Stand on Qinwang Square in the late afternoon and you will see how Fuyang spends its free time: children circling on roller skates, older residents dancing in loose groups, the Fuchun River moving past just beyond the square. It is an ordinary, unhurried scene, and it sets the tone for a visit here.
Fuyang suits travellers who are already in the Hangzhou area and want a day or two of riverbank parks, forest walks, a cave waterfall and a historic town rather than a dense city itinerary. Most of what is described below sits close to the Fuchun River or in the hills around it.
This guide covers the sights and experiences named in the source material, grouped as a numbered list, followed by a single-day plan and answers to common questions.
Top things to do in Fuyang
1. Longmen Ancient town
This small town was the hometown of Sun Quan, emperor of the Kingdom of Wu, and it is known for its Qing dynasty buildings. Behind the town rises Longmen Mountain, whose ridges and peaks follow one after another.
Most villagers here are descendants of Sun Quan, which gives the streets a lived-in rather than staged feel. It is the furthest-flung item on this list, so give it a half day and pair it with the mountain walk behind the town rather than trying to squeeze it into a busy afternoon.
2. Tianzhong Mountain
Tianzhong Mountain sits in the south-west of Fuyang near the Fuchun River, and a large temple stands at the top. The mountain has both a varied natural landscape and a long cultural association, with numerous poems and paintings left by writers who passed through.
If your visit coincides with 27 October, the Temple Festival Day brings pilgrims and activities to the mountain. To reach it from Hangzhou, take a bus to Fuyang Xinche Bus station, then a bus to the South Bus Station, and from there a direct bus to the mountain.
3. Fuchun Taoyuan
Fuchun Taoyuan lies north-west of Fuyang and gathers its scenery into five categories: mountainous, water, forest, caves and natural village. Among the spots are Xiaoyao Yanlin lake, Tianchen Yechu forest, Jiuxiao Biyun pass, Xiuxian Hewu lawn and Taoyuan Sanjia village.
Because the sites are spread across different types of terrain, plan on a half day and wear shoes you do not mind getting dusty on the forest and pass sections.
4. Huang Kung-wang Mountain National Forest Park
This forest park sits near the Fuchun River, close to the scenic Hangzhou Ling cave, and forms part of a national scenic area. The park supports a range of wildlife, including clouded leopards and antelope.
It is a good choice when you want shade and quiet rather than viewpoints, and it combines naturally with the riverside stops on the same side of the city.
5. Tongtian waterfall
Most of this waterfall lies inside a very large cavern, a Karst underground river cave that has been developing over a long period. The water drops more than 120 m, making it the biggest waterfall in east China and the only one set within a cave.
The cave itself functions as a Karst geological museum, so allow time to look at the rock formations as well as the fall. Bring a layer, as cave interiors feel different from the open air.
6. Xinsha island
Xinsha island sits in the middle of the Fuchun River, with large fresh water pools in its west. It is a place to sip green tea, barbecue, swim and camp out in the open.
Take the ferry from behind Fuyang High School; private vehicles can also cross by ferry, and one of the ferry boats is a reconstruction of a vessel from the Three Kingdoms period.
7. Guanshan Park
Guanshan Park stands on the banks of the Fuchun River next to Fuyang High School, and a mountainous trail runs through it. It is the easiest place on this list to fold into a walk along the river.
Combine it with the ferry crossing to Xinsha island, since both start from the same stretch near the high school.
8. Dongwu Park
The buildings in Dongwu Park follow the style of the Three Kingdoms period. Just through the ancient gate is a scenic spot containing the Lushan Academy, a teahouse, a landscaped lake and a leisure lawn.
The Lushan Academy houses a chess school and a poetry club, and the park also stages performances about the Three Kingdoms. Dense forest covers much of the grounds, so it works well as a slower afternoon stop.
9. Yudafu Park
This park centres on an old house associated with Yudafu, a writer and patriot from Fuyang who studied in Tokyo and later organised charity sales with overseas Chinese to help people in China. The house is small but holds the things he used and the traces of the life he lived.
It is a compact stop, best paired with the riverside squares nearby rather than treated as a half-day outing.
10. Qinwang Square
Qinwang Square is a newer square near the Fuchun River, created by the government as a place for exercise and gatherings. Children roller skate around it because there is enough open space, and older people dance here, usually drawing others to join.
Come in the late afternoon or early evening, when the square is at its liveliest, and note the significant buildings in the surrounding area, including Fuyang International Mitte Hotel.
11. The cultural village of papermaking
This village records the history of papermaking in China and sits on the north bank of the Fuchun River. It preserves a variety of papermaking tools dating back to the invention of printing skills.
Villagers wear ancient-style clothes and will teach you how to produce paper, so leave time to try the process rather than only looking at the tools.
12. Bailong Temple
Bailong Temple is one of the named sights in Fuyang. It is a straightforward addition if you are already moving between the riverside and hillside stops.
Check locally before setting out, as the source material gives no further detail on access or timing.
13. Children Park
Children Park is well known in Fuyang for its attractions, among them bumper cars, trampolines and a roller coaster. It is the obvious choice if you are travelling with young children.
Pair it with a cinema trip afterwards: Fuyang has two cinemas, named Time and Hengdian, one in Intime and one in Wu Mei, and near them you will find a Video Game City and KTV, with a skating rink across the street.
14. Hangzhou Wild Animal World Zoo
Hangzhou Wild Animal World Zoo is located in Fuyang and is one of the largest zoos in eastern China. It is a full-day option rather than a quick stop.
Because it takes up most of a day, do not try to combine it with Longmen Ancient town or Tianzhong Mountain.
15. Bali River Scenic Area
Bali River Scenic Area is another named sight within Fuyang. Treat it as a flexible stop to slot in depending on how much time you have left.
As with Bailong Temple, the source material gives no further detail, so confirm locally before travelling out to it.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Guanshan Park on the banks of the Fuchun River beside Fuyang High School and walk the mountainous trail. From the same spot, take the ferry across to Xinsha island, where you can sip green tea by the fresh water pools before returning.
Afternoon: Head to Dongwu Park to see the Three Kingdoms-style buildings, the Lushan Academy with its chess school and poetry club, the teahouse, the landscaped lake and the leisure lawn. If time allows, add the short visit to Yudafu Park and its old house.
Evening: Finish at Qinwang Square near the Fuchun River, watching the roller skaters and the dancers as the light goes. If you want to extend the night, take in a film at one of the cinemas, Time or Hengdian, and look for the Video Game City, KTV and skating rink nearby.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see Tianzhong Mountain at its liveliest?
27 October is the Temple Festival Day for Tianzhong Mountain, when many pilgrims come and a range of activities take place.
How do I get to Tianzhong Mountain from Hangzhou?
Take a bus to Fuyang Xinche Bus station, then a bus to the South Bus Station, and from there a direct bus to the mountain.
How do I reach Xinsha island, and can I bring a vehicle?
Take the ferry from behind Fuyang High School. Private vehicles can also cross to the island by ferry, and one of the ferry boats is a reconstruction of a vessel from the Three Kingdoms period.
What can I do in Fuyang in the evening or on a rainy day?
Fuyang has two cinemas, named Time and Hengdian, one in Intime and one in Wu Mei. Near them there is a Video Game City and KTV, and across the street a skating rink. At Da Runfa there are many stores for shopping, and you can drink coffee at Mei Yide nearby.
Decide how many days you can give to the riverbank, the hills and Longmen Ancient town, then start mapping your route around the Fuchun River.