This driving route winds through Taizhou's water-town countryside, combining orchard picking, farming experiences, forest camping, lotus pond boating, vibrant night markets and local farm-to-table dining into a relaxed two-day getaway, perfect for escaping the bustle of city life.
Day 1: Get immersed in rural Taizhou
Start your journey at Xuzhou village, a provincial-level key rural tourism destination in Jingjiang. Wander along its 3-kilometer picking corridor to harvest seasonal crisp pears, loquats, and other fresh fruits straight from the branches, or try fishing and hands-on farming activities. The village's crisscrossing streams and orderly farmlands paint a classic Jiangnan countryside scene, ideal for family outings.
Xuzhou village in Jingjiang, Taizhou. [Photo/WeChat account: tztour]
For lunch, stop at local well-loved farm restaurants in Jingjiang's Maqiao town, serving home-style seasonal dishes, signature local wontons and fresh river produce with simple, authentic flavors.
Local wontons in Maqiao town. [Photo/WeChat account: tztour]
In the afternoon, head to Qixiang village, a national key rural tourism site in Taixing. Visit its 20-hectare farming education base and take part in hands-on sowing, crop tending and harvest activities, then stroll along the lakeside paths and breathe in the fresh forest air. On public holidays, the village hosts a glowing rural lantern show that adds a dreamy vibe to the evening.
Children try turning a traditional stone mill in Qixiang village. [Photo/WeChat account: tztour]
Day 2: Camp and explore wetlands
Spend the morning at the Qunyuan Cultural Campsite in Jiangyan district, where you can slow down amid the trees, unwind and embrace the quiet of nature.
Kids in colorful waterproof waders hunt for aquatic creatures in a shallow stream at the campsite. [Photo/WeChat account: tztour]
At noon, dine at a local riverside resort, where dishes made with fresh local vegetables, free-range poultry, and iconic specialties are cooked over traditional earthen stoves to highlight the natural flavors of ingredients.
In the afternoon, wander through the vast lotus pond in Xinghua, where you can drift on the water through stretches of blooming lotuses, try fishing for crayfish, and join fun family water activities.
The vast lotus pond in Xinghua. [Photo/WeChat account: tztour]
