Avoid the crowds! 4 real-life fairyland secret spots guide, snap divine wallpapers anytime

Tired of the crowded popular tourist spots? Head to these hidden secret places nestled between mountains and rivers. Mist wraps around strange peaks, small boats float on jade waters, ancient villages hide deep in forests—no special effects needed to recreate iconic scenes from fairy tales. This guide takes you on an immersive "cultivation" journey. Sanqing Mountain, Jiangxi: A sword-riding journey in the cloud fairy mountain As a famous Taoist mountain, Sanqing Mountain’s sea of clouds and strange peaks are a natural filming location for fairy tales, with a high rating of 4.7 revealing the stunning "Eastern Alps." Take the Jinsha cable car up early morning, the Sunshine Coast plank road winds like a silver ribbon around cliffs, and when the sea of clouds surges below, it feels like walking on a sword. The "Giant Python Emerging from the Mountain" stone pillar pierces the sky, the "Eastern Goddess" gazes afar, and the shifting mist seems to transform immortals. A 2-day 1-night essential route is worry-free: On day one, hike the West Coast plank road to encounter the "Monkey King Watching Treasure" strange rock, chase a sunset that dyes the sea of clouds red at Yutai in the evening, and stay overnight in a mountain guesthouse with a window view of the starry river; on day two, get up at 5 a.m. to catch the sunrise at Sunshine Coast, where golden light spills over the peak forest, perfect for poster-worthy photos, then explore the Nanjing Garden’s One Line Sky in the morning to feel the awe of cliffs squeezing the sky. Practical tips to remember: Book tickets + cable car combo on Trip.com in advance to save 20 yuan; azaleas in full bloom from April to May add more fairy atmosphere. Try Sanqing Mountain stewed duck, with firm and flavorful meat, paired with kudzu root crisps as a perfect souvenir. Wearing white Hanfu on the high-altitude plank road guarantees 100% success for floating-style photos. Pingshan Canyon, Enshi, Hubei: Secret water fairy trail Hidden deep in western Hubei’s mountains, Pingshan Canyon is known as the real-life "Semporna" for its crystal-clear "floating boats." Row a small boat on the jade-like water, with fish and aquatic plants visible through the transparent bottom, while mist swirls between the steep cliffs on both sides, as if stepping into a hidden fairy tale world. For a 1-day deep experience, start early: Enter before 9 a.m. and head straight to the photo spots, rent a boat with a boatman for 100 yuan to pose for photos; from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the sunlight makes the water most transparent, perfect for photos. Hike the plank road to check in at "Five-foot Gate" and "One Line Sky," then challenge the 1,988-step Gangbu Heavenly Ladder in the afternoon to overlook the entire canyon, a breathtaking sight. Transportation and dining tips: After high-speed rail to Enshi Station, take a 3-hour bus to Hefeng County, then a 40-yuan taxi to the canyon; self-driving requires caution on winding mountain roads. Don’t miss Enshi Hezha, a local dish of tofu and soy milk stew that pairs perfectly with rice. The plank road is slippery, so wear anti-slip shoes and bring a change of clothes to avoid getting wet. Shaxi Ancient Town, Yunnan: The fairy tale dream of the Tea Horse Road This thousand-year-old Bai ethnic ancient town, untouched by commercialization, holds the most poetic fairy tale atmosphere. The bluestone paths wind through the Four Square Street, the 800-year-old ancient theater stage with flying eaves, and in the morning mist, elders in ethnic costumes walk slowly, as if stepping into a hidden village from a fairy tale drama. A slow travel guide perfect for leisure travelers: On day one, have coffee at Pioneer Bookstore, watching sunlight filter through wooden windows onto pages; in the afternoon, bike to Heihui River to see Bai houses reflected in the clear water; in the evening, wait at Yujin Bridge for the sunset to dye the river red. On day two, hike Shibao Mountain to explore Tang Dynasty stone caves, have vegetarian lunch at Baoxiang Temple, and in the afternoon try Bai tie-dyeing to make your own "fairy" scarf. Don’t miss the culinary surprises: Rare bean powder rice noodles with grilled milk fan cost only 30 yuan and are filling; Shaxi’s yellow braised chicken with tender meat and soft potatoes is a local secret favorite. Stay at "Jixia Shan" guesthouse, where the elegant courtyard blends perfectly with the ancient town’s vibe; wake up to birdsong and fall asleep to the sound of flowing water. Fanjing Mountain, Guizhou: The cloud sea covenant of the sky city Fanjing Mountain’s Red Cloud Golden Summit is the prototype of the "Heavenly Palace" in fairy tales, with two golden peaks connected by a sky bridge, floating in the mist like drifting in the sky. The 4.7 rating hides a geological miracle of hundreds of millions of years—the mushroom rock stands firm through wind and rain, and from the old golden summit, the sea of clouds surges like a fairyland. A 1-day challenge requires an early start: Take the cable car at 7 a.m., hike 40 minutes up the 10,000-step cloud ladder to the mushroom rock, first climb the old golden summit for panoramic views, then challenge the nearly vertical stone steps of the Red Cloud Golden Summit. After reaching the top, take photos on the sky bridge with the sea of clouds rolling beneath, as if walking on clouds. Have self-heating hotpot at Pudu Square for lunch (park dining is expensive, so bring your own), then descend through the original forest along the wooden plank road in the afternoon. Don’t forget these practical reminders: Book tickets on Trip.com 3 days in advance; strict visitor limits in peak season. Wear anti-slip shoes and gloves for climbing assistance; bring rain gear as mountain weather changes quickly; couples can bring matching jackets for warmth and photo ops. The Cotton Wool Ridge hiking trail is quiet and scenic, and don’t forget to snap photos if you encounter squirrels. These 4 secret spots hold the truest fairy tale charm, free from crowds, accompanied only by mountains, waters, and fairy aura. Choose a holiday to set off, fulfill a fairy tale dream among the sea of clouds and peak forests, and return with stunning photos to amaze your friends.