Anji is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly don’t recommend going in July because............

Anji: The Green Wonderland of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, a Healing Journey of Bamboo Sea, White Tea, and Stargazing Camping Keywords: China’s Great Bamboo Sea, Jiangnan Heavenly Pool, White Tea Plantation, Hello Kitty Park, Rafting and Stream Trekking Suitable for: Families, Couples, Friends, Outdoor Enthusiasts Budget: 800-1500 RMB per person (2 days 1 night, including accommodation) Best Season: April to June (lush bamboo sea/tea picking season), September to October (cool autumn/golden camping season) 1. Must-Visit Attractions: From Bamboo Forest Secrets to the Starry Milky Way 1. China’s Great Bamboo Sea (Filming location of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") Highlights: 50,000 mu of moso bamboo stretching like a sea, with negative oxygen ion concentration reaching 30,000/cm³, known as a “natural oxygen bar.” Activities: Glass Skywalk (ticket + skywalk 120 RMB): A transparent walkway spanning two mountain peaks, with a bamboo forest abyss below—perfect for “floating” photos (not recommended for those afraid of heights). Slide Downhill (50 RMB/person): A 2-kilometer jungle slide with controllable speed; children must be accompanied by parents. Night Tour of Bamboo Sea (summer only): Enter after 7:00 PM, with lights decorating the bamboo forest, listen to insects and birds, and experience “Bamboo Forest Night Talk” (ticket 60 RMB). 2. Jiangnan Heavenly Pool (Asia’s Highest Mountain Lake) Transportation: Drive along the mountain road (18 km, 30 minutes, nicknamed “Autumn Mountain” like in Initial D) or take the shuttle bus (20 RMB/person). Must-Visit: Heavenly Pool Viewing Platform (ticket 80 RMB): A mountain lake at 1000 meters altitude; on clear days, the water mirrors the blue sky and white clouds; on rainy days, clouds and mist create a fairyland. Observatory Stargazing (free): No light pollution nearby; see the Milky Way in summer and star trails in winter (tripod recommended). Fujiwara Tofu Shop (popular check-in spot): Recreates scenes from "Initial D," buy an “AE86 Milk Tea” (25 RMB), and snap photos for social media likes. 3. Anji White Tea Viewing Platform (“Little Switzerland” in the Tea Fields) Highlights: 3,000 mu of layered white tea gardens; tea pickers shuttle through in spring, and in autumn the tea trees turn yellow like an oil painting. Activities: Tea Garden Cycling (electric bike rental 30 RMB/hour): Ride along wooden boardwalks through tea fields, ending at “A Leaf Tea Drink” café (40 RMB per person), order a “White Tea Latte” and watch the clouds roll by. Tea Picking Experience (May-June, 100 RMB/person): Carry a bamboo basket and learn to pick “one bud and one leaf” with tea farmers, experience tea frying and tasting (take home 50g of homemade tea). 4. Hello Kitty Park (the world’s third, a top family destination) Tickets: Adults 230 RMB, children 140 RMB (free under 1 meter). Must-Do: Ferris Wheel: Choose between fixed or sliding cabins; sliding cabins sway slightly for extra thrill (children must be over 1.2 meters). Parade (2:00 PM/5:00 PM): Interactions with Hello Kitty, My Melody, and other characters, great for photos and kids. Night Light Show (weekends only): Castle projections and fireworks, super romantic (arrive 1 hour early to secure a spot). 5. General’s Pass Rafting (East China’s Most Thrilling Canyon Rafting) Tickets: 160 RMB/person (not allowed under 1.2 meters). Experience: 2.2 km river with a 130-meter drop, screams guaranteed throughout (recommended to wear swimwear + waterproof phone pouch). Free ginger soup at the end to warm up; nearby farmhouses offer “rafting set meals” (bamboo forest chicken + stream fish, 60 RMB per person). 2. Food Map: From Mountain Delicacies to Tea Banquets, Taste Anji 1. Must-Try Anji Three Treasures Anji Bamboo Forest Chicken: Free-range chicken raised in bamboo forests, firm meat; recommended “Old Li’s Bamboo Chicken Pot” (80 RMB per person), slow-cooked in a clay pot for 3 hours, fresh and flavorful soup. Anji White Tea Shrimp: Stir-fried fresh shrimp with tea buds, tea fragrance seeps into the shrimp; recommended “A Lin Restaurant” (60 RMB per person). Anji Dried Bamboo Shoots: Sun-dried spring bamboo shoots stewed with meat, the dried shoots absorb the meat’s flavor and are even more fragrant; recommended “Bamboo Village Home” (50 RMB per person). 2. Street Snacks Wu Jun Soup Dumplings: Paper-thin skin, juicy filling, dip in vinegar and chili sauce; recommended “Old Brand Wu Jun Soup Dumplings” (10 RMB/basket). Anji Potstickers: Golden crispy bottom, filling of bamboo shoots and pork; recommended “Xiao Yang Potstickers” (8 RMB/serving). Plum Blossom Cake: Glutinous rice flour wrapped red bean paste, sprinkled with osmanthus, sweet but not greasy; street vendor price 3 RMB each. 3. Popular Restaurants Deep Blue Project · X Café (Mine Pit Café): An abandoned mine pit transformed into a “Maldives-style” blue lake; order a “Deep Blue Latte” (48 RMB), sit in a transparent boat for photos (rental 20 RMB/10 minutes). Midsummer Stargazing Deck (mountaintop restaurant): Glass house on cliff edge, watch the sunset during dinner, 200 RMB per person (reservation required). 3. Accommodation Recommendations: Sleep Within the Scenery 1. Bamboo Forest Homestays (300-800 RMB per person) Yaojia · Anji 1913 Homestay: Renovated century-old house, retains blue bricks and black tiles, rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bamboo sea, 600 RMB per night per person (includes breakfast + afternoon tea). Hanyunshan Luxury Hotel: Cloud-shaped building, infinity pool suspended above bamboo forest, 800 RMB per night per person (includes dinner + spa experience). 2. Camping Sites (200-500 RMB per person) Xiaohangkeng Campsite: “Little Switzerland of Zhejiang,” lawn + stream + distant mountains, offers tents (300 RMB/night) or bring your own gear (site fee 50 RMB/person), barbecue and stargazing available. Jiangnan Heavenly Pool Starry Camp: 1000 meters altitude, cool and mosquito-free in summer, tent rental 200 RMB/night, includes breakfast and telescope experience. 3. Family Hotels (400-1000 RMB per person) Anji Yinrun Jinjiang Castle Hotel: Opposite Hello Kitty Park, European castle style, rooms with children’s tents and dolls, 800 RMB per night per person (includes double breakfast + park tickets). Junlan · Anji Laozhuang Mountain Resort Hotel: Taoist culture theme, with children’s playground and pool, 600 RMB per night per person (includes afternoon tea + Hanfu experience). 4. Practical Information: Must-Read Before You Go 1. Transportation Guide Hangzhou → Anji: 1.5-hour drive (Hangchang Expressway); bus (Hangzhou North Bus Station → Anji Passenger Center, 2 hours, 35 RMB). Scenic Area Transport: Attractions are scattered in mountainous areas; car hire recommended (400 RMB/day) or car rental (150 RMB/day, driver’s license required). 2. Clothing Guide Summer (June-August): Short sleeves + sun protection clothing, wear swimwear + slippers for rafting. Autumn (September-November): Light jacket + long pants, big temperature difference between morning and night in mountains. Winter (December-February): Down jacket + scarf, Jiangnan Heavenly Pool may have snow (anti-slip chains needed). 3. Cultural Experiences Anji White Tea Making Technique (Intangible Cultural Heritage): Participate in tea picking, fixing, rolling, and drying from April to May (contact tea garden in advance). Bamboo Weaving Craft: Experience making bamboo baskets and fans at “Anji Bamboo Museum” (handicraft class 80 RMB/person). 4. Safety Tips Hold the handrail tightly during rafting; do not stand or play in the river. Wear anti-slip shoes for bamboo sea hiking; avoid entering undeveloped areas alone. 5. 2 Days 1 Night Itinerary Reference Day 1: China’s Great Bamboo Sea → Deep Blue Project Café → Night Tour of Bamboo Sea/Camping Day 2: Jiangnan Heavenly Pool (stargazing/skiing) → General’s Pass Rafting → Return Family Version: Day 1: Hello Kitty Park → Midsummer Stargazing Deck Dinner Day 2: Anji Bamboo Museum (see giant pandas) → White Tea Viewing Platform Cycling The healing power of Anji lies in the wind through the bamboo sea, the fragrance of white tea, the quiet starry sky, and the free breath of the mountains and fields. Put down the city noise and become a “bamboo forest hermit” in Anji for a day!