Zaozhuang 3-Day Tour | Classic Combo of Taierzhuang Ancient City and Baodugu ・ Suitable for All Groups Guide
Zaozhuang is a heroic city by the canal, featuring the oar sounds and lantern lights of Taierzhuang Ancient City, the layered peaks of Baodugu, and the red memories of the Railway Guerrilla. Listen to boat songs by the ancient canal with the elderly, accompany children chasing squirrels in the forest, and here, every day you can encounter the weight of history and the vitality of nature.
🗓️ Itinerary Overview
D1: Arrive in Zaozhuang → Taierzhuang Ancient City → Canal Wetland Park
D2: Baodugu National Forest Park → Xiongershan National Geopark
D3: Railway Guerrilla Memorial Hall → Taierzhuang Battle Memorial Hall → Return
🏮 Day 1: Dream Seeking in the Ancient City · Listening to the Canal Waves
📍 Taierzhuang Ancient City (5A, ticket 160 RMB, valid for 3 days)
Core Highlights: "China’s Most Beautiful Water Town," Ming and Qing architecture built along the canal, dazzling and dreamlike lights at night. Elderly can take a rowboat (60 RMB/person, 1 hour) to listen to boatwomen singing folk songs, children can learn tie-dyeing at the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Hall" (30 RMB/item), and the "Fuxing Building" where Emperor Qianlong stayed is a must-visit.
🕙 Opening Hours: All day, recommended 14:00-22:00 (best night view)
💰 Cost: Adults 160 RMB, free for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.4 meters
📸 Photo Spot: West Gate Archway of the Ancient City (shoot red lanterns and ancient buildings, wearing qipao makes photos stand out)
💡 Tips: The ancient city is large; renting an electric scooter (40 RMB/day) saves effort; there is a free light show at 20:00.
📍 Canal Wetland Park (4A, ticket 60 RMB)
Core Highlights: Natural wetland by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, with reed marshes and lotus ponds interwoven, wooden boat rides available (40 RMB/person). Elderly can watch egrets from the birdwatching platform, children can catch fish in the shallows, and in autumn, the flying reed flowers look like snow.
🕙 Recommended Time: 10:00-12:00
🍜 Recommended Dining: "Canal Family" inside the ancient city, must-try Taierzhuang Spicy Chicken (58 RMB/portion), vegetable pancakes (8 RMB each), average 40 RMB per person, moderately spicy.
🏨 Recommended Accommodation: "Taierzhuang Mansion" inside the ancient city (family rooms available, windows face the canal), priced 400-600 RMB/night, quaint and charming.
⛰️ Day 2: Summit Scenery · Geological Exploration
📍 Baodugu National Forest Park (4A, ticket 60 RMB)
Core Highlights: "The Highest Peak in Southern Shandong," named for grazing cattle on the summit, known as "The First Gu in the World." Elderly can take the cable car (one way 50 RMB) to the summit to see the panoramic "Junshan Watching the Sea"; children can chase butterflies in "Lovers’ Valley," forest coverage is 96%, with abundant negative oxygen ions.
🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00, recommended 9:00-13:00
📸 Photo Spot: Summit Sea-Viewing Rock (take photos standing on the cliff edge with continuous mountains in the background)
💡 Tips: Cable car stops at 16:00, start early; bring water, few shops on the mountain.
📍 Xiongershan National Geopark (4A, ticket 60 RMB)
Core Highlights: Rare "Double Dragon Grand Rift," with jagged rocks and cool breezes inside the rift. Elderly can walk the gentle 1000-meter section, children can explore caves in the "One Line Sky," and the summit "Xionger Sunset" is stunning.
🕙 Recommended Time: 14:30-17:00
💡 Tips: The rift is dark inside, bring a flashlight; wear non-slip shoes (some sections are slippery).
🔴 Day 3: Red Memories · Spiritual Heritage
📍 Railway Guerrilla Memorial Hall (4A, free)
Core Highlights: Commemorates the "Guerrillas on Weishan Lake," featuring a steam train, machine gun models, and a live performance of "Railway Guerrillas" (10:00, free) recreating battle scenes. Elderly can view the "Old Photos Exhibition" to recall the past, children can dress as guerrilla fighters for photos (20 RMB/set), highly interactive.
🕙 Opening Hours: 9:00-11:30, recommended 9:00-10:30
📍 Taierzhuang Battle Memorial Hall (4A, free)
Core Highlights: Recreates the heroic epic of the Battle of Taierzhuang, with weapon exhibits, battlefield hospital replicas, and a 3D cinema (20 RMB/person) for immersive experience. Elderly can listen to guides tell battle stories, children can salute in front of the "Hero Wall" to receive red education.
🕙 Opening Hours: 14:00-16:30
💡 Tips: The hall is solemn and quiet; free guided tours available (groups of 15).
🍜 Recommended Dining: "Zaozhuang Old Restaurant" in the city, must-try mutton soup (35 RMB/bowl with baked flatbread), Weishan Lake salted duck eggs (10 RMB/6 eggs), average 30 RMB per person, warming and filling.
✨ Zaozhuang Survival Guide
1️⃣ Transportation: From the city to Taierzhuang Ancient City take the BRT rapid bus (5 RMB/person, 1 hour), taxi about 80 RMB; to Baodugu take the tourist shuttle (10 RMB/person, 1.5 hours), round-trip charter 150 RMB; taxis between attractions start at 6 RMB, convenient for short trips.
2️⃣ Clothing: Wear windproof jackets in spring and autumn (mountain winds are strong), short sleeves plus sun protection clothing in summer (strong UV in wetlands and forests), down jackets and non-slip shoes in winter (snow on the summit), bring sports shoes (essential for hiking).
3️⃣ Taboos: No loud noises or running in memorial halls; watch children carefully by the canal in the ancient city, avoid the boat navigation channel; do not pick wild fruits in the forest.
4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay in Taierzhuang Ancient City for the first two days (better experience), last day in the city; choose rooms with electric kettles for children, elevator rooms for elderly (some ancient city inns have no elevator).
🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs
① Taierzhuang Canal Sesame Flatbread (20 RMB/bag, salty, crispy, loved by elderly and children)
② Zaozhuang Spicy Chicken Instant Pack (40 RMB/bag, ready to heat and eat, mildly spicy)
③ Railway Guerrilla Cultural Products (submachine gun model 30 RMB each, hero bookmarks 15 RMB each)
④ Weishan Lake Lotus Seeds (25 RMB/jin, dried without sulfur, good for porridge and soup)
The story of Zaozhuang is the sound of oars in the ancient city canal, the pine waves on Baodugu, and the heroic legends in the memorial halls. Whether you take your parents to seek a piece of old times in the ancient city, let your children run wild in the forest, or salute with friends in the red-themed venues, here you will find moments where passion and tenderness intertwine. If you come to Zaozhuang, would you want to see the night view of the ancient city first or listen to stories in the memorial halls?