Things to do in Xuancheng

This ancient village, built in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, is well-preserved and restored. With mountains and water, the main attraction is the winding stream, which has a charming atmosphere. Besides the commercial street just inside the north gate, the shops along the stream are quieter, fitting the style of an ancient town. Many are family-run restaurants serving local cuisine. Prices are neither cheap nor too expensive, with clearly marked prices and transparent pricing. There are also plenty of affordable noodle shops and various snacks and desserts. Enjoy your visit and eat to your heart's content.

The Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep, but it cannot compare to the depth of Wang Lun's affection for me. This ancient poem has made Peach Blossom Pool a famous scenic spot, attracting visitors from far and wide. The water is clear, the scenery is beautiful, and the residents within the scenic area go about their daily lives, while tourists stroll through the area. However, a boat trip is required to reach the other side, and the ticket price of over 30 yuan for a mere 100 meters seems too expensive.

A very historic ancient town, especially the Hu Clan Ancestral Hall, which showcases the rich history of the Hu family, as well as the Hui-style architecture and memorial archways. Be sure to hire a guide to learn more about the stories and anecdotes. It's a great place.

I'd seen advertisements for Jingting Mountain many times while passing through Xuancheng, but never actually visited. This time, after traveling along the Anhui-Sichuan-Tibet Highway, I stayed overnight and finally decided to go. Overall, the experience was okay, but it didn't exceed my expectations. I learned about the connections between historical figures like Li Bai and Jingting Mountain, and was particularly surprised to learn about Marshal Chen Yi's relationship with it (see picture). The mountain isn't particularly steep or high; I checked the altitude at the "Summit of Jingting," and it was around 300 meters. Climbing slowly, it took a little over an hour (the time it takes a recently retired person) to reach the top. There's a shuttle bus available from the visitor center to the Shitao Memorial Hall for 10 yuan per person. By the time you reach the Shitao Memorial Hall, you've climbed about two-thirds of the way. Unfortunately, although the morning fog was light, the view from the summit was hazy, with the city's high-rises obscured and only the two suspension bridge towers visible through the thin mist.

The Xuan Paper Culture Park in Jing County, Xuancheng, boasts a striking design, seamlessly blending geometric shapes with Hui-style architecture to create a unique aesthetic. The park includes a Xuan Paper Museum, an interactive area, a plant material display area, and a giant 3-zhang-3-yuan Xuan paper exhibit, along with engaging exhibits and explanations. A visit to the park is truly educational!

There are only two slopes, and you still get soaked. The rest are for the elderly. The green mountains and green waters are quite comfortable. I like the elderly. It is comfortable and cool to lie down all the time. The 30-degree temperature feels like 20 degrees on the boat. The water is a bit dirty when you are about to reach the end. There is a free shuttle bus back to the starting point at the end. If you want to change clothes, you still have to park your car at the end and take the shuttle bus to the starting point.

It was a normal hike. I started from Jixi, went to Lantian'ao, and then returned to Jixi, a round trip of about 25 kilometers. It took me 8 hours. The scenery is mostly along the section from the Jixi entrance to Shichating. There's not much to see beyond Shichating. If you're just looking for scenery, you can go to Shichating and hike through Xiaoyao Valley and back. Hiking is a different story. If you're fit, walk more; if you're not, walk less.

The Ningguo section of the "Sichuan-Tibet Highway" in southern Anhui combines the scenic beauty of Guilin in Guangxi, the wonder of the Stone Forest in Yunnan, and the ruggedness of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (National Highway 318), making it a highly recommended self-driving route in East China. Winding through verdant mountains and clear waters, it connects numerous scenic spots, creating an immersive experience where "the car travels on the road, and the driver is immersed in a painting." In autumn and winter, the fir forests turn red, creating a stunning spectacle that complements the water features, and boat tours are available.

Zhangshan Grand Canyon, also known as the Valley of Great Men, is located in Jixi County. It's dotted with uniquely shaped rocks and emerald pools, and lush with trees! Our group of four parked at the west gate and then took an electric cart to the east gate to enter. The descent took about 3-4 hours, with only the last half hour being an uphill hike – not tiring at all! The water flow is abundant, the scenery is beautiful, and it's definitely worth a visit! 👍

The scenery is beautiful, but the complimentary Shu Road climb is strenuous, so those who are not in good physical condition should not attempt it. The equipment on the downhill slide is a bit old. Actually, the scenery inside and outside the scenic area is quite nice.