Two-Day Tour: A Journey of Beauty at Xishi’s Hometown

Depart Shanghai in the morning via the Shanghai-Hangzhou and Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressways, heading for Douyan Scenic Area in Zhuji (4 hours’ drive). Lunch lasts about 40 minutes. After lunch, tour Douyan, a sacred Buddhist site for around 1.5 hours. Highlights include an 81.6-metre giant Buddha, vivid Thousand-Buddha Mountain, rock climbing, giant drum beating and the Dragon King Hall. Drive 20 minutes to Tangjiangyan Outdoor Sports Park to experience thrilling outward-bound training programs and large-scale water amusement activities (2.5 hours in total). Return to downtown Zhuji at 16:30 (40 minutes’ drive). For dinner, take a 15-minute drive to Diantangfan, one of China’s Top Ten Leisure Farms, for a spring outing and recreational activities. Escape urban hustle and bustle, relax amid farmlands and woods, return to a simple natural life and embrace pastoral serenity. You can enjoy fruit picking and angling, as well as authentic fresh farmhouse cuisine.

After breakfast, drive 40 minutes to Wuxie Scenic Area, a national scenic spot, national forest park, national AAAA-level tourist attraction and natural forest oxygen bar (3.5 hours’ sightseeing). Take a painted pleasure boat across Wuxie Lake; ride an electric shuttle or stroll through the peach-blossom-laden Taoyuan Scenic Zone; pay homage to Wuxie Temple, an ancient Caodong Sect monastery; hike to view China’s unique five-tier cascading waterfalls: the elegant and delicate First Waterfall, curtain-like Second Waterfall, varied Third Waterfall, galloping steed-like Fourth Waterfall and flood-dragon surging Fifth Waterfall. Have lunch within the scenic area featuring local Zhuji farmhouse dishes. Recommended dining spots: the log cabin resort inside Wuxie Scenic Area or Wuxie Farmhouse Restaurant at the scenic entrance. Drive 20 minutes to Datang Sock Industrial City, the country’s largest wholesale market for socks, for shopping (1 hour total). Head back to your cozy home in Shanghai after shopping.

Depart Shanghai in the morning via the Shanghai-Hangzhou and Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressways to Xishi’s Hometown Tourist Zone in Zhuji (4 hours’ drive). Lunch takes about 40 minutes; it is recommended to try the Xishi Lotus Feast at Guyue Renjia Restaurant inside the scenic area. After lunch, explore Xishi’s Hometown, a national AAAA-level scenic area built with an investment of 1.5 billion RMB (3–3.5 hours). The scenic zone houses lifelike statues of the Four Great Beauties led by Xishi, plus outstanding distinguished women from all Chinese dynasties. Tour highlights include Xishi Palace (the landmark of Xishi culture), Fan Li Shrine (the God of Literary Wealth where visitors pray for academic success), ancient Yue-style folk performances at Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall, and the Folk Custom Museum that traces the origins of traditional beauty culture. Check in at the hotel around 16:00. For dinner, drive 15 minutes to Diantangfan, one of China’s Top Ten Leisure Farms, for a spring outing and leisure activities. Escape urban noise, unwind in rural woodlands, embrace simple rustic charm, experience picking and fishing, and taste genuine fresh farmhouse food.

After breakfast, drive 40 minutes to Wuxie Scenic Area, a national scenic spot, national forest park, national AAAA-level tourist attraction and natural forest oxygen bar (3.5 hours’ visit). Cruise Wuxie Lake by painted pleasure boat; ride an electric cart or wander through peach-blooming Taoyuan Scenic Zone; worship at Wuxie Temple of the Caodong Sect; climb the mountain to appreciate China’s exclusive five-tier cascading waterfalls: the delicate First Waterfall, curtain-shaped Second Waterfall, diverse Third Waterfall, galloping Fourth Waterfall and surging flood-dragon Fifth Waterfall. Enjoy lunch with local farmhouse specialties in the scenic area. Recommended venues: the log cabin resort inside Wuxie or Wuxie Farmhouse Hotel at the gate. Drive 20 minutes to Datang Sock Industrial City, the nation’s largest sock wholesale market, for one hour of shopping, then return to your warm home in Shanghai.

Set off from Shanghai in the morning via Shanghai-Hangzhou and Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressways to Wuxie Scenic Area, Zhuji (4.5 hours’ drive). Spend roughly 40 minutes on lunch; choose farmhouse meals at Wuxie Farmhouse Hotel at the scenic entrance or Wuxie Resort. After lunch, visit Wuxie, a national scenic spot, national forest park, national AAAA-level tourist attraction and natural forest oxygen bar (3.5 hours). Sightseeing items include a painted boat cruise on Wuxie Lake, shuttle rides or walks through peach-blossom Taoyuan Zone, a visit to ancient Caodong Wuxie Temple, and hiking to admire the unique five-tier cascading waterfalls: exquisite First Waterfall, curtain-like Second Waterfall, vividly varied Third Waterfall, galloping Fourth Waterfall and dragon surging Fifth Waterfall. The day’s tour ends at 16:30.

After breakfast, drive 20 minutes to Datang Sock Industrial City, the country’s top sock wholesale market for one hour of shopping. Drive another 20 minutes to Xishi Palace Scenic Area for a one-hour tour covering Xishi Main Hall, Ancient Yue Platform, Pink Beauty Pool, Xishi Stele Corridor, Xishi Culture Promenade, Yiguang Pavilion, Ancient Zhuluo Village and the Washing Gauze Stone. Have lunch in the scenic area (40 minutes). It is recommended to sample the Xishi Lotus Feast at Guyue Renjia Restaurant. After lunch, drive 40 minutes to East China International Jewelry City, the world’s largest pearl distribution hub, for pearl shopping (1.5 hours). Return to Shanghai after shopping.

Leave Shanghai in the morning via Shanghai-Hangzhou and Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressways for Wuxie Scenic Area, Zhuji (4.5 hours’ drive). Lunch takes around 40 minutes; farmhouse cuisine is available at Wuxie Farmhouse Hotel at the entrance or Wuxie Resort. After lunch, tour Wuxie, a national scenic spot, national forest park, national AAAA-level tourist attraction and forest oxygen bar for 3.5 hours. Activities include a painted boat tour on Wuxie Lake, electric shuttle rides or walks through peach-flourishing Taoyuan Zone, paying homage to ancient Caodong Wuxie Temple, and climbing to view the one-of-a-kind five-tier cascading waterfalls: delicate First Waterfall, curtain Second Waterfall, diverse Third Waterfall, galloping Fourth Waterfall and flood-dragon Fifth Waterfall. The sightseeing concludes at 16:30, then drive 40 minutes to a hotel in downtown Zhuji. Drive 15 minutes to Diantangfan, one of China’s Top Ten Leisure Farms, for dinner and spring leisure. Escape city chaos, relax amid farm woods, return to simple rural life, enjoy fruit picking and angling, and taste fresh authentic farmhouse dishes.

After breakfast, drive 50 minutes to Dongbai Lake Ecotourism Zone, and visit the well-preserved ancient architectural complex of Si Mansion, a national key cultural relic protection unit (2 hours’ tour). Have lunch inside the scenic area for about 40 minutes. After lunch, drive 1.5 hours to East China International Jewelry City, the world’s largest pearl trading center, for pearl shopping (1.5 hours). Head back to Shanghai after shopping.

Depart Shanghai early morning via Shanghai-Hangzhou and Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressways to Douyan Scenic Area, Zhuji (4 hours’ drive). Lunch lasts approximately 40 minutes. Afterwards, tour Douyan Buddhist sacred land for 1.5 hours, featuring an 81.6-metre giant Buddha, lifelike Thousand-Buddha Mountain, rock climbing, giant drum beating and Dragon King Hall. Drive 20 minutes to Tangjiangyan Outdoor Sports Park to experience exciting outward-bound training and large-scale water entertainment for 2.5 hours. Return to downtown Zhuji at 16:30 (40 minutes’ drive). Take a 15-minute drive to Diantangfan (one of China’s Top Ten Leisure Farms) for dinner and spring recreation. Get away from urban bustle, relax in farmland forests, embrace simple pastoral life, enjoy picking and fishing, and taste fresh farmhouse delicacies.

Depart Shanghai in the morning via Shanghai-Hangzhou and Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressways to Xishi’s Hometown Tourist Zone, Zhuji (4 hours’ drive). Lunch takes about 40 minutes; the Xishi Lotus Feast at Guyue Renjia Restaurant inside the scenic spot is highly recommended. After lunch, visit Xishi’s Hometown, a national AAAA-level scenic area built with a 1.5-billion-RMB investment (3–3.5 hours). It displays lifelike statues of the Four Great Beauties headed by Xishi and many outstanding women from all Chinese dynasties. Tour Xishi Palace (the shrine of Xishi culture), Fan Li Shrine (God of Literary Fortune for academic blessings), ancient Yue folk shows at Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall, and the Folk Custom Museum exploring the origin of beauty culture. Check into the hotel around 16:00. Drive 15 minutes to Diantangfan, one of China’s Top Ten Leisure Farms, for dinner and spring leisure. Escape city noise, unwind in rural woods, return to an unadorned natural lifestyle, experience fruit picking and angling, and enjoy fresh genuine farmhouse food.