Zhejiang Kaihua｜A Hidden Small Town Unknown to 99% of People! The Ultimate Escape and Healing Sanctuary

Tired of crowded tourist spots? Hidden in the western edge of Zhejiang is a secret small town privately featured by National Geographic—Kaihua! With a forest coverage rate of 80.54%, the source of the Qiantang River flows through the town, weaving ancient villages, waterfalls, root carvings, and starry skies into a picturesque Jiangnan secret realm. Spend a weekend with 2 days and 1 night for a deep healing experience for your body and mind! ------ 🚗 Two-Day Tour Route · Immersive Escape Guide Day 1: Nature and Wild Fun Day 📍 Qianjiangyuan National Park • Hiking and Stream Trekking: Follow the primitive forest trail known as the "Chinese Amazon Rainforest" to check in at Yuanjing Waterfall, Rainbow Waterfall, and Three-Tier Waterfall. The 2.5-hour route is refreshing and oxygen-rich, with crystal-clear streams and occasional wild macaques! • Hidden Experience: Sit quietly by Lotus Pond listening to the spring, chill watermelon with stream water, unlocking a summer-exclusive coolness. 🍃 Tantou Village • She Ethnic Culture Experience: Hundred-acre lotus ponds in full bloom, wear She ethnic colorful ribbon costumes for photos, visit the rural culture museum to see intangible cultural heritage ribbon weaving, and listen to elders sing mountain songs. • Secret Photo Spots: Shoot from the ancient bridge behind the village capturing blue-tiled white walls and lotus ponds; fly a drone up to 50 meters to capture the layered terraced fields and village. 🍲 Dinner · Jingu Restaurant • Must-try Trio: ✅ Clear Water Fish: Raised in the living water of Qianjiangyuan, the soup is milky white without fishy smell, and the fish meat is tender like tofu. ✅ Kaihua Green Snails: Stir-fried with perilla, spicy yet fresh, perfectly paired with chilled bayberry wine. ✅ Roast Duck: Crispy skin and tender meat, dipped in sugar for a Beijing-style flavor. Day 2: Culture and Art Day 🎨 Gen Palace Buddha Kingdom Cultural Tourism Area • Stunning Root Carving Art: 500 Arhat root carvings, a 25-meter-long "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" dark wood carving, called a "miracle" even by experts from the Forbidden City! • Family-friendly Activities: 🔸 Children's Fun Park: Zodiac root carving rock climbing, pink castle photo spots. 🔸 Helicopter Experience: Overlook the Buddha Kingdom secret realm among the mountains (300 RMB per person). 🔸 Night Light Show: Root carvings "come alive" in light and shadow, instantly turning into a magical world. 📚 Cultural Living Room • Artistic Trio: ✅ Museum: See the "Siku Quanshu" paper-making craft using "Kaihua paper." ✅ Library: Read an ancient book by the window with a view of the mountains and forest. ✅ Intangible Heritage Workshop: Hands-on root carving DIY (reservation required). ------ 📸 100% Photogenic Check-in Spots 1️⃣ Gen Palace Buddha Kingdom · Drunken Root Pagoda • Climb to the top for a panoramic view, wear Hanfu to pose with root carving Buddha statues, sunlight streams through the pagoda windows creating natural light and shadow. 2️⃣ Qianjiangyuan · Rainbow Waterfall • At 3 PM, sunlight hits directly, waterfall mist forms a rainbow, use slow shutter to capture silky water flow. 3️⃣ Tantou Village · Lotus Pond Ancient Bridge • At 6 AM, mist drifts, walk across the stone bridge with an oil-paper umbrella, background layered with lotus leaves. 4️⃣ Cultural Living Room · Incense Fire Grass Dragon Exhibition • The national intangible heritage grass dragon displayed every Mid-Autumn Festival, lit by lanterns at night, looks like a moving fire dragon. ------ 🍜 Local Secret Food Map 🔥 Jingu Restaurant (Entrance of Tantou Village) • Hidden Menu: Free-range chicken soup mixed with rice (stewed with mountain spring water for 3 hours), Majin tofu pot (rich bean fragrance). 🍢 Yuji Baked Pancake (Kaihua County Town) • Must-eat combo: Duck head + baked pancake + preserved egg and lean pork congee, spicy and satisfying! 🥤 Village Entrance Granny Stall (Tantou Village) • 20 RMB mild intoxication magic: freshly picked bayberry soaked in white liquor, paired with green snails for a perfect balance. ------ ⚠️ Pitfall Avoidance Guide · Local Advice 1️⃣ Transportation: High-speed train from Hangzhou to Kaihua Station takes 3 hours; taxi to scenic area about 15 RMB; hiking in Qianjiangyuan recommended with anti-slip shoes, some sections are slippery. 2️⃣ Accommodation: Recommended to stay at Xiayu Village homestay (150 RMB/night starry sky room), county hotels have low cost performance. 3️⃣ Sun Protection: Although cool in the forest, UV rays are strong, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. 4️⃣ Mosquitoes: Bring herbal ointment, mosquitoes are more around the lotus ponds in Tantou Village. ------ 💡 Why Choose Kaihua? ✔️ 27℃ Summer: Qianjiangyuan forest coverage 80.54%, feels 10℃ cooler. ✔️ Fewer People, Beautiful Scenery: Avoid 99% of tourists, enjoy mountains, water, and culture exclusively. ✔️ Family-friendly: Root carving experience, stream trekking, intangible heritage crafts all included. 📍 Location: Kaihua County, Quzhou, Zhejiang 🚄 High-speed Train: Hangzhou East → Kaihua Station (3 hours, 97 RMB) 💰 Per Capita: 700 RMB (including transportation and accommodation) This summer, don’t go to crowded internet-famous spots! Come to Kaihua, calm your mind in the Root Carving Buddha Kingdom, trek the Qianjiangyuan streams, daydream by ancient village lotus ponds, and let the mountain breeze heal all your fatigue~ 🌿✨