2025 Yanggu Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

- Dear friends 🥰, summer in Liaocheng feels like it’s sprinkled with magical golden dust. The ancient canal’s water sparkles, and the lotus flowers on Dongchang Lake are blooming joyfully! In July and August, temperatures in Liaocheng range from 25°C to 33°C. Although it’s a bit warm, the breeze under the shade of trees is super comfortable. The best part is fewer crowds, so no squeezing and no fighting for photo spots~ Here you’ll find the passionate rivers and lakes from "Water Margin," the gentle romance of the northern Jiangsu water town, and the intoxicating flavors of Luxi cuisine. Quickly grab this summer escape guide 💕! - ➤ Must-try summer experiences in Liaocheng 🌟 Why visit Liaocheng in July-August? ❶ Immersive time travel: Watch the sunset from Guangyue Tower + night tour of the ancient canal alleys, fully soaking in the historical atmosphere 📜 ❷ Water fun: Row boats on Dongchang Lake + water town light show 💦, cool and perfect for photos! ❸ Foodie’s paradise: Guata, Wei’s smoked chicken, and Bagua pastries—only true carb lovers understand the joy 🍖 - ➤ Top recommended attractions: 1. 【Dongchang Lake Tourist Area】(The largest urban lake in northern Jiangsu · Lotus flower paradise) 📍 Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟 Highlights: A freshwater lake even bigger than West Lake! In July, tens of thousands of lotus flowers bloom. Take a rowboat through the lotus leaves 🛶, and in the evening, watch the "Eye of the Water City" Ferris wheel reflecting on the lake. Every snapshot looks like a scene from "A Dream of Splendor" 🌉 🕒 Opening hours: All day (Boat rides 8:30-18:00) 💰 Admission: Free (Boat ride 50 RMB) ✨ Magical experiences: ● Wear Hanfu and take photos on the lake island, feeling like "lost deep in the lotus flowers" 👘 ● Take a night cruise on a painted boat to watch the light show, with guzheng performances on the shore—super romantic 🎵 ● Buy freshly picked lotus seed pods, the sweet lotus seeds beat bubble tea 🍡 💡 Secret photo spot: "Lotus Fragrance Pavilion" on the west shore of the lake, perfect for ink painting style photos in the morning mist! - 2. 【Guangyue Tower】(Ming Dynasty architectural marvel · Water Margin check-in spot) 📍 Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟 Highlights: The ancient city tower visited six times by Emperor Qianlong! From the top, you can overlook all of Liaocheng. In August, the sunset often dyes the canal red 🌄, and when lit at night, it looks like a palace in the sky ✨ 🕒 Opening hours: 8:30-18:00 (Extended to 20:30 on Fridays and Saturdays) 💰 Admission: 30 RMB ✨ Time travel tips: ● Join the "Water Margin Heroes" cosplay and get a stamped pass 🎭 ● Send postcards from the tower rooftop with a special postmark for a memorable keepsake 📮 ● Use AR devices to see the ancient canal’s prosperous cargo transport, full of tech vibes 👓 - 3. 【Chinese Water Ancient City】(The Bagua city floating on the lake) 📍 Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟 Highlights: The only ancient city on a lake in China! With bluestone paths and Ming-Qing dynasty shops, it’s liveliest at night in July-August. When lanterns light up, it feels like traveling back to the Song Dynasty 🏮. Don’t miss the old-fashioned popsicles and pear syrup candy in the alleys~ 🕒 Opening hours: All day (Attractions 9:00-17:30) 💰 Admission: Ancient city free (Combo ticket 80 RMB includes 7 attractions) ✨ Walking guide: ● Play the "Ancient City Treasure Hunt" game, collect copper coins to exchange for donkey-hide gelatin cake 🎮 ● Write an ancient land deed by hand at the "Contract Museum" 📜 ● Watch the 19:00 "Water Iron Flower" show, a stunning intangible cultural heritage performance 🔥 - 4. 【Jingyanggang Tourist Area】(The original site of Wu Song fighting the tiger) 📍 Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 🌟 Highlights: A must-visit for true Water Margin fans! The forest is very cool in summer. There are live performances of "Wu Song Fighting the Tiger" daily at 10:30 and 15:00 🐅, and you can experience the drinking culture of "Three Bowls Not Passing the Hill" 🍶 🕒 Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 💰 Admission: 60 RMB ✨ Fun ideas: ● Hug a tiger plush toy for a "tough guy" photo (really inside a cage) 📸 ● Drink "Tou Ping Xiang" rice wine, and if you have a strong tolerance, challenge the "Eighteen Bowls" 🤣 ● Buy tiger-head shoes or cloth tigers, irresistibly cute 🐯 - 5. 【China Ejiao Museum】(The top in nourishing health products) 📍 Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 🌟 Highlights: The home of Dong’e Ejiao! Learn health preservation knowledge in an air-conditioned room, watch masters demonstrate traditional gelatin boiling methods, try Ejiao cake for free 🍯, and enter a lucky draw when buying souvenirs~ 🕒 Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (Closed on Mondays) 💰 Admission: Free (Guided tours require reservation) ✨ Health tips: ● DIY Ejiao red date tea, with hands-on guidance from a friendly lady 💁 ● Stamp the twelve zodiac wax seals at the "Jiao Xiang Book House" ✉️ ● Must-buy "Peach Blossom Princess" ready-to-eat Ejiao, sweet but not greasy 🌸 - 🌸 Liaocheng 2-day perfect itinerary Day 1: Ancient city × Water town double experience 08:00 Dongchang Lake morning mist lotus photoshoot 📸 → 12:00 Eat Shazhen Guata with mutton soup 🍲 → 14:00 Guangyue Tower AR time travel 👓 → 19:00 Watch iron flower show at Water Ancient City 🎇 - Day 2: Rivers and lakes × Health double hit 08:30 Watch Wu Song fighting the tiger at Jingyanggang 🐅 → 12:00 Try Wei’s smoked chicken, tear it apart to eat 🍗 → 15:00 DIY at Ejiao Museum 🍯 → 18:00 Lakeside stroll waiting for sunset 🌉 - ➤ Food highlights ❶ Shazhen Guata: More fragrant than roujiamo! Egg and meat filling fried crispy, perfect breakfast 🤤 ❷ Wei’s smoked chicken: Intangible cultural heritage old brand, black-golden chicken skin chews like beef jerky 🦃 ❸ Bagua pastries: Fried eight-strand dough ropes, perfect dipped in soy milk 🍢 ❹ Linqing Shaomai: Juicy lamb filling, skin as thin as paper 🥟 ❺ Gaotang old tofu: Braised with over a dozen spices, lines start at 3 a.m. 🍮 - ➤ Accommodation recommendations 🏯 Ancient city inn: Open the window to see the canal, fall asleep to the sound of rowboats at night, about 100 RMB per person 💤 🏨 Dongchang Lake Hotel: Lake view rooms with sunrise views, just downstairs to play in the water 🌅 - 🚗 Transportation guide ✈️ Flight: Jinan Yaoqiang Airport → 2-hour direct bus 🚄 High-speed rail: Liaocheng West Station, 2.5 hours from Beijing / 1.5 hours from Zhengzhou 🚌 City transport: Shared electric scooters + water buses, cool and no traffic jams 🛵 🚗 Self-driving: Qingyin Expressway Liaocheng exit, parking around the ancient city 5 RMB/day - 💡 Summer travel tips ❶ Sunscreen essentials: arm sleeves + straw hat + sunglasses, few shady spots in the ancient city 🕶️ ❷ Limited-time experience: Lotus Festival at the end of July with river lantern release 🏮 ❸ Hidden perks: 10% off at Ejiao Museum with high-speed rail ticket 🤑 ❹ Cultural bonus: Ancient costume flash performances at Guangyue Tower every Saturday 🎵

❤Recommended reasons: Jingyang Ridge is located in Jingyang Ridge Village, Zhangqiu Town, Yanggu County, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province. It is famous for the story of Wu Song fighting a tiger in the classic novel Water Margin. It is a tourist destination that combines historical culture and natural scenery. 🌟Highlights: Stepping into Jingyang Ridge is like traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty. There are many attractions related to the story of Wu Song fighting a tiger in the scenic area, such as the place where Wu Song fought the tiger. A huge stone is engraved with the five characters "The Place Where Wu Song Fought the Tiger", and next to it is a lifelike sculpture of Wu Song fighting a tiger, vividly recreating the thrilling scene of Wu Song fighting a fierce tiger with his bare hands, which makes people admire the hero's bravery and fearlessness. The Three Bowls Restaurant is antique, and visitors can taste local specialties here, experience the boldness of drinking and eating meat, and feel the heroism of Wu Song drinking here. In addition, there are attractions such as the Mountain God Temple and the Tiger Roaring Pavilion, each of which carries rich historical and cultural connotations. 👍Most recommended: According to historical records, Jingyang Ridge was a deserted mountain forest with wild beasts in the Northern Song Dynasty. The story of Wu Song fighting a tiger has been passed down by word of mouth and has become a widely circulated legend among the people. It was later written into Water Margin by Shi Nai'an, and Jingyang Ridge became famous. For thousands of years, people's exploration and admiration of Jingyang Ridge have never stopped, and it has become a symbol of courage and justice in traditional Chinese culture. 🕙Opening hours: 08:00–17:00 all year round. 💰Ticket information: Adult tickets are about CNY 30. Please refer to the actual price. You can book in advance on the official website or major travel platforms. 🚉Transportation: Self-driving tourists can directly locate the Jingyang Ridge Tourist Area through navigation software. The surrounding transportation is convenient, and parking is convenient. Public transportation can first reach Yanggu County, and then take a special line bus or taxi to the scenic area. 🗓Itinerary: It is recommended to start from the entrance of the scenic area and visit the Three Bowls Restaurant, the place where Wu Song fought the tiger, the Mountain God Temple, the Tiger Roaring Pavilion, and other attractions in turn. The whole tour takes about 2–3 hours. There are rest areas and shopping areas in the scenic area, where you can rest and buy souvenirs.

One-day tour around Liaocheng Yanggu: Jingyang Ridge Scenic Area → Lion Tower 1. Yanggu County Jingyang Ridge Scenic Area Jingyang Ridge is not a mountain but a dirt ridge. It is now a tourist attraction located 16 kilometers southeast of Zhangqiu Town in Yanggu County, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province. It is said to be the place where Wu Song fought the tiger as described in the novel 'Water Margin', covering a total area of 33.3 hectares. The scenic area features undulating sand dunes, overgrown weeds, and shaded forests, presenting a wild landscape. The main attractions include the 'Three Bowls Do Not Cross Ridge' Hotel, Villagers' Notice Board, County Office Notice Board, Mountain God Temple, Wu Song Tiger Fighting Site, Stone Tablet, Tiger Roar Pavilion, Wu Song Temple, Lake Heart Island, Fishing Platform, Stele Forest, Tiger Pool, Monkey Mountain, Deer Park, Ancient Archery Field, and more than 20 other sites. Jingyang Ridge Scenic Area was rated as a 4A-level scenic spot in 2010 and is an important attraction on the Water Margin tourism route. Parking P: There is a free FEE parking P lot in the scenic area. 2. Lion Tower: Located at the southwest corner of Dayushou in Yanggu County. It was built in the third year of the Song Dynasty Jingyou period. Today, a complete scenic spot has developed around the Lion Tower. The area around the Lion Tower is a group of ancient-style buildings, mainly including Ximen Qing's Mansion, Wang Po's Tea House, Wu Dalang's Cake Shop, Ancient Theater, Jade Emperor Temple, County Office, and others. Parking P: There is a free FREE parking P lot in the scenic area. Small tips: Now, a joint ticket for the three major scenic spots in Yanggu County, including Jingyang Ridge Scenic Area, Lion Tower Scenic Area, and Chiyou Tomb Scenic Area, is available. More updates will be provided tomorrow!

The Lion Tower was built in the Northern Song Dynasty and is called by UNESCO as "one of the few restaurants in the world". 🍷 The "Water Margin" hero Wu Song killed Ximen Qing here to avenge his brother, and the Lion Tower became famous because of this. There are two pairs of stone lions in front of the building; statues of Water Margin characters are displayed inside the building. This building is a Song Dynasty style building, with two floors, five bays and three depths. It is made of blue bricks and gray tiles, with flying eaves and brackets, carved beams and painted buildings, and is magnificent. There are two pairs of stone lions in front of the building, three males and one female; inside the building are statues of Water Margin characters, which are lifelike and vivid. A Lion Tower tourist area with an area of ​​about 25,000 square meters has been developed near the Lion Tower. It is planned to build Ximen Qing's five major stores, seven courtyards🏡, the county government, an ancient theater, a silversmith shop, the former residence of Wu Da, Wang Po Teahouse🍵, the Lion Tower Hotel🏨, Zishi Street and a parking lot🅿️, etc. ☝️There are free performances such as face changing in the Lion Tower tourist area. The performance takes place at the ancient theater. The program is on the signpost on the right hand side of the entrance. Those who like to watch performances can pay attention to it. Walking inside, there is a storytelling performance in a shop. It only costs 10 yuan per person per show. Groups can book the whole place for only 50 yuan. 2️⃣The Lion Tower is outside the scenic area. You can see the Lion Tower by following the signs. 3️⃣The Lion Tower and the stairs inside the scenic area are mostly made of wood and are a bit old. Please be careful when walking and pay attention to safety. 4️⃣ The scenic area sells specialties such as Wu Dalang pancakes, Pan Jinlian pickles, Jingyanggang wine, etc. The prices are not expensive and affordable

📍Yanggu County Library was established in 1978, located at No. 12, Gushan Middle Road, Yanggu County, Liaocheng City. 🎞On December 28, 2023, it was upgraded and renovated, and officially opened to the public with a brand-new look. 📕Built to the standards of a national first-level public library, the building covers an area of 8,300 square meters, with a collection of 120,000 books. 👀Here, it integrates various functions such as newspaper and periodical reading, book lending, multimedia electronic reading, exhibitions, and academic exchanges. 🌟It not only has a classical appearance but also incorporates smart technology, bringing a modern reading experience to readers. ✨Here, you can immerse yourself in the ocean of knowledge, feel the blend of tradition and modernity, and come to check in!

| Pursuing the dream of a tiger-fighting hero.📍Address: Inside Zhangqiu Town, 16 kilometers east of Yanggu County, Liaocheng, Shandong Province ✨This is the site where Wu Song fought the tiger in 'Water Margin', and it is also a large Longshan culture site. It has now become a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit and an important attraction on the Water Margin tourism route. 🎙There is also a folk tale about Wu Song fighting the tiger. There was a big tiger on Jingyang Ridge that often came down the mountain to harm people. After parting with Song Jiang, Wu Song drank at a tavern in front of the ridge. The tavern owner advised him not to go up the mountain, but Wu Song did not listen and insisted on going up the mountain. He then fought with the tiger and eventually killed it. 🏔️This place is not only the site of the Water Margin hero Wu Song's tiger fight but also the Jingyang Ridge Longshan cultural site, now a national-level cultural relics protection unit and one of the first national AAAA-rated scenic spots. 💰Ticket: Charged, for specific prices please refer to the notices at the service center 🎫Student Ticket: Half price 🎉Suitable for: Water Margin enthusiasts 🅿Parking: Fr

| Have you ever been inside?.📍 Address: The Catholic Church opposite the Lion Tower I wonder if anyone has been inside🤔 My memory of it is still of a Christmas tree🎄 that is put out during Christmas, where you can write notes and make wishes🎁. A few days ago, I passed by and suddenly wanted to go in and take a look👀 📝 Some tips for visiting: 1⃣ Worship time: Monday to Friday at 6:00 am, weekends at 9:00 am😃 2⃣ It's usually closed, and the weekend worship lasts for about 40 minutes🕙 3⃣ Activity process: When you go in, just quietly find a place to sit🤫 Although there's no recitation of scriptures, you have to sing songs🎤 haha The priest will explain the Bible from above, just like in a class📚 It starts with singing a simple Hallelujah, and in the end, everyone will take out a book and sing along📖 But I'm not the only one who doesn't know how to sing and doesn't have a book😜 After the ceremony, the priest will sprinkle holy water, which feels very ceremonial🙏 The church is small, but it has everything🤗 It's just a pity that I didn't see the stained glass because there are rooms on both sides of the entrance😔 Friends who are interested can go and have a look~🥰

Haihui Temple Glazed Pagoda After climbing this pagoda, my scalp really tingled Haihui Temple, which was first built in the Tang Dynasty, is one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Ancient Yangcheng". Its iconic buildings are the twin towers in the temple: the Relic Tower built in the second year of Longde in the Later Liang Dynasty, and the Tathagata Tower built during the Jiajing and Longqing years. Praised as "national treasures", the two towers belong to the Song Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty respectively. The stupa is a ten-story brick structure with a hexagonal plan. The tower is seriously tilted. It is not very obvious when viewed from a distance, but it looks extremely exaggerated from below, as if it will fall down at any time. The glazed tower is an octagonal 13-story imitation wooden pavilion with brackets under the eaves and doors and windows on the tower body. The tenth floor has a flat balcony and a corridor, all made of glazed tiles. Climbing up the thirteen-story glazed tower, the steps from the bottom to the top are narrower than the previous one. To reach the last three floors, you can basically only climb sideways, using both your hands and feet. From the corridor on the tenth floor, you can see the top of the tilted stupa and the entire view of the Haihui Temple. Although you may be a little afraid of heights, it is still quite spectacular. It is worth mentioning that the glazed tower is full of bedbug nests. The higher you go, the more bedbugs there are. In a very narrow passage, your shoulders basically rub against the wall, and a lot of bedbugs get on your body as well. Don't look up, because if you look up you'll see a bunch of bedbugs that will make your scalp tingle... Next to it is the Haihui Academy, from which many celebrities came out. The most famous of them should be Chen Tingjing, the teacher of Emperor Kangxi.

📍 Jingyanggang Tourist Area is located 18 kilometers east of Yanggu County, Shandong Province. It is the place where Wu Song in 'Water Margin' killed the tiger, and it is also the site of Jingyanggang Longshan Culture. It is now a national cultural relics protection unit, the first batch of national AAAA scenic spots, and an important spot on the Water Margin tourism line. 🅿️ Parking: Free 🎫 Tickets: Charged, for specific prices please refer to the ticket office in the scenic area 🎫 Student tickets: Half price