7-Day Self-Driving Tour: Shanghai – Tiantai – Linhai – Taizhou – Shi Tang – Xinchang – Shanghai

### 7-Day Self-Driving Tour: Shanghai – Tiantai – Linhai – Taizhou – Shi Tang – Xinchang – Shanghai (September 9/6-9/12)

**Duration: 7 days**
**Time: September**

**With whom: Friends**

**The author visited these places:**
– Shanghai
– Shi Tang
– Guoqing Temple
– Chang Yu Dong Tian
– Shenxian Ju
– Kuocang Mountain
– Shi Liang Scenic Area
– Fangguang Temple
– Agrotourism Qiongtai Xiangu
– Purple Yang Street
– Linhai
– Yuanzhou International Hotel
– Chicheng Mountain
– Hanshan Lake
– Longxing Temple
– Jiangnan Great Wall
– Wangjiang Gate
– Haimen Old Street
– Jinsha Beach
– Dafo Temple Scenic Area

**Published on 2020-09-15 09:51**

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### Preparations before departure:
– **Essentials:** Identity card, mobile phone, charger, keys, common medicines, bank card, mosquito repellent.
– **Clothing:** A set of clothes for changing (socks, underwear), four sets for the season, one set for warmth as backup (jacket).
– **Food and Drink:** A moderate amount of water, fruits, snacks for replenishment at any time, plenty of tea, wine, coffee, a small amount of staple food for backup (biscuits, instant noodles).
– **Hygiene and Kitchen:** Towels, toothbrushes; disinfectant wet wipes, a small amount of napkins; electric kettle, travel cup; a small amount of disposable tableware, food bags, garbage bags; a small amount of shampoo, soap, laundry detergent.
– **Outdoor and Travel Gear:** Umbrella for rain protection, cream for sun protection, slippers for waterproofing, running shoes for anti-slip, car wash folding bucket, car wash cloth.
– **Hotel Amenities:** The conditions at the places visited are very good, there is no need to bring many things; the hotels are also good, toilet paper, toiletries can be left behind.

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### Itinerary Overview: (9/6-9/12)
– **Before departure:** Stay at Fenhu for one night to gain time for the first day of departure.
– **Day 1 (Sunday):** Journey from Fenhu to Tiantai for 3 hours; check into a hotel at Guoqing Temple Scenic Area; tour Tiantai for 4 hours.
– **Day 2 (Monday):** Tour Tiantai Scenic Area for 4 hours; journey from Tiantai to Linhai for 1 hour; check into a hotel in Linhai city area.
– **Day 3 (Tuesday):** Tour Linhai for 5 hours; continue to stay at Linhai hotel.
– **Day 4 (Wednesday):** Journey from Linhai to Taizhou to Shi Tang for 3 hours; check into a seaside homestay in Shi Tang.
– **Day 5 (Thursday):** Watch the sunrise in Shi Tang, tour Shi Tang islets, coastal greenways for 6 hours; continue to stay at the seaside homestay.
– **Day 6 (Friday):** Journey from Shi Tang to Taizhou to Xinchang for 3 hours; check into a hotel in Xinchang.
– **Day 7 (Saturday):** Tour Xinchang for 3 hours, journey from Xinchang to Shanghai for 3 hours, end of the trip.

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### Original Plan Canceled, Interested Parties Can Supplement:
– A, Chang Yu Dong Tian
– B, Shenxian Ju
– C, Kuocang Mountain

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### Preface:
The focus areas of this trip, Linhai, Jiaojiang, and Wenling, all belong to Taizhou. There is a local ballad saying about Taizhou seafood:
– In January, snow plums (plum refers to plum fish)
– In February peach blossom bass
– Three pomfrets and four hairtails
– Five calls and six lighters (call, call fish, light, jumping fish)
– In August white crab slabs
– In September yellow croaker and bamboo
– In October field crabs drink old wine
– In November lake crucian
– In December hairtail stewed with vegetable heads, eat without stopping.

Taizhou is abundant in local snacks, such as:
– Wengling’s embedded cakes
– Bean noodle fragments
– Hard cakes
– Sugar turtles

Linhai offers:
– Egg white sheep tails
– Radish cake
– Fermented wine dumplings
– Horse hoof pastry
– Tofu dry pot
– Knocking bang wonton
– Yang cake
– Wine cup cake
– Brown sugar steamed buns
– Sheep’s feet
– Tofu balls

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### Itinerary: Day One (Sunday)
– **Fenhu to Tiantai, Guoqing Temple, and Tiantai Shiliang Scenic Area**
– **Departure:** 06:30 from Fenhu; arrive in Tiantai at 11:00
– **Visits:** Guoqing Temple and stroll through the Shiliang Scenic Area
– **Driving Distance:** A 3-hour journey from Fenhu to Tiantai
– **Schedule:** Guoqing Temple tour for 2 hours, Shiliang Scenic Area tour for 4 hours
– **Meals:** Lunch at a local restaurant, dinner at the hotel
– **Accommodation:** Lujing Tiantai Resort Hotel in Guoqing Temple Scenic Area (highly recommended)
– **Journey:** Depart from Fenhu early in the morning, with a driving time of about 3 hours to Tiantai, passing through Jiaxing, Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Shangyu, Shengzhou, and Xinchang. Arrive in Tiantai at 11:00, head straight to Lujing Tiantai Resort Hotel for check-in; as the arrival time coincides with the opening of Guoqing Temple’s vegetarian meal, we went straight there to taste the famous vegetarian meal. However, due to the epidemic, the restaurant is temporarily closed to the public, so lunch was postponed, and the Guoqing Temple tour was arranged first. The history, influence, and scenery of Guoqing Temple need no further elaboration. After walking through the Guoqing Temple scenic area, we walked out along the footpath, with streams, wheat fields, Sui pagodas, and farmhouses… the mood was incredibly peaceful. Not far to the right at the scenic area exit is the scenic area’s visitor center, opposite which there is only one large restaurant with average taste.In the afternoon, we visited the Shiliang Scenic Area. We rely on Ctrip for ticket purchases and navigation for outings. Among the six major scenic areas in Tiantai tourism, two are 5A-level tourist attractions – Guoqing Temple and Shiliang Scenic Area. Shiliang Waterfall is the essence of Zhejiang’s ‘Tang Poetry Road’. Nestled in lush mountains and valleys, with a stone spanning the sky and a waterfall cascading down, creating a ‘wind and thunder day and night’, it is hailed as ‘the world’s first wonder’. The ancient Fangguang Temple near the waterfall is the venue for the 500 Arhats, while the Central Fangguang Temple is a Zen venue. The footpath in the Shiliang Waterfall Scenic Area is roughly in the shape of the Chinese character ‘Ru’, with three entrances and exits. The southern upper entrance has a more concentrated area of restaurants and farmhouses and is closest to the main landscape of the waterfall, making it the choice for most tourists. The western entrance is near the small copper pot drip, about 2 kilometers away. Logically, one should enter the scenic area from these two main entrances, but our navigation set for Shiliang Waterfall pointed to the third entrance – the east gate. It’s also fine, as the east gate is near the Shiliang Waterfall, the essence of the area, so we save some energy and skip the small copper pot drip. Therefore, I won’t simply echo the strategies for the south and west gates.

After completing today’s journey, drive back to the hotel. The hotel is located at the entrance of the scenic area and is the best resort hotel here. Although there is a faint hint of plum rain smell when entering, it is indeed a secluded place. After truly checking in, you will experience that the furnishings and services here are very good. Especially the restaurant. Although it is a bit more expensive than outside restaurants, the chef’s level is worthy of this price. We choose to have dinner here and it is highly recommended.

Second day (Monday): Qiongtai Fairy Valley, Tiantai – Linhai, Linhai. 09:00 Depart from the hotel. Pack up your luggage before departure. Today’s driving distance: Tiantai – Linhai is 1 hour. Today’s itinerary: In the morning, spend 4 hours visiting Qiongtai Fairy Valley in Tiantai. In the afternoon, visit Ziyang Street in Linhai. Today’s meals: Simple lunch, dinner at Baita Bridge Restaurant on Ziyang Street. Today’s accommodation: Linhai Yuanzhou International Hotel 1 (highly recommended). For all the itineraries after today, you can wake up naturally every day, have a delicious buffet breakfast, and then start the day’s journey. However, lunch may be delayed… The 4A-level scenic area Qiongtai Fairy Valley combines the tranquility of Guoqing Temple, the magnificence of Chicheng Mountain, and the serenity of Hanshan Lake. ‘After returning from the Five Sacred Mountains, one does not need to look at other mountains. After returning from Qiongtai, one does not need to look at other valleys.’ This is a description of Tiantai Mountain in Zhejiang. Qiongtai Fairy Valley has two entrances and exits. The east gate is the upper exit and the west gate is the lower exit. There are parking lots at both. But now the scenic area is under unified management. It is recommended to park the car at the parking lot of the tourist center of the Grand Waterfall scenic area. There are scenic area vehicles here to take you to the two entrances, which is very convenient. Those with poor physical strength are recommended to enter from the upper entrance at the west gate and exit from the lower entrance at the east gate. It will be much easier to go downhill. Purchase the scenic area shuttle bus (10 yuan/person) to the east gate at the tourist center and enter from the upper exit at the east gate. After completing the whole journey and reaching the lower exit at the west gate, take the free bus back to the parking lot of the tourist center. The whole journey, with stops and starts, takes about 3 hours. There is still plenty of time, so there is no need to rush. Lunch can be found in the urban area of Tiantai. Because we find it troublesome and our breakfast has not been digested yet, we ate some fruits and pastries and then headed straight for Linhai. The one-hour-plus drive does not require choosing the expressway. Taking the national road along the river is also a kind of charm. Along the way, there are many orange trees and factory stores… After arriving in Linhai, check in at Linhai Yuanzhou International Hotel, and then take a stroll on Ziyang Street. Have dinner at Baita Bridge Restaurant and see the night view of Ziyang Street and the ancient cityIt is homey, with generous portions and extremely popular business. The ordering rates of plain boiled chicken, fried wontons, sugar spareribs, baked sesame seed cake, fermented glutinous rice wine, stir-fried meat slices, and eggs cooked with fermented glutinous rice wine are all very high. There is also the characteristic Linhai dish, egg white sheep’s tail. Address: No. 376, Ziyang Street.

Baitaqiao Hotel is highly recommended. It is an old local hotel with high cost performance. Several dishes still have highlights. Eating at Baitaqiao Hotel is about experiencing the ‘old-fashioned taste’. For foodies who demand something unique, Wang Hui’s food stall opposite is also recommended. This inconspicuous small shop on the street is really hard to notice. The doorway is not large, and the environment is not good either. But as soon as you push open the sliding door, you will find that the business is really good. There is no menu in the store. The boss is the chef and the landlady is responsible for taking orders. If you don’t know what to order, just listen to the landlady’s recommendation. Shrimp skin and loofah, scallion oil beef tripe, marinated beef offal, and a special braised fish maw, paired with ice-cold beer. Chatting and toasting are extremely pleasant. When eating at a food stall, it’s all about that touch of worldly charm. Address: Opposite Baitaqiao Hotel, at the intersection of Ziyang Street and Huipu Road.

However, our stomachs did not allow us to include this restaurant. Let’s talk about hotels. Linhai Yuanzhou International Hotel and Tiantai Lvjing Resort Hotel belong to the same group and are one of the best hotels in the local area and are worth recommending. There are five of us. These two hotels are very humane in handling extra beds and breakfast. It’s just that there are too many delicious restaurants in Linhai. We don’t have time to arrange for a formal meal at the hotel, which is a bit of a pity. Generally, in such a city, the relative consumption level is relatively low. Comparing with the consumption mentality of Shanghai restaurants, the catering in local star-rated hotels is more satisfactory. After all, the stars are there. To put it bluntly, hotel catering is expensive, more expensive than local restaurants but not as expensive as in Shanghai. Hotel catering is relatively international and high-end, with local characteristics but not all. Of course, what is generally not available does not meet the universal promotion standards. Local catering is down-to-earth, with complete local characteristics, especially with good prices.

Day 3 (Tuesday): Linhai. 09:00 Wake up naturally in the hotel and stroll around Linhai. Today’s itinerary: Taizhou Prefecture City, Ziyang Street, and Longxing Temple tour for 6 hours, eating and resting in Taizhou. Today’s catering: snacks and local specialties. Have snacks for lunch and Rongxiaoguan for dinner. Today’s accommodation: Continue to stay at Linhai Yuanzhou International Hotel 2.

In Linhai, two completely different lives are separated by the well-preserved ancient city wall. The activity range of young people is in the new city outside the city wall, while the time in the old city is still as slow as in the past. Whether inside or outside the city, this is a city that is very particular about food. There are as many as more than 140 kinds of snacks. It is the hometown of the only three-star Chinese restaurant on the mainland, ‘Xinrongji’… Every day in Linhai starts with eating and ends with eating.

The Taizhou Prefecture City Wall is one of the most important components of the ancient city, also known as the Jiangnan Great Wall and Jiangnan Badaling, which was used in ancient times to resist foreign invasions and flood prevention. Today, it is considered the most famous card of Linhai. The Taizhou Prefecture City Wall originally had seven gates, including Chonghe Gate in the east, Xingshan Gate and Zhenning Gate in the south, Jingyue Gate in the southeast, Fengtai Gate and Chaocang Gate in the southwest, and Chaotian Gate in the west. Later, Wangjiang Gate was newly built. Our sightseeing tour starts from Lancheng Gate and ends at Xingshan Gate, covering the entire distance.

Longxing Temple, located on the side of Xingshan Gate, is situated at the foot of Jinshan Mountain in the west of Linhai City. It was first built in the first year of the Tang Shenlong era and was originally named ‘Shenlong Temple’. Although Longxing Temple is not as well-known as other ancient temples, it has a quiet environment with lush green trees and is very cool, providing a great travel experience.

The end point of the ancient**Ziyang Street: A Glimpse into Linhai’s Past**

The second half of Ziyang Street offers a miniature view of the old Linhai lifestyle. As Linhai was the political, economic, and cultural center of Taizhou in ancient times, a walk down Ziyang Street is like stepping back in time. You’ll encounter old-time supply and marketing cooperatives and small shops at every turn.

**Historical Buildings: A Testament to the Past**

To prevent major fires, there are five buildings on the street built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, including Wuzhen Square, Fengxian Square, Yingxian Square, Qinghe Square, and Yongjing Square. These structures stand as a testament to the street’s historical significance.

**Seaweed Cake: A Taste of Happiness**

As soon as you walk into Ziyang Street, the fragrance of seaweed cake greets you. This famous snack in Linhai has a crispy skin and a sweet inside, making every bite a taste of happiness. You can find it at the old brand Ziyang 99 on No. 99 Ziyang Street, the century-old store Wang Tianshun next to Ziyang 99 (currently closed for renovation), and Luo’s Seaweed Cake on the same street. The taste of the three is not much different, so you can buy one to taste fresh and then decide whether to buy or not.

**Ziyang Beef Wheat Shrimp: A Warm Welcome**

Ziyang Beef Wheat Shrimp is an old store located between Ziyang 99 and Wang Tianshun. Stepping into the store feels like being a guest in someone else’s home. Despite Linhai not being a coastal city, wheat shrimp is not shrimp but a local delicacy. Address: No. 89 Ziyang Street.

**Glutinous Rice Fried Dough Twists: Seasonal Sweets**

The Glutinous Rice Fried Dough Twists Business Department is a small shop specializing in selling local sweets in Linhai, with the menu changing according to the solar terms throughout the year. Around Qingming Festival, they sell Wufan Ma Ci, and after the Double Ninth Festival, they sell Chongyang Cake. Address: Intersection of Fuxian Street and Jinshan West Road.

**Huang’s Old Shop: Fried Glutinous Rice Cake**

Among many glutinous rice products, Huang’s Old Shop’s fried glutinous rice cake is the most memorable. It looks like fried rice cake but tastes a bit different. Address: No. 8, Jinzi Lane, Tianning Road.

**Dou Sui Noodles: A Seafood Lover’s Delight**

Dou Sui noodles, essentially sweet potato noodles, are seasoned in a distinctly Jiangsu-Zhejiang style, featuring fried meatballs and a thousand-layer wrap known locally as ‘Dou Jie’, sprinkled with pickled vegetables and scallions. This dish is satisfying without being too heavy. Location: No. 108 Jinshan West Road, next to Linhai Middle School.

**Exploring Ziyang Street and Beyond**

The aforementioned restaurants are concentrated along the lengthy Ziyang Street, with the exception of the Dou Sui noodles which operate only in the evening and are thus placed last. The others can be visited in the order of the article, allowing for a leisurely one-day tour of the ancient city.

**A Day in Linhai**

Today, we strolled, ate, and rested in Linhai. Ziyang Ancient Street, the Prefectural City Wall, Longxing Temple… Although the ancient street is not long, a slow stroll can be completed in just fifteen minutes, but to truly explore and enjoy, fifteen minutes is far from enough.

**Jiaojiang District: A Hub for Snacks**

Besides the delicious food on Ziyang Street, one can also visit Jiaojiang District, a hub for snacks, including Xin Rong Ji at No. 411 Central Avenue in Jiaojiang District (reservations are recommended), and Xiao Bin Snack House.

**Market Impressions: Cleanliness and Variety**

After touring Ziyang Street, we visited a local central market and were deeply impressed by the cleanliness of Linhai. The vast market offers a wide array of products and seafood, covering an area five times larger than a Linyi market, yet there is no foul smell, no sewage flowing in the seafood area, and the pork does not have the appearance of being water-injected.

**Dining at Xin Rong Ji and Rong Xiao Guan**

Living in such a small city, the happiness index is definitely off the charts. Along the way, we chose Rong Xiao Guan for dinner, which is also part of the Rong series of restaurants. Xin Rong Ji has become well-known in recent years for frequently winning Michelin stars, but many may not know that its flagship store is located in Linhai—Xin Rong Ji · Linghu Store, designed by an Aman designer. In terms of environment, dishes, and service, Xin Rong Ji Linghu Store can be said to be the pinnacle of catering in Linhai.

Eating at the old Xin Rong Ji store is one of the most important purposes for many to visit Linhai. The ingredients are authentic, and the prices are much cheaper than those in Shanghai. Several major dishes such as the wild yellow croaker from the East China Sea, golden crispy ribbon fish, and sunflower chicken are a must-try. Perhaps because Linhai people prefer rice and noodle dishes, dishes like sand garlic burnt bean noodles, rose grain buns, and wagyu tarts are also ordered by every table. Address: No. 239 Linhai Avenue.

We did not go to Xin Rong Ji, but instead went to the nearby Rong Xiao Guan. Although the taste was good, for us from Shanghai, such dishes can be tasted in Shanghai. Like an internationally standard beauty, although beautiful, should not the village girl from the mountains and the sea girl from the mudflats be our purpose for going out? Therefore, if you have a limited stay in Linhai, I personally do not recommend the Rong series, because you can eat in Shanghai, at most there is a difference in price, but the local indigenous style is ignored.Feeling in Rongxiaoguan is like being in Xiyue No. 8. That’s it. Because of Rongxiaoguan, we missed Laobian Restaurant at No. 72, Qingnian East Road, Huangyan District. Regrettable. Laobian Restaurant is a classic Taizhou cuisine restaurant in the alley. In addition to special seafood, sweet and sour spare ribs, home-cooked tofu, pigeon walnut pulp, old duck dumplings, black ink cuttlefish, string bean wine, red bean cheese soup, secret chicken feet, golden snails… Each dish is an authentic Huangyan specialty. Jiantiao Seafood near the hotel is also a popular place. Unfortunately, we only stayed for two days. In addition, a special reminder. In these warm small cities, whether it’s Linhai or Taizhou, after the meal time, the chef will get off work and definitely not receive guests. So you must not go to eat after the meal time. You will often be turned away. Along the way, we missed two opportunities of ‘having room but no good things’ like this. Alas…

Day Four (Wednesday): Linhai – Taizhou 1 hour, Taizhou, Taizhou – Shitang 2 hours. At 09:00, wake up naturally in the hotel and set off for Taizhou, then drive to Shitang. Today’s driving time: 1 hour from Linhai to Taizhou and 2 hours from Taizhou to Shitang. Today’s itinerary: 3 hours of travel. Planned to eat various things in Taizhou but ended in failure.

Today’s catering: Lunch at the First Floor of Haimen Old Street. Saw but didn’t eat. Dinner is seafood.

Today’s accommodation: Aegean Sea Homestay 1. Originally planned perfectly. Just woke up naturally, had a buffet breakfast, and then walked and stopped along the river, visited several factory stores, and bought several sets of silk pajamas and leather shoes. Then when we arrived at the First Floor of Haimen Old Street, we were told to come early for dinner. It’s only a little after 1 o’clock. There’s nothing good to stroll in Haimen Old Street. We can only go to the small noodle shop nearby. We also wanted to eat less and wait for the opening of dinner. Unexpectedly, the noodles in the small noodle shop are not bad. The freshness comes from the local fresh small shrimps. It’s definitely not produced by seasonings. So we ate our fill again. At this time, there is no other business in the store. It’s like being at home. Chatting with the boss on the recliner about daily life and seafood prices. The landlady also patiently took out ingredients to teach us how to distinguish things. Just like an old neighbor sister. We really can’t eat dinner anymore. So we go straight to Shitang without waiting for the First Floor to open. Because we chose a homestay by the sea, we wanted to go to the homestay first and then come out to find a restaurant. Unexpectedly, the last kilometer of the driveway to the homestay is not easy to drive. So once we go in, we don’t want to come out again, worrying about the danger of driving back at night. The homestay is past the peak season. Meals need to be reserved. Previously, we communicated with the housekeeper and didn’t prepare dinner. Fortunately, the landlady instructed the housekeeper to look in the kitchen again to see what there is to eat. Finally, four dishes and one soup were prepared. In fact, it’s already good. There are fish, crabs, meat and vegetables. The housekeeper also repeatedly apologized. There are only three crabs left from yesterday. They are not alive. But we all said that the crabs are delicious. They are big and fat and we can’t tell whether they are live or dead crabs at all. Look at how rustic we are… It shows the honesty of the homestay owner.

After having dinner, quickly book tomorrow’s dinner. Crabs are a must, along with fish, shrimps, cuttlefish, and seashells… Especially added the small shrimps mentioned by the boss of a small restaurant at noon. Originally not on the menu. Remind the person buying groceries not to forget. It can be seen how little the locals think of these unseemly small shrimps. But they are really delicious. Simply cooked quickly in water, extremely fresh.

Fifth day (Thursday): Watch the sunrise; Shitang island and villages; Coastal greenway of Shitang Peninsula. 09:00 Depart from the hotel and stroll around the surrounding villages of Shitang. Today’s itinerary: Tour Shitang island and villages for 4 hours; Xiaoruocun Village and the greenway.

Today**Standing beside the Millennium Dawn Monument**

Even if you can’t see the sun due to weather reasons, standing beside the Millennium Dawn Monument offers a panoramic view of the stone houses built along the mountain and the fishing boats swaying on the distant sea. Here, you can view one of the ten scenic spots of Wenling, the stone houses at the back of the mountain. This stone house architectural complex is currently the best-preserved ancient fishing village architectural complex in China.

**Shitang Astronomical Museum**

On the side of the dawn monument is the science education base of the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences – the Shitang Astronomical Museum. Despite the educational opportunities nearby, we still chose to watch the sunrise from the comfort of our homestay, enjoying a first-row landscape balcony that made visits to Shuguang Garden or the glass bridge next to the homestay unnecessary.

**Must-Experience Villages in Wenling**

According to the online list of must-experience things in Wenling, the three villages of Xiaoruocun, Liruocun, and Kengpancun, each with their distinct styles, are all indispensable.

– **Xiaoruocun**: The fairy tale town of colorful Xiaoruocun is located in Shitang Town, Wenling. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, the colorful houses and the beautiful seaside scenery are comparable to Santorini Island in Greece.
– **Kengpancun**: Kengpancun, the most beautiful village in Zhejiang, is located in the northeast of Wugen Town, Wenling. It has a history of nearly 800 years and has carried out a series of upgrades while retaining the local characteristic stone houses and mud sculpture skills. Interesting graffiti is painted on ancient dwellings, and little freshness can be seen everywhere between alleys and passages.
– **Liruocun**: Liruocun, a paradise on earth, is located in Shitang Town. The village is surrounded by the sea on three sides and is an ancient secluded fishing village with a history of more than three hundred years. Most of the residents in the village are surnamed Chen, and they mainly fish and live a quiet life.

**Choosing Xiaoluo Village**

Given the distinctive features of Lirou Village, aside from fishing, we decided to visit only Xiaoluo Village and skip the latter two, preferring the comfort of listening to the sea and feeling the breeze at the guesthouse. The dried fish and fish slices purchased near Xiaoluo Village were truly delicious, fresh, and affordable.

**Encounter with Fellow Travelers**

We encountered eight Shanghai brothers and sisters who were also on a self-driving trip, shopping, and planning to continue south to Fujian, which was quite enviable.

**Accommodation Options**

During our stay in Shitang, we chose to stay at Aegean Sea Guesthouse, but this can be adjusted based on actual experience. Aegean Sea is close to Dongxia Beach, with an open sea view, enjoying the first row by the sea, allowing for closer contact with the ocean. The downside is that the last fifty meters must be walked.

– **Dielai San She · Sunrise Guesthouse**: Located by the greenway, with better transportation than Aegean Sea, and features a swimming pool, located near Pearl Beach.
– **Jingqinyuan Guesthouse**: Located in Wu’ao Village, Shitang Town, is built from stone houses and is situated on a hillside, offering a panoramic view from the platform. The building itself is distinctive, retaining the original stone house architecture while incorporating a glass panoramic viewing platform.

**Dining Experience**

Lunch was at Xinchu Ji, a local restaurant known for its good seafood; we were almost the last diners. Watching the staff sit down to eat lunch after their work, one can’t help but feel the happiness of the employees here, with a full table of seafood, their staff meal almost like a feast.

**Afternoon Walk**

In the afternoon, we took a walk along the coastal greenway. The Shitang Peninsula Coastal Greenway is the only coastal scenic greenway in Zhejiang that combines pedestrian paths, cycling paths, and electric vehicle lanes.**Shitang Coastal Scenic Route**

Embarking from the serene Golden Sand Beach, we meander through the picturesque Pearl Beach, culminating our journey at the bustling Diaobang Fishing Port. This 8.5-kilometer stretch offers a comprehensive tour of Shitang’s coastal vistas, with each winding turn unveiling a new perspective. Ideal for a leisurely stroll, the greenway presents a varied landscape at every turn. However, for those of us accustomed to the sea’s lullaby, the allure of the greenway’s scenery pales in comparison. After a round trip on the scenic electric vehicle and a brief respite, we opted to retreat to the comforts of our guesthouse, which boasts a bar, KTV, teahouse, and an open-air balcony.

**Dinner and Evening Activities**

Dinner was a culinary triumph, prepared by a chef whose skills were matched only by his conviviality, resulting in a meal that left us more than satisfied. In the afternoon, children engaged in a barbecue and team-building activities at the homestay. Post-dinner, the homestay was exclusively ours, a tranquil retreat during the off-season. The evening was marked by the discordant notes of elderly KTV enthusiasts. Originally, we had planned to extend our stay, but a surfeit of both fun and seafood prompted us to abbreviate our itinerary. We canceled visits to Changyu Dongtian and Shenxianju, opting instead for the Grand Buddha Temple in Xinchang. The flexibility of self-driving allowed us to swiftly book a stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Xinchang.

**Day Six: Shitang to Xinchang**

Awakening naturally at 08:00, we made our way to Dongxia Beach, a stone’s throw from our homestay. The entrance, now requiring a 30-yuan ticket, felt steep for a non-swimming visit. With a final gaze at the waves, reefs, and beach, we set our sights on The First Floor of Haimen Old Street in Taizhou for lunch. This renowned establishment, with its clear display of seafood and specialty dishes like braised goose and pork, did not disappoint. Its address, No. 82 Renmin Road, is a must-visit for any food enthusiast.

**Lunch at The First Floor of Haimen Old Street**

After a satisfying feast, we decided to pack additional delectable dishes for dinner, a decision that proved wise given the quality of the food. The First Floor of Haimen Old Street comes highly recommended for its rich flavors and variety.

**Check-in at Courtyard by Marriott Xinchang**

Upon arrival in Xinchang, we checked into the Courtyard by Marriott Xinchang, a more affordable yet equally comfortable option. The area surrounding the hotel was reminiscent of ordinary Shanghai, with commercial centers and a plethora of dining options. However, the lack of distinctive local restaurants was noted, a contrast to Taizhou’s culinary offerings.

**Day Seven: Xinchang Dafo Temple and Departure**

Departing at 9:00 AM, we headed to Xinchang Dafo Temple, dedicating four hours to its exploration. Our dining experience at Tu Zaotou restaurant offered a taste of local cuisine. As we woke naturally, the hotel’s breakfast buffet was a pleasant surprise, filled with familiar faces and conversations about the cost of living and the quirks of travel. It seems that no matter where we venture, we find our hometown’s people, yet back home, strangers outnumber friends. The world is indeed a curious place, and travel is the art of finding joy in the familiar and the foreign alike.Today’s destination was the Xinchang Dafo Temple. It is a conventional tourist spot and has a higher volume of visitors than any other site we visited along the way. It is one of the many scenic spots in Jiangnan and needs no further elaboration.

Lunch was at the Tu Zaotou restaurant. The culinary experience of Xinchang was average.

Afterward, we returned to Shanghai, concluding this trip.