Things to do in Xinyi

This town is located east of Xuzhou and is currently undergoing expansion. There aren't many tourists, probably because there's an entrance fee. It's okay to stop by for a quick visit, but not worth making a special trip for.

I've realized I haven't had many proper trips this year, mostly just visiting tourist attractions in some lesser-known cities. I just visited Yanzhou and Ju County with friends in May. This time, we went to Xinyi City, under the jurisdiction of Xuzhou, and the Xinyi Malingshan Scenic Area is a vast, mysterious mountain and water landscape with a thousand-year history. It's also one of the most worthwhile culturally significant mountains around Xuzhou to explore at a leisurely pace, perfect for both historical exploration and hiking! The scenic area covers a massive 28.9 square kilometers, far too large to be explored in a quick glance. The mountains are continuous and varied, with deep valleys and streams. A complete loop of the entire scenic area requires a full day. Those with average stamina can choose shorter routes, one to the north and one to the south, each offering different scenery and preventing visual fatigue. The dense forests are rich in negative ions, making walking through them an immersive natural oxygen bar. It's especially cool and comfortable to visit in the summer. What moved me most was the profound and enduring historical heritage. This is the ancient battlefield of the Battle of Maling during the Warring States period. The remains of the Maling Road, where Sun Bin and Pang Juan outwitted each other, still exist today. Walking along the ancient road, one can almost glimpse the legendary military strategy of using reduced cooking fires to lure the enemy. Emperor Qianlong visited this place three times during his southern tours and personally inscribed the stone tablet "First Landscape of the Land," which stands quietly in the mountains, exuding the majestic aura of imperial calligraphy. There are also the Sanxian Cave, the prototype of the stories in "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio," the long and mysterious Hidden Soldier Cave, the 5,000-year-old Huating prehistoric civilization site, and the Cretaceous dinosaur footprint rock wall. From ancient civilizations and the ancient battlefield of the Warring States period to the cultural relics of the Qing Dynasty, layers of historical imprints are scattered throughout the mountains. Each attraction comes with detailed explanations, making a visit to the mountain like flipping through a three-dimensional history book. Cultural enthusiasts will definitely find it worthwhile. Here are two practical routes and key attractions: ** **Effortless South Loop (3 hours, suitable for seniors and children):** Mountain Gate → Longtai Lake Loop → Sanxian Cave Exploration → Shanyin Ancient Temple → Red Culture Park → First River Mountain Stone Carvings. The trails are gentle and easy to walk, focusing on historical sites and cultural landmarks. Relaxing and stress-free. **Deep North Loop (3-4 hours, ideal for hiking enthusiasts):** Wuhua Peak Ascent → Thousand-Meter Hidden Soldier Cave → Xiaolonggou Mist Forest Waterfall Group → Dalonggou Glass Skywalk → Sun Bin's Military Strategy City. The popular Xiaolonggou is shrouded in mist, with cascading waterfalls and streams, perfect for photos. The glass skywalk offers stunning views of the Danxia landforms and breathtaking natural scenery. For those who don't want to hike the entire route, the scenic area offers unlimited shuttle buses for 40 yuan, taking you directly to all key stops, saving time and effort. The scenic area boasts excellent facilities, ample parking, and numerous supply points in the mountains. Rich in history, with magnificent landscapes and a vast area, it possesses both cultural and natural charm, making it suitable for both a short day trip and a leisurely two-day visit. Highly recommended for history buffs and hiking enthusiasts! The two routes I've outlined are based on consultation with customer service and the guide map. I haven't actually explored the entire scenic area myself, so the specific route will depend on your own time and other factors.

Mount Tai is definitely worth visiting. If you're physically fit, I highly recommend hiking (around 500 meters for a full marathon). If you walk slowly, taking photos along the way, you should be able to reach the summit in about 3.5 hours. If you have a fear of heights, the section near Nantianmen might be a bit tiring. You can take the cable car down the mountain. Prices on the mountain are very reasonable; it's not expensive at all. 4 bottles of water cost 10 yuan. I even brought three bottles of water with me, but it was a waste of money.

The antique style is quite nice. I like it.

Convenient, just scan the code to enter. It's a combined A and B hall, with a single-line design so you don't backtrack… Just follow the signs. At the end of the two halls, there's a free beer area; you can get two. The second one was replaced with hot beer tea, which was also quite nice… At the exit, there's a souvenir shop. The beer mugs were in secure packaging to prevent them from tipping over, so I searched online for the same model from the official flagship store. The mug arrived home before I even got there!

There are flower fields at Rainbow Bridge in June and July; they're very beautiful, but be sure to wear sunscreen. The lotus flowers at Mirror Lake are also beautiful. It's a great place for a family stroll. The scenic area's mini-train route has serious issues, causing you to miss most of the flower fields. To see the flowers, get off at the Children's Park station, then walk to the next intersection and turn left; that's the flower field at Rainbow Bridge (the mini-train will turn right at the intersection). Alternatively, go to Mirror Lake station to see the lotus flowers. Don't go to the flower field on the left-hand side at Mirror Lake station; there are no flowers there this season. Go to the lake on the right-hand side; walk around the viewing platform to reach Mirror Lake.

Niushou Mountain is also beautiful in autumn. For tourists with limited time, it's recommended to take the shuttle bus, as the uphill walk will be close to 10,000 steps. The Buddha Palace is exquisite and suitable for leisurely exploration and worship. Unfortunately, the shuttle bus stops too few times, and on the way down, we passed a large field of pink muhly grass, but unfortunately, we couldn't stop to admire it. Those with ample time and good stamina are advised to slowly explore the descent, as the scenery along the way is also quite beautiful.

A trip to Yangzhou's Slender West Lake is a must! 🍃 Stepping into the garden is like entering a flowing ink painting. The lake water is clear and winding, willows sway gently, the iconic Five Pavilion Bridge floats on the emerald waves, and the White Pagoda stands quietly. Every scenic spot reveals the ingenuity of the ancients. You can stroll slowly along the long causeway or take a boat trip on the lake. The breeze blowing across the lake carries the fragrance of grass and trees. The park is large, and a leisurely stroll is very therapeutic. There are places to rest, as well as a children's playground. It's suitable for taking photos or simply enjoying the scenery. The gentle elegance of Jiangnan is fully experienced here. ✨ A small suggestion: After entering the park, take a boat trip first, then visit the main attractions. It's best to enter and exit in one go to avoid backtracking. Otherwise, the large park will take a long time to explore.

It’s worth a day trip to visit laoshan. We had lots of fun and enjoyed the beautiful scenery there.

Baotu Spring is definitely worth a visit. The park is beautiful, and aside from being very crowded, it has no other drawbacks. The three springs are quite large, though the spray isn't very high. Each pool is different, and it's quite interesting to observe closely. Some pools constantly emit small bubbles, and many pools are teeming with koi. However, due to the large number of people feeding them, the fish have become very picky eaters.