In Huizhou, turn 5 days and 4 nights into a child's growth fairy tale

In Huizhou, turn 5 days and 4 nights into a child's growth fairy tale Last National Day in the rice fields of Huizhou, the sight of the child clutching muddy hands chasing little fish became his "best adventure" he talked about all year. This National Day, we decisively revisited this land filled with mountains, waters, and poetry, using 5 days and 4 nights to turn the verses from textbooks and the craftsmanship of intangible cultural heritage into happiness within the child's reach. Our first stop upon arriving in Huangshan city was the Anchihua Mansion Hotel, just a few minutes' walk to dive into the lively Tunxi Old Street. As soon as we put down our luggage, the child was captivated by the aroma of Huangshan sesame cakes drifting from the street. Biting into the crispy crust, the savory flavor of preserved vegetable and pork filling instantly spread; for dinner, we ordered a dish of stinky mandarin fish. Though it smelled slightly "stinky" at first, the taste was fresh and firm, even the picky eater eagerly finished an extra half bowl of rice. The roasted tofu’s charred aroma and the sweet fermented rice made him exclaim, "This tastes a hundred times better than snacks in the city." The second day was a romance dedicated to intangible cultural heritage. At the Xuan Paper Cultural Park, a master artisan skillfully transformed qingtan bark and Shatian rice straw into paper as thin as cicada wings. The child stared wide-eyed, listening to the story of "paper lasting a thousand years," and tried his hand at paper-making—when the bamboo screen was lifted from the pulp, watching the wet fibers form on the screen, he carefully held it as if it were a rare treasure. In the afternoon’s rubbing session, he chose a little squirrel pattern, dipping ink, pressing, and lifting the paper with great focus, then neatly folded his "work" into his backpack, saying he wanted to take it home to show his grandpa. At dusk, we took a bamboo raft ride on Peach Blossom Pool. The autumn breeze brushed the water, creating shimmering ripples. I softly recited "The water of Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep," when the boatman suddenly responded in the Huizhou dialect. The rich local accent mixed with the sound of water, as if drifting from a poem written a thousand years ago. The child immediately got excited, mimicking the boatman’s tune, the bamboo raft slowly gliding across the pool, the green mountains on both sides reflected in the water. He leaned over the raft, reaching out to touch the clear water, splashing droplets on his face, smiling brightly. The third day was for the child to immerse in Huizhou culture. At the Huimo Ink Factory, the master craftsman held the child’s hand, teaching him to paint patterns on Huimo ink with gold powder. The smooth feel of the ink stick and the shiny luster of the gold powder made him so focused he forgot to play. When making a Huizhou brush, he learned to select rabbit hair, watched the master comb, tie, and assemble the brush, and even carved his nickname on the handle. Holding the brush he made himself, he proudly said, "I will use this to write from now on." In the afternoon, we toured Hongcun with Teacher Wang, who once taught "First Grade." He always made dry history come alive. Pointing to the white walls and black tiles by Moon Pond, he said, "This is the 'mirror' of Huizhou families," and explained the meaning of the "commerce character gate" in Chengzhi Hall. The child listened intently, occasionally raising his hand to ask, "Why are plum blossoms carved on the brick sculptures?" At sunset, we took the child into the rice fields outside Hongcun. He took off his shoes and stepped into the soft mud, learning to catch fish with villagers. Although he only caught a few small shrimp, his face was covered in mud with a big smile. The water fights by the creek were even more exhilarating, with adults and children splashing and laughing together, the joyful sounds carrying far. That night, we stayed at Guanlu Tent Hotel, with a starry sky right outside the window. We followed a guide to chase fireflies. When tiny green lights flickered in the grass, the child held his breath and gently reached out his hand. The fireflies briefly rested on his fingertips before flying away. He whispered, "It’s like holding stars in my hand." Back at the hotel, lying by the panoramic floor-to-ceiling window, looking up to see the Milky Way stretching across the night sky, such romance was not only etched in the child’s heart but felt precious to us as well. On the fourth day, we challenged Huangshan Mountain. We worried the child might not keep up, but the VIP family group channel was a great help—no need to queue with crowds, we took an exclusive route up the mountain. The path on the front mountain was gentler than expected. After passing the Hero Slope, the trail widened. The child held my hand, climbing step by step, occasionally stopping to look at the pine trees and listen to birdsong. Teacher Wang told us the story of the Welcoming Pine, which has stood on the summit for over 800 years. The child leaned close to the tree, carefully counting the pine needles, quietly saying, "It’s amazing." The cloud sea afternoon tea at the summit was stunning. Sitting on the open-air terrace, in front of us was a rolling sea of clouds, beside us fragrant Huangshan Maofeng tea. The tea aroma mixed with the sound of pine waves, making all fatigue disappear. The child held a small teacup, sipping like an adult, saying, "This tea tastes like the mountain." The starry sky BBQ at night was lively, with the aroma of grilled skewers, outdoor karaoke singing, and the light and shadow of a starry sky movie blending together. The child ran and played with other kids while we chatted nearby. Such a night was warm and cozy. On the last day, we visited Shouzhuo Garden, a filming location for "Joy of Life." The infinity pool was like a mirror, reflecting the distant green mountains and nearby pavilions. The child ran around the garden in Hanfu, the blue hem fluttering in the wind, contrasting beautifully with the white walls and black tiles. The photographer captured him as he tiptoed on the stone bridge to look at fish and posed under flowering trees. The little figure in the lens was full of innocence and charm. Before leaving, he hugged the freshly printed photos, saying, "I want to come to Huizhou again next year, to catch fish and make brushes again." This trip to Huizhou was free of rushed sightseeing, only slow moments. Watching the child frolic in the rice fields, focus during intangible cultural heritage experiences, and feel the poetry in the mountains and waters, we realized the best way to entertain kids is not to go to the busiest places but to bring them into nature and culture, making every moment of growth full of unforgettable stories. If you’re still wondering where to take your kids this National Day, consider Huizhou, where the countryside joy children love and the poetic life we yearn for are both hidden.