Gaochun & Yaxi Slow City
Nanjing's southernmost "Cittaslow" (international slow city), where the flagstone lanes of Gaochun Old Street are as famous as Gucheng Lake's crabs, and the Yaxi Eco-Tour route lets you cycle through tea gardens and flower fields.
Gaochun is Nanjing's southernmost urban district, on the Jiangsu–Anhui border, with Shijiu Lake to the north, Gucheng Lake to the south and the hills of Youzi Mountain to the east — a favorite weekend "slow living" escape for Nanjing residents. There are three main areas. First, the downtown Chunxi area, centered on Gaochun Old Street with its Ming–Qing architecture (a Famous Historic and Cultural Street of China); next to it, Gucheng Bay offers cherry blossoms and sculling-boat rides, and the Gucheng Lake Water Slow City south of town has fields of tulips, pear blossoms and lotus. Second, the Yaxi Cittaslow in the northeast, which in 2010 became China's first certified "international slow city". Its Eco-Tour loop links Dashan Village, Gaogang Village, Qingshan Tea Farm and more; the spring rapeseed "Golden Flower Festival" is its liveliest time, and nearby Qiqiao Ancient Village is home to descendants of Confucius. Third, Youzi Mountain, Dongba Old Street and Fujiatan Forest Farm in the center and east, good for hiking, intangible cultural heritage and forest camping. To the north, the S9 Metro bridge over Shijiu Lake is a spot for "mirror of the sky" photos in winter and spring. The best seasons are Mar–Apr for flowers and Sep–Nov for crab season (Gucheng Lake hairy crabs); summers are hot and humid, best for lotus viewing and cooling off at the forest farm. Getting there: from Nanjing South Railway Station, take Metro Line S1 and change to S9 for Gaochun Station, about 1.5 hours. Buses and tourist shuttles run between downtown and the slow city, but sights are spread out, so driving or hiring a car is more convenient. Allow 2 days: one for Old Street, Gucheng Bay and the Water Slow City, and one for the slow city loop and Qiqiao Ancient Village. Local specialties include Gucheng Lake crabs, Gaochun stinky tofu, river snails and slow city tea.
Top sights
- Gaochun Old Street – A long east-west street of Ming and Qing architecture, with stone-paved lanes and wooden-fronted shops. Known as 'the First Ancient Street…
- Yaxi International Slow City – China's first International Slow City. A scenic loop through hilly tea gardens, flower fields, and villages, best known for its spring rape…
- Guchengwan Scenic Area – A waterside leisure area right next to Gaochun Old Street, with cherry blossoms lining the river in spring, scull boats, and nightly light-…
- Gucheng Lake Water Slow City – A large wetland garden on the western shore of Gucheng Lake, where tulips, pear blossoms, and lotuses take turns to shine, with views acros…
- Qiqiao Ancient Village – A thousand-year-old village where Confucius's descendants have lived; the Qiqiao Old Street's bluestone paths and Ming and Qing houses are…
- Youzi Mountain – A famous mountain in Gaochun, said to be named Youzi (Wandering Scholar) after Confucius passed through; forests, tea gardens, and Zhenru C…
- Fujiatan Forest Farm – A state-owned forest farm in southeastern Gaochun, with extensive fir and bamboo forests and gentle trails for hiking, cycling, and camping.
- Shijiu Lake – A large lake spanning Jiangsu and Anhui, crossed by a bridge on Nanjing Metro Line S9 that makes the train look like it runs on water; in t…
- Dongba Old Street – A waterside old street in a town along the Xu River, said to have been dug by Wu Zixu; the Dongba Horse Lanterns are a national intangible…
- Baosheng Temple Pagoda – An ancient multi-storey brick pagoda in the Gaochun urban area, said to date back to the Eastern Wu of the Three Kingdoms, and a landmark o…
- Wuxiang Mountain National Forest Park – A national forest park south of Lishui town with ancient temples, a heavenly pond, and forest trails. It is a popular hiking spot in southe…
Where to eat
- Gaochun Old Street Local Cuisine Restaurant (Yingxun Gate Branch) – A local restaurant on the Yingxun Gate food street of Gaochun Old Street, where you can taste Gucheng Lake hairy crabs…
- Liuchaoju Grand Restaurant (Gaochun Old Street Branch) – A thirty-year-old restaurant beside Gaochun Old Street. Braised pork with braised rice, local chicken soup, and river c…
Itineraries
- Nanjing Outskirts: Langya Mountain and Gaochun – Classic Nanjing sights plus Niushou Mountain, a day trip to Langya Mountain in Chuzhou, and a night in Gaochun Slow Cit…