A Stroll Through Chaji Ancient Town: A Millennium Ink Painting Deep in Southern Anhui

Stepping into Chaji is like opening the first page of an Anhui-style ink painting~ 📍【Destination Overview】 Location: Chaji Village, Taohuatan Town, Jing County, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province Transportation: 1.5 hours by car from Huangshan/Jiuhuashan, 1 hour from Xuancheng Ticket Price: 65 RMB in peak season / 55 RMB in off-season (Free after 4:00 PM!) Best Seasons: 🌸 March-April: Rapeseed flower sea with horse-head walls 🌾 November: Stunning autumn drying season ✨ July-August: Romantic starry night poetry gatherings 🚗【Money-Saving Transportation Guide】 High-speed rail travelers: Hefei/Nanjing → Jing County Station (1.5h) → Turn left after exiting and take the minibus (11 RMB/person) → Direct to Chaji Ancient Town (1h) Self-driving travelers: 🚗 Recommended route: Hefei/Nanjing/Hangzhou → Chaji (3-3.5h) Super scenic along the way! Remember to stop and take photos~ 🏠【Accommodation Recommendations】 💸 Budget pick: Guangyuan Building 📍 Address: No. 18 Xuxi Road, Chaji Village 💰 Price: 128-200 RMB 🌟 Highlight: 200-year-old Anhui-style historic residence 🎨 For art lovers: Chaji Painters’ Club 📍 Address: No. 58 Huashi Lane 💰 Price: 250-400 RMB ✨ Must-stay reason: Open the window and you’re right on Xuxi Creek! 💎 Luxury stay: Sanxi Homestay 📍 Address: No. 1 Sanxi Alley 💰 Price: 400-800 RMB 💯 Facilities: Floor-to-ceiling windows + mountain view bathtub 📸【3 Days 2 Nights Slow Life Guide】 DAY 1⃣️ Ink Painting First Experience 3:00 PM Check in at creekside homestay 4:30 PM Take reflection photos at Honglou Bridge 6:00 PM Watch sunset at Zhongxiu Gate 8:00 PM Night tour of Lantern Alley + Osmanthus rice wine DAY 2⃣️ In-depth Surrounding Tour 6:00 AM Morning mist photos at Stone Bridge 9:00 AM Explore the three carvings at the ancestral hall 1:00 PM Bargain for bamboo raft at Taohuatan (Original price 80 RMB → Bargain down to 60 RMB is not a dream!) DAY 3⃣️ Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience 7:00 AM Rush to buy freshly steamed rice cakes 9:00 AM DIY Xuan paper experience (The same craft as Li Bai’s era!) 1:00 PM Buy souvenirs and head back 🍜【Must-Try Food List】 TOP1: Chaji-style Mao Tofu 💰 5 RMB/serving 🌶️ Perfect with spicy sauce TOP2: Steamed Egg with Qin Fish 🐟 A divine combo only found in Jing County TOP3: Farmhouse Free-range Chicken Soup 🍲 Slow-cooked over firewood for 3 hours 💡【Locals-Only Tips】 √ Bring non-slip shoes! Stone paths are super slippery after rain √ After 10 PM, starry sky photography is stunning √ Avoid the crowds of sketching artists during holidays √ Try to get the homestay owner to bargain your ticket price There’s no noisy commercial street here, Only creek water, old houses, and endless beautiful scenery. Come to Chaji and be a character in a painting for a day~