In the western part of Zhejiang, there are two adjacent county seats, Kaihua County and Changshan County, which are geographically close but have very different status in the hearts of tourists and travelers. When planning their trip, many people will not hesitate to choose Kaihua County as their destination, while Changshan County is relatively cold. The reason for this is not only the difference in scenery, but also the choice of a comprehensive experience.
Kaihua County, located at the source of the Qiantang River, is the "West Gate" of Zhejiang. The mountains and rivers here are beautiful, and the natural scenery is infinite. Natural landscapes such as Qianjiangyuan National Forest Park and Gutian Mountain National Nature Reserve attract thousands of tourists every year. Changshan County, although it also has a good natural landscape, is slightly inferior in terms of popularity and development of tourism resources.
I had the privilege of living in both places for a while and experiencing the local customs in depth. In Kaihua County, I chose a homestay in the center of the county. Every morning, I can be awakened by the sound of birdsong outside the window, and when I open the window, the fresh air is blowing in my face, which makes people feel refreshed. In Changshan County, I live in a small hotel near the suburbs, although the environment is quiet, but compared with Kaihua County, there is always a little less fireworks in life.
When it comes to food, the two places also have very different flavors. The frog and clear water fish of Kaihua County are local specialties. I once tried these two dishes at a long-established restaurant, and the fish was tender and the soup was rich and memorable. The food of Changshan County, although it also has its own uniqueness, is difficult to compete with Kaihua County in terms of reputation and popularity.
During the tour, I deeply felt the difference between the two counties in terms of tourism development. Kaihua County has done a more meticulous and effective job in the protection and development of natural landscapes. For example, in the Qianjiangyuan Scenic Area, there are not only perfect walking trails for tourists to visit, but also a variety of explanation boards, detailing the vegetation, animals and geological conditions, so that tourists can increase their knowledge while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Although Changshan County is also blessed with unique natural resources, it is slightly insufficient in terms of tourism facilities and services. The signs of some scenic spots are not clear enough, and the walking paths are also damaged from time to time, which brings certain inconvenience to tourists.
In terms of folk customs, the residents of Kaihua County give people a feeling of hospitality, simplicity and kindness. I once chatted with a local grandmother, who warmly introduced me to the local customs, history and culture, and made me feel at home. In Changshan County, although the residents are also friendly, perhaps because tourism development is relatively lagging behind, the local people's ability to receive tourists and service awareness need to be improved.
In addition to the natural landscape and folk customs, the two counties also have different historical and cultural heritages. Kaihua County has a long history and a rich cultural heritage. I have visited local museums and monuments, and I have felt the weight of history and cultural heritage. Although Changshan County also has certain historical and cultural resources, there is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of protection and inheritance.
In terms of transportation and accommodation, Kaihua County is also more convenient. There are several bus stops and taxi ranks in the county, making it easy for tourists to get to various scenic spots. At the same time, there are all kinds of hotels and B&Bs of various grades to meet the needs of different tourists. In Changshan County, the transportation and accommodation conditions are slightly insufficient, which brings certain troubles to the travel of tourists.
To sum up, tourists are more inclined to choose Kaihua County as a tourist destination, not only because of its unique natural landscape, but also because of its perfect tourist facilities, hospitable folk customs, and rich historical and cultural heritage. Although Changshan County also has good tourism resources, it still needs to be improved in tourism development and services.
Of course, everyone's travel needs are different, and for those who love adventure and challenge, Changshan's underdeveloped state may be more appealing. But for most tourists, a well-developed, comfortable and culturally rich tourism environment is undoubtedly a more ideal choice.
At the end of this trip, I deeply felt the differences and characteristics between different counties. Each place has its own unique charms and shortcomings, and the choice of tourists is also based on their own needs and preferences. But in any case, the meaning of travel is to experience and feel, and no matter where you choose, you can find something different.
It is worth mentioning that in a small shop in Kaihua County, I tasted a special glutinous rice pastry, which is soft and glutinous and sweet, which makes people have an endless aftertaste. In Changshan County, I tried a local wild vegetable cake, although the taste is unique, but in terms of popularity and reputation, it is difficult to compare with the glutinous rice cake in Kaihua County.
These subtle differences may also be one of the factors that tourists consider when choosing a travel destination. After all, food is also an integral part of travel.