Liyang: Tianmu Lake & Bao'en Temple Private Day Trip

Spend a refreshing, laid-back day by the water on this private day trip from Nanjing to scenic Liyang. After comfortable hotel pickup in a private air-conditioned car, your English-speaking guide accompanies you on a relaxed, easygoing itinerary.

Begin at the Liyang Museum, a work of art in itself - its architecture inspired by the legendary 'scorched-tail' guqin (Chinese zither) crafted here in the Eastern Han dynasty. Outside, find the famous 'sky pit' photo spot, where the sculptural landform and drifting clouds make for wonderfully cinematic pictures.

Next, head to the shores of Tianmu Lake, where you can choose your own (or join fellow travellers for) a taste of Liyang's celebrated cuisine - the region is famous for its rich fish-head soup. Then visit the thousand-year-old Bao'en Temple, a tranquil ancient monastery of red walls and grey tiles set among green hills, where you can quietly wander the Heavenly Kings Hall and the Grand Hall amid ancient trees and gentle chanting.

In the afternoon, drift through the artsy lakeside village of Mengjie Fangcun - a creative community set against hills and water, perfect for unhurried photos. Finish at the Pingqiao Stone Dam, China's largest non-reinforced masonry arch dam, where you can relax by the water, enjoy the scenery and dip your feet in a clear, gentle stream in a pristine setting.

This is a calm, gentle day with light, optional water play, your private car and guide for the whole outing, and a comfortable evening drive back to your Nanjing hotel.

Easygoing private day trip from Nanjing to Liyang: a guqin-shaped museum, a serene lakeside temple, an artsy village, and gentle stream play. Hotel pickup, private car, guide and lunch.