Explore the Eastern Hubei Forest Oxygen Bar

Today, we have carefully crafted a 1-day, 1-night light outdoor micro-vacation guide for you at 🌲Zhaoshan Forest Park: "Hidden in the Woods · Whispering Oxygen Bar" 📍Eastern Hubei’s green lung｜Natural oxygen bar｜Wuhan’s “backyard” level secluded forest 💰 **Total budget controlled within 1000 RMB (per person)**, suitable for couples, families with children, students, and hiking enthusiasts! 📌Zhaoshan is not an ordinary suburban park—it is **an ecological gem in Liangzi Lake District, Ezhou City**, surrounded by lake on three sides, with over 90% forest coverage. The air negative ion concentration ranks among the top in Hubei all year round, known as "**the quietest mountain wilderness within a 1-hour circle of Wuhan**." Spend a day and a night with us to: ✅ hike primitive forest trails listening to birdsong and pine waves ✅ climb to the main peak of Zhaoshan to overlook the lush mountains ✅ stay overnight in a mountain homestay to watch the starry sky ✅ morning yoga/meditation to awaken body and mind ✅ taste authentic farmhouse dishes and enjoy a true “mountain flavor” The pace is relaxed and close to nature, completing a **low-cost, highly healing** forest therapy trip within a thousand-yuan budget. 📍 Destination Introduction - **Zhaoshan Forest Park**: Located in Zhaoshan Town, Liangzi Lake District, Ezhou City, Hubei Province - Provincial-level forest park｜Free admission｜Non-commercial scenic area - Core highlights: ✅ Main peak altitude about 400 meters, with panoramic views of the vast Liangzi Lake ✅ Ancient trees, streams, bamboo paths, and rich wild flora and fauna in the forest ✅ At the foot of the mountain, thousands of acres of rapeseed flower fields (spring) and lotus ponds (summer) ✅ Several eco-friendly farmhouses and boutique homestays nearby ✅ Only **80 km from Wuhan city center, about 1.5 hours by car** 📅 Best travel time: **All year round** - Spring (March–April): rapeseed flowers bloom, picturesque mountain scenery - Summer (May–August): shady and cool, perfect for escaping the heat - Autumn (September–November): colorful forests, pleasant climate - Winter (December–February): fewer people, quiet and suitable for solitude and reflection 🚗 Travel Suggestions｜Economical and Efficient · Self-driving Preferred, Public Transport Alternative ✅ Recommended Transportation Options: Plan One (Recommended): Self-driving - Wuhan → Zhaoshan Forest Park: about 80 km, highway + provincial road, **1.5 hours** - Round-trip toll fee about **60 RMB** - Estimated fuel cost (7L per 100 km): **100 RMB** - Free parking: available at the park entrance and some homestays ✅ Total self-driving cost: **160 RMB** Plan Two (Public Transport): - Wuchang Railway Station → Taxi to [Gedian South Station] (High-speed rail station): about 20 RMB - Gedian South Station → High-speed train to [Ezhou Station]: ¥13, 15 minutes - Ezhou Station → Taxi to Zhaoshan Forest Park: about 60 RMB (no direct bus, requires carpool or arranged pickup) ❌ Total public transport cost: **about 93 RMB**, but time-consuming and inconvenient transfers, **not recommended** 📌 Blogger’s advice: **Strongly recommend self-driving** for flexibility, freedom, and ease of carrying luggage 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations｜Stay Among the Woods · High Cost-Performance Choices ✅ Recommended: **Zhaoshan Yunqi Mountain Lodge Homestay** - Located halfway up the mountain, with forest views from the window and insect sounds at night - Host is a retired forestry engineer, offering free guided tours and forest knowledge sharing - Twin room with breakfast: **368 RMB/night** - Offers bonfire parties (weekends), outdoor movies, and a tea room reading area 💡 Alternative (More Budget-Friendly): - **Farmhouse near Liangzi Lake (at the foot of the mountain)**: standard room about **228 RMB/night**, simple but clean 📌 Blogger’s advice: Choose a **mountain homestay** for a stronger immersive experience and direct morning hiking access 📅 Itinerary｜Leisurely Pace · Forest Therapy + Food + Mindfulness Experience --- 🌿 Day 1: First Encounter with Zhaoshan · Enter the Forest for Serenity **🌅 Morning: 9:00 Depart Wuhan → Self-drive to [Zhaoshan Forest Park]** - Recommended route: Qingzheng Expressway → Huyu Expressway → S239 Provincial Road → Zhaoshan Town - Stop briefly at service areas along the way 🚶 Before noon: First stop｜Start the [Zhaoshan Loop Hike] (highlight route) Recommended route: Park East Gate → Forest trail → Viewing platform → Main peak → descend west slope (about 5 km, 2.5 hours walking) - Free admission! No ticket required - Must-visit spots: ✅ **Listening to Wind Ridge**: pine waves rustling, close your eyes to feel the mountain breeze whisper ✅ **Ancient Camphor Tree King**: over 300 years old, gnarled branches ✅ **Viewing Platform**: overlook Liangzi Lake tributaries and pastoral scenery ✅ **Main Peak Summit**: stone stele “Zhaoshan Summit,” sea of clouds visible on clear days 📷 Blogger tips: - Wear non-slip sports shoes! Some sections are slippery - Bring your own water bottle and light snacks (no shops on the mountain) - Download offline maps; some areas have no signal 🍽 Lunch: Second stop｜Dine at [Old Zhaoshan Farmhouse] at the foot of the mountain - Recommended dishes: - Free-range chicken soup with chestnuts - Braised reservoir fish (from nearby small reservoir) - Stir-fried cured meat with wild bamboo shoots (spring seasonal) - Handmade sweet potato noodles ✅ Per person: **50 RMB** 📌 Fun fact: Local ingredients are mostly home-grown and raised, truly “from farm to table.” 🌄 Afternoon: Third stop｜Free activities (choose one) ✅ **Recommended A: Homestay tea room for reading or meditation** - Free tea provided (honeysuckle tea, wild berry tea) - Perfect for zoning out, journaling, or reading ✅ **Recommended B: Visit lotus ponds or rapeseed flower fields at the foot of the mountain** (seasonal) - Golden flower seas in spring, lush green leaves in summer - Great for photos ✅ **Recommended C: Cycling on surrounding rural roads** - Homestay provides 2 free bicycles - Leisurely ride along village roads to experience Eastern Hubei’s pastoral life 🍻 Dinner: Fourth stop｜Homestay owner’s private feast - Yunqi Mountain Lodge offers customized dinner: - Braised mountain bamboo shoots with pork, firewood tofu pot, steamed glutinous rice lotus root ✅ Per person: **60 RMB** 🌌 Evening: Fifth stop｜Bonfire party or stargazing night talk - Bonfire area open on weekends for gathering and chatting around the fire - Or sit alone on the terrace and gaze at the star-filled sky - Very low light pollution in the mountains, Milky Way clearly visible 📸 Day 2: Morning Light Collection · Journey Home **🌅 Early morning: 6:00 Wake up → Sixth stop｜Morning exercise/yoga/photography on the mountain top** - Recommended spots: Main peak viewing platform or Listening to Wind Ridge platform - Early morning mist lingers, sunlight filters through the forest like a fairyland - Do morning stretches or meditation to awaken your energy 🛍 Morning: Seventh stop｜Buy souvenirs + Check out and return 🎁 Must-buy specialty list: | Product | Recommended place | Price | |------|----------|------| | Wild honey (farmhouse produced) | Village homes at the foot of the mountain | 60 RMB/bottle | | Dried wild bamboo shoots (vacuum packed) | Farmhouse | 35 RMB/bag | | Handmade sweet potato noodles | Village entrance shop | 20 RMB/pack | | Liangzi Lake lotus seeds | Specialty stalls | 25 RMB/can | ✅ Total spending controlled within: **100 RMB** **🚗 Check out before 10:30 → Self-drive back to Wuhan** 💰 Total Budget Breakdown (per person) | Item | Cost | |------|------| | Round-trip fuel + toll fees | 160 RMB | | Accommodation (1 night mountain homestay) | 368 RMB | | Meals (2 dinners, 1 breakfast + snacks) | 130 RMB | | Emergency/insurance/souvenirs | 50 RMB | | Souvenir shopping | 100 RMB | | **Total** | **≈808 RMB** | ✅ Actual cost only **808 RMB**, leaving **192 RMB surplus** that can be used for: - Upgrading dinner with a lake delicacy dish - Buying an extra bottle of honey as a gift for elders - Or joining the homestay’s herbal hiking activity next time 📸 Blogger Tips (Experienced Traveler Secrets): - 📅 Best photo times: early morning 5:30–6:30｜evening 17:00–18:00 - 🎒 Essentials: ID card, power bank, mosquito repellent (summer must-have!), headlamp (for night walks), sun hat, lightweight backpack - ❤️ Couples must-do: Write a heartfelt message to each other at the main peak summit and bury it in a “time capsule” (service provided by homestay) - 🧘‍♀️ Recommended experience: Join the homestay’s “forest meditation class” at 6:30 AM (free) **True relaxation is not escaping the city, but entering a forest where no one disturbs you, letting the wind mess your hair, letting the soil stick to your shoes. When you hear a bird singing on a branch, you will understand what it means that ‘all things are silent like a mystery,’ and finally know why we always need a mountain to rest our weary souls.**