Yaxi Town (Gaochun International Slow City)

Yaxi Town (Gaochun International Slow City)

Yaxi Town (Gaochun International Slow City) is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Yaxi Town is located in the eastern part of Gaochun District, Nanjing City, and is one of the new small towns in Jiangsu Province. It borders Liyang to the east, is 8 kilometers south of Dingbu Town in Langxi County, Anhui, and adjoins Lishui County to the north. Yaxi has a long history, with human activity dating back as early as 3,000 years ago. The formation of the Yaxi town center began in the late Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty, and its superior geographical conditions made it a commercial hub at the intersection of two provinces and four counties.

Six administrative villages in Yaxi Town are distributed along a 48-kilometer scenic belt. The route alternates between mountain-and-water vistas and forested paths, with lush greenery and fragrant blooms showcasing the idyllic countryside. Yaxi’s “Ecological Journey” features the golden ecological ratio of one-third mountains, one-fifth water, and two-fifths farmland, where mountains, water, urban areas, and forests blend seamlessly, giving this Jiangnan town a unique charm. Yaxi is a famous spot near Nanjing for viewing rapeseed flowers, and an annual Rapeseed Flower Festival is held during the blooming season.

The Yaxi Village Agricultural Science and Technology Demonstration Park in Yaxi Town was established in 1998. With an initial planned area of 1,300 mu, it was developed on reclaimed barren hills and wastelands under the guidance of research institutions such as the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Zhenjiang Agricultural Science Institute. It gradually grew into an efficient agricultural science and technology demonstration park integrating experimentation, demonstration, and promotion. The entire demonstration park received an investment of 8.2816 million yuan, achieving full standardization with “grid-like fields, sandy motor roads, forested field networks, and hardened irrigation channels.” It includes 688 steel-frame greenhouses, a 450-mu demonstration base for off-season vegetable production featuring over ten high-quality varieties, 300 mu of premium strawberry plantations, concrete-pillar wire-frame grape greenhouses cultivating 50 mu of Japanese “Hayakawa” grapes, and the promotion of high-efficiency cultivation models such as “strawberry–watermelon” and “winter-spring chili–watermelon–lettuce.”

In November 2010, at the International Slow Cities Conference held in Scotland, Gaochun’s “Yaxi Town” Ecological Journey was officially awarded the title of “International Slow City” by the World Slow City Organization, making it China’s first international slow city.

Slow City: A “Slow City” refers to an urban form that emphasizes slowing down the pace of life. According to the World Slow Cities Alliance, designated towns, villages, or communities must have a population of fewer than 50,000, pursue green lifestyles, oppose pollution and noise, support urban greening, endorse traditional handicraft methods, and exclude fast-food outlets and large supermarkets. To become a member of the “Slow City” movement, a city must meet 54 specific criteria across areas such as urban population, environmental policy, urban development planning, infrastructure, food production, and even youth education.

Scenic Area Address: Yaxi Town, Eastern Gaochun District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: Buses to Yaxi Town from Gaochun District, Nanjing, are available.

Address: Yaxi Town, Gaochun County, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province

Type: Rural Resort

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–3 days

Phone: 025-56861235 (Yaxi Slow City Center), 025-56862732 (Dashan Slow City Center)

Official Website: http://guojimancheng.a5.nw-host.com/

Social Media Accounts:

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

No admission fee required.