Practical Tips Before You Go
· Transportation: Taking the high-speed train to Deqing Station is most convenient. Xiazhuhu Wetland Park and Fantasy Valley are both close to Deqing Station, about 10-15 minutes by taxi. Renting a car for three days is recommended for maximum flexibility.
· Best Seasons: Spring (March-May) for blooming wetland cherry blossoms and freshest bamboo shoots; autumn (September-November) is the best birdwatching season at Xiazhuhu. Summer is great for Fantasy Valley night tours; winter is a bit chilly.
· Blogger Creation Suggestions:
· Photographing Crested Ibises: Use a telephoto lens at the Bird Island observation deck.
· Photo Spots: Rhododendron Valley (Japanese-style garden) and Austin Rose Garden at Fantasy Valley; red suspended staircase (industrial style) at Motan Music Valley; Yucun Cultural Market (artistic vibe) in Moganshan.
· Video Material: Magic show at Fantasy Valley, cliff projects at Cloud Grassland, and summer night tour lights and parties are excellent dynamic content.