Fantasy Valley

Xiazhu Lake · Fantasy Valley

Hidden in the heart of the Jiangnan water town lies a mysterious realm—Xiazhu Lake · Fantasy Valley. This is no ordinary tourist attraction, but a fairytale world forgotten by time. When morning mist shrouds the lake, the entire valley is veiled in a hazy gauze, as if elves might peek out from the reeds at any moment.

The most remarkable feature of Fantasy Valley is its "four seasons in one frame" phenomenon. On the eastern slope, pink and white cherry blossoms bloom alongside golden ginkgo trees; on the western bank, fresh green shoots contrast beautifully with withered yellow reeds. Locals say this is the work of "time sprites" dwelling in the valley, who enjoy piecing together scenery from different seasons.

Rowing a small boat through the maze-like waterways, the paddle strokes create rainbow-colored ripples on the surface. These ripples, known as "rainbow bridges," are said to be welcome carpets laid by water sprites. Occasionally, you might see silver fish leaping from the water, tracing perfect arcs in the air as they perform their "water dance" for visitors.

Most mysterious of all is the "Mirror Lake" in the valley. On full moon nights, the lake surface transforms into a giant magic mirror, reflecting not the moon above, but scenes from a parallel world. Some travelers claim to have glimpsed their past lives in the mirror, while others swear they've seen the future.

The old tea farmers in the valley will tell you that the local tea leaves are imbued with magic. When brewed with Fantasy Valley spring water, tiny points of light appear in the tea, and drinking it brings the most wonderful dreams. Beware, though—if you drink the tea after sunset, you might find yourself drawn to an elfin tea party in your dreams, unable to return until the rooster crows.

As dusk falls, the entire valley begins to glow. Fireflies illuminate the night sky, and blue lights float among the reeds—the breath of sleeping flower fairies. Distant songs drift through the air, and it's hard to tell whether they come from nightingales or mermaids.

Xiazhu Lake · Fantasy Valley is a place that blurs the boundary between reality and fantasy. Visitors always take away some incredible memories—perhaps a glowing leaf, or a spell-bound recollection. Most magical of all, everyone sees Fantasy Valley differently, as if the place changes its appearance for each person who visits.

Post by Z0y C@rt3r | Apr 28, 2025