Xishan Island is located on the bank of Taihu Lake in Suzhou. This autumn, besides admiring the red leaves, you can also experience the most beautiful scenery of this autumn here. So how should you plan your one-day tour route of Xishan Island? Let’s take a look at what’s fun to do.
Recommended One-Day Tour Route of Xishan Island
Route: Taihu Bridge—Dongcun Ancient Village—Linwu Cave—Shigong Mountain—Mingyuewan Ancient Village
Transportation: It is recommended to drive yourself and navigate to each scenic spot.
Recommended Scenic Spots:
1. Taihu Bridge
It is the only way to Xishan Island. The Taihu Bridge is 4,308 meters long with 181 bridge holes. It is divided into three sections, each with its own unique features: Section 1 is the longest, Section 2 is the highest (the most central bridge hole, even the largest seven-masted fishing boat on Taihu Lake can sail through), and Section 3 is the most exquisite, built close to the water.
The white Taihu Bridge is like a jade belt connecting green mountains, a long dragon lying on the waves, and a flying silver chain winding between the islands. The bridge and the scenery of Taihu Lake are perfectly integrated, magnificent in scale. If you are lucky, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the sunrise and sunset on Taihu Lake.
The ancient village in the morning is the most lively. After admiring the sunrise on the Taihu Bridge, continue driving to Dongcun Ancient Village and see the Jiangnan style of the old days.
2. Dongcun Ancient Village
Dongcun Ancient Village is one of the first batch of traditional villages in Jiangsu Province. It is said that Dongyuan Gong, one of the “Four High Officials of Shangshan” in the late Qin Dynasty and early Han Dynasty, once lived in seclusion here, hence the name Dongyuan Village, which is shortened to Dongcun.
The landmark building in Dongcun Ancient Village is the Xu Family Ancestral Hall. The Xu Family Ancestral Hall was built by Xu Lianxi, a Confucian businessman in Dongcun Ancient Village. The whole building is solemn and majestic, and it is a well-preserved Qing Dynasty ancient building. The brick carvings in the Xu Family Ancestral Hall are made with exquisite materials, meticulous craftsmanship, lifelike figures, ancient charm, and superb skills.
Cobblestone paths, paved with bluestones, run through the entire Dongcun Ancient Village. On both sides of the paths are simple houses of the ancient village. Walking through the old streets and alleys is like slowly walking through a tunnel of time. The flowers and fruits on the branches, the lazy animals, the simple villagers, the familiar dialect, a peaceful pastoral picture unfolds slowly.
Address: Dongcun Ancient Village, beside Piaomiao Peak Road, Jinting Town, Wuzhong District
Ticket price: Free for the ancient village, 10 yuan for the Xu Family Ancestral Hall (Jingshoutang is privately owned and is not open to the public for the time being)
Telephone: 0512-66275598
3. Linwu Cave
Address: No. 158, Linwu Road, Jinting Town, Wuzhong District
Ticket price: 50 yuan
Telephone: 0512-66271547
4. Shigong Mountain
Address: Shigong Road, Jinting Town, Wuzhong District
Ticket price: 50 yuan
Telephone: 0512-66271164
5. Mingyuewan Ancient Village
Address: Mingyuewan Ancient Village, Jinting Town, Wuzhong District
Ticket price: 40 yuan
Telephone: 0512-66370098
Food Recommendations:
Breakfast:
After visiting Dongcun Ancient Village, it is recommended that you go to Xishan Town and find a noodle shop to eat a bowl of seasonal mutton noodles. Then continue to the next scenic spot.
Linwu Cave is known as the “Ninth Heavenly Cave in the World.” Historical records state that Dayu, who controlled the flood, once came to Linwu Cave and hid the Heavenly Book (Susu) in a stone house in the cave. Linwu Cave is a limestone underground hall-type karst cave. The cave is as wide as a mansion, with standing stones forming forests, the top is as flat as a house, hence the name “Linwu.” It is also known as “Longdong” because the cave body resembles a dragon.
Linwu Cave is at a constant temperature throughout the year, so you will feel cool in summer and warm in winter when you enter the cave. There are caves within caves, sometimes narrow, sometimes narrow, sometimes wide, both secluded and deep, both curved and twisted, mysterious and unpredictable, and elusive.
Climbing out of the cave and looking out at the scenery of Taihu Lake, fishing boats are sparsely scattered on the lake, birds are returning to their nests in the woods, smoke is rising from the mountains, and one of the ten ancient scenic spots of Xishan, “Linwu Late Smoke,” is located here.
Lunch:
There are many farmhouses and restaurants near Linwu Cave Scenic Area. After climbing the mountain, you can have a Western Mountain-style farmhouse meal to fill your stomach before moving on.
Shigong Mountain is about 6 kilometers from Linwu Cave. Follow the navigation along Shigong Road, and you will arrive at the scenic spot. The Shigong Mountain Scenic Area is surrounded by water on three sides and backed by a cluster of mountains. The whole mountain is covered with green cypresses, like a green snail lying on the water, like a piece of jade floating on the lake, the scenery is very beautiful.
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