5 Days in Xinyang

Southwest of downtown, the 1955 reservoir spreads over 75 sq km with 61 green islands — boat out after lunch, then an evening loop on the Shi riverfront.

1. xinyang nanwan lake
2. xinyang shi riverfront

38 km south, one of China's four great summer retreats — more than a hundred early-1900s villas under pines and July days near 24°C. Back to town for Xinyang stews at dinner.

1. xinyang jigong mountain

Follow the lake's western shore to the classic five-clouds, two-pools, one-stockade picking zones of a tea that took a 1915 Panama gold medal and sits in China's top ten; pre-Qingming leaf starts late March.

1. xinyang shihegang tea mountains

15 km east lies the model village its farmers painted into being; continue 45 km to the Luoshan monastery known for its east-facing gate, monks and nuns under one roof, and unshaved heads.

1. xinyang haotang village
2. xinyang lingshan temple

25 km north at Changtaiguan, a Warring States city mound where 13 bronze bells came up in 1957 — their playing was the recording China's first satellite broadcast in 1970. Finish at the city museum before the HSR.

1. xinyang chengyang city site
2. xinyang museum