The county-level city of Xinghua – administered by Taizhou city in East China's Jiangsu province – has launched four rural tourism routes for the upcoming May Day holiday and the following is a route for visitors to travel along the S333 Provincial Highway.
Jiangou village in Zhuhong town
Jiangou village is the main manufacturing base for the famed Zhuhong wooden boat, recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage item. Visitors can experience exquisite boat-building skills at the Zhuhong Wooden Boat ICH Workshop and try their hand at making wooden boats at the local Water Workshop.
Self-driving destination: Jiangou village in Zhuhong town
Bus: Departs Xinghua Bus Station, urban and rural buses 214-1 (Zhuhong Jiangou), 216-1 (Sunwang Biancheng), 231 (Dainan), 232-2 (Chengzhang Hechen) and more
Contact: Xu Fengwei, 15996040333
The model of an exquisite Zhuhong wooden boat goes on display. [Photo/WeChat account: xinghuafabu]
Guanruan village in Daduo town
Guanruan village is the location of the cemetery of Zheng Banqiao, a noted bamboo painter active in the 18th century. The crisscrossing streams and unique style of residential buildings in the village give people a sense of the elegant atmosphere.
Guanruan village has prepared a variety of great fun activities for this May Day holiday, so you can do things like checking out the trendy local intangible cultural heritage lacquer fan or satisfying your tastebuds at a local family banquet.
Self-driving destination: Guanruan village in Daduo town
Bus: Departs Xinghua Bus Station, urban and rural buses 231 (Dainan), 232-2 (Chengzhang Hechen), 232-4 (Luqian Hechen), 233-1 (Daiyao Dengta)
Contact: Li Ping, 15861057007
Visitors can take time out to go fishing in Guanruan village. [Photo/WeChat account: xinghuafabu]
Zixin village in Diduo town
Zixing village is located on the clear and wide banks of the Zixing River. Visitors can follow the tradition of respecting the elderly and loving the young there by taking in the wall sculptures of the Twenty-four Filial Exemplars.
Visitors can spend a peaceful and leisurely vacation by watching cultural and entertainment performances, going fishing and making incense pendants, sachets and ointments by hand.
Self-driving destination: Zixin village in Diduo town
Bus: Departs Xinghua Bus Station, urban and rural buses 231 (Dainan) or 235 (Zhangguo)
Contact: Zhou Tianshui, 15152697333
Chentang village in Changrong town
Chentang village is the perfect choice for visitors to experience life in the army – without joining up. Living in a homestay in the village is like living in a military camp, where a family can change into military uniforms and eat a military camp meal.
Self-driving destination: Chentang village in Changrong town
Bus: Departs Xinghua Bus Station, urban and rural bus 239-1 (Tangzi Anren)
Contact: Jiang Kun, 13196932195