Truly amazed, Zhejiang West actually hides a "Little Chengdu"
When talking about Chengdu, many people's first impression is "super comfortable," full of a slow pace of life. Compared to other cities, Chengdu is neither competitive nor lazy, but romantic, emotional, and respectful of the arts. Its rich natural resources, long history and culture, and pleasant climate earn it continuous praise!
When winter arrives, Chengdu instantly transforms into an "ice and snow kingdom." Places like Xiling Snow Mountain, Bipenggou, Liuliba Village, Wenchuan Panda Flat, Pengzhou Sun Bay Scenic Area, and Zhaogong Mountain are full of snow, with thick accumulations that satisfy most people's expectations of snow, bringing great joy.
What many don't know is that in Zhejiang West, there is actually a "Little Chengdu" that loves spicy food and also has a snowy world—very interesting. Uncle Shuai thinks those who like it should take a trip here; it will definitely amaze everyone.
This place is Longyou County in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, with a total area of 1,143.33 square kilometers—truly a "Little Chengdu"!
Historically, Longyou County was the capital of the ancient "Gumie" state during the Spring and Autumn period. In the 25th year of Qin King Ying Zheng (222 BC), it was established as Taimo County. In the 6th year of the Baozheng era of the Five Dynasties Wu Yue (931 AD), it was renamed Longyou. In September 1983, the Longyou County system was restored, making it one of the 13 earliest counties established in Zhejiang Province. Amazingly, Longyou County has produced 162 top scholars and imperial examination graduates throughout history, earning the reputation of "Confucian culture first in the region." It has been recognized as a national ecological demonstration zone, a national green ecological city, one of the top 100 counties in comprehensive tourism strength, a provincial model civilized county, a provincial all-region tourism demonstration county, and a provincial garden city.
Today, Longyou County combines the bustling crossroads of four provinces with the leisurely slow time of an ancient county. The love for spicy food is ingrained in its soul, and it also boasts a snowy world. Strolling through Longyou’s streets, the bluestone paths wind through Ming and Qing dynasty old houses. There is no noisy trendy spot here, only the crackling of firewood stoves and the casual chatter of old streets. The people of Longyou live their days as the most charming scenery, and its fame is gradually growing.
For first-time visitors, you can follow Uncle Shuai’s "Three-Day Longyou Tour" experience [free admission until March 31, 2026], which is especially pleasant and leisurely:
Day 1: Liuchun Lake — Xikou Old Street
Day 2: Longyou Residential Courtyard — Railway Ruins Park — Dananmen Historical and Cultural District
Day 3: Longtian Redwood Town — Longyou Grottoes
Among these, Liuchun Lake is the "ice and snow world" of the south. Despite its name, it is not a lake but Longyou’s highest peak, with an elevation of 1,390.5 meters and covering 7 square kilometers. The mountain is majestic and spectacular, surrounded by overlapping peaks. In winter, Liuchun Lake flows along the ridge like a fairyland, with frost-covered grass and trees turning it into an ice and snow kingdom. The ridge trail at the summit winds forward, and walking on it feels like stepping on clouds—no filter needed for great photos. Note: prioritize taking the cable car up and down for comfort and convenience.
Xikou Old Street is a foodie paradise, once one of the origins of the "Longyou Merchant Guild" during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It features the historical layout of "one street, eight alleys, six wharfs" and bamboo culture. It is now a tourist destination combining traditional cuisine and intangible cultural heritage experiences. Here you can find delicacies like Huang Sister’s steamed rice cake (fermented rice traditional steaming), ancestral tofu balls (stone-milled tofu), and Laode fruit crisp cake (bamboo shoot filling), as well as special events like Spring Festival Song wedding reenactments, Xu Yanwang temple fairs (dragon dance), and bamboo drum dance performances!
Longyou Residential Courtyard is a scenic area protecting Ming and Qing ancient buildings relocated from other places. Simply put, these are ancient buildings moved here starting in 1991 from scattered rural areas in Longyou lacking local protection conditions, forming a dedicated protection and display zone. It covers buildings from the late Yuan to the Republic of China period, including residences, ancestral halls, and opera stages, with great architectural and cultural research value. It is the largest ancient residential protection demonstration area in East China and is called the "Open-Air Museum of Jiangnan Ancient Architecture." Couples planning to marry should note that Chinese wedding photos can be taken here.
Railway Ruins Park is a park full of historical flavor, combining old railway elements with modern design. Walking by the river and taking photos of old houses is very pleasant. Watching the sunset by the river with a cup of milk tea in the evening is simply beautiful, allowing you to relax and enjoy leisure time.
Dananmen Historical and Cultural District is an ancient riverside area surrounded by roads on all sides, forming a perfect picture. The center is the county government cultural area, surrounded by Confucian ponds, West Lake gardens, and folk market districts, with nine distinct zones. Private museums and celebrity exhibition halls enhance cultural depth, allowing history and the present to interact. It’s great for photos with many check-in spots and a strong overall atmosphere—definitely worth a visit. A warm reminder: there are many delicious foods too!
Longtian Redwood Town, as the name suggests, is a place of redwood-carved antique-style buildings. In the Redwood Museum, various rare redwoods are quietly displayed, telling stories of historical accumulation. When night falls, the lights gradually turn on. After dinner, strolling the town streets and feeling the dazzling lights along the way is like traveling through a thousand years, refreshing the mind. Wearing Hanfu or Kimono for photos looks especially beautiful; the street layout is like a maze, and light-colored clothes photograph well.
Longyou Grottoes are a real underground palace hidden at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, with a mysterious atmosphere. Inside, you can find an underground architectural complex of 24 chambers still full of countless mysteries. The 30-meter-high cave ceiling is equivalent to a ten-story building, with rock pillars firmly supporting it and evenly detailed chisel marks, showcasing the ancient people's mechanical wisdom. It’s very suitable for history lovers and adventurers. The carvings and stories inside are particularly captivating and worth careful viewing.
After three days, Uncle Shuai believes many will feel Longyou County’s profound cultural heritage, leisurely lifestyle, and delicious food [such as San Tou Yi Zhang, Beixiang Tangyuan, Longyou steamed rice cake, scallion buns, and more]. Compared to life in Chengdu, it is very similar. Moreover, during the visit, it was discovered that chili peppers first landed in China in Zhejiang. During the Qing Dynasty, Longyou’s small chili peppers even became "royal tributes," making the timeline of spicy food culture very early indeed!
If you have more time, you can also visit "Muchen She Ethnic Township," where the She people make up 16% of the population, maintaining unique customs and ethnic charm [She wedding customs]. Highlights include She silver art, dyeing and weaving, and the "Three Bowls of Tea" food culture. You can also witness intangible cultural heritage such as "Longyou handmade paper making," "Longyou steamed rice cake making," "Hard-headed Lion," "Longyou lotus seed wine brewing," "Longyou small chili pepper making," "Longyou traditional qipao making," "Longyou inkpad making," "Longyou Guanyin vegetarian sesame cake making," "crispy cake making," "Longyou paper cutting," and "Longyou wood carving," with the highest level being national-level listings!
In short, Longyou County in Quzhou, Zhejiang, is a "Little Chengdu" with a rhythm many people love!
Transportation
Self-driving: Navigate to "Liuchun Lake Cableway - Southeast Ground Parking Lot" as the starting point for tourism in Longyou County.
Public transport: Take the train to "Longyou Station" [city center] or "Longyou North Station" [new high-speed rail station]. Buses can reach all attractions, cheap and convenient!
Longyou County Travel Tips:
Located in Longyou County, Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province. Regarding tickets, Liuchun Lake (cable car tickets can be purchased in groups first), Longyou Residential Courtyard, and Longyou Grottoes [free admission until March 31, 2026, advance reservation required (except during Spring Festival holidays)]. Self-driving is recommended.
So, how about it? Are you interested in a three-day tour of Longyou County? Feel free to leave comments and discuss!