Tonglu

The finest stretch of the Fuchun River’s scroll-like scenery: Yan Ziling’s Fishing Platform, the Yaolin Wonderland caves and Shen’ao Ancient Village, Luci Bay guesthouses and cool summer valleys — one of the most beautiful counties in southern China.

Tonglu County lies in northwestern Zhejiang, about 80 km southwest of Hangzhou. The Fuchun River flows through it from southwest to northeast, meeting the Fenshui River at the county town. It is the real-life setting of the Yuan-dynasty painting Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains and is known as “Carefree Tonglu” and “China’s Most Beautiful County.” Sightseeing falls into three areas: along the Fuchun River, from Tongjun Hill in the county town and Fuchun River boat cruises to Yan Ziling’s Fishing Platform at Qililong, plus the riverside guesthouses, gorges and waterfalls of Luci Village and Baiyunyuan; the Jiangnan ancient villages in Jiangnan Town to the northeast, where Ming–Qing villages such as Shen’ao, Dipu and Huanxi blend with rural revitalization projects, ideal for linking by bike; and the Fenshui River and Tianmu Stream area in the northwest, with caves such as Yaolin Wonderland and Fuchun Taoyuan, forest gorges such as Daqi Mountain and Tianzidi, and riverside camping at Langshi Golden Beach. The best seasons are March–May for misty spring rivers and October–November for autumn colors; summer is great for cooling off in caves and valleys or rafting. The Hangzhou–Huangshan high-speed railway’s Tonglu Station is about half an hour from Hangzhou East; getting from the county town to the sights requires a car or tourist shuttle buses. The trip combines easily with Qiandao Lake and Fuyang in Hangzhou. Allow 2–3 days, staying in Luci Village or at a riverside guesthouse in the county town, and try Fuchun River fish, Tonglu dried vegetables and fermented-rice buns.

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