When children's sparkling eyes meet Zhejiang's breathtaking landscapes, and joyful laughter echoes through ancient villages and fields, this land transforms into the magical setting of fairy tales. From wildlife sanctuaries to millennia-old grottoes, from intangible cultural heritage workshops to nature-inspired art classes, every family outing becomes a journey of discovery filled with delightful surprises.

Qiqi Nature: A fairy tale world of dialogue with all things

In the dawn light of Hangzhou Wildlife World, white rhinos stroll leisurely across African savannahs while golden monkeys frolic on tree branches. The "Family Animal Classroom" lets children feed ring-tailed lemurs and observe panda cub routines. Riding a miniature train through wilderness, one might catch giraffes peeking through windows—this moment makes the mythical creatures from the ancient text *Classic of Mountains and Seas* feel like they've stepped into reality.

Summer at Anji Zhongnan Baicao Garden transforms into a natural laboratory for children. In this ecological park with over 2,000 plant species, kids can learn to identify rare herbs with botanists and groom alpacas at the petting zoo. As night falls, holding lanterns to explore the nocturnal creatures' museum reveals how owls hunt with pinpoint accuracy in the dark – a spectacle more vivid and captivating than any picture book.

In the fairy-tale castle of Hello Kitty Land, every corner pulses with innocent melodies. Ride Asia's first roller coaster Ferris wheel, high-five cartoon characters during the parade of floats, and laugh heartily to the music and dance at the Angel Theater. This is not just a playground paradise, but also a creative workshop that sparks imagination.

ALSO READ: Zhejiang on the tip of the tongue

First experience of culture: the code of civilization on your fingertips

At the museum along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, children are learning to craft round fans through hands-on DIY. Under instructors' guidance, their tiny fingers work like brushes, painting canal landscapes on plain round fans. This Song Dynasty heritage craft lets kids experience the refined lifestyle of ancient times in miniature. As the handmade fans sway gently in the breeze, seeds of cultural heritage quietly take root.

In the dyeing workshop of Wuzhen's Xizha area, indigo-dyed fabrics flutter in the breeze. Children, aprons tied around their waists, learn the ancient tie-dyeing technique. They shape white cloth with elastic bands, submerge it in a dye vat made from Isatis root, and transform each pattern into a unique artwork. This intangible cultural heritage originating from the Han Dynasty helps children grasp the true meaning of "the student surpasses the master" through hands-on learning.

In the calligraphy studio at Shaoxing, the birthplace of the Sage of Calligraphy, the air is filled with the fragrance of ink. Children hold specially designed small brushes, meticulously tracing the "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" (Lanting Xu) stroke by stroke on rice-grain grids. As the Eight Principles of the character "Yong" gradually take shape on paper, Wang Xizhi's calligraphic aesthetics—where brushstrokes "float like clouds and soar like startled dragons" —transcend textbook abstractions.

Shan Shui Classroom: A natural textbook on the Earth

Along the lakeside greenway of Qiandao Lake, families riding bicycles create the most picturesque scene. Under professional coaches' guidance, children learn cycling skills like gear shifting and braking while identifying pine and fir trees along the route. At the central lake area, they board a sightseeing boat to observe egrets hunting with telescopes and analyze water purity using simple testing tools. This vivid ecological lesson helps children grasp the true meaning of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

The Danxia landforms of Jianglang Mountain serve as a living textbook of geological movements. At Sanpanshi, geologists explain the Cretaceous period's history 135 million years ago. Children examine sedimentary structures in rock layers with magnifying glasses, collecting specimens by gently tapping them with geological hammers. This mountain, visited three times by the renowned traveler Xu Xiake, tells Earth's dramatic transformations through the language of its rocks.

The underground maze of Longyu Grottoes sparks children's curiosity. Under the flashlight light, the chisel marks on the cave walls are clearly visible. Archaeologists guide the group to speculate about the cave's purpose—was it a quarry or a tomb? Each child can propose their own hypothesis, cultivating archaeological thinking through critical reasoning.

Interactive time: Beautiful memories of growing up together

At Moganshan Yiyuan Farm, morning milking sessions are always filled with laughter. Children mimic the farmer's actions, gently pressing the cows' udders as white milk flows into iron barrels. Under guidance, they then learn pasteurization techniques to transform fresh milk into cheese. This hands-on workshop teaches children the true meaning of "who knows the hardship behind the plate."

At Dongqian Lake's canoeing base, the rhythmic calls of family collaboration echo through the air. Parents paddle the boats while children serve as navigators, working in perfect harmony to reach the island in the lake's center. As the sunset's golden light bathes the water, the canoes glide across ripples of shimmering gold. This heartwarming moment will become the most cherished memory in the family's photo album.

On the sandy shores of Nansha in Zhujiajian, a sandcastle-building competition is underway. Parents transport water while children sculpt walls with shovels, working together to create their own 'beach castles'. When the tide comes in and watches their creations being gently swallowed by the waves, the children learn to appreciate the process rather than the outcome – perhaps the most valuable lesson in life.

In Zhejiang's family adventures, every scenic spot becomes an open classroom, and each experience forms a stepping stone to growth. When children's fingers trace ancient relics, and laughter echoes through mountain valleys, these shared memories become the most treasured family legacy. Here, children not only discover the world's wonders but also discover their best selves through exploration.

Source: Zhejiang Cultural and Tourism Promotion Center for Hong Kong and Macao