5-Day Tour in Xuzhou | Classic Combination of Yunlong Lake and Han Culture Scenic Area・All-Age Friendly Guide

Xuzhou is an ancient city with a history of over a thousand years in the Huaihai region. It boasts the shimmering waters of Yunlong Lake, the profound history of the Han tomb clusters, and the cultural heritage of Pengzu Garden. Take the elderly to explore the old stories in the ancient residences of Hubushan, accompany children to have fun at Xuzhou Amusement Park, and here, every day offers a heartfelt dialogue between nature and time. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview D1: Arrive in Xuzhou → Yunlong Lake → Yunlong Mountain → Hubushan Ancient Residences D2: Xuzhou Han Culture Scenic Area (Chu King’s Tomb + Han Terracotta Warriors) → Xuzhou Museum D3: Guishan Han Tomb → Imperial Edict Museum → Huilongwo Historical and Cultural Street D4: Pengzu Garden → Xuzhou Amusement Park D5: Yaowan Ancient Town → Return 🌊 Day 1: Lake Scenery & Ancient Streets Exploration 📍 Yunlong Lake (5A, free) Highlights: Known as Xuzhou’s “city living room,” this freshwater lake is larger than West Lake. You can bike (rental 30 RMB/hour) or take a boat ride (60 RMB/hour). Elderly can stroll along the Xiaonan Lake boardwalk, children can play on the sandy beach (free). The cherry blossom avenue in spring is stunning. 🕙 Opening Hours: All day, recommended 9:00-12:00 📸 Photo Spot: Under Sugong Tower (capture lake views and tower shadows, with people standing on the lakeside steps) 💡 Tips: The scenic area is large; sightseeing buses are available (20 RMB/person). Bring a folding stool for the elderly to rest anytime. 📍 Yunlong Mountain (4A, free, cable car one-way 40 RMB) Highlights: At 142 meters elevation, the viewing platform offers a panoramic city view. The mountain features Northern Wei stone Buddha and Fanghe Pavilion (inscribed by Su Shi). Elderly can take the cable car uphill (less tiring), children can count distant bridges from the viewing platform. Autumn brings a mountain full of red leaves. 🕙 Recommended Visit Time: 14:00-16:00 📍 Hubushan Ancient Residences (4A, ticket 30 RMB) Highlights: Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, including the Li Family Mansion known as “The Richest in Xuzhou” and an ancient opera stage. Elderly can listen to “Hubushan Legends,” children can explore old items (oil lamps, spinning wheels) in the folk museum. At night, lanterns light up creating a time-travel atmosphere. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30, recommended 17:00-19:00 🍜 Food Recommendation: Hubushan’s “Two Come Spicy Soup” is a must-try (8 RMB/bowl with fried dough), and pan-fried buns (10 RMB/serving), about 20 RMB per person for authentic Xuzhou flavors. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendation: “Xuzhou Yunlong Lakeside Hotel” near Yunlong Lake (family rooms available, 5-minute walk to the lake), priced 350-500 RMB/night with lake views from the window. 🗿 Day 2: Han Tomb Exploration & Cultural Museum Appreciation 📍 Xuzhou Han Culture Scenic Area (4A, ticket 90 RMB) Highlights: The core of “Two Han Dynasties Culture in Xuzhou,” featuring the Chu King’s Tomb (Han dynasty feudal king’s tomb with a grand and eerie underground palace) and Han Terracotta Warriors (smaller than Qin’s but with diverse expressions). Elderly can take the shuttle bus (10 RMB/person) to reduce walking, children can guess patterns in the “Han Stone Relief Corridor” and watch the 4D cinema (20 RMB/person) telling the Chu King’s story. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:00, recommended 9:00-13:00 💰 Admission: Adults 90 RMB, free for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.4 meters 📸 Photo Spot: Entrance of Chu King’s Tomb (capture the underground palace entrance with people to show historical depth) 💡 Tips: The underground palace is cool, bring a light jacket; do not let children touch the terracotta warriors. 📍 Xuzhou Museum (4A, free, reservation required) Highlights: Home to the “Golden Thread Jade Burial Suit” (treasure of the museum) and Han dynasty bronze artifacts, with an exhibition of “Han Dynasty Relics.” The children’s area offers a “Jade Suit Puzzle” game (free). Elderly can view the “Ancient Peng Legacy” exhibition. The museum’s Han-style architecture complements the artifacts, creating an immersive experience. 🕙 Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed Mondays), recommended 14:30-16:30 🏺 Day 3: Guishan Discovery & Ancient Alley Flavors 📍 Guishan Han Tomb (4A, ticket 80 RMB) Highlights: The joint tomb of Western Han Chu King Liu Zhu and his wife, with corridor precision up to 0.5 millimeters. The “Chu King Welcoming Guests” AR experience (free) is very realistic. Elderly can take the electric cart (15 RMB/person) to the tomb area, children can explore the “Secret Tunnel” for hidden mechanisms. The “Source-less Pool” inside the tomb has never dried up for thousands of years, very mysterious. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30, recommended 9:00-12:00 📍 Imperial Edict Museum (included in Guishan ticket) Highlights: Houses over 50 imperial edicts from Ming and Qing dynasties, offers a “Scroll Edict” experience (20 RMB/session, dress in dragon robes for photos). Elderly can view the “Official Robes Exhibition” to learn ranks, children can answer questions in the “Imperial Examination” interactive area (free), gaining knowledge. 📍 Huilongwo Historical and Cultural Street (free) Highlights: Reconstructed Ming and Qing dynasty alley with Xuzhou’s old brand “Mashijie Soup,” and creative shops. Elderly can listen to Xuzhou Qinshu (traditional storytelling) in a teahouse (10 RMB/person), children can buy Han stone relief rubbings (15 RMB/piece). Ideal for dinner and night strolls. 🕙 Recommended Visit Time: 18:00-20:00 🌳 Day 4: Tracing Pengzu & Fun at the Park 📍 Pengzu Garden (4A, free admission, zoo 20 RMB) Highlights: Dedicated to Pengzu (the ancestor of Chinese cooking), featuring Pengzu Temple and Cherry Blossom Garden. The zoo has pandas and golden monkeys. Elderly can practice Tai Chi at Fushou Square, children can feed giraffes (10 RMB/portion). Spring cherry blossoms and autumn chrysanthemum exhibitions are must-sees. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended 9:00-12:00 📍 Xuzhou Amusement Park (4A, ticket 198 RMB) Highlights: Family-friendly park with “Caribbean Water World” (open in summer), “Candy World” (for younger children), and thrilling “Roller Coaster.” Elderly can enjoy the “Carousel” (gentle ride), children can scream in the “Haunted House” (with parental supervision). The parade at 15:00 is lively and fun. 🕙 Opening Hours: 9:30-17:30, recommended 14:00-17:30 💡 Tips: Download the “Xuzhou Amusement Park” app to check height restrictions for rides; elderly can rest in shaded areas. 🚤 Day 5: Ancient Town Finale & Canal Memories 📍 Yaowan Ancient Town (4A, ticket 70 RMB) Highlights: Known as the “First Ancient Town of the Grand Canal,” it preserves Ming and Qing shops and docks, including “Wu Family Courtyard” and “Shanxi Guild Hall.” Take a rowboat (50 RMB/boat for 4 people) to enjoy canal views. Elderly can send postcards at the “Old Post Office” (10 RMB/postcard), children can buy “Yaowan Mung Bean Liquor” (non-alcoholic, 15 RMB/bottle, sweet drink). Early mornings are less crowded and perfect for authentic photos. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30, recommended 9:00-13:00 📸 Photo Spot: Zhongning Street Ancient Dock (capture canal, ancient bridge, and people; wearing blue cloth shirts makes photos stand out) 💡 Tips: The town is large; you can take a rickshaw (20 RMB/trip). The specialty “Sweet Oil” (similar to soy sauce, 25 RMB/bottle) is worth buying. ✨ Xuzhou Survival Guide 1️⃣ Transportation: Metro lines 1 and 2 cover Yunlong Lake and Hubushan (2-5 RMB); take bus 82 to Guishan Han Tomb (2 RMB), taxi about 30 RMB; take tourist shuttle to Yaowan Ancient Town (20 RMB/person, 1.5 hours), round-trip car rental 150 RMB. 2️⃣ Clothing: Wear windproof jackets in spring and autumn (Yunlong Mountain, Guishan are windy), short sleeves plus sun protection in summer (park and ancient town are outdoors), down jackets and non-slip shoes in winter (many steps in scenic areas), bring sports shoes for walking. 3️⃣ Taboos: No loud noises or touching artifacts in tombs and museums; disclose health conditions for amusement park rides; do not let children approach the canal alone in the ancient town. 4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay in the city center near Yunlong Lake for the first three days; near the amusement park, stay in nearby guesthouses (200-300 RMB/night). Choose ones with children’s play areas for kids and elevator rooms for elderly. 🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs ① Crispy Sugar Candy for kids (30 RMB/box, crispy and sweet, loved by elderly and children) ② Xuzhou Spicy Soup Instant Pack (25 RMB/bag, 4 bowls, heat and eat) ③ Han Stone Relief Cultural Products (bookmarks 20 RMB each, ornaments 50 RMB each, culturally rich) ④ Yaowan Sweet Oil (25 RMB/bottle, good for cold dishes and stir-fry, specialty) The soul of Xuzhou lies in the jade burial suits and the silent terracotta warriors in the Han tombs; its charm is in the shimmering waves of Yunlong Lake and the lively atmosphere of ancient streets. Whether you chat about health with your parents in Pengzu Garden, laugh with your children at the amusement park, or have a drink with friends in the ancient town, here you will find unforgettable depth and vitality. If you come to Xuzhou, would you rather first see the Golden Thread Jade Burial Suit or take a boat ride on Yunlong Lake?