After dinner, head straight to the West Lake. This is the most spectacular time we have met West Lake multiple times and experienced the flow of people. The human wall surrounds West Lake, and without getting close, one cannot see the true beauty of West Lake. A good location requires queuing for filming and taking photos, and queuing for boat tickets. It's quite difficult to take a single person photo that's not a group photo. We followed the crowd and slowly moved south along the West Lake shore near the music fountain. Electric scooters slowly shuttle through the crowd, each fully seated. At the corner, we saw the familiar pavilion that had appeared multiple times in our photos of West Lake before.
The road along the coast of West Lake, which was not too wide, has become a parking lot. Vehicles struggle to move slowly, feeling grateful for not slacking off and choosing to walk.
Passing by the Qian Wang Temple, there was a chaotic flow of traffic and people at the entrance. Abandoning the impulse to see plum blossoms, they continued on and arrived at the willow waves and the warbler. The park is also full of people, and the willow branches have not yet sprouted their leaves. Some of the branches are high, while others are bent and drooping. The stream reflects another blue sky, and the winter scenery is so beautiful.
Follow the path all the way to the edge of West Lake, and the boats shuttle through the lake. It seems that all the boats in West Lake have set out, wandering on the lake, giving a feeling of a hundred boats competing for the current.
It's still convenient to share a bike, not in traffic, and ride back to the hotel to rest.
Drawing on the experience of noon, we set off early and walked to Hangzhou Restaurant with ease. We successfully obtained a number, which showed that there were 164 tables waiting ahead. There was an "old man Sauteed Shrimps in oil" not far away. He strolled there, only a little over five o'clock. No more numbers were given. Helplessly, we returned to the restaurant in Hangzhou. The entrance was filled with people, and I managed to occupy a round stone pier that someone had just left. I sat down and waited, starting from walking and eating a McDonald's cylinder. When it turned dark, I felt a chill on my body. I looked at the number in front being called in one by one, so envious. I don't know what time they arrived.
After two hours of waiting, we finally sat at the dining table. This is the longest waiting time in my memory for a meal. I ordered several special dishes: West Lake mandarin fish in vinegar, Fried Shrimps with Longjing Tea, Sauteed Shrimps in oil, delicious sweet beans, West Lake water shield soup, as well as the West Lake lotus root noodles that I always wanted to eat. I also ordered a small basket of pine shreds as the main food. I waited for a long time. When I was hungry, I ordered so many dishes at once. Fortunately, the food in Jiangsu and Zhejiang was not large, and the dishes were pure and regular. A small table full of dishes was killed by us.
On a half day trip to Hangzhou, I had a satisfying authentic Hangzhou dish.
Hangzhou, whenever you go, it's always so beautiful.
Qicai Xiaoruo Village
Since I had the idea of going to Taizhou, I have been paying more attention to Taizhou. By chance, it was discovered that the main venue for CCTV's New Year's Eve Gala was Taizhou. Surprisingly, it was discovered that the CCTV New Year's Eve Gala has been held in Taizhou for three consecutive years. The reason for Du Niang's inquiry is that on January 1, 2000, the first dawn of the new millennium first shone on Wenling Stone Pond in Chinese Mainland, which symbolizes light and hope. The reason why she chose to hold the New Year's Gala here is to hope to pass on good wishes to the whole nation.
Our trip to Taizhou was designed with a route from renting a car in Wenling to returning it to Linhai, taking into account both time and distance, and using the optimized route to save time and effort.
The train ticket from Hangzhou to Wenling only managed to secure a second-class sleeper seat. Before boarding, I was curious about what route this was in this era of high-speed rail. After getting on the car, I saw that there were two rows of people sitting opposite each other in each small door, with three people in a row. The seats were spacious and comfortable. The car was a small station slow train, stopping and walking at each small station. The scenery on both sides of the car windows was very unique, either standing by the fields or concentrated in small towns. Most of the small buildings were three or four story standalone buildings, and there were also several households arranged in rows. The overall layout of the small buildings was consistent. The first floor was a wide open door, with tables and chairs placed inside, mostly used for living rooms. The second floor and above were the living areas. The small buildings of each household only showed differences in details, with walls and decorations being low-key. Some are luxurious.
The most anticipated part of this trip is Qicai Xiaoruo Village located in Shitang Town, Wenling City. Due to its unique architectural style, it has become a popular tourist attraction on the internet.
We picked up the train from Wenling High speed Railway Station and headed straight to Xiaoruo Village.
From a distance, one can see the full view of Xiaoruo Village, and vehicles begin to move slowly. The vehicles entering the village were directed to divert and take a detour. We lined up slowly, with a harbor of fishing boats of all sizes parked on one side. Fortunately, we successfully found a parking spot in the parking lot below the village. Suddenly, this colorful small village appeared so close to me. I suddenly felt dizzy and unsure where to start my itinerary.
As it was almost noon, we decided to have lunch first and then walk into the village to slowly and steadily explore.
I chose a small shop along the coast, which looks quite popular. The small round table outside the shop was filled with people, and the table was piled up with eaten seafood shells, creating a chaotic atmosphere reminiscent of a seaside restaurant.
We walked into the store and chose a small table. After being introduced by the shop owner, we ordered some specialty seafood. Steamed small yellow croaker, with fresh and tender meat, is filled with a large disc in a round row, which we patiently dispose of one by one; Red shrimp, sweet shrimp meat with a hint of freshness; Two flower crabs were stir fried with simple scallions and ginger, effectively preserving the original flavor of the crabs; There is also a rock garlic stir fried rice cake. Since I went to Ningbo and tasted it once, I was conquered by the taste of stir fried rice cake and seafood together. Rock garlic, also known as sea anemone growing on reefs, is a specialty of Taizhou. It has a certain crispy taste when eaten, and the glutinous rice cake wrapped in seafood soup is fragrant and delicious. It has been extravagantly used as the main staple of this meal. The first seafood feast in Taizhou was very satisfying.
After dinner, I officially stepped into Xiaoruo Village. In the village, the exterior walls of stone houses are painted in various colors, and the houses are arranged in a neat and orderly manner. Various colors collide randomly and can be freely matched. Walking around casually, I feel like I can take a big picture from any direction or corner. In the streets and alleys, colorful steps concentrate the brilliant colors. Walking in the village feels like being in a dreamy fairy tale world. The color impact of macaron brings physical and mental pleasure to people.
The village is nestled by mountains and water, with fishermen's fishing boats docked on the shore. The houses are scattered, and you can overlook the sea and fishing boats. Here, you can walk freely and freely, with beautiful scenery everywhere. The hanging colorful wish cards create another beautiful scenery. I couldn't help but choose two and take them home to write my wishes and hang them up!
Turning back step by step, I reluctantly left and filmed many distant views of villages. Xiaoruo Village is so beautiful from a distance and up close.
We turned back the same way, and there were more cars entering the village on the opposite side. The long convoy slowly moved and lined up far and wide.
In the original plan, we also arranged to go to the Millennium Dawn Park not far away. In order to commemorate the first dawn of the new millennium, we have built a groundbreaking "Millennium Dawn Stele" and an observation deck here. The two opposite pillars stand tall, like two vertical door panels, symbolizing that the door of the new century has been opened; Or go to the beach under the cave to bask in the sun and daydream, these beautiful wishes have been discouraged by the enthusiasm of the festival. The parking lot mode that stretches for a few kilometers is daunting.
Return to the hotel early to rest. The hotel is the one I have chosen from thousands of options, with excellent facilities and services. There is a locally renowned restaurant nearby, but it is too popular for phone location or on-site queuing. What's even more frustrating is that there are no other restaurants nearby to choose from. After more than two hours, my husband used various methods and we finally had dinner, which was still a variety of Taizhou specialty seafood.
A one-day tour from Wenling to Linhai
Wenling and Linhai are both cities under the jurisdiction of Taizhou. Scenic spots such as Tiantai Mountain and Shenxianju are more convenient to start from Linhai. Today, we moved from Wenling to Linhai while playing.
The first stop for itinerary arrangement is Dongtian on Changyu Island. Changyu Dongtian belongs to the remnants of Beiyandang Mountain, with winding and undulating mountains, and is an artificial cave landscape. It is said to have 28 cave groups and numerous caves of different shapes. We randomly chose a cave group for viewing, but the artificial traces were too obvious and there were not many natural landscapes to enjoy. The viewing experience was not strong, and we only checked in and took a spin, leaving no photos.
Last night when designing our itinerary, I saw a cultural activity center in a village through video browsing. Plum blossoms were in full bloom, and many people went to take photos and check in. It happened to be near the route we planned, which was used to enrich our itinerary for today.
Unexpectedly, the cultural center of this village is located on the mountain! People who came in droves of admiration, and watching the people panting down the mountain, I was already timid. I sent my husband to fight in the front row, so I can slack off and steal pictures. Walking and stopping without any pressure, the few plum blossoms I stumbled upon on the way have already brought me surprises. This is the first time I have officially seen plum blossoms. In the spring of Beijing, peach blossoms are blooming everywhere, but I have not intentionally appreciated them.
After struggling with thoughts and resting several times, I finally climbed to the top of the mountain and arrived at Meiyuan. A vast sea of plum blossoms, so beautiful. I didn't have time to rest and hurriedly walked to the plum blossom bushes to take photos. In winter, the rose red plum blossoms appear even more charming and charming. Little bees are flying back and forth in the flower bushes, and their presence is almost on every plum tree. I couldn't help but feel a little nervous and worried, forgetting to smell the fragrance of plum flowers up close. The sky today is beautiful, with blue sky, white clouds, distant mountains, and plum blossoms, creating a beautiful winter scene.
Although the process of mountain climbing is arduous, seeing such beautiful scenery feels worthwhile. This is not only a cultural center, but also a sports and exercise center!
Changyu Dongtian was a bit disappointed, but Meiyuan made a good compensation and brought unexpected surprises.
Our morning itinerary ended and we went straight to the hotel located in Linhai. After packing our luggage, we went for lunch at almost two o'clock. From the hotel's restaurant to the restaurant on the street, everyone has rested. The restaurants here usually end their business at 2 pm and do not receive guests even if they come. It's just so capricious. We had to make do with buying some bread and milk at the convenience store.
After a comfortable lunch break, we set off again to the ancient city wall and Ziyang Street. The Taizhou Prefectural City Wall, originally built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, has both military and flood control functions and is known as the "Great Wall of Jiangnan". We will be able to climb the city wall and enjoy it in the evening without buying tickets. The thick city walls and blue bricks exude a strong sense of time, and the breath of spring rushes towards us. The branches of the trees have already revealed the light green of early spring. Climbing the city wall, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the distant mountains and Ziyang Street. The bustling crowds and bustling shops are like a real-life version of the Qingming Riverside Scene.
Entering Ziyang Street, the first ancient street in Linhai City, only about one kilometer away, the storefront is decorated with various red lanterns, silk ribbons, and silk flowers, creating a strong festive atmosphere. In the streets and alleys, not only are there numerous scenic spots and historical sites, but there is also a strong atmosphere of fireworks. Various handmade products and specialty food shops and stalls are surrounded by people, and we can only move slowly along the crowd.
We decided to have a main meal to soothe the hard work of the day. Leaving Ziyang Street, I found a steam fish pot. The fish soup was delicious, the fish meat was smooth and tender, and the taste was good. Returning to the vicinity of the hotel after dinner, the fruit stall, restaurant, and other shops have all closed. After 8 pm, the restaurant is really closed. It seems that in Taizhou, it is important to eat on time.
Tiantai Mountain Waterfall and Jigong Former Residence
We enjoy the natural scenery, including the Tiantai Mountain Waterfall and the Immortal Residence, which were included in our two-day trip by the sea.
Tiantai Mountain is the birthplace of the famous geographer and traveler Xu Xiake's travelogue during the Ming Dynasty. It is also the birthplace of the Tiantai sect of Chinese Buddhism and the founding of the Southern sect of Taoism. In the Tang Dynasty, it attracted many poets to come and leave behind many magnificent poems, and also achieved the timeless legend of "a Tiantai Mountain, half of which is full of Tang poetry". The poet Li Bai's "Dragon Tower and Phoenix Que refuse to stay, soaring straight to the Heavenly Platform," further established the position of Tiantai Mountain.
Our trip to Tiantai Mountain mainly focused on visiting the Tiantai Mountain Waterfall. This is the waterfall with the largest drop and widest width in our country. From the foot of the mountain, you can see a long waterfall cascading down with a majestic momentum.
We climb up the valley step by step, walking between the mountain valleys and the mountainside, admiring the waterfall from different angles, and getting closer and closer to the waterfall. "The distance and height are different," and each layer presents a different scenery.
My goal is the Water Curtain Cave, which is not within my plan for the higher and later Qiongtai Immortal Valley. When I entered the Water Curtain Cave, splashing water splashed down my body, and the cascading waterfall was within reach. That moment was extremely satisfying! It fulfilled a wish I had made for the past decade: the Huangguoshu Waterfall. I didn't walk into the Water Curtain Cave to feel the waterfall, but this time it perfectly made up for it.
Coming down from the waterfall, we decided to learn from yesterday's experience and have an early meal first, so as not to miss their normal meal. The restaurant recommended by my best friend is not far away. When we drove there, it was only 11:10 pm. We were delighted that there was no problem this time, but we were told that the number was no longer being picked up. There were many people picking up the number ahead, and by the time they finished eating, it was almost time to close the noon business.
I found a restaurant nearby that still has the characteristics of Taizhou: steamed hairtail, delicious fish meat, red shrimp, and sweet and tender shrimp meat.
The afternoon itinerary starts with visiting the former residence of Jigong. This is the birthplace of Jigong Living Buddha and the ancestral home of the Li family of Jigong. The halls, Buddhist halls, pavilions, and decorations in the former residence vividly depict the lifestyle of the Li Mansion during the Southern Song Dynasty. The exquisite pavilions and pavilions in the park, the rippling lake water, and the lifelike statue of Ji Gong make it a beautiful tourist attraction. Believing that everything is the best arrangement, we sincerely present our hearts.
Watching the video, the plum blossoms of the Sui Dynasty in the millennium old temple of Guoqing Temple have already bloomed, and I want to go and feast my eyes. Two kilometers in advance, you cannot follow the navigation and are prohibited from driving. The road ahead is already congested with enthusiastic traffic, and vehicles behind are guided by traffic police to detour and stop two or three kilometers away. It was necessary to walk in, but we didn't know what the excitement was like inside, so we gave up decisively. The enthusiasm for holidays is like fire, and going now also goes against our original intention of going to the ancient temple to appreciate it quietly.
After returning to the hotel for lunch break, we set off early again to have dinner. Xinrongji is too luxurious, but Rongxiaoguan is more approachable. There happens to be one nearby. We rode over by bike and arrived a little after 4 o'clock. The entrance was filled with people, and there were large waiting seats filled with people. I quickly arrived at the number collection table set up at the entrance, and was informed that the number collection had stopped. I was a bit stunned and didn't know where to find a reputable place to eat. A young man walked over with two numbers and told the service girl that someone had given him a number, but he didn't need it anymore. I immediately said, "Give me that one!"! So, I got a waiting number. I couldn't help but secretly feel grateful that it was really not easy to have dinner! Sitting on the chair at the door and waiting, watching one after another newcomers go to pick up their numbers but are told they can't do so, she left disappointed. The little girl who served this service was really not easy. Watching her stand there, whispering the same words in harmony, after more than three hours, it was finally her turn to call us. We have set a new record for waiting time for meals.
After sitting down, I inquired with the waiter and found out that there was already a long queue waiting for the dinner number before lunch ended every day. So if we arrive after 4 o'clock, we won't be able to get the number to have dinner.
In order to have this dinner, we waited too hard. Following the top ten signs on the menu, we ordered stir fried bean noodles with garlic, beef ribs, and home cooked deep-sea yellow croaker. It is said that this big yellow croaker is from Dachen Island! We watched a movie at home introducing Dachen Island in Taizhou, and my husband was thinking about it. I resisted taking a boat and didn't make any arrangements. The big yellow croaker from Dachen Island can be considered as a comfort to him. The meat is really too tender. I greedily wanted to pick up a large piece, which was scattered in the plate, so I had to use the help of a spoon; Stir fried bean noodles with sand garlic. Sand garlic is a sea anemone that grows in gravel, and bean noodles are vermicelli. They taste great when stir fried together and are representative dishes of Rong's restaurants; Beef ribs, the taste is also good, and the beef is not too old and has a bit of chewiness. The overall feeling is that this dinner, which has been waiting for over three hours, is still worth it. When coming to Taizhou, there will always be an intimate encounter with the local restaurant that started out, and the taste is indeed good.
Immortal Residence
The earliest photo I saw of Taizhou was the Ruyi Bridge in the Immortal Residence. The overall design resembles the jade of China, spanning between two high mountains, and below lies a vast abyss. The panoramic view of the bridge from a distance is visually impactful.
Today's journey to the Immortal Residence, we chose to enter from the south gate and take a cable car. Feeling the enthusiasm of the holiday again, I lined up in circles and walked inside and out for an hour before finally climbing halfway up the mountain. Fortunately, there are two long escalators that help us climb the peak again, saving us a lot of energy.
I saw the Ruyi Bridge from a distance, and according to someone's introduction, it belongs to the northern mountain peak, which looks so far away! In order to see the beautiful scenery, we still chose to go down the mountain from the north and enjoy the beautiful scenery while walking.
The road around the mountain is not very difficult, mostly on flat land, I like it.
In the secluded valleys, there are towering peaks and rocks, shrouded in clouds and mist. Here, each mountain, water, stone, and peak can form their own unique style and complement each other, showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship of nature and the beautiful scenery created by heaven and earth.
The Lotus Terrace is like a blooming lotus flower. It is an observation deck that goes deep into the valley from a high peak and is a must-have spot for tourists to queue up and take photos. We held up our selfie poles and took a photo of the scenery, without squeezing into the queue.
There are several glass bottomed observation platforms extending out of the valley, which are very attractive. Tourists can step onto the observation platforms and experience the charm of nature from a different perspective.
The Wolong Bridge, resembling a giant dragon winding and lying prone between valleys, features a hollow design and a colorful walkway on the bridge, making it a popular spot for tourists to take photos.
After nearly three hours, we finally arrived at Ruyi Bridge. The line design of the upper and lower floors, glass bridge deck, is full of modernity. Unfortunately, when we get closer, we cannot see the panoramic view of the bridge.
Standing on the bridge, watching the clouds and mist drift back and forth, the sea of clouds is like a dream, intoxicating. The graceful clouds complement the blue sky and the towering peaks, with a fairy like aura lingering amidst the ever-changing winds and clouds, as if one is in a fairyland. Sincerely sighing: worthy of being called the Immortal Residence, the home chosen by the immortals for themselves is refreshing and delightful.
The Immortal Residence is a worthwhile trip. We returned to the vicinity of the hotel and found a barbecue restaurant at 3 pm. Fortunately, it was still open at this time, and we had a great meal together. Lunch and dinner must be filled up.
See Shanghai again
A few months ago, I was still lamenting that it has been nearly twenty years since we parted ways in Shanghai. This time, after a few months, I came to Shanghai again.
I am still looking forward to choosing Shanghai as a transit point for the return journey, even though I have just arrived.
I still chose the Jinjiang Capital, which was the neighbor of the Peace Hotel, where I stayed last time. When I went out, I could see the Oriental Pearl TV Tower TV Tower.
Arriving at noon, taking the subway requires a long queue. Not far from the subway, it's the hotel. Pack your luggage and we'll set off immediately to go shopping and eat.
The sunny weather and blue sky set off the modern landscapes such as the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Lujiazui three piece set, which are much more beautiful.
Walk south along the Bund to the Yu Garden Mall. Four months ago, the shopping mall in Yu Garden was very large and there were many shops in it. Only Yu Garden and Chenghuang Temple needed to buy tickets separately. This time happened to be the Spring Festival, and there was a lantern festival inside. The entire mall was surrounded, and as long as you enter the mall, you need to buy a ticket for 80 yuan each. As the saying goes, everyone has come! The next time we meet again, I don't know how many years later. We bought tickets and entered the mall. I first found a restaurant to take care of my lunch. Crab noodles, Xiaolongbao, Wonton, and crab roe filled soup dumplings were all the staple foods, and they were soon satisfied.
Strolling in the mall, the ponds on both sides of Jiuqu Bridge are filled with large flower lanterns, and the vacant spaces in front of the shops are also decorated with great fanfare. The entire mall is decorated with various colored lights, creating a festive atmosphere. After walking around the mall, we didn't enter Yu Garden and Chenghuang Temple, so we rode back to the hotel for a rest.
For dinner, we're going to have a serious feast. After eating seafood for a few meals, your stomach will feel empty, but it's still delicious Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisine. Between the old man Sauteed Shrimps and Guimanlong, we chose Guimanlong, which has a short waiting time. We have been impressed by our waiting time in Taizhou. Sauteed Shrimps in oil, fried crabs with rice cakes, and Yangzhou boiled dry shredded rice, all dishes are so delicious.
After dinner, officially enter Nanjing Road and experience the prosperity of the First Pedestrian Street. MMBean Chocolate World, as soon as you enter, you are attracted to various chocolate products and colorful chocolate beans, especially chocolate beans. The rich colors and self pickup method attract many children and adults, making people very impulsive to shop. We watched the crowd queuing up to pay the bill, so let's forget it!
Following the crowd all the way to the Bund, it felt like a big parade. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower Tower is changing colors from time to time. Looking across the bank, the lights are flashing. On this side, the major buildings decorated with lights take off their solemn coats and add more beauty than in the daytime.
The next day, we arrived at the Bund early and went home today to bid farewell to the Bund and Shanghai. The sky was gloomy, with many clouds and almost no figures visible, forming a sharp contrast with the bustling crowds from last night. We found angles at will and took many photos. When we got to Garden Bridge of Shanghai, my husband walked into the middle of the road and took a photo from a positive angle. The photo of overlapping clouds is very artistic.
One cannot be missing: Big Pot Spring Fried Buns. In a few months, the menu was changed and the classic fresh meat pan fried was taken off the shelves! I only ordered one serving of prawns and crab roe, then packed two more, and dinner was also resolved. But this time, I really don't feel as good as last time. The outer skin is not so crispy, it's a bit soft and collapsed.
Four hours of high-speed rail, back home. The holiday has come to a perfect end, I can't waste a day of my precious annual leave. I will start work tomorrow.
February 2024
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