24-Hour Deep Exploration of Wunvzhou | Poetry and Life in Huizhou's Sleepless City
As a travel blogger who frequently visits off-the-beaten-path destinations, my impression of Wuyuan, Jiangxi has always been limited to the rapeseed flowers of Jiangling and the autumn sun-dried crops of Huangling. It wasn't until this late autumn encounter with Wunvzhou that I discovered how this Hui-style town, built with an investment of 2.5 billion yuan, brilliantly combines poetic living with the vibrancy of everyday life.
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16:00 First Encounter - A Time Fold in an Ink Painting Frame
A 10-minute drive from Wuyuan High-Speed Railway Station, catching a distant glimpse of the Baoyu Tower spanning the Xing River feels like stepping into a scene from a martial arts movie. After entering the scenic area with my room card, I choose to wander aimlessly along the bluestone paths: Hui-style buildings with white walls and dark tiles reflect in the winding waterways, rowing boats create ripples as they pass under arched bridges, while chili peppers and chrysanthemums drying on the shore glisten golden in the sunset. This place preserves the everyday life of original residents while incorporating the intangible cultural heritage wisdom from "Tiangong Kaiwu" into every detail.
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18:30 Nightfall - Tang Dynasty Fantasy Ignited by Flying Sparks
As dusk seeps into the flowing pavilions, the true magical moment begins. Arriving half an hour early at the Five Manifestations Lake shore, watch as inheritors of intangible cultural heritage throw 1,600°C molten iron into the night sky, creating an instant cascade of thousands of golden threads, forming a striking contrast between the scorching iron sparks and the cold lake water. For photography, it's recommended to use your phone's pro mode with lower ISO to capture clearer star trails. Later, ascend to the second floor of the floating Golden Pavilion to watch the entire building slowly sink into the lake center under the lights. The water screen effects and aerial performances in the "Meeting Wuyuan" live show bring the ancient legend of night study at Wenchang Pavilion within reach.
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21:00 Overnight - Song Dynasty Aesthetics by the Water
I highly recommend the Hui Art Guesthouse where I stayed: behind carved wooden doors lies an entire wall of Hui ink art, rooms are equipped with floor heating and smart toilets, and carved windows open to views of rowing boats gliding through lantern-lit waterways. Those with higher budgets can choose the standalone Tea House, complete with private hot spring pools and stargazing terrace. Late at night, walking through the Hui market street hung with oil-paper umbrellas, buying home-brewed rice wine to the sound of the night watchman's wooden clappers feels like traveling back to the sleepless city in "Dreams of Splendor in the Eastern Capital."
Next Day 9:00 Morning Tour - Finding Hidden Cultural Easter Eggs
Three surprises await early risers who avoid the crowds:
1. Experience a Ming Dynasty wedding at Lianli Hall: Touch the hundred-children carvings on the bridal sedan chair while listening to the shopkeeper explain the wisdom of traditional marriage customs
2. Wenchang Bookstore's collection chamber: Under the 10-meter-high Hui-style courtyard, watch ancient book creatures come alive through AR technology
3. DIY tea whisking at the Tea Sage Museum: Creating dense foam with a Jian tea bowl requires more concentration than the trending tea ceremony
12:00 Taste - The Finest Local Flavors
Don't miss the local restaurants outside the scenic area, recommended dishes:
- Houtang Family Feast's black rice: Glutinous rice dyed with Nanzhu leaves wrapped around diced preserved meat, where woody fragrance balances the richness
- Waterfront restaurant's tofu paste: Thick consistency from wood-fired cooking, perfectly paired with dried shrimp and chrysanthemum brain
- Riverside vendor's steamed rice cake: Rice batter steamed with bamboo shoots and green beans, a street delicacy for 5 yuan
Travel Tips
✅ Best visiting time: 15:00-12:00 next day (covering both day and night views)
✅ "Meeting Wuyuan" show time: 20:00 daily (may adjust in winter)
✅ Photography tips: Best viewpoint for Golden Pavilion reflection is on the left side of the lake island, choose early morning/noon for rowing boat photos to avoid glare
✅ Essential items: Hanfu (multiple rental shops in scenic area), telephoto lens, non-slip shoes (bluestone paths can be slippery when wet)
While many city ancient streets have become uniform photo backdrops, Wunvzhou revives traditional life scenes with contemporary methods. There's no deliberately created "time-travel feeling" here; instead, morning reading at Wenchang Pavilion, the sound of cloth beating at the dye house, and ancestral hall family precepts flow naturally through every street corner. Perhaps as the couplet on the lake island writes: "In life's most enchanting moment, no dream compares to Huizhou," this immersive elegant dream deserves your own chapter.