Zhejiang has always been the white moonlight in my heart, the appearance of the Jiangnan water town in my dreams.
Whenever I think of the misty rain, small bridges, flowing water, and beautiful mountains and rivers there, my heart can’t help but want to fly to that land.
In recent years, I have almost traveled through the mountains, rivers, and water of Zhejiang, and found that the beauty here is not limited to just one aspect.
Today, let me take you into my heart’s eight most beautiful places in Zhejiang and experience the unique charm of Jiangnan.
- Hangzhou West Lake: A Millennium Dream, Drunken and Beautiful West Lake
How can I miss West Lake when I come to Zhejiang?
This lake is like the soul of Hangzhou, gently guarding this city.
Boating on the lake, the gentle breeze brushes against my face, and the distant Leifeng Pagoda and Broken Bridge slowly recede in front of me, as if crossing a thousand years and dreaming back to the Southern Song Dynasty.
West Lake is very large with numerous scenic spots, reportedly over 100, and the most classic one is undoubtedly the “Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake”.
The willows and flowers in the early spring of Sudi, the fragrance of the lotus flowers in Quyuan, the serene beauty of the autumn moon in Pinghu, and the silver wrapped snow on the broken bridge… Every season, West Lake presents its unique charm in different ways.
I particularly like West Lake in the morning and evening.
In the early morning, shrouded in thin mist, the lake shimmered with ripples, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance of lotus, making people feel relaxed and happy; In the evening, as the sun sets, the entire West Lake is dyed golden, so beautiful that it is suffocating.
Whether strolling along the Su Causeway, feeling the gentle touch of willow branches on your cheeks, or renting a small boat to paddle on the lake and experience the clear water up close, you can feel the unique charm of West Lake.
- Wenzhou Baizhanghuo: Flying straight down three thousand feet, suspected to be the Milky Way falling nine days into the sky
If you, like me, enjoy spectacular natural landscapes, then don’t miss out on the Baizhang Temple in Wenzhou.
Here is the waterfall with the largest drop in Zhejiang, reaching 207 meters high. The water flows down from the mountaintop with a majestic momentum, which can really be described as “flying straight down three thousand feet, suspected to be the Milky Way falling nine days”.
Standing at the foot of the waterfall, the mist hits your face, cool and incomparable. You can also feel the shocking impact of the waterfall on your soul, as if you are in a world of water, washing your soul.
In addition to waterfalls, the scenery around Baizhang Temple is also very beautiful.
Here, the mountains are stacked with towering ancient trees, the air is fresh, and the content of negative oxygen ions is high, making it a natural oxygen bar.
You can take a stroll in the mountains, feel the tranquility of nature, breathe fresh air, or challenge yourself by climbing to the top of the waterfall, overlooking the beautiful scenery of the entire scenic area, and experiencing the grandeur of “seeing all the mountains at once”.
- Guoqing Temple in Taizhou: a thousand year old ancient temple with a serene Zen atmosphere
Tiantai Mountain in Taizhou has been a Buddhist holy land since ancient times, and Guoqing Temple is the “heart” of Tiantai Mountain, a holy land in the hearts of countless Buddhists.
This ancient temple with a history of over 1400 years is known as the most beautiful and cleanest temple in China, and it is also a free 5A level scenic spot. It is really worth a visit.
Entering Guoqing Temple, you will be attracted by its quaint and elegant architectural style.
The temple is built along the mountain, with scattered buildings and towering ancient trees, creating a serene environment.
Here, you can experience the profoundness of Buddhist culture, as well as calm down and feel inner peace, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, allowing your soul to find a moment of tranquility.
- Huzhou Nanxun Ancient Town: Dreamy Water Town, a combination of Chinese and Western elements
There are many water towns and ancient towns in Jiangnan, but Nanxun is definitely the most special one among them.
Unlike other ancient towns with small bridges and flowing water houses, Nanxun also incorporates Western architectural styles, forming a unique “blend of Chinese and Western” style.
Strolling along the stone paved roads of the ancient town, looking at the antique buildings on both sides, it feels like crossing time and space, returning to that era full of stories, and feeling the weight of history.
The night view of Nanxun Ancient Town is also very charming.
At the beginning of the lights, the entire ancient town was illuminated like a dream, making people linger and forget to leave.
You can find a tea house by the water, enjoy a cup of fragrant tea, admire the night view of the ancient town, feel the unique charm of the Jiangnan water town, and feel the passage of time.
- Taizhou Shenxianju: Cloud and Mist Wonderland, Heaven on Earth
Shenxianju, just by its name, is full of fairy spirit, making people yearn for it.
Here, the peaks are stacked and the clouds are shrouded in mist, and the scenery is as beautiful as a fairyland, as if it were a place where immortals reside.
Especially after the rain, in the immortal’s residence, the sea of clouds churns, and peaks appear and disappear in the clouds and mist, like a fairyland, which is breathtaking and unforgettable.
The most famous attractions of Shenxianju are undoubtedly Ruyi Bridge and Nantianding.
The Ruyi Bridge spans between two mountain peaks, with a curved body and unique shape. Walking on the bridge, one feels as if they are in the air, thrilling and exciting, and can also overlook the beautiful scenery below.
And the South Peak is the highest peak of the Immortal Residence. Standing at the summit, you can overlook the entire scenic area, feel the heroic spirit of “reaching the summit and overlooking the small mountains”, and experience the amazing craftsmanship of nature.
Jianglang Mountain in Quzhou: Three Peculiar Stones, Majestic and Spectacular
Jianglang Mountain, renowned for its unique “Three Pieces of Stone”, is a world natural heritage site and a precious treasure bestowed upon humanity by nature.
These three giant stones rise from the ground, soaring straight into the clouds, with a majestic and awe inspiring aura that is truly breathtaking. One cannot help but marvel at the incredible craftsmanship of nature.
It is said that Jianglang Mountain was formed by the incarnation of three brothers surnamed Jiang in ancient times, hence its name, adding a touch of mystery to this mountain.
The steepness of Jianglang Mountain is second only to Huashan Mountain, and climbing to the top requires a certain amount of courage and physical strength.
However, when you stand on the mountaintop and overlook the surrounding mountains and sea of clouds, you will find that all the hard work is worth it. You will be amazed by the scenery in front of you and feel the magnificence of nature.
- Lishui Shisi Temple: Realistic version of Lanruo Temple, mysterious and unfathomable
Unlike other temples with strong incense, Shisi Temple in Lishui appears particularly peaceful, as if time has slowed down here.
This 884 year old temple has no Buddha statues or incense, but is known as the real-life version of Lanruo Temple, full of mysterious colors, attracting countless people to explore its secrets.
Shisi Temple is hidden in the deep mountains, surrounded by bamboo forests and a serene environment, as if isolated from the world.
The architectural style of the temple is quaint and elegant, full of the vicissitudes of history, as if telling its thousand year old story.
Walking in the temple, you will feel an inexplicable tranquility, as if time has stood still and your soul has been purified.
- Mount Putuo in Zhoushan: A Land of Sea and Sky Buddha, a Pure Land for the Soul
As one of the four famous mountains in Buddhism, Mount Putuo in Zhoushan has always been a sacred place in the hearts of believers and their spiritual home.
Located by the mountains and the sea, this place boasts beautiful scenery, including magnificent temple buildings and charming seaside views. It is a tourist destination that combines sightseeing, pilgrimage, and vacation, attracting visitors from all over the world.
The most famous attraction on Mount Putuo is undoubtedly Nanhai Guanyin.
This 33 meter tall statue of Guanyin faces the sea, with a kind and benevolent expression that evokes awe and reverence, as if guarding this sea area.
Every morning or evening, the golden sunshine shines on the statue of Guanyin, making it even more solemn and sacred, and arousing awe in people’s hearts.
The beauty of Zhejiang is really hard to describe in words, only by experiencing it firsthand can one truly appreciate its charm.
These eight places are just the tip of the iceberg among the many beautiful scenery in Zhejiang, and there are many more places waiting for you to discover.
If you also enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures and landscapes, then come to Zhejiang!
Believe me, the beautiful scenery of Zhejiang will surely make you linger and forget to leave!