Jigongshan Scenic Area

In the early morning, as the first ray of sunlight pierces through the mist, our group embarks on the journey to Jigong Mountain. Known as 'one of the four major summer retreats in China,' Jigong Mountain is famous far and wide for its high vegetation coverage and cool climate. Even before reaching the summit, the air brushing against our faces through the car window already feels refreshingly different from the city's, like nature's air conditioning, instantly making us forget the heat and hustle of urban life. Upon arriving at the foot of the mountain, we chose a hiking trail winding through the dense forest. Along the way, ancient trees towered overhead, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds, each step like taking a deep breath in a forest oxygen bar. The temperature in the mountains was noticeably seven to eight degrees lower than in the city, and the gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness, invigorating our spirits. Unfortunately, we were unable to book a stay at Jianye Xingshe—the accommodation point with an extremely advantageous location. It is said that there, one can observe the starry sky at night and the sea of clouds in the morning, experiencing the most intimate contact with nature. However, this did not diminish our enthusiasm for exploring Jigong Mountain. In the afternoon, we visited the Meiling Dance Hall, a building filled with a sense of the era that seems like a portal through time. Stepping in, we were transported from the modern world back to that era of dramatic changes. Every brick and tile in the dance hall exudes a historical atmosphere, prompting one to imagine the prosperity and elegance of the past. After descending the mountain, Nan Street became our unexpected surprise. Not only does it retain the quaint charm of old streets, but it also incorporates some modern elements, making one feel as if they are in the midst of a Huayi Brothers movie town. Along the street, a variety of farmhouse restaurants emit tempting aromas. Walking into any one of them, one can taste the authentic flavors of Xinyang, a simplicity and deliciousness that lingers in memory. As the sun sets, filled with memories and reluctance, we conclude our day's journey to Jigong Mountain. The city of Xinyang, with its unique charm, has left a deep impression on us. Next time, we will be sure to book Jianye Xingshe in advance, delve deeper into this summer retreat paradise, and continue to explore its beauty and mystery. Xinyang, until next time!

Henan Xinyang Jigong Mountain Jigong Mountain is one of the famous four summer resorts, with an entrance fee of 60💰. Online booking is available, and there are shuttle buses within the scenic area, costing 20💰 for a single trip. The blogger hiked both up and down the mountain, taking different routes. The hiking trails are definitely worth seeing for their scenic value. PS: Take advice, Borden Forest Park is highly discouraged, with an entrance fee of 45💰, the facilities are incomplete, and there are particularly many mosquitoes. The scenery is not as good as the hiking trails of Jigong Mountain. If you want to visit Borden Forest Park, it's better to hike up and down Jigong Mountain for better views. 🏨: For both self-driving and non-self-driving visitors, it is recommended to stay near Tianrun Plaza (south exit of Xinyang Station), where there is a rich variety of food, drink, and entertainment around Tianrun Plaza and Shengli Road pedestrian street. The next day, non-self-driving visitors can take the L1🚌 bus to Jigong Mountain early in the morning, covering a distance of 35km in about 1h, which is more accurate than the 2+ hours shown on Gaode Maps, probably because there are few stops where people get on and off, saving a lot of time. 📍Jigong Mountain⛰️: It is recommended for those with good physical strength to hike, which takes about 1.5h. There are two routes up the mountain, and it is recommended to take the Changsheng Valley route for the ascent, which offers much more beautiful scenery than Borden Forest Park, with babbling streams and shady green trees. The blogger ascended via the ancient mountain trail, passing by the colorful waiting hall of the Pinghan small train hot spring station, and went through Zhongtianmen, Bazi Timing, and Longzikou. The scenery is average with not many highlights, so it is recommended to take the Changsheng Valley route for a one-way trip up the mountain. 📍Both hiking routes converge at Longzikou, and the recommended sightseeing route is to ascend to Nanjie➡️Yuehu➡️Sister Towers➡️Baoxiao Peak➡️Museum➡️Meiling Dance Hall➡️Denmark Building➡️International Architecture Complex➡️Beijie (here you can take a bus down the mountain, or if you have enough energy, you can hike down another route). Tips: 1️⃣ Start early in the morning, and prepare water and dry food near Tianrun Plaza before hiking up the mountain. There are places selling water and instant noodles along the way, and the cheapest water sold by an old man near Longzikou is 2💰 per bottle. 2️⃣ Wear long-sleeved sun protection mountain gear, as there is a temperature difference on the mountain and there are mosquitoes, and it also prevents plant scratches. 3️⃣: The last L1 bus🚌 back to the city leaves at 18:30. Jigong Mountain is not very big, and it's humid in the mountains, so it's not recommended to stay overnight. It's completely possible to finish the tour in one day. 4️⃣ If you hike up the mountain, it's not recommended to visit Borden Forest Park, as the scenery is even less interesting than the hiking trails. The Pinghan small train is basically not feasible to catch, with only two trips a day, and it's even shorter during the off-season, so it's not worth waiting for.

In the southern gateway of Henan, there is a city known far and wide for its tea, where countless tender stories are hidden among the mountains and rivers—Xinyang, a place where the soul can find refuge. Here, every breath is a deep confession to nature, and every step taken echoes with history. 🏞️【Attractions】🏞️ 1. Jigong Mountain: Known as the 'Green Divide between Chu and Yu', Jigong Mountain is a paradise for summer retreats. Strolling among the century-old villas is like traveling back to the leisurely years of the Republic of China, with a distant view from the mountain peak, the sea of clouds churning, a sight too beautiful to absorb. 2. Nanwan Lake: The vast and clear Nanwan Lake, known as the 'Pearl of Southern Henan'. Taking a flat boat through more than 100 islands, tasting the lake's fresh fish, and admiring the seamless blend of water and sky, one's soul can completely relax. 3. Shihetang Town Tea Mountain: This is the main production area of Xinyang Maojian tea. Coming here in spring to participate in tea picking and tea making experiences, personally brewing a cup of fresh tea, you can feel the journey of freshness from fingertips to taste buds. 🍽️【Cuisine】🍽️ • Xinyang Hot Dry Noodles: Different from Wuhan's hot dry noodles, Xinyang's version pays more attention to the richness of the soup base and the chewiness of the noodles, paired with a special sesame sauce, each bite is satisfying. • Nanwan Fish Head Soup: Made from wild large fish heads from Nanwan Lake, the soup is milky in color, fresh but not greasy, a delicacy not to be missed in Xinyang. • Chestnut Braised Chicken: Using local free-range chicken and wild chestnuts, the meat is tender and the chestnuts are sweet, warming both the stomach and the heart. 🚗【Transportation Tips】🚗 • Getting to Xinyang: Xinyang East Station is the choice for direct high-speed trains, with direct trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other places; Xinyang Minggang Airport connects to many major cities in China, providing convenience for travelers from afar. • City Transportation: Xinyang has a well-developed urban bus network, and taking a taxi or using a shared bicycle is also a good choice for exploring the city. If you plan to visit the surrounding scenic areas, renting a car for a self-driving tour is more free and flexible. 📅【Itinerary Suggestions】📅 DAY 1: Arrive in Xinyang, head to Shihetang Town in the afternoon to experience tea culture, and taste authentic Xinyang cuisine at night. DAY 2: Spend the whole day exploring Jigong Mountain, enjoy the natural scenery, and return to the city to rest at night. DAY 3: A day trip to Nanwan Lake, including a boat tour of the lake, island trekking, and a Nanwan fish feast for lunch. DAY 4: Depending on personal interests, you can choose to visit the Xinyang Museum to learn about local history and culture, or enjoy free shopping in the city, and return in the afternoon. 🌈Every moment in Xinyang is a profound conversation with nature and history. This is not just a trip, but a purification of the soul. Take this guide with you on your journey to Xinyang, and let your soul find its home amidst the fragrance of tea and the beauty of the landscape.

In Xinyang, this is probably the true meaning of a live picture, right📷! The green jungle, the clear reflection, the flowing water🌊🫧, the paddling boats🛶⛵️, and the gentle spring breeze🍃🌬️, all are the beautiful moments captured in a live picture. Only when you step into a place like the Wizard of Oz do you truly understand what can be the cure for a weary life. A picnic mat, a chair, or even a tent🏕️, you can start the mode of camping and picnicking🧺 anywhere, and time should be lavishly spent in such a beautiful place. 📍Location: Lijiazhuang Chaotian River, Shihe District, Xinyang, Henan, at the foot of Jigong Mountain, the road is good. Food recommendation: The nearby Mongkok Restaurant's pot rice is legendary

Travel Tips 1. Equivalent to Suzhou and Shanghai, Xinyang is a less popular city, and the distance between scenic spots is relatively far, suitable for self-driving tours. 2. Bring your student ID and ID card, half price for scenic spots with a student ID. Take good care of your mobile phone. 3. Bring a selfie stick, power bank, and charger. 4. Be prepared for sun protection, as both Jigong Mountain and Nanwan Lake are outdoors. 5. Jigong Mountain and Xijiu Hua Mountain are not very high, suitable for hiking. 6. Nanwan Lake is very large, with beautiful scenery and various animals inside. 7. Xinyang Maojian tea is very famous, you can go to Wenxin Tea Garden to experience tea picking. Although Xinyang belongs to Henan, it is located in the southernmost part. Its eastern neighbor is Anhui, and its southern neighbor is Hubei. The western and southern parts of Xinyang are Tongbai Mountain and Dabie Mountain, respectively, which are the watershed of the Jianghuai Basin. Whether from the perspective of natural scenery or cultural customs, the tourism resources are quite rich. Henan Xinyang's tea gardens are also a major attraction. During the tea picking season each year, the clouds and mist are hazy, and walking among them, your nostrils are filled with the natural fragrance of tea. Now, traveling in this season, walking in the city's parks and streets, you are constantly surrounded by the fragrance of osmanthus, providing a wonderful experience from visual, olfactory, and gustatory aspects. Tea is probably the most well-known calling card of Xinyang. During the Tang and Song dynasties, Xinyang tea was absolutely top-tier in Huainan Road, and Su Dongpo specifically affirmed 'Huainan tea, Xinyang is the best.'

Xuchang to Xinyang! A low-cost, high-appeal guide to taking your kids out for the weekend: Little Jiangnan in the north, let's go to Xinyang The first stop is Wenxin Tea Village, a free attraction, with rolling tea hills all being Maojian tea. Standing among the tea fields is like standing in an ink wash landscape painting. You can pick tea and take photos along the footpath, which is especially picturesque. It takes less than an hour to reach the top, and you can also have afternoon tea on the mountaintop. Lunch at Haotang Village to taste the local farmhouse delicacies, a pot of stewed chicken is super satisfying for the taste buds. After the meal, take a leisurely stroll around the village, enjoying the peaceful and comfortable atmosphere~ The second day, head to Borden Forest Park, where the legendary bald cypress forest is located. The Jigong Mountain mini train is also here, you can take an electric cart to Ming Lake and walk back, white clothes are the best for taking photos. For lunch, you can find a farmhouse by Nanwan Lake for a 'one fish, two dishes' experience. In the afternoon, you can go to a less crowded part of the lake to watch the sunset~