With the beginning of the Chinese New Year holiday falling on the upcoming weekend, you may be looking for a change of scenery, somewhere to revitalise and forget and woes and challenges presented in the Year of the Tiger. If you're craving nature and the great outdoors with the family, then why not consider these five non-Sanya options listed below?
Photograph: courtesy The Wuyuan Skywells
Wuyuan is a relatively little-known place, a county covered in forests and villages in Jiangxi Province. It’s surprisingly easy to get to and nothing as commercial as Moganshan. Most Chinese tourists have heard of it for the rape flower season in March. In years gone by, Wuyuan was fabulously wealthy and is still littered with trader’s mansions. Skywells is one!
Photograph: courtesy The Wuyuan Skywells
The Wuyuan Skywells is a 300-year-old Tea Merchants House set in a Song Dynasty village. There are only narrow lanes to get around, with no roads – which means no cars. British couple who founded the Wuyuan Skywells hotel, Edward and Selina, are living here raising their two children, and love taking them walking in the forest, playing in the river with their friends in the village. If you come here with your family, make sure to get some advice from Ed as he can recommend a trail tailored to your child’s age.
Photograph: courtesy The Wuyuan Skywells
How can I get there from Shanghai? 3-hour direct train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Wuyuan, then a 20-minute taxi ride at their end.
www.wuyuanskywells.com
Photograph: Moganshan Solvang Village Boutique Hotel website
Only 3 hours away from Shanghai, Moganshan is famous for the rolling hills and its total tranquility. Large parts of Moganshan are still owned by nature more than a century after missionaries first built it up as a hill station. The scene on the mountain today is a peaceful one that hosts therapeutic retreats for families and couples and a welcome hiatus from urban life for everyone else.
Photograph: Moganshan Solvang Village Boutique Hotel website
Nestled in bamboo forests, Moganshan Solvang Village Boutique Hotel was started by a guy who owned a business in Shanghai for 17 years then decided it wasn’t for him. He moved his family out here and built Solvang himself using stone and timber from the mountain. If you’ve lived and worked in Shanghai for as long as that, I’m sure there have been times where you’ve pictured yourself dropping everything and fleeing to the hills. Solvang’s simplicity is its defining quality. They have just got the little things right: Helpful, English-speaking staff in a great location with comfortable rooms, local organic food, stone-oven pizzas, fantastic beers and wines for parents, a casual outdoor patio and cozy lounges. Nothing too extravagant but totally adequate. Dog friendly, too.
Photograph: Moganshan Solvang Village Boutique Hotel website
The nearby reservoir, waterfalls and hiking routes, cycling, yoga, horse riding, and paddling can certainly keep your family busy for a weekend, but if you want to explore elsewhere, the staff will happily arrange a car to pick you up.
How can I get there from Shanghai? 3-hour drive from Shanghai. Contact the hotel for other transportation options.
www.mogansolvangvillage.com
Photograph: courtesy Huttopia Deqing Glamping
Huttopia is a new glamping concept in China combining nature, comfort, and French art de vivre. Their accommodation consists of a unique wood and canvas design set in the great outdoors. Huttopia favours sustainability and uses mostly natural materials and aims to protect the environment that surrounds it. Nestled in Huzhou, Zhejiang, Huttopia Deqing Glamping is an ideal natural spot for a restful and comfortable weekend with mountains and the lapping of water, perfect for the family. Food served at Huttopia's restaurant as well as products sold at Huttopia Grocery Store are mostly organic and locally sourced as much as possible.
Photograph: courtesy Huttopia Deqing Glamping
For a comfortable stay intertwined with nature, you could choose one of their huts fully equipped with wood and canvas, all with comfortable bedding, a private bathroom, living room, and an amazing view. Suitable for both couples and families. There are a range of family facilities including a swimming pool, spa and saunas, bikes, playground, kayak and paddle and a pétanque court. There are numerous activities arranged for children and great options for all family members to get their teeth into.
Photograph: courtesy Huttopia Deqing Glamping
How can I get there from Shanghai? It's two and a half hours by car or 1 hour and a half by high-speed train from Shanghai to Deqing then a 25-minute taxi ride to the glamping resort.
www.huttopia.cn/en/
Photograph: courtesy Club Med Joyview Anji Resort
Club Med Joyview Anji Resort is in the tranquil county of Anji in the province of Huzhou, described as the 'Urban Garden' and made famous by the blockbuster film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Defined by its impressive bamboo forests and white tea gardens, it is a place that few will have a bad word to say about.
Photograph: courtesy Club Med Joyview Anji Resort
Club Med Joyview Anji Resort provides the perfect combination of authentic local food and international gourmet. The friendly ambience brought by their international G.O. experts makes for a perfect natural destination for city escape. The Family Space is perfectly designed for children who are 6 months and above. For kids from 4 to 10 years of age, there is an outdoor playground which features a mini climbing wall and garden, kids recreation room, music academy, art studio and games factory as well as a wide spectrum of sports including canoeing, swimming, tennis and biking.
Photograph: courtesy Club Med Joyview Anji Resort
How can I get there from Shanghai? 2-hour direct train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Anji, then a 50-minute taxi ride to the hotel.
https://www.clubmed.com.cn/r/anji/y?locale=en-CN
Photograph: courtesy Ahn Luh Qiandao Lake
Ahn Luh Qiandao Lake is situated on the southwest bank of Qiandao Lake, drawing inspiration from Hui-style architecture. They have 84 villas dotted on a Y-shaped peninsula, allowing full enjoyment of a picturesque view that delights the senses.
Photograph: courtesy Ahn Luh Qiandao Lake
Ahn Luh Qiandao Lake not only has the beautiful natural landscape, but also has a wealth of family activities. Slides, swings and ocean ball parks can be found at the Kid's Club where children can enjoy themselves. There are also a Woodcraft workshop where the whole family can work together to make hand-made wood crafts. Specific activities such as glue dropping, plant rubbing, rabbit feeding, water activities will also be held in different seasons.
Photograph: courtesy Ahn Luh Qiandao Lake
How can I get there from Shanghai? 2.5-hour high-speed train from Shanghai to Qiandao Hu Station. Book hotel pick-up service in advance.
For more information, call (0571) 6505 0888 or go to their WeChat official account 千岛湖安麓.
