[2025 Dezhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Dongzi Garden Scenic Area (Updated Apr)

⛱️Must-visit attractions: 1. Tomb of the King of Sulu: One of only two tombs of foreign monarchs in China. It is the burial place of the King of Sulu, his wife, and others from Sulu Island. It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2014. 2. Dongziyuan Scenic Area: Built in memory of Dong Zhongshu, a great Confucian scholar of the Western Han Dynasty. Inside the scenic area, there are attractions such as Dongzi Reading Platform and Liuhu Academy. The architecture and landscape are full of cultural atmosphere. 3. Daqing River Scenic Area in Qihe: The park has pavilions, terraces, waterside pavilions, and long corridors. There are also large areas of water and green space, making it a good place for leisure walks and enjoying the natural scenery. 🍜Food guide: 1. Skewer Mantou: Slender, soft, and chewy. The head and tail can be twisted into a circle. It is very chewy and the more you chew, the more fragrant it becomes. 2. Daliu Noodles: The noodles are as thin as vermicelli, the color is like tender willow, and they are smooth and delicious. Paired with fried sauce, the taste is superb. 3. Dezhou Braised Chicken: Known as the "best chicken in China." It is five-spice flavored, boneless, tender, and pure in taste. 🏨Accommodation guide: Recommended hotel: Arcadia International Hot Spring Hotel, Qihe Reasons for recommendation: 1. It has dozens of unique hot spring pools. 2. It is equipped with indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a children's play area. 🚄Transportation guide: 1. Tomb of the King of Sulu: Take bus No. 23 or No. 39. 💗Other tips: It is recommended to visit in spring or autumn, as the weather is very comfortable.

Dezhou, an ancient Grand Canal city known as the "Nine-Way Junction," holds many underrated treasures! From the Sultan of Sulu's Tomb symbolizing international friendship to the vast forests along the old Yellow River course, from thrilling roller coasters at Eurasia Park to the zen-like Haidao Jinshan Temple, this guide reveals 10 must-visit spots cherished by locals. Plus, bonus "Grand Canal Food Map" and "Free Photo Spots" to help you spend three days savoring donkey meat burgers, exploring world-class theme parks, and capturing social media-worthy shots—unlock a hardcore Dezhou that 90% of tourists don't know about! Stop 1: Time Travel Journey—Sultan of Sulu's Tomb & Dongzi Garden Recommended time: 8:30-11:30 As China's only tomb of a foreign king, the Sultan of Sulu's Tomb represents 600 years of China-Philippines friendship. Walk past stone statues along the sacred way, read Emperor Yongle's inscription at the Imperial Stele Pavilion, and visit the village of tomb guardians' descendants who maintain Southeast Asian customs. Admission: ¥30, recommended with AR guide (¥20) to unlock hidden stories. A 15-minute drive north leads to Dongzi Garden, the teaching site of Western Han Dynasty scholar Dong Zhongshu. The spring scenery of willows brushing water at the reading platform creates perfect photo opportunities in traditional Hanfu costume with bamboo scrolls. The Dongzi Cultural Street hosts weekly heritage markets on Saturdays, featuring live demonstrations of Dezhou black pottery—customize your own tea set for ¥50. Stop 2: Thrills and Fun—Quancheng Eurasia Fantasy World & Ocean Polar World Recommended time: 13:00-18:00 Quancheng Eurasia Fantasy World is a roller coaster paradise in northern China! Head straight for Blue Fire Battle (100km/h launch) and Tornado (suspended feet-dangling coaster)—queues exceed 2 hours in the afternoon. Admission: ¥220, 40% off with student ID, free for children under 1.4m. Families should visit Quancheng Ocean Polar World. Don't miss the beluga tunnel, jellyfish palace, penguin snow house, and especially the "Mermaid Fairy Tale" show at 11:30, where divers dance with golden trevally schools like a real-life Aquaman. Family package (2 adults, 1 child): ¥560, seal feeding: ¥30/time. Stop 3: Green Wonderland—Yellow River Old Course Forest Park & Jian River Wetland Recommended time: 8:00-10:30 (morning run) / 16:00-18:30 (sunset) Yellow River Old Course Forest Park features ancient mulberry groves with berry picking in May (¥20/basket). Recommended cycling route: Entrance → Mulberry Culture Zone → Sand Sculpture Garden → Old Oil Press. Electric car rental: ¥80/hour, ancient tree shadows interweave with desert vegetation creating frontier scenery. Jian River Wetland Park serves as the city's green lung. April brings tulip fields around Dutch windmills—use zigzag composition for aerial shots. In autumn and winter, reed marshes turn golden—capture grey herons fishing with telephoto lenses. Rainbow Bridge on the east bank offers the best sunset views. Use Pro mode: ISO100, 1/800s shutter speed to capture sparkling waves. Stop 4: Buddhist Healing Time—Qingyun Haidao Jinshan Temple & Leling Date Forest Recommended time: Full day (recommended split over two days) Haidao Jinshan Temple, northern China's first Pure Land Buddhist temple, features 33 hand-carved camphor wood Buddha statues in its main hall. Vegetarian feasts (¥10/person) are held on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month, with special blessing ceremonies during the temple fair on the 18th day of the fourth lunar month. Feed koi in the liberation pond behind the mountain for a zen experience. Visit Leling's vast date forest in September, where over 30 varieties of dates bend branches. Recommended self-driving "Date Village" route: Zhuji Town → Hundred Date Garden → Mother-Child Tree Scenic Area. Experience date picking (¥15/500g) and date syrup making (¥50/jar). Climb the observation tower at dusk to see the sunset turn endless date groves amber. Stop 5: High-Tech Meets Local Life—China Solar Valley & Grand Canal Ancient Street Recommended time: Morning for tech tour, evening for food exploration China Solar Valley is a pilgrimage site for new energy enthusiasts. The world's first solar "Seven-Star Hotel" generates power through photovoltaic glass walls, while the Micro-emission Building maintains constant temperature year-round with geothermal heat pumps. ¥60 admission includes guide; solar-powered car assembly (¥98) perfect for family education. Head to Grand Canal Ancient Street in the evening, where dock ruins and warehouse complexes hide authentic Dezhou flavors. Must-try trio: Cui's Donkey Meat (¥35/500g, perfect with fire-baked buns), Lamb Intestine Soup (Old Yang's opens at 4 PM), Wucheng Xuan Pancake (¥8 with egg). At the canal dock bars, pair craft "Nine-Way Junction" IPA with fried cicadas while listening to boatmen's songs. Exclusive Tips: Local Secrets 1. Free Photo Spots New Lake Scenic Area: Dezhou Grand Theater reflected in mirror lake, perfect for cyberpunk symmetry shots Jiulong Bay Park: Abandoned railway tracks with February orchids, instant Japanese film filter worthy 2. Late Night Food Guide College West Road "Dark Cuisine": Fried noodle strips + pan-fried mashed potato balls (¥10 fills you up) 38th Road chicken wings: Sweet and spicy with iced beer, ¥20 per person 3. Extreme Sports Bonus Outlet Climbing Gym: 15m speed climbing wall, professional coach and gear included (¥68/session) Majia River Rafting: 6km rapids section, perfect for summer team building (30% off group tickets) Dezhou is far more than a train stop. In three days, you can scream on Eurasia Park roller coasters, find peace in Jinshan Temple's morning bells, learn date picking with grandparents in autumn groves, and warm your soul with steaming lamb intestine soup. Follow this guide and discover how this old canal city tells China's story of tradition meeting innovation through cool new energy and warm old craftsmanship. Save and share—next time you pass through Dezhou, remember to stay awhile!

Day 1: Dezhou Museum → Jiefang Road → Dongzi Park Morning: Dezhou Museum (free admission) • Opening hours: 9:00–16:30 (closed on Mondays) • Recommended highlights: 1. Historical Footprints Exhibition Hall: Learn about Dezhou's evolution from the Dawenkou culture to modern times. Key exhibits include the Han Dynasty green-glazed pottery building and the Western Zhou Dynasty celadon double phoenix dagger. 2. Black Pottery Exhibition Area: Dezhou black pottery features a unique smoking process and black body color painting. 3. Scenario Interaction: The exhibition hall on the third floor restores history through dummy scenes, providing an immersive escape room-like experience. It is suitable for taking pictures, but those who are timid should be cautious. • Stamp Guide: There are 12 free stamps next to the elevator on the second floor and in the cultural and creative store, covering dialects and cultural relic patterns. Noon: Food around Jiefang Road • Recommended restaurants: ◦ Dezhou Braised Chicken Main Store: A must-try signature braised chicken (tender meat, easily separated from the bone). ◦ Changguan Steamed Buns: Served with mutton soup, thin skin and fresh filling, approx. CNY 25 per person. Afternoon: Dongzi Park Scenic Area (free admission) • Core attractions: 1. Dongzi Reading Platform: A 24.8-meter-high imitation Han Dynasty architectural complex with a bronze statue of Dong Zhongshu, suitable for learning about Confucian culture. 2. Cultural Street and Pedestrian Street: Antique shops sell cultural and creative products, calligraphy and paintings. You can experience tea culture or buy Chinese dates. 3. Night View Light Show: The stone boat and the Wubu Bridge under the evening lights create a classical artistic conception, which is suitable for taking pictures. • Activity suggestions: If it is during the Lunar New Year, you can participate in the zodiac-themed exhibition or paper-cutting interaction. Day 2: Haidao Jinshan Temple (Qingyun County) • Transportation: Self-driving/car rental (approx. 1.5-hour drive from the city) • Recommended things to do: 1. History of Jinshan Temple: Built in the Sui Dynasty, it is famous for "Foguang Temple" after its reconstruction. Emperor Qianlong praised it as "Foguang Xianghe". 2. Parent-child experience: Combined with scenes from the animation The Legend of Haidao Jinshan, it is suitable for family tours. 3. Surrounding linkage: Qingyun Palace (Taoist temple) is adjacent to Jinshan Temple and can be visited together. • Recommended dining: Vegetarian food in the temple or local farmhouse dishes in Qingyun County (such as Xiajin Budai Chicken). Day 3: Sinu Temple Ancient Town (Wucheng County) • Transportation: Self-driving/car rental (approx. 40-minute drive from the city) • Core attractions: 1. Xiaonv Temple: Commemorates the legend of filial piety of the four daughters. The stone carvings of the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars in the park are vivid and expressive. 2. Foguang Temple: The rebuilt Tang Dynasty-style temple. Climbing the Liuhe Baoguang Pagoda offers a panoramic view of the canal scenery. 3. Grand Canal Relic Park: Combines water conservancy culture display and ecological landscape, suitable for walking and cycling. • Featured experiences: ◦ Hot Spring Resort: Jiuhua Mountain Villa Hot Spring can relieve travel fatigue. ◦ Grand Canal Museum: Learn about the history of canal transportation and the "Northern Dujiangyan" water conservancy project. Useful Tips 1. Transportation: City buses cover the main attractions, but Haidao Jinshan Temple and Sinu Temple require self-driving or car rental. 2. Accommodation: • Decheng District: Orange Hotel (near the business district, approx. CNY 200/night). • Qihe County: Oulebao Knight Hotel (the first choice for families, the tree house experience is unique). 3. Food Map: • Must-try list: Wucheng Xuanbing (crispy and multi-layered), Pingyuan Qianzi Steamed Bun, Ningjin Daliu Noodle. • Snack Street: Qixing Food Street (near Dongzi Park). 4. Best shooting spots: • Dezhou Museum scene on the third floor, Dongzi Park night view, Sinu Temple Xiaonv Temple stone carvings. Itinerary Summary This route connects Dezhou's history, Confucian culture, Buddhist heritage, and canal customs, taking into account both cultural and natural landscapes. If time is sufficient, you can add Qihe Oulebao Happy World (exciting amusement projects) or Leling Millennium Jujube Forest (autumn picking).

🌿[Before You Go] ✔️Transportation: 2-hour high-speed train to Jinan/Beijing, taxi starting price CNY 6 in downtown ✔️Best time to visit: March–May (Peach Blossom Festival)/September–November (ginkgo forest) ✔️Must-have apps: Dezhou Cultural Tourism Cloud (book tickets) + bus card (get an e-card on Alipay) 🌟[Top 5 Must-sees] [Tomb of King Sulu] - The only tomb of a foreign king in China - A mix of Islamic architecture + Ming Dynasty stone carvings - Free entry before 7am for stunning photos [Dongzi Cultural Park] - Confucian culture-themed garden - Rent Hanfu costumes at the ancient water stage - Take amazing photos of the Confucius statue reflection in the evening! 🍗[Dezhou Delicacies] 🔥Must-try list: Xiangsheng Braised Chicken (tip: look for the "Intangible Cultural Heritage" logo on vacuum-packed ones) Lamb Intestine Soup (Wang Ji in Laojin Street, pair it with flaky sesame biscuits) Leling Golden Thread Dates (buy freshly picked ones! Sweet and crispy) 💡Hidden gem: Braised chicken + Dezhou beer🍻 🏨[Amazing Accommodation] Canal-side homestay: Wake up to the view of the ancient canal Hilton Hotel: With a 3,000 sq m children's play area Lingcheng traditional heated-brick bed: Experience the local culture 🚶[Instagrammable Spots] Yellow River Old Course glass walkway (wear a light-colored dress) Jian River Wetland Park pink muhly grass (October only) Dezhou Railway Station old clock tower (retro Hong Kong style filter) ⚠️[Things to Avoid] Don't buy braised chicken in tourist areas! Local supermarkets are cheaper Tomb of King Sulu is closed on Mondays Wear a headscarf when visiting mosques (rentals available at the entrance) 💌[Bonus Tips from a Local] - Watch the musical fountain show at Changhe Park on Friday evenings - Visit the weekend market for handmade tiger-head shoes - Try the creative ice cream at the Dezhou Museum (B1 floor)

If you want to find some peace and novelty in your busy life, Dezhou, a niche city, is definitely worth a day of your time to savor! It takes only half an hour by high-speed train from Jinan to reach this charming land. 🚌Transportation Guide👉 🚅High-speed train: Jinan East → Dezhou East, only CNY 36, half an hour direct. 🚞City transportation: The distance between attractions is not far, and shared electric bikes are the best choice, flexible and convenient. 🌉Travel Route👉 Yongqing Temple → Huangtang Ramen → Dongzi Garden Scenic Area → Dezhou Museum → Ancient Canal Scenic Area → Xiangsheng Braised Chicken ☀Attraction Highlights ☀Sun Valley: Free admission, a venue for large events, with the World Solar Museum, which requires a ticket. 🏯Yongqing Temple: Ancient charm, open from 8:00 to 17:30, with fish swimming leisurely in the temple, still a place of peace of mind despite the expansion. 🏰Dezhou Museum: Free but requires reservation, swipe your ID card to enter, with a variety of exhibition halls, focusing on both history and culture. 🎄Ancient Canal Scenic Area: The most lively in the evening, with a street of the ancient city, lined with stalls and the aroma of barbecue. 🏯Haidao Jinshan Temple: National 4A scenic spot, free admission, but far from the city. 🍱Food Recommendations👉 🐑Sheep intestines: Local specialty snack, with fried skewers, unique flavor. Recommended Xin Cheng and Guan Xiang Yuan. 🍜Huangtang Ramen: Unique soup base, chewy noodles, very popular. Recommended Nie's Ramen, Chen's Ramen, etc. 🥞Meat pie: Crispy and delicious, Wucheng Xuan Pie, Wei's Yellow River Cliff Meat Pie, etc. are well-known brands. 🍗Braised chicken: Dezhou's business card, paper-wrapped fresh braised chicken is the most authentic, Cui's, Li's, Han's, etc. are the locals' favorites. 🌈Come to Dezhou and start a one-day trip!

| Extreme 9-hour food tour in Texas. Tourist attraction guide: "The highest virtue is like water, the state of virtue" 🚄: 6:30-7:03 Jinan East → Dezhou East 🥪Breakfast: Zhang Ji Late Night Diner (Decheng District) Fried Tiger (Ham Weilang's Nice! The shrimp one is a bit bland) Sheep intestine soup Egg soup 💰46 (a bit pricey) 1⃣Sulu King Tomb: Opening time 9:00 Free entry with ID card Tour time: 30 minutes 2⃣Canal Ancient Street: A very standard commercial street, great for taking photos, I finished touring in 10 minutes😅 🥪Lunch: Xiangsheng Roast Chicken + Nie's Noodles Xiangsheng's fresh roast chicken is really delicious! 💰47.08 Nie's yellow soup noodles, made with chicken soup and curry, very fragrant! Free side dishes, the owner was very friendly and chatted with us a lot! 💰16 🍖Yizhong Ham: The shop next to Yizhong is said to be the most authentic, tried it at home! Really good! 3⃣Dezhou Museum: 9:00-16:30 No reservation needed, free entry with ID card, three floors in total. The first floor is Dezhou Art Museum, the second floor has a cultural and creative area where you can stamp your card, a total of 23 free stamps Tour time: 1h 4⃣Dongzi Garden Scenic Area: Open all day, free entry The scenery is really great, very peaceful, Dong Zhongshu statue is in front of the reading platform 5⃣Yongqing Temple: 8:00-17:30 The temple is under expansion, there is a place to get incense, truly purifies the soul! 🛵Transportation suggestions: ◾️Getting off at Dezhou Station is more convenient for sightseeing, the East Station is a bit farther, we took a taxi for breakfast, about 18 kilometers, around half an hour ◾️Each attraction is 2-3 kilometers apart, it is recommended to choose shared electric scooters, which will be more convenient

There is a park in Dezhou city called Dongzi Garden, which was built to commemorate Dong Zhongshu. Dong Zhongshu is a great Confucian scholar who advocated 'dismiss all other schools and respect Confucianism alone' during the Western Han Dynasty. Next to Dongzi Garden in Dezhou, there is a Dongzi Garden Cultural Park, separated by a river from the park. It was once a popular park, and it is now lively at night with restaurants and bars open.