Zhao Liying’s Fairy Tale Secret Realm! A Nanny-Level Guide to Xian Du, Jinyun, Zhejiang, Capture Ancient Style Photos in Three Steps

Want to avoid the crowds at Wangxian Valley and Gexian Village but still enter a real-life fairy tale world? Xian Du in Jinyun, Zhejiang, highly recommended by National Geographic and a filming location for "With the Phoenix," hides a secret realm like an ink and wash painting. Here, 170-meter stone pillars pierce the clouds, the stone slab bridge in the morning mist holds millennia of stories, and even the air carries the atmosphere of a fairy tale drama. This firsthand guide will help you unlock all the highlights. Before You Go: Pitfalls to Avoid & Preparation Checklist Transportation: Time-saving Tips for Self-Drivers Navigate to “Xian Du Scenic Area North Gate.” Contact your homestay in advance to register your license plate and get a 50 RMB discount on the entrance fee. Free parking inside the scenic area is very convenient. If you’re not driving, take the high-speed train to Jinyun West Station, then a 20-minute taxi ride to the scenic area, or transfer to bus K203 to the “Xian Du Scenic Area” stop. Be sure to buy the 20 RMB scenic shuttle bus ticket; the attractions are spread out and the mountain roads are many. Unlimited rides on the electric shuttle save a lot of energy. Accommodation: Choose the Right Place to Save Time for Sightseeing - Best View: Near Yunlishe Homestay, where you can see the sea of clouds over Dinghu Peak from your window and enjoy homemade bayberry wine with wild mountain rice cakes. - Best Value: Xian Du Impression Homestay, a 10-minute walk to Zhutan Mountain, includes breakfast and offers Hanfu rental (30 RMB/hour). - Pitfall Warning: Don’t stay in the county town! It takes an hour to get to and from the scenic area, causing you to miss the core beauty of early morning mist and starry nights. Essentials: Double Guarantee for Great Photos & Comfort Wear non-slip sports shoes; the Xiaochibi plank road is slippery when wet. Bring a light jacket as the temperature difference between day and night in the mountains can reach 10°C. Hanfu can be rented on-site at the “Xian Meige” at the scenic entrance for 50 RMB/hour, including hairstyling—more convenient and better fitting than bringing your own. Don’t forget a telephoto lens to capture the reflection of Dinghu Peak and the stone bridge scenes perfectly. Core Activities: Check in at Filming Locations for a Fairy Tale Experience Dinghu Peak: The Fairy Tale Pier from "With the Phoenix" As the soul landmark of Xian Du, the 170.8-meter stone pillar pierces the clouds like a sharp sword. Legend says it’s the sacred place where the Yellow Emperor refined elixirs. Climb to the viewing platform at 6 a.m. to see the sea of clouds swirling at the pillar’s base, as if stepping into the drama’s Xingyun Courtyard. The scenic area has restored the pier and grape trellis scenes from the show. Wearing Hanfu by the lake, you can easily recreate the iconic gaze between Shen Li and Xing Zhi. Don’t miss the new wire-flying experience (198 RMB per session); the moment you “walk on water” over Xianshui Cave’s river surface, your martial arts dream comes true. Zhutan Mountain: Zhao Liying’s Ink Painting Scroll The stone slab bridge spanning Haoxi Creek is the finishing touch. When the morning mist hasn’t lifted, the bridge’s shadow and Dinghu Peak’s reflection merge in the water, like a living ink painting. Photo tip: On weekends at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., there’s a free old farmer leading an ox performance. Arrive 30 minutes early to the left side of the viewing platform to secure the spot. Using a telephoto lens, you can capture the same angle as the drama’s main characters. On rainy days, shoot with an oil-paper umbrella; the mist adds a natural “fairy filter.” Yandang Study: Light and Shadow Magic in a Mine Pit This cave bookstore, transformed from an abandoned quarry, holds surprises. After 3 p.m., sunlight pierces the stone crevices, casting Tyndall beams. The same photo spot as Ni Ni is by the stone steps deep inside the bookstore. It’s free to enter, and you can get a custom fridge magnet. The shelves hold the original "With the Phoenix" novel and crew notes, making you feel like you’re conversing with the characters. Wear a plain long dress for photos; the contrast between the rock texture and the softness of the skirt is stunning. Xiaochibi: The Cliff Secret Realm from "Joy of Life 2" The red cliff glows golden under the sunset. Walk 200 meters along the Longgeng Road plank path to overlook the magnificent scenery where the Ou River and mountains intertwine. The plank path where Shen Li and Xing Zhi had heart-to-heart talks in the drama is here. Around 6 p.m., the sunset light bathes the cliff, making every photo atmospheric. Note: Some sections of the plank path have no guardrails, so don’t get too close to the edge when shooting. Fairy Flavors: Taste Wild Mountain Delicacies for 50 RMB Must-Try Local Hidden Gems - Zhu’s Baked Flatbread: A time-honored brand on Xuanyuan Street, freshly baked with preserved vegetable and fresh meat filling, 5 RMB each, crispy and flaky. Pair with a 3 RMB bowl of tofu soup to cut the richness. - Minced Meat Soup: Minced meat coated in starch and cooked into a thick soup, sprinkled with scallions and pepper, smooth and sweet. Even better with hand-rolled rustic noodles. - Fermented Fish in Rice Wine: The same dish served at Xingyun Courtyard restaurant. Fish marinated in fermented rice wine, blending wine aroma with freshness. Goes perfectly with rice—you can eat two big bowls. Hidden Easter Eggs: Co-Branded Drinks and Souvenirs 7 Fen Tian store offers a "Cloud Jasmine" co-branded drink from "With the Phoenix," with a free transparent card stand with purchase. Xian Du specialty shops sell vacuum-packed dried bamboo shoots and Jinyun hemp duck, perfect for recreating mountain flavors at home. Suggested Itinerary: 2 Days 1 Night to Explore the Highlights Day 1: In-Depth Tour of Filming Locations Morning: Dinghu Peak (climb viewing platform for sea of clouds) → Yellow Emperor Temple (watch "Xuanyuan Praise" performance); Noon: Eat baked flatbread and minced meat soup on Xuanyuan Street; Afternoon: Zhutan Mountain (photograph stone bridge reflection) → Yandang Study (wait for light and shadow); Evening: Eat creek fish hotpot near Yunlishe, then stroll to watch the starry sky. Day 2: Discover Lesser-Known Secret Spots Early Morning: Photograph morning mist at Zhutan Mountain; Morning: Xiaochibi (arrive early to secure sunset photo spot) → Heyang Ancient Residence (see thousand-year-old Hui-style architecture); Noon: Eat wild rice cakes with bayberry wine at the homestay; Afternoon: Buy baked flatbread as snacks for the journey home. Pitfall Tips: Avoid Wasting Time During peak season (April-May, October), enter before 8 a.m. to avoid tour groups; snack prices inside the scenic area double, so dining at local restaurants on Xuanyuan Street is more cost-effective; helicopter tours (398 RMB/10 minutes) are spectacular but not cost-effective—skip if on a budget. From the misty stone bridge in the morning to the cliff at dusk, every corner of Jinyun Xian Du holds the romance of a fairy tale drama. Here, you don’t need to search for scenery; every step is wallpaper-worthy. Walking on the bluestone path in Hanfu, even the wind seems to say, “Welcome to the fairyland.” After reading this guide, set off quickly—after all, true fairy trails must be experienced in person.