3D/3N in Songyang, Zhejiang, China | University Social Practice & Ancient Village Adventure

I’ve been lurking on r/travel for more than two months and I really enjoy reading all your genuine travel stories. This is my 3-day, 3-night trip to Songyang, Zhejiang, from June 26 to June 29, 2025. It was officially a university summer social practice project, but it turned into one of my most unforgettable mountain and village trips ever. I’d like to share my honest experience here.

Basic Info

• Group: 5 people (2 females, 3 males)

• Accommodation: We stayed at a youth hostel in Songyang Kechuang Center. We booked 4 rooms for 3 nights at a total price of 1000 RMB. It’s bookable online, and there were not many guests during our stay, so rooms were easy to get. The hostel has great mountain views and fresh air. Just remember to close the windows in the afternoon because there are quite a few mosquitoes. Bathrooms are shared, clean and functional.

• Transport: We found a very reliable local driver. He knows the winding mountain roads well, never overcharges, and helped us a lot during the whole trip.

• Food: We mainly had local farmhouse meals for main meals. Ingredients are fresh and flavors are simple and authentic. The local specialty Ham & Turtle Egg Soup is worth trying.

• Tickets: All the places we visited — Hengkeng Ancient Village, Songyang Old Street, Yangjiatang Village, Chenjiapu Village — are completely free.

• Tip: Our itinerary was pretty packed. I suggest you listen to your body and take breaks when needed. No need to rush from spot to spot.

"Day One (June 26): Arrival & Hengkeng Ancient Village"

We arrived in Songyang around noon and checked into our hostel. Then we went straight to Hengkeng Ancient Village. The village is surrounded by green mountains, with traditional yellow-earth houses scattered everywhere. We visited an art gallery converted from an old grain warehouse and met an elderly craftsman in his eighties, getting a close look at the village’s culture and heritage. We had farmhouse food for dinner and went back to the hostel to rest.

"Day Two (June 27): Songyang Old Street & Yangjiatang Village"

In the morning, we walked along Songyang Old Street. The stone-paved road is full of old-town vibes. We visited many intangible cultural heritage shops, tried the local specialty Ham & Turtle Egg Soup, and met a lovely and gentle cat along the way.

In the afternoon, I used my DJI Mini 4 Pro to take aerial shots of Songyang’s terraced fields and villages. The scenery where mountains and water meet is stunning.

Later we drove to Yangjiatang Village. The winding mountain roads offered amazing views. The weather was extremely unpredictable that day: we experienced clear sunshine, heavy rain, a beautiful sunset, and lightning all in one day. It was such a special experience. We had another farmhouse dinner and returned to the hostel.

"Day Three (June 28): Wood Carving Live & Chenjiapu Village"

In the morning, we cooperated with the wood‑carving craftsman we met on Songyang Old Street to do a live‑stream sales event to promote traditional wood‑carving products. This was part of our social practice task.

In the afternoon, we went to Chenjiapu Village, a popular online-famous ancient village with many nice homestays and fantastic environment. Homestay prices here have risen to around 1500 RMB per night, while our teacher only paid 500–600 RMB before. We visited Feijiaoji Cafe and the famous Librairie Avant-Garde Bookstore. We also encountered a sunshower, which made the atmosphere perfect.

The last photo in this post is me. After three busy days, I looked a bit tired and worn out. My friends said my straw hat made me look like a character from One Piece. After that, we organized all our footage and finished the trip.

Camera Gear

DJI Pocket 3 / Action 5 Pro / Mini 4 Pro / Ricoh GR3 / smartphone. Over 200GB of footage, mostly videos.

Total Budget (local expenses only, not including long‑distance transport)

Total cost for 5 people over 3 days and 3 nights was about 3000–4000 RMB, including accommodation, transport, meals, and other small costs. Very good value.

Final Thoughts

What started as a normal university social practice brought me so many surprises and touching moments. Visiting ancient villages, talking with craftsmen, and witnessing the beauty of nature gave me a deeper understanding of tradition and heritage.

The best way to preserve tradition is to let it evolve with the times.

The mountains, villages, crafts, and simple life of Songyang have stayed deeply in my memory. If you love quiet, off-the-beaten-path ancient villages and traditional folk culture, this place is well worth a visit.

Feel free to ask me anything about routes, food, or places to stay. Wish you all wonderful travels!