My first time in Liaocheng, and I almost didn't make it back!

🌞【First Impressions of Liaocheng】 Liaocheng in May is like a marshmallow softened by the sun🍬, gentle and lazy~ This "Water City of North China" is located on the Luxi Plain, with the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal running through it. The scenery is even more captivating than Jiangnan! The old town features stone-paved roads and red lanterns🏮, while the new town hides amazing hole-in-the-wall restaurants among its high-rise buildings, a charming contrast. 🚣♀️【3 Days and 2 Nights: Detailed Itinerary】 ​​Day 1: Slow Living in the Water City​​ 🌅Morning: Head straight to Dongchang Lake! It's free🆓! Rent a small boat (60 yuan/hour) and drift on the lake, watching the reflection of the ancient city walls shatter into golden flakes. 🍜Noon: By the lake, at the Damatou Stewed Fish Restaurant, enjoy carp stewed in a wood-fired stove, served with cornbread. The soup is so thick it coats the spoon! 🌇Evening: Take a night tour of the China Water Ancient City. The light illuminates the blue bricks and gray tiles, transporting you back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Don't forget to buy an "old popsicle" (2 yuan) to enjoy as you stroll. ​​Day 2: History Exploration Mode​​ 🌅Morning: Climb Guangyue Tower (30 yuan entrance fee)! Overlooking the entire city, you'll feel like an "ancient CEO." 🍜Noon: At Shazhen Yangjia Guada, try the mutton guada (8 yuan). It's crispy, crumbly, and bursting with meaty aroma! 🌇Evening: Visit the Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall (30 yuan entrance fee) to witness the "opulence" of Shanxi merchants. The gold lacquer on the wood carvings is still dazzling! ​​Day 3: Artsy and Fresh​​ 🌅Morning: Fenghuangyuan Botanical Garden is free🆓! Take photos by the rose flower wall📷 for a natural soft-focus filter effect. 🍜Noon: At Yanggu Buddai Chicken, enjoy a whole chicken stuffed with eight treasures. The aroma when it's cut open is so tempting it made the kid at the next table cry! 🌇Evening: At the Ferris Wheel Happy World, ride the Ferris wheel (50 yuan) and watch the city lights twinkle like scattered stars✨. 🏯【Must-See Checklist】 1️⃣ ​​Dongchang Lake Boat Tour​​ ⏰Open all day｜The island in the center of the lake is perfect for picnics. Remember to bring a picnic blanket for stunning photos! 2️⃣ ​​Shazhen Yangjia Guada​​ ⏰5:30-13:00｜The queue of uncles and aunties in the early morning is a testament to its popularity! One bite, and you'll be hooked on the blend of oil and onion flavors. 3️⃣ ​​China Water Ancient City Night View​​ ⏰18:00-22:00｜The moment the lanterns light up, it transforms into a scene from "A Dream of Splendor"! Perfect for those in Hanfu! 4️⃣ ​​Yanggu Jingyanggang​​ ⏰8:30-17:00｜The place where Wu Song fought the tiger! You can actually drink rice wine at the "Three Bowls But Not Over the Ridge" tavern🍶 in the scenic area. 5️⃣ ​​Linqing Grand Canal Chaoguan​​ ⏰9:00-17:00｜The ancient tax bureau! Touch the bronze weights and experience the joy of "weighing silver." 🏨【Stay by the Water】 🌟Liaocheng Arcadia International Hot Spring Hotel ✅Recommended reason: The rooms offer lake views! It has its own hot spring♨️. After a day of exploring, soak in a rose bath and melt your stress away. 🚌【Transportation Tips】 👍Great experience: Rent an electric scooter🛵 in the ancient city (30 yuan/day). It's super convenient for navigating the alleys and finding delicious food! 😭Painful experience: Bus K2 during the morning rush hour is packed like sardines... Take a taxi instead (the starting price of 6 yuan is a steal)! 🍜【Foodie Radar Activated】 1️⃣ ​​Wei's Smoked Chicken​​｜Dark, shiny, and oily, it gets more flavorful with every chew. Pair it with beer🍺 for an amazing experience! 2️⃣ ​​Eight Treasure Buddai Chicken​​｜The chicken is stuffed with glutinous rice and lotus seeds, absorbing the soup until it's sticky and delicious! 3️⃣ ​​Shazhen Guada​​｜100 times crispier than rou jia mo! One serving in the morning will keep you full until afternoon. 4️⃣ ​​Linqing Tuoban Tofu​​｜Hot tofu trembling as it slides into your mouth, exploding with bean flavor! 5️⃣ ​​Gaotang Old Tofu​​｜Drizzled with sesame paste and chili oil, it's a slippery and soul-satisfying treat! 💰【Budget Alert】 Accommodation 600+ meals 300+ tickets 200+ transportation 100≈1200 yuan/person (Student IDs get half-price tickets! The money saved is enough for three smoked chickens🐔) 💡【Survival Tips】 ①The midday sun in May is scorching! Sunscreen and a straw hat👒 are essential. ②Wear sneakers for the stone-paved roads in the old town! High heels will make you cry😭. ③Go early for guada! There's nothing left in the afternoon. 🌿May in Liaocheng is a time for leisurely boating and enjoying skewers, a time for admiring the roses peeking out from the ancient city walls. Even the wind carries the gentle caress of the water🌊. So, want to be a "Water City Loafer" for a day?