I just got back from a 2-night 3-day trip to Yixing, which is a truly amazing summer haven for its cozy environments, karst caves, riding a bicycle on the endless tea fields. Even Yaohu Town alone is worth for 2-day visit.
When people think of Jiangnan (the region south of the Yangtze River), they usually picture Suzhou's classical gardens or Hangzhou's West Lake. But I wanted something different—something quieter, more laid-back, and a little off the beaten path. That's how I ended up in Yixing, a small city about 90-min train ride from Shanghai, and honestly? It might be my new favorite weekend escape. If you live near Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, Yixing is a definitely must-visit city.
What makes Yixing special? The vibe is just... peaceful. The city is cradled by low, rolling hills, and there's a sense of calm and abundance everywhere you look. It doesn't feel rushed or overly commercialized like some other Chinese tourist cities. Instead, you get a genuine taste of life surrounded by nature, tea fields, bamboo forests, and a deep-rooted ceramic culture.
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| Longchi Mountain (Source: China Tripedia) |
1. Yixing is famous for
1) Purple Clay Pottery (Zisha): The city is the undisputed capital of purple clay teapots, a craft that's been perfected here for over a thousand years.
2) Karst Caves: With over 80 caves, it's often called the "World of Caves."
3) Tea Plantations & Bamboo Seas: The landscape is dotted with endless green tea fields and one of China's most stunning bamboo forests.
4) Yaohu Town : Yaohu Town in Yixing is a breathtaking 20,000-acre resort where lush mountains, serene lakes, and the essence of Jiangnan's water town blend seamlessly with the region's famed pottery and tea culture.
This peaceful retreat is a massive 13 billion yuan ($1.79 billion) mega-project, featuring a 7km sightseeing train, the country's first bird-themed cultural show developed with France's Puy du Fou, and a spectacular dragon water show.
2. Tranportation
This was my 3-day, 2-night itinerary. If you're planning a trip, here's my honest, firsthand experience.
Getting There & Getting Around
(By Train) I took the high-speed train to Yixing Station. It's well-connected from major cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing. It takes approximate 90 minutes from Shanghai Nan Station. (No train from Hongqiao Train Station)
Getting Around: I had two options, and I'm glad I chose what I did:
1) (Rental Car) I drove a car from Shanghai. This was absolutely the most convenient choice. The attractions are scattered across the city—from the caves to the bamboo sea to the water town—and having a car gave me total freedom to set my own pace.
There are so many rental cars available in Ctrip.com. I will make another vlog for renting a car from Ctrip.com later.
2) (Didi, China's Uber) If you don't want to drive, Didi is reliable. You can take a Didi from the station to Yaohu Town (about a 30-minute ride), and it is easy to hail rides between major sights. However, the Bamboo Sea and some caves are a bit farther out, so renting a car may not be the best option who values time over money.
3. Itinerary
Day 1: Into the Caves
My first full day was dedicated to Yixing's most famous natural wonders. As of August 2026, all three of the major caves are open and operating. Here's how they compare:
I visited Shanjuan Cave first. The underground river boat ride was worth the trip alone. As we drifted through the dimly lit cavern, with stalactites hanging overhead and cool mist swirling around us, it felt like we'd entered another world.
Afterward, I made a quick stop at Zhanggong Cave for the "cave-within-a-cave" experience, which was equally fascinating but a very different vibe. If you run against time, I recommend Zhanggong Cave. Since you can see karst cave, underground boat ride, tube boat.
You can buy 100RMB discounted tickets for Cave Tour, Tube Boat riding & Underground boat ride from Dazhong Dianping or Meituan.
Day 1: A Night of Fire & Water in Yaohu Town
This peaceful retreat is a massive 13 billion yuan ($1.79 billion) mega-project, featuring a 7km sightseeing train, the country's first bird-themed cultural show developed with France's Puy du Fou, and a spectacular dragon water show. It's a beautiful blend of traditional Jiangnan architecture (white walls, black tiles, canals) and modern attractions.
The main event is the evening show. Around 8:30 PM, the lake in the center of town transforms into a stage for the Dragon Water Show. It's a jaw-dropping 120-meter-wide water screen with lasers, flames, and projections of a roaring dragon.
Pro Tip: The shows happen at 7:20 PM and 8:40 PM on Fridays and Saturdays; I stayed for the second show, which included a breathtaking fireworks display that lit up the sky from the top of the iconic purple clay tower on the lake island. After the show, the lake was dotted with floating sky lanterns, creating a scene that felt straight out of a dream. I recommend getting a spot on the lake island at least 30 minutes early to avoid the crowds on the central bridge.
Yaohu Town's signature night spectacle, the Dragon Soaring Water Show & Fireworks, is an 18-to-30-meter-high fountain performance combined with water curtains, lasers, flames, and dazzling fireworks that dance in perfect sync with music. Inspired by the traditional Chinese dragon, this 20-minute audio-visual feast transforms the lake into a breathtaking stage of light and water. On select nights, including Fridays and Saturdays, an additional "Phoenix Flying" fireworks show elevates the experience even further.
With its spectacular combination of lights, lasers, and massive water screens, the show is often hailed as a world-class production, rivaling iconic fountain performances like Dubai's Burj Khalifa Lake Show and Barcelona's Magic Fountain
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| Source : Ctrip.com |
Day 2: Tea Fields, Bamboo, and a "Lazy" Ride
1) Longchi Mountain Bicycle Park
Day two started in the hills. The Longchi Mountain Bicycle Park is a free-access scenic area, which was a pleasant surprise!
Crucial Tip: Rent an electric bike! I can't stress this enough. The park has well-paved cycling paths that wind through thousands of acres of tea fields and bamboo groves, but they are mostly uphill. I saw a few people struggling on regular bicycles and regretted it instantly.
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| 2 hours for 60RMB, 1 hour for 30 RMB |
I rented an electric bike for 60 RMB for 2 hours, and it was the best decision. The ride itself is incredibly healing—green tea fields as far as the eye can see, gentle breezes, and a peaceful atmosphere. There's even a famous Black Pine Forest Café for a coffee break.
2) Yixing Bamboo Sea
In the afternoon, I drove to the Yixing Bamboo Sea. The sheer scale of it is breathtaking—endless layers of green bamboo covering the mountains.
Admission: 80 RMB (buying tickets online a day in advance can save you a bit). Cable car tickets for 40 RMB (upward) and 30 RMB (downward)
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| All you see is bamboo trees (Source : TripAdvisor) |
The Cable Car: The cable car is the most efficient way to reach the summit. It costs 60 RMB one way and takes about 20 minutes, offering panoramic views of the "bamboo ocean". A note: The cable car stops operating at 4:00 PM sharp, so make sure you're at the station by 3:45 PM if you want to ride down.
At the top (Jade Maiden Peak, the highest point in southern Jiangsu at 611.5 meters), the view from Lingyun Pavilion is spectacular. I took the cable car up and walked down via the Emerald Corridor and Hanging Walkway, a great way to experience the bamboo forest up close. Don't miss the Mirror Lake—it's an iconic photo spot with crystal-clear water reflecting the bamboo and sky.
4. What to eat
Yixing's food is another highlight. The local cuisine is fresh, flavorful, and rooted in the region's produce.
- Purple Clay Stewed Chicken: Slow-cooked in a Yixing clay pot, the chicken is so tender it falls off the bone. A must-try!
- Black Rice (乌米饭): A local specialty where glutinous rice is soaked in black tree leaves, giving it a unique color and flavor. It's typically served with sugar and is a favorite for kids and adults alike.
- Yaohu Bamboo Shoot Soup: A fresh and savory broth made with local spring bamboo shoots, lake shrimp, and ham.
These are restaurants I tried myself and worth recommending
1) Chunbuwan Restaurant : Walking distance from Yaohu town.
2) Fragant Hill Hotel : Near Yixing Bamboo Sea scenic Spot
5. Where to Stay: Inside the Yaohu Town
If there's one piece of advice I can give you, it's this: Stay in Yaohu Town, specifically at the Yixing Kiln Hubei University Hotel (or similar hotels inside the complex like the Yaohu Grand Hotel).
Why? Because the night show—the Dragon Water Show, the fireworks, the sky lanterns—is the highlight of a trip to Yixing. If you stay inside the town, you can:
- Avoid the frantic rush to leave with the crowds after the fireworks end.
- Enjoy a leisurely dinner before the show without worrying about parking.
- Take a moonlit stroll along the canals after the show, seeing the town at its most beautiful and peaceful.
The hotels inside Yaohu are modern, comfortable, and often include shuttle service, breakfast, and unlimited park entry. They are absolutely worth the slightly higher price for the convenience and experience.
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| Source : Ctrip.com |
6. What to buy? : Zisha (purple clay) teapots
Yixing is renowned as China's "Pottery Capital," with a ceramics-making history spanning over 7,000 years. The city is most famous for its Zisha (purple clay) teapots, a craft that originated in the Song Dynasty and flourished during the Ming Dynasty.
Made from unique local clays (purple, red, and green) rich in iron oxide, these unglazed stoneware teapots are prized for their distinctive porous yet impermeable texture, which enhances the aroma and flavor of tea. Beyond teapots, Yixing's ceramic heritage includes five major treasure categories: purple-sand ware, celadon, Jun-glaze, fine earthenware, and color-glaze pottery.
The Yixing purple clay pottery-making technique was designated a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006, and master artisans' works have fetched record-breaking auction prices, reflecting the deep cultural significance and artistic value of Yixing ceramics
I bought a 16-ounce (approx. 500ml) Zisha (purple clay) mug in Yixing for 398 RMB, and honestly, I think it offers far more artistic value than any Starbucks Reserve mug I've ever purchased.
While Starbucks mugs are stylish and mass-produced, this Zisha mug is handcrafted from locally sourced purple clay, with a natural, unglazed matte finish that feels warm and organic to the touch. Its subtle, earthy tones and minimalist design reflect centuries of ceramic tradition and the artisan's personal touch — no two pieces are exactly alike.
To me, that's artistry you simply can't get from a factory-line product.
Final Thoughts
Yixing surprised me. It's not as touristy as other Jiangnan cities, but it has a unique charm and a wealth of experiences. In just three days, I explored ancient caves, rode a bamboo train through the mountains, cycled through tea fields, and watched a jaw-dropping water show. It's the perfect blend of nature, culture, and modern leisure.
If you're looking for a relaxing escape that feels a world away from the city rush, put Yixing on your list. You won't regret it.
