Weekend Family Outing in Hangzhou: Cliffside Ranch

Visited here before and shared some photos on the social media. Several mothers reached out to ask where it was, saying the videos and pictures made it seem like a perfect spot for a family outing. It has an American western camping vibe. In the past, there were cows and sheep that visitors could feed, but during my recent visit, I noticed they were no longer there. The fence is still in place, and the Hobbit-like caves reminiscent of Hobbiton are still there, though they’ve been covered with black fabric, likely to protect the flowers and plants from the intense sunlight.

This time, I still managed to get some great shots. The girl in lovely long dress sat by the fence. Honestly, the landscape is similar to the one at Yunlong Snow Mountain in Yunnan, with the only difference being the snow-capped mountains in the distance. The scenery is otherwise quite comparable. Nearby, there are many other scenic spots within a five-minute drive, such as the nearby Geocentric Town, which features nighttime bonfires, barbecues, parties, and live music performances.

Heading down from the mineral cliff, you’ll find the well-known Shanxia Art Museum in the area around Zhuantang. I also visited it this time; the entrance fee is 78 RMB per person. Fortunately, the commercial photography building has been opened, though only mobile phone photography is allowed. I managed to take a few pictures, and the scenery still deserves a 5-star rating. When I visited earlier this year, the outdoor green pine trees on the second floor had already been scorched to a yellow-brown color by the sun. The interior setup has changed as well, now featuring more lace elements, so I’m giving it a positive review. The red exterior of the new church-like building in the distance has been completed, though the interior is still under renovation. I’m looking forward to visiting again once it’s finished, as aerial shots will likely add more atmosphere to the photos. Due to the ongoing heatwave in Hangzhou, there weren’t many people around taking photos, but there are also fields and monsoon landscapes nearby that are just as photogenic, only a 5-6 minute drive away. Even when we passed by, there was no one around.

If you only visit the Cliffside Ranch, the cost is minimal, and there are several great photo spots: the distant cliffside swing and the ranch fence. As long as you’re prepared with sunscreen and long-lasting makeup, now is the perfect time for your photo shoot.

Travel Info: You can use navigation to choose either Geocentric Town or Cliffside Ranch as your destination. There’s parking available at the ranch entrance or along the small side roads nearby. The subway doesn’t go directly there, so you’ll need to take a taxi from Kehailu or Shuangpu Station.