Huai'an

Huai'an is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province. Located in the Subei Plain, at the intersection of the Huai River and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, it has always been known as the "Canal Capital" and the "Land of Fish and Rice." As the hometown of Premier Zhou Enlai, Huai'an combines a profound historical and cultural heritage with modern tourism vitality. It has rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and distinctive cuisine, and is an important cultural tourism destination in the Yangtze River Delta region. Recommended attractions Cultural history Zhou Enlai's Former Residence Tourist Area It includes the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall, the former residence, and the He Xia Ancient Town, which shows Premier Zhou Enlai's life and his feelings for his family and country. The former residence has a blue brick and tile wood structure, retaining the architectural style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There are also historical sites such as the Wentong Pagoda and Zhenhuai Tower nearby. Special experience: Take a boat trip on the Liyun River to experience the canal culture; take a night tour of the Liyun River Cultural Corridor, where the light show and ancient buildings complement each other. Huai'an Prefectural Office The former residence of the governor of the Cao River in the Ming Dynasty. The existing main hall covers an area of more than 500 square meters, completely presenting the architectural pattern of the ancient official residence. It is an important window to understand the administrative system of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Wu Cheng'en's Former Residence The former residence of the author of "Journey to the West" is located in He Xia Ancient Town. The blue brick courtyard is elegant in layout and has a study room, back garden, etc., displaying Wu Cheng'en's creative background. Natural Scenery Hongze Lake Ancient Dam Scenic Area A world cultural heritage site, the "Water Great Wall" with a history of more than 2,000 years, you can stroll along the dam to view the lake, or visit the Sanhe Sluice, Shuifu City and other water conservancy projects. First Mountain National Forest Park Named after Mi Fu's inscription "First Mountain", it integrates Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist cultures. The forest spring pavilions are scattered, and the cliff stone carvings are well preserved. Climbing to the top, you can overlook the Huai River scenery. Tieshan Temple National Forest Park The largest wild animal and plant gene bank in Jiangsu, Tianquan Lake is rippling with blue waves, suitable for hiking and camping, and feeling the tranquility of the original forest. Red Tourism and Theme Parks Huai'an Fantawild With red culture as the theme, it restores the modern history of China through high-tech projects, such as the live-action performance of "Zhiyuan Zhiyuan", which is suitable for parent-child and patriotic education tours. Journey to the West Paradise Based on "Journey to the West", combined with VR, roller coasters and other technological amusement facilities, it creates an immersive mythological world, suitable for young tourists to experience. Food Recommendations Huai'an is one of the birthplaces of Huaiyang cuisine, known for its exquisite knife skills and original flavor, combining both northern and southern flavors. Classic Huaiyang Cuisine Soft-Shelled Eel Select wild eel backbones with thick pen-holders, the brine is sweet and salty, and the entrance is smooth and tender like silk, named after the shape of an official's belt. Pingqiao Tofu Banquet A Qing Dynasty court dish, the tofu is as thin as hair, and the soup base is made with crucian carp brain and crab roe, which is fresh, fragrant and long-lasting, and is a good product for warming the stomach in winter. Qingong Meatballs The glutinous rice skin is wrapped with fatty and lean meat filling, which is chewy and has the meaning of "reunion and happiness". It is commonly found in wedding banquets. Local Snacks Xuyi Crayfish A specialty of Hongze Lake, the thirteen-spice seasoning contains more than 30 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines, which are spicy, fresh and fragrant. It is a must-try in the summer night market. Wenlou Soup Dumplings The skin is as thin as paper, the soup is full, and it is eaten with ginger vinegar, with rice porridge and pickles, opening the sense of ritual of Huai'an breakfast. Tea Sanzi Crispy as silk, it can be eaten dry or soaked in tea. It is common in old teahouses, and it adds more flavor to listening to Pingtan opera. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Local Cuisine Matou Mutton Soup: Free-range old sheep are stewed, the soup is fresh and the meat is rotten, served with sesame cakes dipped in soup, a must-see for drivers on long distances. Gaogou Knuckle: The pork knuckle is tied and braised, salty and fragrant, vacuum-packed as a souvenir. Travel Tips Best season: Spring and autumn are suitable for travel (flower viewing in March-May, crab tasting in September-November), and you can experience the fishing customs of Hongze Lake in summer. Transportation: High-speed trains go directly to Nanjing, Shanghai and other cities; urban buses and trams cover the main attractions. Accommodation: Homestays in He Xia Ancient Town (such as Jiangba Courtyard), resort hotels on the shore of Hongze Lake (such as Guanhai Hot Spring Resort)