3-Day Trip from Ningbo to Xuancheng, Anhui

Departing from Ningbo, an extreme 3-day trip to Xuancheng, Anhui. Xuancheng is truly a city perfect for photography, with beautiful natural scenery and rich historical heritage. We drove from Ningbo, which was a bit tiring but worth it. You can also take the high-speed train (2 hours), and then rent a car locally since the attractions are a bit far apart, making driving more convenient. Day 1: Departed at 6:30 AM and arrived at the Xuanzhi Museum at 10:30 AM. This place is perfect for taking photos, with picturesque spots in every corner. We spent about two and a half hours there and had lunch at a farmhouse restaurant near the entrance. In the afternoon, we drove to Chaji Ancient Town, a typical Huizhou-style ancient town, and explored until evening. Then we drove to Taohuatan to check in, having dinner at the guesthouse (we chose Jinshuiloutai Guesthouse, the closest to Taohuatan). It’s recommended to stay inside the scenic area; if you enter Taohuatan before 7 AM, you can see the morning mist, which is stunning, and no ticket is required before 7 AM. Day 2: After exploring Taohuatan Town in the morning, we drove to the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Line around 10 AM, entering from the west gate. First stop was the Kongkongli Cliffside Art Space, where we took some beautiful photos. The 20 yuan ticket can be used as a credit for purchases. We had lunch there, with options like pasta, fried rice, and pastries. Sitting by the window is very photogenic and a great way to relax. At 2 PM, we headed to Liudaowan, which tests driving skills a bit as the road is narrow and requires careful passing. We drove and took photos along the way on this single road. In the evening, we arrived at the Dawn Redwood Forest and checked into a guesthouse (we chose the Green Inn on the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Line, where the food was quite good). Dinner was also at the guesthouse. Day 3: Early morning, we asked the guesthouse owner to arrange a wild bamboo raft ride, costing 50 yuan per person. You must arrive before 7:30 AM; after 8 AM when the scenic area opens, you can only take the official boats. Afterward, we returned to the guesthouse to rest. After packing, we went to the viewing platform for a panoramic view of the redwood forest and also visited a popular coffee shop for scenic photos. Lunch was at a farmhouse restaurant in the scenic area; we chose Ai Wan Huizhou Cuisine Restaurant, which has a private parking lot and good food. We departed at 1:40 PM to return to Ningbo. There are more attractions on the way back if you’re not in a hurry and want to explore more. Actually, three days is too short; about five days would be ideal.