A hidden gem in Jiangnan, raved about by National Geographic! This trip to Songyang was totally worth it!
Who knows! This is definitely the most successful Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) follow-up! Lishui's Songyang hides 78 pristine ancient villages, with earthen houses and tiled roofs scattered among the green mountains shrouded in mist. The aroma of cooking smoke carries the scent of bygone eras. Stepping into a village is like stepping into the world of "The Peach Blossom Spring." Oh, and it's also the hometown of An Lingrong from "Empresses in the Palace"—a must-visit for drama fans!
👣 Songyang 2-Day 1-Night Lazy Person's Guide (Just Copy This)
Songyang County → Yangjiatang Village → Songyang Old Street → Chenjiapu Village
🚗 Transportation Guide
I sincerely recommend driving! The villages are scattered, and the mountain roads are winding. Taxis are not only hard to find but also expensive. Driving allows you to stop whenever you want and enjoy the scenery more freely.
✅ Must-Visit Spots Guide
1. Yangjiatang Village: Home to the super-popular "Couple Trees" ancient camphor trees on Xiaohongshu (a Chinese social media platform), the village's ancestral halls and old houses exude a sense of history. Mornings shrouded in mist create a fairytale-like atmosphere for photos; the warm yellow light of sunset adds to the picturesque scenes.
After a long day of exploring, head to Laoshu Kitchen for farm-style cuisine, or visit Nanshe Coffee or Wangshu Coffee to enjoy a coffee by the window with mountain views – a truly relaxing experience.
2. Songyang Old Street: A perfect spot for an evening stroll! The entire street preserves numerous Ming and Qing dynasty buildings. While not long, it's brimming with local life, free from excessive commercialization and noise, offering a genuine glimpse into the lives of the locals. There's also a unique barbershop street with a distinctly retro vibe.
🌟Specialty Shops: Blacksmith shops, herbal medicine shops, cotton ball music stalls, and intangible cultural heritage tea shops – a visit feels like stepping into a museum of bygone eras.
🍲Must-Try Foods: Dragon Boat Festival Tea, Yellow Rice Cake, Lantern Plate, Mochi, Scholar's Cake, Fermented Rice Intestine Noodles, and the signature Salt-Braised Chicken—it's so fragrant it'll get to your bone! You'll regret it if you don't try it!
3. Chenjiapu Village: Built on a mountain at an altitude of 850 meters, it's a true "cliff village"! The ancient houses are distributed in a terraced pattern along the mountainside, surrounded by mountains on three sides and overlooking a canyon on the other. Capture the terraced effect for stunning photos.
Feiniaoji Cafe and Pioneer Bookstore are perfect for taking photos, while Shanguoluo Restaurant and Yaju Yuanmozhi Restaurant offer authentic farm-style dishes—perfect for a relaxing break after a long day of exploring.
✅ Super Practical Travel Tips
1. Mountain weather is unpredictable, so be sure to bring a light jacket and rain gear. The temperature difference between day and night is significant.
2. The paths in the ancient village are mostly paved with stone slabs, so comfortable flat shoes are recommended; avoid high heels.
3. To photograph the clouds and mist in Yangjiatang Village, it's recommended to get up early, and ideally check the weather forecast the day before. A clear morning makes it easier to encounter a sea of clouds.
4. The snacks on Songyang Old Street are quite large in portion size, so it's advisable to share with your companions to avoid waste and try more varieties.
