1. Explore Qiandao Lake with just 500+ per person! A 2-day, 1-night guide with local insider tips.

Who understands! The water of Qiandao Lake is like crushed jade scattered into the lake, with 1,718 islands floating on the blue waves. Every shot is a wallpaper-worthy scene with built-in filters. This all-inclusive two-day guide for eating, playing, and staying helps you avoid crowds and fully enjoy the fun. Beginners can follow it directly without any pitfalls!

Day 1: Take a boat tour to explore islands + chase the sunset, savor the lake view in your stomach

Morning: Take a boat to navigate the "Thousand Island Maze" and unlock the core scenic spots

📍First stop: Central Lake area boat tour
This is the best way to understand Qiandao Lake! Book your boat tickets in advance on Trip.com (10% off if booked 2 days ahead), board at 8:30 AM and head straight to the core islands. Recommended to check out Meifeng Island — "If you don’t go up Meifeng to see the archipelago, you don’t know the true face of Qiandao." The moment you reach the viewing platform, you’ll be amazed. The densely packed small islands look like emeralds set on blue velvet, no need to compose your photos. If you prefer tranquility, choose Moonlight Island to walk the suspension bridge, or Longshan Island to experience cultural heritage.

Noon: Drink a bowl of soul-soothing fish head soup, unbelievably fresh

🍽️Must-try: Kaixin Fisherman’s House / Wanji Chun Cai Fu
Coming to Qiandao Lake without trying fish head soup is like not coming at all! We recommend the creamy white soup version; the fish meat is tender and melts in your mouth, and the broth is so fresh you can drink three bowls. Wanji Chun Cai Fu’s pork floss taro is a must-order, with a surprisingly sweet and salty taste; Kaixin Fisherman’s House has been around for 30 years, with ingredients fresh enough to taste the sweetness of the lake water. It’s best to book ahead during peak season, or you’ll wait a long time!

Afternoon: Choose between forest oxygen therapy or trendy photo spots

- For those who want to relax: Forest oxygen bar for lung cleansing
With a negative oxygen ion concentration of over 60,000/cm³, it’s a “natural oxygen bar”! Hike along the valley, stepping on smooth creek stones, passing through misty forests, with sunlight filtering through the leaves like a fairy tale scene. When tired, sit on the cliff magic carpet to overlook the sea of trees, or slide down the colorful slide to blow away all worries.

- For trendsetters: Beer Town for great photos
European-style buildings with a trendy lighthouse let you take Instagram-worthy photos for free. Beer lovers shouldn’t miss the Beer Museum. After touring, enjoy a fresh draft beer at the outdoor bar, so cozy you’ll want to stomp your feet.

Evening: Watch the sunset from a lake view room, then enjoy night lights

🏨Recommended accommodations

- Luxury: Greentown Sheraton, with the boat dock right downstairs and 270° lake view rooms overlooking the blue waves;
- Cost-effective: Dinghe Resort Hotel, with a powerful 180° viewing balcony, and a 10-minute walk to Tianyu Mountain;
- Family-friendly: Kaiyuan Resort, with a large kids’ playground, perfect for a relaxed family vacation.

In the evening, go to Tianyu Mountain’s No. 3 viewing platform to chase the sunset. The lake water turns golden red, and every snap is a viral photo. Later, stroll through Xiushui Square to watch the light and fountain show dancing the waltz on the lake surface, with a super comfortable evening breeze.

Day 2: Cycle around the lake + enjoy off-the-beaten-path fun, unlock slow-paced happiness

Morning: Choose a niche activity to avoid crowds

- Artsy: Explore Qinchuan Ancient Village
A 700-year-old village with bluestone paths, white walls, and black tiles reflecting the stream, almost untouched by commercialization. Sit at the old house’s doorstep to eat handmade noodles, watch villagers dry bamboo shoots, and feel time slow down.

- Nature lovers: Camp on a deserted island
Navigate to “Fengmao No.1 Public Toilet,” where you can drive right to the water’s edge, making gear transport super easy. Pitch tents on two deserted islands nearby, with clean restrooms close by, so even beginners can manage easily. Paddleboard on the emerald lake surface, like entering a paradise.

Noon: Eat authentic flavors at a farmhouse

🍽️Great home-cooked mom’s dishes
Freshly caught lake fish, free-range native chicken, and seasonal wild vegetables from the mountains, cooked simply but with the taste of home. Sitting on bamboo chairs in the farmhouse courtyard, eating with the lake breeze, it’s simple and healing.

Afternoon: Cycle around the lake and soak in the views

🚴Recommended route: Qiandao Lake Bridge → Xiaojinshan Bridge
Rent a Giant bike and ride 15 km, stopping at three viewing platforms along the way for photos. The lake water shifts between emerald green and deep blue, the breeze carries the scent of grass and trees. When tired, lean on the railing and daydream — this is the true meaning of vacation! Rental starts at 30 yuan/hour, remember to wear sun protection.

🔥Must-know tips to avoid pitfalls

1. Temperature difference of over 10°C between morning and evening, bring a light jacket even in summer;
2. Free cable car on Wednesdays? No! That’s for Wudang Mountain events. Booking Qiandao Lake boat tickets in advance is more cost-effective;
3. Always squeeze the brakes when cycling downhill, safety first!
4. If you want to try paddleboarding, do it now — if you wait, you’ll have to wait until next year.

The beauty of Qiandao Lake is the breeze on the boat, the freshness of fish head soup, and the freedom of cycling. Keep this guide, and you can set off this weekend to turn life into poetry~