Drift through the underground river, traverse the firefly cave, and rediscover a simple yet passionate northern mountain city vibe

【3 days 2 nights, about 3700 RMB per person! Linyi Guide: Red Yimeng, City of Mountains and Waters】

Day 1: Arrive by high-speed train at **Linyi North Station** (about 1.5 hours from Jinan/Qingdao, round-trip high-speed train about 400 RMB), check into a quality city hotel (such as Blue Ocean International, Holiday Inn Express, 500 RMB/night × 2 = 1000 RMB). In the afternoon, visit the 【East China Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery】 and 【Linyi City Museum】 to learn about the Yimeng spirit and millennium-old history and culture. In the evening, stroll around 【Wuzhou Lake Scenic Area】, watch the fountain light show, and enjoy the city's tranquility.

Day 2: Charter a car to 【Underground Grand Canyon】 (1-hour drive, round trip about 300 RMB) — explore the karst caves and experience the thrilling "underground river drifting" (ticket + drifting 120 RMB). In the afternoon, visit the nearby 【Firefly Water Cave】, take a boat through the glowing insect cave, dreamy like a galaxy (ticket 90 RMB). Stay at a comfortable hotel in Yishui County (300 RMB), and for dinner try Yimeng fried chicken, wild mountain vegetables, and pancake rolls with crispy fried dough.

Day 3: Climb 【Mengshan Tourist Area · Yunmeng Scenic Area】 (1.5-hour drive, charter about 400 RMB), known as a "natural oxygen bar," hike to Qilu Wanghailou, and see vast pine forests and cascading streams (ticket 80 RMB). Alternatively, choose 【Daigu Landform Scenic Area】 to experience the Third Front military industry culture and the grassland scenery on the summit. Before returning, visit 【Taisheng Plaza】 or 【Hexie Plaza】 to buy souvenirs: eight-treasure porridge canned food, Mengyin dried peaches, Yimeng black goat products.

💰Budget details:
Transportation 700 (high-speed train + city + charter) + Accommodation 1300 + Food 600 + Attractions and experiences about 300 ≈ **3700 RMB**

📌Tips:
- The caves are slippery and cold; it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and bring a light jacket;
- The Mengshan hike is moderate in difficulty; you can choose the cable car to save energy;
- Pancakes and mixed grains are suitable for vacuum packing to take away.

⚠️Warnings:
❌ "Free guides" at scenic spots are actually salespeople; follow with caution;
❌ Street-side "specialty supermarkets" have high markups; it is recommended to compare prices before buying.

Three days and two nights, step into Linyi. Here, there is not only red revolutionary memory but also magnificent mountains and waters and authentic local life. Come here, drift through the underground river, traverse the firefly cave, and among the Yimeng mountains, rediscover a simple yet passionate northern mountain city feeling.

Post by Loy Kerluke | Oct 13, 2025