Spring has finally arrived, bringing with it a delightful change in the weather. The temperature is on the rise, and the sunshine is nothing short of splendid. Over the weekend, I embarked on a self-driving spring outing to Tonglu with some friends. Yes, I find myself returning to Tonglu time and again—it’s a place that never fails to captivate me. Hehe.
The journey from Shanghai to Tonglu takes approximately three and a half hours by car. During this trip, I had the pleasure of visiting the enchanting Yaolin Wonderland and the ‘Little Guilin’ Tianmu Creek Drifting. Both are perfect destinations for the current pleasant weather, and I highly recommend them to you.
Yaolin Wonderland is the most stunning natural karst cave I have ever visited. It feels as though you’re stepping into a surreal underground world. The temperature inside remains a comfortable 16 degrees Celsius all year round, making it neither too cold nor too hot—just right.
The entire tour of the karst cave lasts about an hour, but given its breathtaking beauty and the impressive photos that can be captured, photography enthusiasts might want to allocate extra time. Yaolin Wonderland is acclaimed as the ‘crown of all caves in the country’ due to its intricate and distinctive cave formations and the spectacular group stone landscapes. The renowned painter Ye Qianyu described it as ‘rare in China and rare in the world’.
Inside, the three cave halls are magnificent, vivid, and elegant. The new 5.0 lighting version masterfully blends the opulent and colorful special effects with the shocking sci-fi scene arrangements, all set against the backdrop of the cave’s unique natural splendor. This creates an unforgettable experience, encapsulating the essence of ‘one day in the cave, ten thousand years on earth’.Tianmu Creek Drifting
In the afternoon, I went to Tianmu Creek Drifting. It is located at Bipu Youchebian, Yaolin Town, Tonglu County. It is only 7.9 kilometers and about a 13-minute drive from Yaolin Wonderland.
The stream here is green and clear. The green mountains and clear waters and bamboo raft drifting in front of you seem to be a beautiful ink painting. It really deserves the title of ‘Little Guilin in Hangzhou’.
Sitting on a bamboo raft and drifting downstream slowly. The water here is very stable. There is no need to worry about being splashed by water. It is suitable for the elderly and children. The magnificent peaks and beautiful ridges form a picturesque scene. The blue sky and white clouds are reflected in the water. Bathed in the warm spring sun and accompanied by the gentle breeze, passing under the bridge and traveling through the life of farming and fishing, tasting the rural charm of western Zhejiang. The whole drifting process takes about 40 minutes, which is just right for spring outings when it’s neither cold nor hot.
After walking out of the karst cave, you will pass through a bamboo forest and return to the parking lot. Taking a walk by the stream is beautiful and very healing. There are also some children’s facilities for kids to play.
Near the exit, there is a karst cave drifting adventure that will be opened soon. I didn’t experience it this time, which is a bit of a pity.
A leisurely spring outing without rushing. It’s carefree and healing. If you want to go on a spring outing on the weekend and don’t know where to go, you might as well go to Tonglu and look for surprises in spring.
