Things to do in Xinyi

This town is located east of Xuzhou and is currently undergoing expansion. There aren't many tourists, probably because there's an entrance fee. It's okay to stop by for a quick visit, but not worth making a special trip for.

I've realized I haven't had many proper trips this year, mostly just visiting tourist attractions in some lesser-known cities. I just visited Yanzhou and Ju County with friends in May. This time, we went to Xinyi City, under the jurisdiction of Xuzhou, and the Xinyi Malingshan Scenic Area is a vast, mysterious mountain and water landscape with a thousand-year history. It's also one of the most worthwhile culturally significant mountains around Xuzhou to explore at a leisurely pace, perfect for both historical exploration and hiking! The scenic area covers a massive 28.9 square kilometers, far too large to be explored in a quick glance. The mountains are continuous and varied, with deep valleys and streams. A complete loop of the entire scenic area requires a full day. Those with average stamina can choose shorter routes, one to the north and one to the south, each offering different scenery and preventing visual fatigue. The dense forests are rich in negative ions, making walking through them an immersive natural oxygen bar. It's especially cool and comfortable to visit in the summer. What moved me most was the profound and enduring historical heritage. This is the ancient battlefield of the Battle of Maling during the Warring States period. The remains of the Maling Road, where Sun Bin and Pang Juan outwitted each other, still exist today. Walking along the ancient road, one can almost glimpse the legendary military strategy of using reduced cooking fires to lure the enemy. Emperor Qianlong visited this place three times during his southern tours and personally inscribed the stone tablet "First Landscape of the Land," which stands quietly in the mountains, exuding the majestic aura of imperial calligraphy. There are also the Sanxian Cave, the prototype of the stories in "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio," the long and mysterious Hidden Soldier Cave, the 5,000-year-old Huating prehistoric civilization site, and the Cretaceous dinosaur footprint rock wall. From ancient civilizations and the ancient battlefield of the Warring States period to the cultural relics of the Qing Dynasty, layers of historical imprints are scattered throughout the mountains. Each attraction comes with detailed explanations, making a visit to the mountain like flipping through a three-dimensional history book. Cultural enthusiasts will definitely find it worthwhile. Here are two practical routes and key attractions: ** **Effortless South Loop (3 hours, suitable for seniors and children):** Mountain Gate → Longtai Lake Loop → Sanxian Cave Exploration → Shanyin Ancient Temple → Red Culture Park → First River Mountain Stone Carvings. The trails are gentle and easy to walk, focusing on historical sites and cultural landmarks. Relaxing and stress-free. **Deep North Loop (3-4 hours, ideal for hiking enthusiasts):** Wuhua Peak Ascent → Thousand-Meter Hidden Soldier Cave → Xiaolonggou Mist Forest Waterfall Group → Dalonggou Glass Skywalk → Sun Bin's Military Strategy City. The popular Xiaolonggou is shrouded in mist, with cascading waterfalls and streams, perfect for photos. The glass skywalk offers stunning views of the Danxia landforms and breathtaking natural scenery. For those who don't want to hike the entire route, the scenic area offers unlimited shuttle buses for 40 yuan, taking you directly to all key stops, saving time and effort. The scenic area boasts excellent facilities, ample parking, and numerous supply points in the mountains. Rich in history, with magnificent landscapes and a vast area, it possesses both cultural and natural charm, making it suitable for both a short day trip and a leisurely two-day visit. Highly recommended for history buffs and hiking enthusiasts! The two routes I've outlined are based on consultation with customer service and the guide map. I haven't actually explored the entire scenic area myself, so the specific route will depend on your own time and other factors.

The night climb of Mount Tai involves thousands of people, starting at 10 PM and taking 6 hours to reach the summit. Prices on the mountain are about the same as usual, so you don't need to carry a lot of water and food up the mountain. Although you can't see the sunset, it's still a great experience.

There are flower fields at Rainbow Bridge in June and July; they're very beautiful, but be sure to wear sunscreen. The lotus flowers at Mirror Lake are also beautiful. It's a great place for a family stroll. The scenic area's mini-train route has serious issues, causing you to miss most of the flower fields. To see the flowers, get off at the Children's Park station, then walk to the next intersection and turn left; that's the flower field at Rainbow Bridge (the mini-train will turn right at the intersection). Alternatively, go to Mirror Lake station to see the lotus flowers. Don't go to the flower field on the left-hand side at Mirror Lake station; there are no flowers there this season. Go to the lake on the right-hand side; walk around the viewing platform to reach Mirror Lake.

My trip to the Qingdao Beer Museum deserves special praise for our guide, number 2003! Her professional expertise was solid, and she eloquently recounted the century-long history of Qingdao Beer since 1903, from the history of the old factory buildings and vintage brewing equipment to the entire beer brewing process—the content was rich and engaging. Her explanations were humorous and entertaining, and she proactively answered all our questions, ensuring every member of our group received thorough attention. What started as a casual stroll turned into a much richer understanding of the old factory's history and the culture of Qingdao Beer after the guided tour. The entire experience was significantly enhanced, making it a truly worthwhile trip to Qingdao. A huge thumbs up to the guide!

On weekdays, Slender West Lake isn't too crowded. It's a huge place, and most of the people are concentrated in the best areas. The water scenery is beautiful, and you can take a boat or stroll around. It's very pleasant, and the weather is also great.

The room was very clean and tidy, the bedding was clean and comfortable, the hot water in the bathroom came out quickly, the air conditioning and TV worked properly, and the WiFi speed was stable. The room lighting was also quite good. The front desk staff were very friendly and quick to check in. They patiently provided information about nearby transportation when I asked, making my stay very comfortable. I look forward to staying here again.

We accompanied a family member to Qilu Hospital for a medical appointment and chose this Ji Hotel. It's very close to the hospital, less than a ten-minute walk, which is very convenient. The room was clean and tidy, and the environment was quiet, allowing for a good rest. There's also a laundry and fitness area. The front desk was responsive, and check-in was smooth, making it ideal for accompanying family members to medical appointments. Most importantly, parking is convenient.

A beautiful place to visit, lots of photos opportunities and welcoming people.

We were very fortunate that our top guide today was Ms. Dong Ling. Her professional expertise was solid; she didn't just recite from memory. She eloquently explained the stories and archaeological backgrounds behind each of the museum's treasures, making dry history vivid and easy to understand. My son and I deeply experienced the thousand-year history of Nanjing. Highly recommended!