Where to go this May Day holiday? Choose from these off-the-beaten-path itineraries around Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai!

Preface

The May Day holiday has finally been lost, and with all the sunshine, you'd be missing out if you didn't get out and have some fun. Today, I recommend a few great spots with less crowds and beautiful scenery for friends in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. Avoid the crowds, have a great time, and win over your friends!

Where to go on May Day

When spring turns to summer, the climate is the mildest, the sunshine is just right, and it also avoids the rainy season in the south. If you don’t want to be exposed to the scorching sun, you must seize the best time of the year, May, to go out and play!

Lishui

Lishui, formerly known as Chuzhou, is the prefecture-level city with the largest land area in Zhejiang Province.

Yunhe

Yunhe County is a county under the jurisdiction of Lishui City, Zhejiang Province. It is bordered by Liandu District of Lishui City to the east, Longquan City to the west, Jingning She Autonomous County to the south, and Songyang County to the north.

Yunhe Terraces

A small town whose name alone is enough to warm one's heart. Tucked away in the heart of southern Zhejiang, it resembles a graceful, ethereal cloud. In 2012, it was selected by CNN as one of the "40 Most Beautiful Places in China" and by National Geographic magazine as one of the 20 most beautiful places in China.

Jingning She Village

Lishui is known as the "Green Valley of Zhejiang," and Jingning County is China's only autonomous county for the She ethnic group. The character "She" (She) has a long history, originally meaning slash-and-burn farming. In the late Southern Song Dynasty, the term "She" (She and She are homophones, meaning they live in sheltered settlements in the mountains) appeared in historical records.

Yunzhong Daliang

Terraced fields, sea of clouds, waterfalls, ancient temples, ancient covered bridges, ancient trees... In the high mountain basin at an altitude of 1,030 meters, there is a small town in the clouds - Yunzhong Daliang, Shisi Temple, and Metasequoia King, which is known as the "Paradise in the Clouds".

Longquan

Longquan is home to Huangmaojian, the highest peak in East China, and Xiazhang Village, an ancient village built on a cliff waterfall. Although you can't make your own swords here, you can experience making Longquan celadon with your own hands.

Ningbo

Jiacheng Island

This is a private island that has not yet been fully developed. There is only one family on this island, and that is the Ma Tou Bang Island Restaurant. The Ma Tou Gang has become the owner of this island.

While camping on an island in 2011, he stumbled upon Jiacheng Island. Driven by his yearning for the sea, he wanted to create a little paradise here to share with everyone. He designed the cabin himself and hired carpenters and masons to build it brick by brick. It was his fascination with the sea—his love of sailing, sailing, seafood, music, and bars—that led him to create this little paradise.

It is not as popular as Taohua Island and Dongji Island. Even during short holidays, there are not many tourists. It is far away from the hustle and bustle of the city and is low-key, niche and charming.

Yinzhou

Sungai Baili

From Hengxi to Tangxi, a thrilling 100-mile journey through Shuangxi, a series of ancient trails! This includes a variety of trail conditions and challenging terrain. A challenging, two-day, 46km loop, this is a journey for the brave!

It passes through Tingxiling Ancient Trail, Bankengling Ancient Trail, Jinshan Village Ancient Trail, Yuegongshan Ancient Trail, Baiyanling Ancient Trail, Bodhiling Ancient Trail, Jiukuoling Ancient Trail, Jin'e Village Jin'e Temple, Guanyinling Ancient Trail, Jin'e Mountain Hiking Trail, Baizhukeng Ancient Trail, and Songshiling Ancient Trail.

Pan'an

Rhododendron Valley

Fengya Valley, at the source of the Wujiang River, is the most tranquil and refreshing ecological wonderland in the Dapan Mountains. Dotted with mountain streams, rift valleys, cliff caves, and unique rock formations, the scenic area is known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Zhejiang."

The Dujuan Valley hike runs through Gaoer Mountain. Due to its steep heights and shrouded in white clouds and mist, it's known as the Fairyland Trail. From the summit, visitors experience sometimes clear skies, sometimes a sea of mist, and sometimes thin, drifting clouds. It's a great spot to watch the sunrise, the sea of clouds, and the people living on the mountaintops.

Wuxi

Lingshan Giant Buddha·Nianhua Bay

Wonderful music lingers, a Zen-like feeling permeates the air. A smile evokes a sense of leisure as you pick up a flower. Moonlight and shadows, insects chirp and sing, all flowing amidst the gentle breeze and flowing water. Stepping beneath the dreamlike lights, your steps become light and effortless. Stepping into Nianhua Bay feels like stepping into another world, a dreamlike yet real experience. A tranquil and elegant Zen retreat, a spiritual retreat for the soul.

Yixing

Yurt unique experience

This is the first large-scale natural park in China with the theme of cycling. It covers an area of more than 3,500 hectares of tea gardens and hides the most beautiful tea garden bicycle paths in China. It is not only a tea oasis, but also a sea of bamboo. The 15,000-hectare bamboo sea spans the three provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui, and is truly the "No. 1 Bamboo Sea in East China"!

The route passes through mountain streams, tea gardens, bamboo forests, and reservoirs, creating a beautiful environment and unique atmosphere. There's also the making of a purple clay teapot, where you pick up your needle and thread and experience the handcrafting techniques that are truly simple.

Liyang

Rainbow Highway ①

Liyang City is located in southern Jiangsu Province. Highway 1, one of the first designated Jiangsu Province Scenic Byways, stretches 365 kilometers and connects the city's 86 administrative villages, 352 natural villages, over 220 rural tourist attractions, 23 beautiful villages, and pilot villages for distinctive rural villages. It also provides rapid connections to seven surrounding counties and cities. Walking along this road is like walking through a landscape, like wandering in a painting.