Things to do in Huangmei

You need to drive yourself, the road up the mountain is very beautiful. The buildings in the temple are reconstructions from the Ming and Qing Dynasties to modern times. Some ancient trees and ancient towers are more than a thousand years old. The contemporary buildings next to it are also worth stopping. The ancient mountain road behind the temple can be reached at the half-mountain pavilion. The building on the top of the mountain is in an unfinished state. Parking is free, the scenic area is free, and there are not many tourists.

Located in Dahe Town, Huangmei County, it is the dojo of the fourth patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Master Daoxin. It covers a large area. Except for the surrounding Vimalakirti Pagoda and Lingrun Bridge, which are old buildings, most of the others are newly built. There are not many pilgrims. It does not seem like a place to burn incense and worship Buddha, but more like a pure academy for practice. Buddhist summer camps have been held many times before, but they have been suspended in recent years due to the epidemic. However, there are still many lay Buddhists who live and practice here for a long time. The whole temple is spacious and grand, with a strong academic atmosphere.

This is a place with a story. We visited to learn about its history and to teach the children. There was a Sichuan opera face-changing performance, but I don't know why Jiujiang would include it. Then there was a brief explanation of the origin of Song Jiang's rebellious poem. The last part was what I found most distasteful: a former calligrapher wrote some calligraphy. He kept saying it wasn't for sale, only for the audience member who cheered the loudest. I immediately recognized the sales tactic. What I disliked was that during the May Day holiday, people from all over brought their children to visit. The children were innocent and focused, listening intently and looking forward to it. When you tell them it's a scam, it's negative, and they won't leave until the end. In the end, it was obvious they wouldn't give it away for free; they charged 200 yuan for the writing. In other words, the calligraphy was written and given away for free; the artwork wasn't actually framed, just a simple scroll with the writing on it. They charged 200 yuan to the viewers. Finally, the children realized it was a scam, learned a lesson about society, and left unhappy. This part was definitely a mistake in this old historical building. Society has developed; even selling calligraphy and paintings using this tactic is outdated. If they had just added more creative souvenirs, fridge magnets, and ice cream, the price would probably have been higher than this, even with more tourists.

The exhibited artifacts were quite good; I've also been to joint exhibitions organized by museums like the Hunan Provincial Museum. The Kremlin artifacts here are well-prepared and thoughtfully designed. However, the souvenir and merchandise section was rather boring. I was thinking of buying a pendant or something, but that saved me some money.

The scenic area is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms. From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Yangtze River Bridge and the Yellow Crane Tower. At the very top, watching the ships on the Yangtze and the cars and trains on the bridge, with the breeze blowing, is very pleasant, and it's not too crowded. The scenic area isn't large; a leisurely hour is about right to appreciate the scenery. Qingchuan Pavilion and Guishan Scenic Area are directly connected by the Iron Gate Pass, which leads to the West Gate of Guishan. Climbing the mountain and enjoying the breeze and osmanthus fragrance is a wonderful experience.

Taking kids to a museum definitely requires a guided tour! Luckily, we met a great guide – Ms. Yuan! Her explanations were very detailed, and we listened attentively. We bought many souvenirs. The chicken cup is a must-buy! The museum architecture is also stunning – highly recommended!

The Huizhou Prefectural Government Office truly lives up to its reputation as the core government office of ancient Huizhou. Restored to its original site according to Ming Dynasty regulations, its central axis layout is orderly and solemn, with the ceremonial gate, main hall, and second hall unfolding in sequence, showcasing the grandeur of an ancient government office. The exquisite Hui-style wooden structure and intricate carvings add to its charm. Visitors can also watch live court performances, gaining a direct experience of the ancient government office system. The office exudes a rich historical atmosphere, making it more than just a place for taking photos; it's a perfect opportunity to quietly appreciate the cultural heritage of Huizhou and a must-see cultural highlight in the ancient city of Huizhou.

Teacher Xiaoyu's explanation was excellent. She really wanted to tell us about the treasures of the Jiangxi Provincial Museum in a short time. You could feel her passion for her work. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to hear her explanation.

Sanhe Ancient Town is a free ancient town near Hefei that's well worth visiting. With its charming canals, ancient streets, and alleys, it exudes a captivating atmosphere. You can stroll along the cobblestone paths, visit historical residences, and sample local delicacies such as rice dumplings, rice wine, and dried tea. It's not overly commercialized, making for a relaxed and enjoyable experience. Overall, it offers great value for money and is perfect for a short trip to experience the charm of a Jianghuai water town.

The most worthwhile attraction in the scenic area is the Suojiang Tower (a national key cultural relic protection unit). Actually, you can see it very clearly from the outside :) There is a 3D electronic screen inside the tower, and climbing the tower is also a good place to enjoy the river view. However, the design of Suojiang Tower is not user-friendly for viewing the tower.