[Huinan's "Little Jiuzhai" | Complete Guide to Guniujiang in Shitai]

🌿 [Hidden Gem in Huinan | Complete Guide to Guniujiang in Shitai] Discover Eastern China's "Little Jiuzhaigou" - A Complete Guide to Hiking, Oxygen Therapy, and Ancient Village Exploration! As the "last pristine forest in Eastern China" extending from the Huangshan Mountain Range, Guniujiang boasts a 97.96% forest coverage rate, emerald pools, and thousand-year-old Hui-style villages, making it a treasure for travelers from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui! This thoughtful guide helps you avoid crowds while immersing yourself in the dual healing powers of nature and culture. 📍 [Scenic Area Profile] Address: Dayan Township, Shitai County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province (core scenic area in Shitai County, bordering Qimen County) Honors: National 4A-level Scenic Area, National Nature Reserve, "Eastern China's Gene Bank for Flora and Fauna" Features: Combines "majestic mountains + pristine forests + serene pools + Hui-style ancient villages," with negative ion concentration 35 times higher than world fresh air standards - a true "natural oxygen bar"! 🚗 [Transportation Guide | Hassle-free Arrival] ✈️ Getting There - High-speed Rail: Take train to Chizhou Station, then take the "Chizhou Station-Guniujiang" tourist bus (100km, CNY 30, about 2 hours), departing daily at 7:30/10:30, return trips at 14:00/16:00 from scenic area. - Self-driving: Navigate to "Shitai Guniujiang Scenic Area," 3-4 hours from Hefei/Nanjing/Hangzhou, parking lot fee CNY 10/day. Transportation within Scenic Area - Must-take shuttle: From visitor center to core attractions via scenic area shuttle (included in admission), 10 minutes to Yanjia Ancient Village, walking trail available for hiking enthusiasts (about 30 minutes). 🌟 [Must-visit Spots | Natural and Cultural Highlights] 1. Longmen Pool | Best Water Scenery in Huinan 💧 Crystal-clear water like sapphire, showing gradient green under sunlight, bamboo rafts floating like ink paintings (free photo opportunities!). Shallow areas perfect for water play, summer temperature 5℃ lower than city, ideal for families. 2. Four-tiered Waterfall | Cool Hidden Paradise 🌊 Water cascades in four levels, highest drop 20m, waterfall-viewing pavilion offers perfect photo spots. Wear non-slip shoes, more spectacular after rain, let the waterfall sound wash away urban stress. 3. Yanjia Ancient Village | Thousand-year-old Hui-style Time Capsule 🏡 500-year-old village with well-preserved white walls, black tiles, stone paths, and horse-head walls. Thousand-year-old yew tree at village entrance requires three people to embrace. Intangible cultural heritage experiences available (like Mulian Opera mask painting), try villagers' homemade bamboo shoots and kudzu starch balls (CNY 15/serving). 4. Lovers Valley & Fairy Pool | Off-the-beaten-path Hiking Route 🌿 Wooden walkway through pristine forest, chance encounters with wild monkeys and rare plants (like living fossil ginkgo). Streams flow through valleys, rocks by pools perfect for meditation, recommended to go with companions (some sections steep). 🎫 [Tickets & Reservations | Money-saving Tips] - Admission: CNY 100 for adults (includes round-trip shuttle), half-price for seniors over 60/students, free for children under 1.2m. - Booking: Save CNY 10 booking one day ahead via Trip.com/official WeChat account, enter with ID card, no ticket exchange needed. - Hours: 8:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), arrive at 8:00 during peak season (June-August) to avoid crowds. 🏡 [Nearby Accommodation | Sleep in Nature] ✨ Ancient Village Homestays (Best Value) "Bamboo House" and "Selenium Encounter Inn" in Yanjia Ancient Village, CNY 200-300/night, mountain views, try local dishes (Shitai Special Pot: chicken + cured meat + dried bamboo shoots, CNY 80/pot). 🌟 Scenic Area Hotels (Luxury Option) "Julong Guniujiang Hotel" at scenic area entrance, Hui-style garden design, some rooms with stargazing terraces, CNY 400-600/night with breakfast, suitable for self-driving families. 🍽️ [Food Map | Don't Miss Local Delicacies] - 🐟 Qiupu Small River Fish: Stream-raised bass, crispy and spicy when fried, recommended at "Mountain Flavor Restaurant" near entrance (CNY 50/person). - 🥘 Shitai Selenium Cuisine: Selenium-rich local ingredients, like selenium rice fried rice, selenium tea fried eggs, healthy and nutritious. - 🍡 Handmade Kudzu Starch Balls: Fresh-made at village stalls, chewy with brown sugar syrup, perfect CNY 10/serving afternoon snack! ⚠️ [Tips & Warnings] 1. Wear non-slip shoes! Some walkways slippery, especially around Four-tiered Waterfall. 2. Bring sunscreen + insect repellent! High forest coverage means more insects, sunglasses and hats necessary. 3. Protect the environment! No picking plants or feeding wildlife, take your trash with you. 4. Navigate to "Shitai Guniujiang"! Guniujiang spans Shitai/Qimen counties, core attractions concentrated in Shitai County. 🌿 Conclusion: Guniujiang's beauty lies in streams reflecting clouds, tea fragrance from ancient villages, and healing conversations with nature while hiking. If you're tired of crowded attractions, come here to wade, hike, and stay in homestays, letting time slow down. Share which spot you want to visit most in the comments!