Tired of whirlwind, "check-in" style travel? Why not stay in Songyang for a few days? It's a hidden gem tucked away in the mountains of southern Zhejiang, featuring pristine rammed-earth ancient villages, bustling old streets, and fresh tea plantations. No need to rush your itinerary; just calm your mind and enjoy the relaxing time in the mountains.
Called the "last secret place in Jiangnan" by National Geographic, over 70 pristine rammed-earth ancient villages are scattered among the mountains. With yellow mud walls, misty valleys, and thousands of acres of tea plantations, it retains the most vivid local life. It's not a heavily commercialized ancient town, but a living ancient village still inhabited by local residents.
✨My itinerary | Relaxed and unhurried
Day 1: Songyang Old Street > Yanqing Temple Pagoda > Huang Family Mansion
Arrive in Songyang and settle into the county town first. In the afternoon, stroll along the Songyang Ming and Qing Old Street. This 1.9 km long ancient street is lined with timber-framed buildings from the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. Blacksmith shops, herbal medicine shops, and old-fashioned tailor shops are still in business. The clanging sounds of blacksmithing are the unique street sounds of Songyang—no cookie-cutter influencer shops here, just authentic charm.
You must visit Baixian Noodle Restaurant. A bowl of fermented rice wine pork intestine noodles, with rich wine aroma and soft, chewy intestines, is a taste locals have grown up with. On the street, you can also find dengzhanpan (lamp-shaped cakes), huizhigao (ash juice cakes), and mochi. Try them as you walk.
On the way, visit the Yanqing Temple Pagoda, a thousand-year-old Northern Song Dynasty pagoda known as the "Leaning Tower of Pisa of the East." The pagoda is slightly tilted, quiet, and simple. Next door is the Huang Family Mansion, a hall of wood carvings. The intricate details in the Baishou Hall are stunning. It's free to visit and worth a slow look. Stay in the county town at night for convenient dining and shopping, and get a good rest for the mountain trip the next day.
Day 2: Yangjiatang Village | Chenjiapu Village, a day for the soul of ancient villages
This is the highlight of your Songyang trip; we recommend heading up the mountain early.
Yangjiatang Village is the famous "Golden Potala Palace." Layers of rammed-earth yellow houses are stacked along the hillside, and two 500-year-old "couple" camphor trees at the village entrance guard the entire settlement. The best time to visit is in the evening when the setting sun shines obliquely, coating the entire area of yellow mud walls in a warm golden hue—every photo looks like an oil painting. There aren't many tourists in the village. You might encounter an elderly person returning from herding cattle, sit on the stone steps to chat, and experience the simple daily life in the mountains. The village is free to visit, and 1.5 hours is enough for a leisurely stroll.
Then, drive to Chenjiapu Village, an ancient cliffside village at an altitude of 850 meters with a history of over 600 years. You must visit the Librairie Avant-Garde (Pingmin Bookstore). The floor-to-ceiling windows face the canyons and mountains; when you look up from your book, you can see clouds drifting over the mountain ridges—the artistic atmosphere is incredible. Walking on the undulating stone steps with clouds flowing through the mountains, you might be lucky enough to encounter a sea of clouds covering the mountains. There are many boutique homestays in the village converted from rammed-earth houses. If you want an in-depth experience, you can stay here directly. It's quiet at night, and you can see the starry sky when you look up.
Day 3: Damushan Tea Plantation > Shimenxu Covered Bridge on Songyin Creek, saying goodbye to the mountains
In the morning, go to Damushan Tea Plantation, a massive mountain cycling tea plantation in East China. Rolling tea fields are layered across the hillside. Rent a bicycle and ride along the greenway through the tea fields; the wind is full of the faint fragrance of tea. It's very photogenic, and you can also experience tea picking. It's perfect for relaxing and takes 1–2 hours to explore.
In the afternoon, head to Shimenxu Covered Bridge. The Songyin Creek flows slowly, and the wooden covered bridge lies quietly above the water. It's perfect for a walk and catching the breeze, a gentle way to say goodbye to Songyang.
🍲Must-try food in Songyang
✅ Salt-baked chicken | Songyang's signature intangible cultural heritage dish. Slow-baked in coarse salt without water, the skin is fragrant and the meat is tender, savory and flavorful. You must try it.
✅ Fermented rice wine pork intestine noodles | Baixian Noodle Restaurant, a popular local shop.
✅ Stir-fried yellow rice cake with cured meat, mountain bamboo shoot stew | Safe bets at mountain farmhouses.
✅ Snacks: Songyang thin pancakes, dengzhanpan (lamp-shaped cakes), and mochi, which can be found everywhere on the old street.
🏡How to choose accommodation (tips)
1. County hotels/inns: Best value for money. 150–260 yuan. Convenient for dining, and a half-hour drive to various ancient villages. Suitable for families and budget-friendly travel.
2. Chenjiapu/Yangjiatang mountain homestays: Converted from old rammed-earth houses. 350–800 yuan. Open your window to see the sea of clouds and terraced fields; the atmosphere is excellent. ⚠️ Rooms are in high demand during peak season. There are many curves in the mountain roads, and there are few amenities in the village at night. Suitable for those seeking seclusion and photography enthusiasts.
🚗Travel tips (important)
▪️ Ancient villages are scattered, so driving is preferred. Public transport is infrequent, and it's hard to hail a taxi in the mountains. Take the high-speed train to Songyang Station, or transfer to a bus at Lishui Station to reach Songyang County.
▪️ Yangjiatang, Chenjiapu, and Songyang Old Street are all free. Yanqing Temple Pagoda and Huang Family Mansion are free to enter.
▪️ There is a large temperature difference on the mountain. Even in summer, it's cool in the morning and evening, so bring a light jacket. There are many curves on the mountain roads, so slow down while driving.
▪️ Travel approach: Songyang is not suitable for "check-in" style power walking. Slow down, watch the clouds, wait for the sunset, and listen to the local dialect—that is the right way to experience this place.
💛Travel reflections
What touched me about Songyang wasn't the stunning influencer check-in spots, but the way time slows down here. Old houses haven't been torn down and rebuilt; villagers still live here, and new homestays and bookstores have quietly integrated into the ancient villages.
Here, you don't need to chase a schedule. Sit on the stone steps of an ancient village and watch the clouds drift by, ride a bike in the tea plantation and catch the breeze, or taste local snacks on the old street. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and stay in the mountains for a while; this trip is incredibly healing.
If you are looking for a quiet secret place in Jiangnan, Songyang is worth a special trip.
I'd like to ask everyone: when traveling to Songyang, do you prefer staying in the county town or in a mountain village homestay?