Hangzhou's Most Underrated Scenic Spot… A Lazy Summer Retreat

🌿 I thought Hangzhou was already beautiful, until I visited this place... ||| Friends from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai know how stiflingly hot summers can be here... Just about an hour's drive from downtown Hangzhou lies a cool mountain valley, where breezes whisper through the trees and streams flow along the ravine. With water and shade everywhere, it feels refreshingly cool! This hidden paradise surrounded by mountains and rivers even features a café, rafting, and cave exploration... 🌊 **Location** Shanglian Village, Xukou Town, Fuyang District, Hangzhou. ~1.5-hour drive from downtown Hangzhou, ~4 hours from Shanghai, and ~2.5 hours from Suzhou by car. 🎫 **Admission** Basic ticket: ¥90/person (includes caves, wild oak forest, and bamboo rafting). Combo ticket: ¥110 (includes cable car). Discounts for children, seniors, and military personnel. Summer Special: Palm Island Fun Pass: ¥188 (water activities + drinks). Family ticket: ¥280 (1 adult + 1 child). Best seasons: Summer retreat (caves maintain 18°C), autumn foliage, spring peach blossom festival. Opening hours: July-August: 8:30 AM–7:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM). Other seasons: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:40 PM, weekends 8:30 AM–5:00 PM. 💕 **Jiuxiao Biyun Cave (Must-visit)** Asia-Pacific’s largest cave hall (28,000 m²), featuring stalactites with light shows. The "Sky-Supporting Jade Pillar" reflection is best photographed at noon. 🉑 **Experiences**: Take the 330-meter Fuchun Cloud Elevator up the mountain, pass through the Red Lantern Tunnel to enter the cave, and explore wonders like "One-Line Sky" and "Huangguoshu Waterfall." The 1-hour tour now includes a dazzling "Time Tunnel" light show at the cave entrance, especially stunning at night. 💕 **Xiaoyao Yanling Lake (Must-visit)** A 3 km² lake resembling "Little Guilin of Jiangnan," with bamboo rafting (included in ticket), speedboat rides, and Palm Island Water Park. 🉑 **Experiences**: Palm Island: Lakeside café (free drink with ticket), wave pool (water hovercraft, wake surfing, inflatable Strawberry Bear), and stargazing campsites. Jungle Glass Slide Rafting: A 2 km S-shaped slide with nearly 100-meter drops and 360° spins through wild oak forests—thrilling but no splashes! 💕 **Tiancheng Wild Oak Forest** Over 100 acres of wild oak trees with ultra-high negative oxygen ions. Features rope bridges, climbing nets, and other non-powered facilities, perfect for family adventures. 🉑 **Experiences**: Cloud Coaster: A downhill ride for two with speed control, like a jungle roller coaster (¥50/person). Shenchang Amusement Park: Swings, zip lines, trampolines—a kids' paradise. 💕 **Hewuping Lakeside Lawn** Picnic and fishing by the lake, sunset views in the evening. Nearby forest tea house available. 🏠 **Accommodation** Inside the scenic area: Starry Mountain & Sea Camp: Glamping tents (with bathrooms), BBQ buffet—ideal for team-building or stargazing (book 1 week ahead). Jiami Mountain Lodge: Boutique homestay offering rural experiences, great for families or friends. Nearby hotels: Longshan Radisson Blu: Riverside views with afternoon tea and mahjong rooms, perfect for vacations. Manju Hotel: Ancient village style, budget-friendly, ~10-minute drive to the scenic area. 🍜 **Food** Local farmhouse dishes: Try Fuchun River fish head stew and wild bamboo shoots with pickled greens (~¥50/person). Tofu Workshop: Freshly ground tofu pudding and fried mantou with stinky tofu—fun DIY experience. Longyin Kitchen (Yangpi Lake): Hangzhou cuisine like Dongpo pork and tea-infused shrimp. Laoshifu Noodle House: Fuyang beef noodles and dry-tossed noodles, a local secret (~¥20/person). **Water Carnival (July-August)**: 🔸 Wave Pool adds inflatable "Strawberry Bear" rafts and nightly light shows. Live bands every Saturday. 🔸 Night Cave Exploration: After 7:00 PM, explore the cave with upgraded starry-themed lighting and immersive "time travel" scenes. 🔸 Summer Camp: "Youth Military Camp" survival challenge (Aug 3–9) includes cave adventures and wilderness survival for kids aged 7–14. 🚫 **Tips**: 🔸 Wear water shoes and bring mosquito repellent. 🔸 Quiet and uncrowded—perfect for relaxation.