Shenxianju Travel Guide: Walking Through a Wonderland in the Clouds

📍 Overview Shenxianju, located in Xianju County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, is famous for its grotesque peaks, sea of clouds, and suspended plank roads. It is known as "Zhejiang's last hidden gem." This area inspired Li Bai's poem "A Night-time Visit to Mount Tianmu, and Staying to Compose a Farewell Poem," and has served as a filming location for TV series such as Nirvana in Fire and The Journey of Flower. --- 📅 Best Time to Visit ✅ April–June & September–November: Pleasant weather with frequent cloud seas (best viewing season) ✅ July–August: Summer resort (but frequent showers, bring rain gear) ❄️ December–February: Snow scenery and rime, like an ink painting (some sections may be closed) ⚠️ Avoid National Day/May Day holidays (crowded, 2+ hour wait for the cable car) --- 🚗 Transportation 🚄 High-speed Rail: - To "Yongjia South Station" or "Linhai Station," then take a taxi to the scenic area (approx. 1.5 hrs/CNY 150) 🚌 Bus: - From Hangzhou/Shanghai, direct to Xianju Passenger Transport Center (transfer to bus Y7 to the scenic area) 🚗 Self-drive: - Navigate to "Shenxianju Scenic Area South Gate," approx. 3 hrs from Hangzhou - Parking fee: CNY 10/day (South Gate parking lot is the largest) --- 🎫 Tickets & Fees - Admission: CNY 110 (CNY 90 off-season), half price for students - Cable car: - Upward CNY 65/Downward CNY 55 (recommended north up, south down, south line is steeper) - Nantian Peak Glass Viewing Platform: CNY 99 (not for those afraid of heights!) - Scenic shuttle bus: CNY 5/one way (South Gate ↔ Beihai Cableway) --- 🗺️ Recommended Routes [Easy Half-Day Tour] (suitable for seniors/children) Enter South Gate → Beihai Cableway up → Nantian Bridge → Lotus Platform → Nanhai Cableway down [In-depth One-Day Tour] (check in at all the popular spots) 1. Enter South Gate → Take Beihai Cableway 2. Suspended plank road → Guanyin Peak (best photo spot) 3. Nantian Peak Glass Platform (869m above sea level, test your courage) 4. Ruyi Bridge (hollow design, cliff below) 5. Feitian Waterfall → Beihai Cableway down [Hiking Enthusiasts Route] Hike up (approx. 2 hrs): Xiyan Temple → General Rock → Feitian Waterfall → Suspended plank road → Nantian Peak --- 📸 Must-See Photo Spots 1️⃣ Ruyi Bridge: Looks like a jade Ruyi from above (morning light recommended) 2️⃣ Guanyin Peak: Natural rock formation resembling hands clasped in prayer 3️⃣ Nantian Peak Glass Viewing Platform: A bottomless abyss beneath your feet 4️⃣ Suspended plank road: Corridor hanging on a vertical cliff 5️⃣ Sea of Clouds: Appears after rain (recommend staying at a mountaintop hotel) --- 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations 🏕️ Inside the scenic area: - Shenxianju Grand Bay Resort (CNY 800+/night, wake up to stunning peak views) - Danzhu Leisure Valley Homestay (CNY 300+/night, near hiking entrance) 🏡 Cost-effective options in the county: - Xianju Yujie Grand Bay Hotel (CNY 400+/night, including breakfast) --- 🍜 Food Recommendations 🍴 Xianju Sanhuang Chicken (tender meat, a must-try!) 🍴 Yongan Stream Fish (local stream fish, braised is best) 🍴 Toppings Noodles (Mai Shrimp Noodles, Dried Bamboo Shoot Noodles) ⚠️ Limited dining options on the mountain, bring your own snacks --- ⚠️ Important Notes 1. Wear non-slip shoes! Plank roads are slippery, especially in rainy weather. 2. Bring a jacket! The mountaintop is 5–8°C colder than the foot of the mountain. 3. Drones require registration (at the scenic area entrance). 4. No entry after 3pm! Allow 4 hours for sightseeing. 5. Avoid Mondays (Nantian Peak Glass Platform maintenance day). --- 🎒 Packing Essentials • Hiking poles (needed for hiking routes) • Sunscreen + hat (strong UV rays) • Portable raincoat (changeable weather) • Camera + wide-angle lens (phone cameras can't capture the grandeur) --- ✨ Hidden Gems: • Wake up early to catch the "Buddha's Light" spectacle (luck required) • Find the same filming angles as Nirvana in Fire • In autumn, the mountains are covered in reeds, like a golden ocean (If you have enough time, you can combine your trip with Potan Ancient Town or Danzhu Virgin Forest!)