Qingyang Village
Guest contestant @Ye Qianxun said: “Qingyang Village is an ‘imperial examination village’ that is noble but not wealthy. Historical records confirm that the ‘San Qu’ mentioned in Mao Zedong’s Shaoshan family tree—referring to ‘the ancestral home of the Mao clan in San Qu’—is this very village, which has produced 8 ministers and 83 imperial examination graduates throughout history. It is the birthplace of the Jiangnan Mao clan and Mao Zedong’s ancestral home.” Indeed, the serene village captured by the contestants is none other than the talented and distinguished Qingyang Village.
Qingyang Village is a land of outstanding people and natural beauty, with a long history of producing notable figures such as the Song Dynasty father-and-son duo Mao Huang and Mao Ju Zheng, who served as ministers of Rites and Revenue respectively; the famous Northern Song Dynasty poet Mao Pang; the Ming Dynasty minister Mao Kai, who served in the Ministries of Rites, Personnel, and Justice; and the modern Chinese studies master Mao Zishui. It is truly a feng shui blessed land. The entire ancient village is surrounded by mountains on three sides, simple and tranquil. In the play of light and shadow, it seems only traces of time remain—weathered walls, bamboo-wood doors, elderly women at the village entrance, and white geese in pens... @PhotographerChuansir created a series of works here titled “Light and Shadow”: Just because of your enchanting light and shadow, I stand quietly to admire, tempted by your presence, near or far.
Jianglang Mountain
Leaving the pure and peaceful Qingyang Village, the next photography destination is Jianglang Mountain, known as “the most spectacular under heaven and the most beautiful in the southeast.” Here, you’ll find breathtaking natural wonders, including the 300-meter-high Danxia peak split into three sections (“Three Pieces of Stone”), a awe-inspiring natural monument and a masterpiece of Danxia landform. There’s also the magical One-Line Sky, with its parallel and sheer cliffs, carved as if by knife and axe, presenting a majestic and miraculous sight.
Faced with such stunning scenery, the contestants were instantly inspired and began creating enthusiastically on-site: female contestants posed as models walking a “catwalk” in the One-Line Sky, showing off various graceful poses, while the male contestants were not to be outdone, following closely behind to strike various poses for selfies or mutual shots. It was a scene of wild fun. Amid the enchanting beauty, the contestants had a blast and enjoyed even more fun capturing it. Contestant @Zhao Geyu couldn’t help but share on Weibo: “Jianglang Mountain is majestic and spectacular. The Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi once praised: ‘If only I could grow wings, to roam with you through the misty clouds.’ But I love the reflections in Jianglang Mountain—they’re both real and illusory, just like traveling within a painting.”
Nianbadu Ancient Town
As night fell, we arrived at the long-awaited ancient town of Nianbadu. Nestled among the green mountains and waters at the border of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangxi, the “Nianbadu Ancient Town,” with its dark-tiled walls and the ancient Xiasha Trail, seems like a lady of nobility hiding in a secluded mountain estate, cloaked in mystery.
Bathed in the setting sun, the well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty Huizhou-style ancient buildings of Nianbadu are scattered in an orderly fashion. It combines the small bridges and flowing waters of the Jiangnan water towns with the depth and grandeur of the north, making it distinctly different from other ancient towns. In the town, a covered bridge spans the Fengxi River, where people who have worked all day and children tired from playing rest, forming a tranquil and lyrical Chinese painting. @Xu Tieren said: “Coming to Nianbadu, known as a living fossil of ancient towns, what makes this town interesting is not just the few tourists, but the opportunity to discover an authentic way of life—small bridges and flowing waters, washing vegetables in the river, old stone streets, and simple folk customs. Plus, the local cuisine is uniquely delicious.”
On the second morning, the air was particularly fresh. @ToscanaTSKN exclaimed: “Nianbadu has awakened after being washed by the night rain. Only then did I realize how graceful and peaceful this national historical town is after the rain. Walking across its little bridges, strolling through its alleys, everything feels so comforting.”
Floating Cap Mountain Rafting
After bidding farewell to Nianbadu, we arrived early at Floating Cap Mountain, eager to try the thrilling rafting experience. After getting fully prepared, the contestants were already buzzing with excitement—even before the rafting began—because everyone was ready to start a water fight!
Riding rubber rafts down the rapid mountain stream, surrounded by towering peaks and rugged valleys, speeding through the rapids and waves, the contestants were drenched but couldn’t stop cheering with excitement. Even more fun—some contestants even caught fish during the rafting. Along the way, you can enjoy close-up views of clear shallow waters and visible fish, as well as distant views of bamboo forests and blooming mountain flowers, creating one stunning landscape scroll after another alongside the ancient Nianbadu village. @Feiniao Yu Shang’an excitedly said after disembarking: “The most worthwhile experience when traveling to Quzhou is rafting in the Floating Cap Mountain Canyon. Known as the No. 1 rafting spot in Zhejiang, it takes you through three provinces—Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Anhui. It’s thrilling yet safe. I shared a kayak with @Xu Tieren, and we could have water fights with our friends anytime, just as exciting and joyful as a water-splashing festival. There are also multiple photo spots along the way to capture those wet moments!”
Gonggen Buddha Realm
After the thrilling rafting adventure, the next stop is a fantastical world filled with the subtle scent of wood—Gonggen Buddha Realm. It is regarded as the most precious art in Quzhou, ingeniously combining root carving, potted plants, stone appreciation culture, and classical garden architecture. It integrates the splendid culture of five thousand years of Chinese history into unique roots and trees, creating a serene and elegant painting that harmonizes heaven and humanity.
Regarding the artistic beauty of root carvings, @Jiang Dehao praised: “The Kaihua Root Palace Buddha Realm, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, was meticulously crafted by master artisan Xu Guqing. The largest root carving, the main statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, is massive, weighing over 40 tons. Through the ‘enlightenment’ of Drunk Root, it stands majestically as a Buddha! The 500 Arhats array is even more imposing, with a grand and classic overall layout, truly a unique wonder in China and the world.” Indeed, Gonggen Buddha Realm is like an encyclopedia of root art. Attractions such as the Blessing Gate, Cloud Lake Zen Heart, Collection Fun Studio, Heavenly Work Museum, Drunk Root Pagoda, and the Historical and Cultural River leave the contestants’ cameras unsure where to point—it’s simply too beautiful and artistic! And what amazed them the most were the 500 Arhats, lifelike, embodying both the mystique of Buddhism and reflections of human life, blending traditional carving techniques with innovative modern art concepts. It’s the world’s largest set of root-carved 500 Arhats statues.
Kaihua Dongfang Taoxi Renjia
In the evening, staying in the little wooden cabins of Kaihua Taoxi Renjia, a few friends sit together sipping tea. The chirping of birds and fragrance of flowers make waking up in the morning a delight—so leisurely and carefree. The wooden cabins of Taoxi Renjia, hidden deep in the bamboo forest, are a dreamlike Eden. Amid the lush greenery, listen to the wind, the insects, and even the birds that might suddenly fly to keep you company. Thoughts here are free to wander, without disturbance or worry, forgetting everything. Such a poetic beauty moved @Zhao Geyu to express her feelings: Everyone has a dream of a little wooden cabin. It lies between green mountains and clear waters, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, waking up to sunlight and birdsong in the morning, chatting with friends and counting stars at night, or walking along mountain trails, or reading on the balcony. Life is so tranquil and poetic.
Sanqu Mountain
Climbing Quzhou’s mother mountain—Sanqu Mountain—is yet another unique experience. Because of the famous “tiankeng” (heavenly pit) landscape found here, it is also called “Sanqu Stone Forest.” The Sanqu Stone Forest is known for its elegant and delicate scenery, integrating peculiar rocks, strange stones, steep cliffs, caves, stone forests, springs, and streams into one. With its uniquely shaped and ever-changing formations, it offers endless enjoyment of nature’s wonders. @Lanhai Fan Ying remarked: “The various animal-shaped rock formations in the Sanqu Stone Forest are incredibly lifelike, earning it the reputation of the world’s largest ‘zoo of pictographic stones.’ Coupled with the garden stone qualities of ‘slenderness, leakage, and transparency,’ it’s truly a geological and ‘animal’ expo!”
Changshan Tribute Noodles
After descending the mountain, a rather unassuming household caught the attention of the guest contestants. Upon inquiry, they learned that this family ran one of the few time-honored shops in Changshan that still produces Tribute Noodles entirely by hand using traditional methods.
As they spoke, the noodle master began demonstrating his extraordinary skill in making tribute noodles. His techniques were so masterful and refined that they left everyone in awe. The master mounted the coiled “thick noodles” onto the noodle-pulling rack, repeatedly stretching, extending, and pulling them until the noodles became as long, thin, and delicate as strands of silk. Intrigued by this traditional and fascinating craft, the contestants eagerly asked to learn how to pull noodles themselves, thoroughly enjoying the process. When the family served up steaming hot tribute noodles, they truly lived up to their description: “As white as silver, beautiful and fragrant; as fine as silk, evoking deep sentiment.” The sight made everyone’s mouths water. @Xie Yang, who kept giving a thumbs-up while eating, exclaimed, “These hand-pulled noodles are as fine as silk, and the master’s movements are dazzling. His craftsmanship is absolutely astounding. The several-meter-long ‘myriad silver threads’ sway gently in the breeze without breaking, resembling exquisite works of art.”
Jiulong Lake
Taking a sightseeing boat to enjoy the lake and surrounding mountains is a relaxing and delightful experience. The guest contestants happily boarded the boat to take in the vast, deep blue waters of Jiulong Lake, listening to the lapping waves and feeling the gentle caress of the lake breeze. They looked up at the blue sky from the boat, spending an unforgettable moment during this micro-photography journey.
The waters of Jiulong Lake are as clear as jade, with emerald peaks like eyebrows and verdant ridges stretching along the shore. The lake's surface is mirror-like, with misty reflections hanging upside down, blending the shimmering water with the blue sky. Lush trees and slender bamboo create a picturesque scene, making the landscape incredibly enchanting and immersing visitors in the fresh air and stunning views. @Jiweixise exclaimed with delight, “Jiulong Lake, with its rippling blue waters—I love the green mountains and clear waters simply because my heart belongs to nature. I hope that when we seek retreat in the future, the green mountains will still stand, and the clear waters will continue to flow. May we find our true sanctuary to nourish our souls as we age.”
With this, the first group of guest contestants has concluded their photography adventure in Quzhou. One contestant shared online, “I’m grateful to have been selected to participate in the ‘Micro Quzhou Madness’ event. Along the way, we explored wildly, shot passionately, and encountered endless scenery, refined culture, untold stories, and indescribable charm… It was a tremendously fulfilling experience both physically and mentally.” Indeed, Quzhou is just like that—it gives you one crazy good time, and leaves you wanting to come back for more. Let’s look forward to the arrival of the second group of guest contestants!