A three-day, two-night family trip to Nanyang: Packing spring into our bags
My suitcase was packed with her favorite picture books and a little yellow duck water bottle, and her profile, as she leaned against the car window counting clouds, was reflected in the rearview mirror. After driving 300 kilometers, we headed towards Nanyang—an ancient city surrounded by the Baihe River—with our three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, filling our hearts with spring breezes, seas of flowers, and a bowl of piping hot stewed noodles.
🚗 Travel Diary: Three Days, Two Nights, Every Frame a Story
Day 1: First Encounter in the Ancient City, Playful Fun by the River
Upon arriving at the Nanyang Prefectural Government Office in the morning, my daughter became fascinated by the stone lions in front of the vermilion gate. I knelt down and told her, "In ancient times, high-ranking officials worked here, and bad guys got spanked," and she immediately covered her little bottom and giggled. Outfit Sharing: The temperature difference in Nanyang in spring is significant, so I dressed my daughter in a pure cotton sweatshirt with a detachable fleece inner layer. It was very convenient to take off the layer if she got hot. There were many thresholds at the Prefectural Government Office, so we held hands the entire time.
When the Lao Nanyang braised noodles were served at noon, my daughter exclaimed, "The bowl is bigger than my face!" I used baby food scissors to cut the noodles shorter, reminding her safety: when eating soup noodles with children, always let them cool for three minutes first, and place the bowl out of their reach.
The highlight of the afternoon was Baihe Wetland Park. The willow branches were just sprouting new buds, and my daughter squatted by the river, collecting a bagful of small pebbles, saying she wanted to take them home to give to her friends at kindergarten. I accompanied her on her balance bike along the path, the wind carrying her laughter far away. An unexpected incident occurred: she ran too fast and fell. Luckily, I had iodine swabs with me; after treating the wound and putting on a band-aid, she cried a couple of times and then went off to chase butterflies.
In the evening, at the Xinhua Road night market, we carried candied hawthorns and grilled gluten through the crowds. It was her first time trying stinky tofu; she wrinkled her little nose and said, "It smells bad, but it tastes good," making the stall owner laugh heartily.
Day 2: Learning Herbs, Understanding the Past and Present, A Wonderful Museum Trip
In the morning, at the Temple of the Medical Sage, I did my homework beforehand—printing out pictures of several herbs for my daughter to "treasure hunt" in the garden. She jumped up excitedly when she found the mint, squatting down to smell it repeatedly. Learning method: I called Zhang Zhongjing "the grandfather who treated patients," and she remembered it immediately, even imitating the pulse-taking motion.
At noon, at the Zhang Zhongjing Medicinal Cuisine Restaurant, the angelica and mutton soup was light and not gamey; my daughter drank two small bowls. She ate the poria buns like steamed buns, making a mess with her hands.
In the afternoon, at the Nanyang Museum, young children have limited attention spans, so I only took her to see two things: dinosaur egg fossils and a Han Dynasty pottery dog. She made up little stories while looking at them, and voluntarily left after fifteen minutes. Time management technique: Limit family visits to 1.5 hours; if she gets tired, carry her out; don't force her to "finish everything."
In the evening, we checked into the Nanyang Hotel, having arranged for a crib and a quiet room beforehand. My daughter rolled around in bed after her bath, saying, "This house is so comfortable," and fell asleep within three minutes.
Day 3: Hiking to Enjoy Spring, Saying Goodbye to the Sea of Flowers
In the morning, we went to Dushan Forest Park. My daughter climbed half a mountain independently for the first time. We walked and stopped, collecting pine cones and watching ants move their nests. Safety tip: The mountain path is rocky, so I made sure my daughter wore non-slip hiking shoes. We kept her water bottle and snacks handy, not rushing.
At noon, the farmhouse restaurant at the foot of the mountain served a stewed chicken cooked over a wood fire until tender. We also had blanched wild vegetables with dipping sauce, and she curiously tried a bite of each one.
In the afternoon, the rose garden was in full bloom. We spread out a picnic blanket; she blew bubbles, and I lay down and looked at the sky. Our last stop—neither of us rushed the other, letting spring slowly come to an end.
📋 Practical 3-Day Itinerary for Traveling with Kids in Nanyang
Itinerary
· Day 1: Nanyang Prefectural Government Office → Old Nanyang Stewed Noodles → Baihe Wetland Park → Xinhua Road Night Market
· Day 2: Temple of the Medical Sage → Zhang Zhongjing Medicinal Cuisine → Nanyang Museum → Nanyang Hotel
· Day 3: Dushan Forest Park → Farmhouse → Rose Garden → Return Trip
Accommodation Recommendation: Nanyang Hotel is centrally located and offers reliable service. A crib can be added upon request. For those seeking family-friendly facilities, Jianye Forest Peninsula Holiday Hotel is a good choice, featuring a children's playground.
Essential Items
· Removable inner jacket, non-slip hiking shoes
· Portable first-aid kit (iodine swabs, fever-reducing patches, montmorillonite powder)
· Folding potty, disposable placemats
· Snack containers (fruit puree, biscuits, fruit)
Tickets & Reservations: Reservations for Nanyang Prefectural Government Office, Temple of the Medical Sage, and Museum can be made through their official WeChat accounts. Children under 1.2 meters tall are admitted free. It is recommended to book one day in advance for weekends to avoid the 10 AM peak hours.
Study Tour Tips
· Government Office: Play "Find the Stone Lions" to encourage children to observe details.
· Temple of the Medicine Sage: Herb treasure hunt; reward stickers for identifying three plants.
· Museum: Focus on "Three Treasures" to help children remember.
In Nanyang's spring, the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers, and the warmth of a bowl of food fills the air. Children run under the sunshine of the ancient city, every step a step of growth. Traveling with children doesn't have to be perfect; those little surprises and unexpected moments will eventually become the softest light in our memories.
What's the farthest place you've taken your children? Share in the comments! 🌸