[2025 Jinhu Attraction] Travel Guide for Golden Lake Water Forest Scenic Area (Updated Jul)

Jinhu All-region Travel Guide | Water Forest, Ten Thousand Mu Lotus Pond, Yao Township Ancient Charm, 2 Days 1 Night to Explore the Pearl of Huaishang 🌤️ Best Travel Season May to October: Lotus in full bloom (best in July-August), dense shade in the Water Forest November to April: Prime birdwatching season, winter reed marshes as serene as a painting 🚗 Transportation Guide Self-driving: 1.5h from Nanjing / 4h from Shanghai (navigate to Jinhu Water Forest Scenic Area) High-speed rail: Arrive at Huaian East Station, transfer to Jinhu Tourism Shuttle (about 1 hour) Internal transport: Scenic area electric carts/shared bikes/wulong boats shuttle 🌳 【Core Attractions Check-in】1. Water Forest Scenic Area (a must-visit!) Row a transparent small boat through the dawn redwood forest (60 RMB/30 minutes), sunlight filters through the trees creating star-like rays Hidden experience: Enjoy the "fog forest system" fairyland effect alone at 6 AM Photo spot: Corner of the forest train tracks (perfect background for Japanese-style portraits) 2. Lotus Pond Scenic Area Over 300 lotus varieties spread across ten thousand mu, hosting the International Lotus Festival in July Experience: Pick lotus seed pods (20 RMB/basket), ride a rowboat deep into the sea of flowers (highly recommend at dusk) 3. Yao Xiangguo Cultural Tourism Area An immersive park themed on Yao culture Must-see: Live performance of "Legend of Emperor Yao" (daily at 14:00) Fun activities: Ancient tribe cosplay, pottery DIY 4. Baima Lake Ecological Fishing Village Food + Fun: Lake fresh feast + fishermen’s homestay + sunset birdwatching platform Special project: Learn to cast fishing nets with fishermen (advance reservation required) 🛶 【Special Experiences】 Forest night tour: Summer-only firefly watching (led by professional guides) Lotus culture crafts: Make lotus-scented candles/lotus leaf tea (available at scenic area studios) Cycling paradise: 30 km greenway around the lake (tandem bike rental available) 🍜 Authentic Food Recommendations 1. Small Fish Potstickers: Jinhu intangible cultural heritage food (recommended "Old Fisherman Restaurant") 2. Lotus Pond Three Treasures: Seasonal dishes made from lotus seeds, water caltrop, and fox nuts 3. Garlic Mud Crayfish: Baima Lake crayfish with springy meat (must-eat from May to August) 4. Yao Mother Cake: Traditionally steamed glutinous rice cake (top choice for souvenirs) 🏡 Accommodation Guide High-end choice: Water Forest Treehouse Hotel (open the window to see egrets returning to their nests) Cost-effective: Heyun Homestay inside Lotus Pond Scenic Area (includes breakfast and lotus picking experience) Unique experience: Fishermen’s boat house (rooms truly floating on water) 📸 Photo Guide Outfit suggestions: Hanfu/Qipao (Lotus Pond Scenic Area) Forest-style dresses (Water Forest) Golden photo spots: Mirror boardwalk in Water Forest (perfect symmetrical composition) Top floor of Lotus Pond Viewing Tower (overlooking the vast sea of flowers) Sunset fishing boats in Baima Lake Fishing Village (silhouette effect) ⚠️ Notes 1. Mosquito and sun protection! Many mosquitoes by the water + strong UV rays 2. Protect the ecology, picking lotus flowers and disturbing water birds are prohibited 3. Boat rides are highly weather-dependent, check the forecast before departure 4. The scenic spots are spread out, self-driving or chartering is recommended (local tourist loop buses available) 💎 Local Recommended Activities Secret route: Walk from the south gate of Water Forest to the "Shanyu Café" wild trail Seasonal events: Mid-Autumn Crab Feast / Winter Solstice Whole Fish Feast (fishing village exclusive) Cultural souvenirs: Collect special commemorative stamps at visitor centers in each scenic area The essence of Jiangsu’s water charm is all hidden in this 300-square-kilometer lake marsh. "Jinhu weaves a fairy tale of intertwined water and land with ten thousand mu of lotus ponds, millennia-old Yao culture, and dawn redwood secret realms. When are you ready to be a 'painting person' for two days?" (Latest ticket prices: Water Forest 80 RMB / Lotus Pond 60 RMB / Combo ticket 120 RMB, 10% off for advance online purchase)

🚗【Trip Overview: A Two-Day Symphony of Countryside and Forest】 Day 1: Three Gardens Farm → Baimahu Village → Private Whispers of Lake Delicacies and Starlight Day 2: Jinhu Water Forest → Treetop Kingdom → Bamboo Raft Journey Through an Oxygen Bar 🌸 Day 1: Three Gardens Farm → Baimahu Village · From Pastoral Idyll to Fishermen's Hearth ⏰ 9:00-12:00 Three Gardens Farm · Pastoral Rhapsody 📍Navigate to Three Gardens Farm in Lüliang Town, Jinhu County The moment you push open the wooden fence of the farm, it feels like falling into a Hayao Miyazaki summer—white tents scattered across emerald lawns, and ripe dragon fruits hanging like red lanterns in the fields. Follow the straw-hatted farm woman to learn how to pick red-hearted dragon fruits. She smiles mysteriously: "Don't worry if your nails turn purple, that's just natural pigment!" Lunch is at the farm's lakeside restaurant, where freshly caught Hongze Lake white fish is steamed and topped with chopped chili, the fish meat so tender you can eat it with just a sip. ✨ Hardcore Experiences • Tea brewing around the stove: Old white tea with dried tangerine peel simmering on a charcoal stove under the locust tree, served with homemade lotus root starch and osmanthus cake • Fruit and vegetable mystery box: Pay 50 yuan to pick 3 jin (about 3.3 lbs) of seasonal produce (May recommendation: Hami melon + cherry tomatoes) • Hidden play: Ask the staff for "Miss Mei's special meal" to unlock lotus leaf-wrapped chicken + stuffed lotus flowers 🌅 14:00-18:00 Baimahu Village · Fishermen's Renaissance 📍Navigate to Baimahu Village, Qianfeng Town, Jinhu County This national-level key rural tourism village hides the wildest river culture in northern Jiangsu. At 3 PM, catch the intangible cultural heritage performance of "Fishermen's Wedding Customs," where the bride arrives on a cormorant boat and the matchmaker sings Jianghuai folk tunes while waving red silk. In the evening, head to the "Fishing Joy Bay" guesthouse area, spend 200 yuan to rent a wooden boat for night crayfish catching—when your headlamp shines on the lake surface, thousands of crayfish eyes reflect red light, and one scoop of the net yields half a bucket. 🌌 Overnight Bonus • Stay in the "Fishing Boat Evening Song" boat house, where you can see flickering fishing lights from your window, with mosquito-repellent sachets (containing wormwood + mint) by the bedside • Must-try complete fish feast: Chopped chili fish head with handmade noodles, fish soup simmered to a milky white—you can drink three bowls with the lake breeze 🌳 Day 2: Jinhu Water Forest · Venture into a Green Wonderland ⏰ 8:30-12:00 Forest Adventure Triple Combo 📍Navigate to Tanggang, Yintu Town, Jinhu County Take the first sightseeing car into East China's largest pond cypress forest, where tens of thousands of water cypresses stand like giants draped in green veils amid the morning mist. Must-try activities: 1️⃣ Bamboo raft drifting: The boatman pushes with a long pole, and the raft glides into an emerald waterway. Remember to touch the water surface—in May, the new cypress shoots secrete natural sticky liquid that feels like silk 2️⃣ Treetop Kingdom glass walkway: The 288-meter walkway spans 33 meters above ground; when you reach the middle, deliberately stomp your feet to watch your companions turn pale 3️⃣ Forest mini train: Choose seats on the right side—when turning, you can touch the cypress branches; wear a straw hat to prevent insects from hitting your face 📸 Photography Tips • Wear a white long dress and stand at the corner of the walkway, use a telephoto lens to compress spatial depth • Scatter dragon fruit peels on the bamboo raft—the red-green color contrast rivals a Monet painting 🍱 13:00-15:00 Forest Food Station · Wild Lunch Unlock special dishes at the "Cypress Lotus" restaurant: • Lotus flower shrimp scrambled eggs (shrimp so bouncy they can jump) • Cold lotus leaf sprouts (taste similar to tribute vegetables, slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste) • Hidden eating method: Ask the chef for "forest secret sauce" (wild berries + honey) to dip fried mulberry leaves—crispy enough to set off fireworks in your head ♨️ 15:30-18:00 Narada Hot Spring · Healing Moment Check into the Narada Hot Spring Hotel in the Water Forest, where private forest bath houses include sulfur springs + herbal packets. The butler will bring a floating afternoon tea: lotus root glutinous rice cakes floating in a wooden basin, served with iced lotus leaf tea. As dusk falls, climb up to the treehouse observatory and use the star map app provided by the hotel to find Cygnus—legend has it that making a wish to it brings summer adventures. 📍【2025 Exclusive Tips】 🚗 Transportation Hacks • 1.5-hour drive from Nanjing, stop at Hongze Lake service area to buy freshly cooked crayfish (30% cheaper than in the city) • Rent electric vehicles at the Water Forest scenic area (50 yuan/hour), counterclockwise route saves 50% time 📷 Photography Power Moves • Photograph dragon fruit fields at Three Gardens Farm before 9:00 AM, when dewdrops refract sunlight like shattered diamonds • Use GoPro + red light filter for night crayfish catching at Baimahu Village—crayfish eyes will turn into starbursts 🍜 Taste Revolution • Must-eat: "Shrimp God" oil-braised crayfish at Baimahu Village (add instant noodles to soak up the juice) • Order with caution: Bamboo tube rice at Water Forest (glutinous rice is on the hard side, better for photos) ⚠️ Pitfall Warnings • Wear long sleeves when picking fruits at Three Gardens Farm to prevent scratches from vines • Bamboo rafts at Water Forest stop operating at 4 PM, go early rather than late When I counted the 47th star while soaking in the Narada hot spring, I suddenly heard a fluttering sound from the treetops—it was night herons returning to their nests. Perhaps this is the magic of Jinhu, using 48 hours to complete three soul SPAs across countryside, fishing village, and forest, leaving even the spaces between your toes infused with lotus fragrance and freedom. Useful Coordinates 📍Three Gardens Farm: Lüliang Town, Jinhu County (navigate to "Three Gardens Ecological Farm") 📍Baimahu Village: Baimahu Village, Qianfeng Town, Jinhu County 📍Jinhu Water Forest: Tanggang, Yintu Town, Jinhu County Note: • Tea brewing around the stove at Three Gardens Farm requires reservation 1 day in advance • The Water Forest Hot Spring Hotel includes scenic area tickets, no reservation needed for check-in

During the May Day holiday, popular tourist cities are packed with crowds everywhere 😱 Why not try reverse travel by finding a lesser-known yet comfortable place to relax away from the crowds? I visited Jinhu in Huai'an, and it was such a hidden gem that I've been thinking about it constantly since returning! 🚗【Transportation Guide】 Strongly recommend driving 🚗 From Nanjing, it takes less than 2 hours to arrive. The road conditions are excellent, with plenty of charging stations along the way, so you don't need to worry about running out of power. Just drive while listening to music and easily reach your destination. 📍【Travel Route】 Sanyuan Farm (15min) → Baimahu Village (45min) → Jinhu Water Forest Scenic Area ✅【Sanyuan Farm】 Here, you can immerse yourself in the joy of rural life~ You can go camping and barbecuing with family and friends, enjoying leisurely outdoor time. You can also experience the fun of picking fruit in the garden, where fresh strawberries 🍓 can be eaten right after picking, sweet and juicy. It's super lively during the May Day holiday, with parent-child shrimp king competitions and the chance to catch chickens 🐓 in the forest. There's even a music festival 🎤 on the large lawn where you can sway to the rhythm and have an amazing time! ✅【Baimahu Village】 I was deeply attracted by the fishing village culture as soon as I arrived. The accommodations are fantastic, with serene lake waters right outside your door. The highlight is definitely the food, which is a true feast for your taste buds! Jinhu offers more than just crayfish 🦞 - there's the "special three fresh" dish made of river mussels, clams, and snails, as well as the "vegetable three fresh" with fox nuts, lotus roots, and water chestnuts. Special dishes like lotus leaf wrapped meat and water chestnut vine buns have unique preparation methods and exceptional flavors! I'm still savoring the memory - it's really hard to find such authentic delicacies in Nanjing, every bite was intoxicating 🤤 【Accommodation Experience】I stayed in a lakeside guesthouse with cozy room arrangements. Falling asleep to the rippling sounds of the lake and waking up to birdsong was incredibly healing. Opening the curtains to a full view of the lake instantly lifted my mood. ✅【Jinhu Water Forest Scenic Area】 This place has Jiangsu's largest artificial wetland ecological forest 🌲 I never expected such a beautiful forest landscape so close to the city! Riding on a bamboo raft, slowly gliding through the metasequoia forest, looking up at the narrow strip of sky - this "thread of sky" view is quiet and enchanting, with even the air feeling sweet. The brave should definitely try the nearby glass walkway, which is 28 meters high. Standing on it, you can overlook the entire forest as if walking in the sky - thrilling and fun, making you want to experience it again and again. During the May Day holiday, there's also a grand kite camping festival 🏕 creating an amazing atmosphere! Jinhu is truly a wonderful place where you can leisurely stroll around, eat delicious food, take photos, ride bamboo rafts to enjoy the scenery, and experience a slow-paced lifestyle - it's absolutely beautiful! Don't hesitate, friends, come experience Jinhu during the May Day holiday~

A Secret Oxygen Oasis in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai🌳: Jinhu Water Forest Friends, are you still worrying about where to go for the weekend? I highly recommend this hidden gem in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai - Jinhu Water Forest. It's simply a spiritual haven for urban dwellers! 🌳Towering metasequoia trees fill your vision, straight and tall, like green guardians planted by Mother Nature herself🌲. And the incredibly healing matcha-colored lake💦, with its clear, emerald green water, resembles an overturned palette of matcha pigment. Every frame is so beautiful that it could be used as wallpaper! Here, breathe in the fresh, negative oxygen ions and feel your body and mind rejuvenated. 💰The key is its super high cost performance! Two people can enjoy a hot spring hotel + tickets + bamboo rafting within the scenic area for only CNY 499. At this price, who needs anything else? 🚗Self-driving is super convenient Highly recommended for self-driving tours! The hotel is located right inside the scenic area. Just follow Baidu Maps navigation, and you can easily reach the main gate. Once you arrive, call the hotel reception, and a shuttle will come to pick you up. It's super thoughtful💖! You can park your car inside the scenic area gate, close to the reception desk, so you don't have to worry about parking. 💨Stay in a natural oxygen bar As soon as you step into this place, you'll be greeted by fresh air. Staying in the scenic area, every breath feels like a deep cleanse for your lungs. ☔Walking in the scenic area on a rainy day, you'll hardly encounter any other tourists. That kind of secluded tranquility is truly rare. Plus, the hotel breakfast is delicious, giving you a great start to the day.💚 🎢Detailed itinerary After entering the visitor center, take the sightseeing bus on the right-hand side to the bamboo rafting dock. After the bamboo rafting trip, return to the original dock and follow the signs to start your exploration. Be sure to rent a bicycle🚲 and leisurely cycle through the forest paths. It's so relaxing and comfortable. Then, go to the train station and take the forest train🚂. But remember, be sure to finish all the activities you've purchased before taking the train. This way, you can perfectly conclude your forest adventure! Friends, don't stay at home anymore. Come to Jinhu Water Forest, embrace nature, and give your body and mind a break!💞

5-day Huai'an tour: Explore the city with this must-have guide! This super practical guide will take you to the beautiful scenery and delicious food of Huai'an. Save it now and start your Huai'an journey! -------------------- 🎉 Route overview: DAY 1: Departure—Hongze Lake Start your Huai'an journey with a visit to the magnificent Hongze Lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery. DAY 2: Laozishan Hot Spring Relax in the comfort of Laozishan Hot Spring and enjoy the relaxation and healing of body and mind. DAY 3: Jinhu Water Forest Scenic Area Explore the Jinhu Water Forest and feel the magical charm of nature and the fresh greenery. DAY 4: Tieshan Temple National Forest Park Stroll through Tieshan Temple National Forest Park, breathe in the fresh air, and experience tranquility and harmony. DAY 5: Hongze Lake—Departure Return to Hongze Lake to experience its unique charm again, end your pleasant Huai'an journey, and return home. -------------------- 🎒 Travel checklist: Huai'an travel essentials 👚👖 Clothing: The temperature in Huai'an in December is moderate. You can wear a light sweater with a jacket during the day, and it is cooler at night, so it is recommended to bring a thick jacket. You can choose comfortable casual pants or jeans for easy walking. Don't forget to bring comfortable sneakers for a more relaxing trip. 🎒🕶️ Accessories: Huai'an has many water attractions, so remember to bring a sun hat and sunglasses for sun protection and style. Choose a lightweight backpack for easy carrying of personal items. If you plan to take photos, you can bring a camera and spare batteries to capture the beautiful scenery. 🆔💳 Documents and finances: ID card and bank card are essential, and don't forget to bring some cash for emergencies. If you have special discount documents such as student ID, senior citizen ID, etc., bring them along to enjoy more discounts. -------------------- Huai'an is not only about beautiful scenery but also stories. We look forward to your next visit to explore more unknown surprises!

| The Last Holiday, Water Forest Parks Around Shanghai. Where to find coolness in the scorching summer? Instead of enduring the city's heatwave, why not embark on a spontaneous 'water oasis' adventure! Hidden around Shanghai are several stunning 'water forest parks,' which are not only natural air conditioners but also perfect summer retreats for the soul. 🌳Jinhu Water Forest Park 📍Address: Tanggang, Yintu Town, Jinhu County, Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province 🌈Stepping into Jinhu Water Forest Park in Jiangsu during summer feels like entering a green dreamland. The park boasts thousands of acres of water cypress forests, with interwoven waterways. Taking a boat ride through the park, you can experience the tranquility and coolness of the still waters. Sunlight filters through the treetops, casting dappled shadows, and every breath is filled with negative ions, refreshing your mind and body. 🌳Qingshan Lake National Forest Park 📍Address: Qingshan Lake Scenic Area, Keji Avenue, Lin'an District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province 🌈A city half-covered in mountains and half in lakes. If Lin'an is the backyard garden of Hangzhou, then Qingshan Lake is the jewel in that garden. The water cypress forest in Qingshan Lake National Forest Park is a popular social media check-in spot, and its fresh matcha green in summer brings endless joy. 🌳Lizhong Water Forest Park 📍Address: No. 1, Shunchuan Road, Qianduo Town, Xinghua City, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province 🌈Lizhong Water Forest Park is famous for its unique dike field landscape and dense water forest. The towering water cypress trees stand straight and tall, forming green barriers. Walking on the floating bridge, surrounded by shimmering water and lush trees, feels like being in a giant green maze, bringing a sense of coolness. 🌳Chishan Lake Wetland Park 📍Address: 480 meters west of the Shangzhou Cultural Site, National Highway 235, Lai'an County, Chuzhou City, Anhui Province 🌈Chishan Lake Wetland Park attracts many visitors with its unique wetland landscape and rich ecological resources. In summer, the lush cypress forests and vast water surfaces create a picturesque scene. Taking a sightseeing boat through the wetland, you can witness the spectacular sight of egrets flying together and get close to various aquatic creatures, experiencing the harmonious coexistence of nature. Let your summer be filled with memories of nature and coolness, rather than just the monotonous cycle of air conditioning and watermelon~

🌿The gathering point of Huaijin Line Caoze River Bridge, the morning air is fresh and pleasant, our journey starts from here.🚩 🕥At 10:30 in the morning, we first set foot in the mysterious Yaoxiang Kingdom, as if traveling through time and space, returning to the ancient Yao Emperor period, every step is full of historical heaviness and mysterious colors.🏰 🕛At noon, a group of people arrived at Tajihuangzhuang and enjoyed a delicious local lunch. After the meal, everyone was refreshed and ready to welcome the next adventure.🍴 🕜At 1:30 in the afternoon, we left Tajihuangzhuang and went to the Water Forest Park, looking forward to close contact with nature.🚌 🕑At 2 o'clock in the afternoon, the visit to the Water Forest Park made us feel like we were in a fairyland, with green trees in the mountains and lakes, water birds gathering, it was a feast for the eyes and soul.🌳🦆 🕟At 3:30 in the afternoon, with infinite nostalgia for nature, we returned to the county town, full of awe and love for nature.🚌💖 🕔At 4:10 in the afternoon, the visit to the tourist distribution center and Yao Emperor Ancient City allowed us to further understand the cultural heritage of this land, as if we had stepped into the long river of history, feeling the changes of thousands of years.🏛️ 🕕At 6 o'clock in the evening, dinner was served in the Taiming Ecological Park. The garlic lobster in the legend of Zhang Taiming is unforgettable, and this meal has become a highlight of the journey, and it is indeed a must-try delicacy.🦞🍽️ This day's journey, from the depths of history to the embrace of nature, to the surprise of food, every moment is so unforgettable, every step is full of freshness and surprise.🍃🔍

In my hometown, Jiangsu, there is such a niche secret that 90% of people don’t know about. This is the largest artificial forest in northern Jiangsu. 4A-level tourist attraction known as "Saihanba of Jiangsu" There are thousands of acres of spectacular fir trees in the scenic area. The matcha green forest that heals the body and mind🌳 The little train that travels through the Wizard of Oz 🚂 A bamboo raft on the water deep in the fir forest • 🌳Where is 🧐 🧭Location: Jinhu Water Forest Scenic Area, Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province 🚄Transportation: ①Self-driving-Jinhu Water Forest Visitor Center ②High-speed rail - Gaoyou North Station Take the shuttle bus from Gaoyou North Station to Jinhu (the first stop is Jinhu Water Forest Scenic Area) 🎫Ticket: 48💰 Children under 1.2 meters are free🆓 • 🌳What to play🤔️ 🚂"Forest Adventure Train" The total length of the small train track is 1,400 meters Take a small train and slowly move forward along the track Pass through the tall cedar trees🌲 and linger in the Wizard of Oz Children like it very much~ · 🎋"Bamboo Rafting" Riding on a fluttering bamboo raft and paddling deep into the fir forest Feel the tranquility and leisurely nature Quiet water surface and the sound of bamboo grass The chirping of forest birds, enjoy this moment of natural baptism~ · 🛝"High-altitude glass plank road" The total length of the treetop kingdom glass plank road is 288.18 meters. Across the treetops at a height of 33.18 meters Walking on the glass bridge, deep oxygen forest sea, beautiful fir trees and green water Beautiful scenery 🎐 panoramic view ~ · 🌲"Shan Shan Maze" Attractions in the first picture There are more than 3,000 meters of wooden plank roads in the maze with nine twists and turns. Walking among thousands of acres of metasequoia trees is like walking into a fairyland on earth · 🐦"Bird Paradise" There are a large number of migratory birds roaming the woods and branches. Mainly include egrets, yellow-billed parrots, cormorants, etc. · ⛺️「RV camping」 • 🌳Other information: 🍜Dine: Bring your own food or go to a Chinese restaurant in the scenic spot 🛏️Accommodation: There is a hot spring hotel in the scenic area or a day trip ⏰Play time: one day • ❤️Other attractions in Huai’an: ❶Adventures on the Three Islands of Baima Lake ❷Huaian West Amusement Park

Yaolin Qiongshu, covering the sky, a row of bamboo poles, a long song, broke into the forest. Here is the largest constructed wetland ecological forest in Jiangsu, such as a magnificent and precious jade jade inlaid between Gaoyou Lake, Baoying Lake and Hongze Lake. Ten thousand acres of forests are lush, and metasequoia, ginkgo, gold branches, weeping willows, wood, glory, egrets, herons, geese, pheasants, wild ducks, black-waist swallows play. Sniffing the grass and fragrant, listening to the birds singing, the river is smashing, such as the ring, the leisurely sunshine, open your eyes and break into the heart.