Five hidden paradises: a less crowded spring getaway

Xianju — as the name suggests, it’s considered by locals as a “place where immortals dwell.” Starting from3June, rapeseed flowers, peach blossoms, lavender, and sunflowers bloom in succession. Surrounded by misty countryside, it feels truly like stepping into a paradise on earth.

Shenxianju is a place embraced by sea of clouds and ancient pines. The mountains here are dotted with bamboo forests and waterfalls, preserving their pristine natural beauty. Many films and TV shows, such as *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, *The Forbidden Kingdom*, and *An Unexpected Love*, have been filmed here. Every6month is the peak season for lavender blooms, and also when the scenery is at its most enchanting.

Admission:125yuan

Transportation: There are direct shuttle buses from Xianju Bus Station to Shenxianju Scenic Area, departing at7:20am, with about6~7trips per day.

Potan Ancient Town isn’t as refined as Wuzhen or Zhouzhuang, and may even seem a bit run-down, but it’s precisely this rawness that gives it a strong sense of life. Walk along the cobblestone-paved “dragon-shaped” ancient street, visit the ancient opera stage and money shops from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and if you meet a chatty elder, you might hear some tales of old Potan.

Admission:50yuan

Transportation: Take a bus from Xianju Bus Station to Hengxi, and get off at Potan to walk to the ancient town.

Gongyu is known as the “Shangri-La of the south.” The area includes two villages, Shangping and Xiaping, both situated on mountains around600meters above sea level. It’s an excellent hiking destination, featuring beautiful scenery along the way with moderate difficulty. At night, you can even camp in Gongyu Village, where the starry sky will surely amaze you.

Admission: None

Transportation: Most hikes start from Qiankeng Village. You can hire a car near Xianju County Bus Station to reach Qiankeng Village.

Pujiang is located in central Zhejiang. Though not widely known today, this historic place boasts several uniquely charming villages, among which Luoyuan Village and Panzhoujia Village stand out the most.

Luoyuan Village was once an obscure little settlement.2014At the end of the year, designers from the China Academy of Art used paint to completely rejuvenate the place, transforming the old village into a fairytale-like colorful town. Since then, a growing number of3DThe colorful paintings add a touch of innocent childlike fun to the place.

Admission: Free

Transportation: Self-driving required. Depart from the Passenger Transport Terminal at Pujiang Bus Transport Center, then follow South Daqiao Road-S314-in the direction of Lanxi,6.7drive approximately

Panzhoujia Village is home to only the Pan and Zhou families. On China’s Dream Show in2014, their legendary skill of making an unbroken noodle brought this small village into the public eye. With over 500 households, nearly every family here makes noodles. From11to4each year, there is a Noodle Festival, during which the village turns into a sea of noodles. The hanging strands of noodles drying in the fields make for perfect photographic subjects.

Admission: Free

Transportation: Self-driving required. Located about twenty kilometers north of Pujiang County

Tonglu County is located southwest of Hangzhou and has long been famed for its landscape scenery. Since ancient times, it has enjoyed the reputation of having “unique mountains and extraordinary waters, unmatched in the world.” The clear Fuchun River flows through the entire region, and with green hills and waters blending together, it forms a true-to-life “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains.”

Tonglu has no shortage of well-knownA-rated attractions, but for urbanites with a taste for the chic, the most alluring is probably the Pioneer Yuni Library hidden in Daijiashan, Xin Feng Ethnic Village, Aoshan She Ethnic Township.

This bookstore is one of the projects under the “Aoshan Practice” by renowned architect Zhang Lei. It was created by renovating two She ethnic dwellings. The yellow mud walls, wooden windows, staircases, bookshelves, and almost everything else carry an old-world, authentic “She ethnic” charm. The shop even displays a loom with distinct ethnic characteristics.

On a bright spring day, enjoying wildflowers and reading in such a quaint village with a literary bookstore is a unique kind of pleasure.

Transportation: Self-driving only. Located in Daijiashan, Xin Feng Ethnic Village, Aoshan She Ethnic Township.

Yunhe County is located in the southwestern part of Zhejiang. Its biggest draw is the Yunhe Terraces in Chongtou Town — the largest terrace complex in East China, known as the “Most Beautiful Terraces in China,” and also selected by the United StatesCNNas one of the most beautiful40scenic spots in China. The Yunhe Terraces offer different beautiful views throughout the four seasons, and every shot taken here could be a stunning landscape photo, making it a natural photography studio for photography enthusiasts.

Admission: Combo ticket80RMB, includes Jiǔqū Yúnhuán (Nine-Turn Cloud Ring), Qīxīngdūn (Seven-Star Mound), and Gēnkēng Shízhài (Genkeng Stone Village), valid for two days.

Terrace Transportation: Take a minibus from Yunhe County Bus Station heading toward Zhangjiadi or Yingchuan, get off at Zhao Shan Village. The whole journey is about24kilometers.

Kaihua County is adjacent to Wuyuan. Though less known, its scenery is by no means inferior.18The endless layers of rapeseed flower fields spread across the terraced hillsides, creating a breathtakingly rhythmic beauty. The local Taihuishan Mountain has even earned the nickname "Little Potala Palace of the Jiangnan Region" because of this.

Admission: Free

Transportation to Taihuishan: Self-driving is required. It is approximately45kilometers from Kaihua County town in the direction of Chihua.

Zhejiang is never short of beautiful scenery, but if you’d rather avoid the crowds, consider visiting these lesser-known spots first.~