Things to do in Tongcheng

Liuchi Alley

Liuchixiang, located in Xihou Street, Tongcheng City, Anhui Province, is a famous alley in Chinese history and culture. It has become a symbolic carrier of Chinese traditional virtues because of its spirit of "humility and courtesy". This narrow alley with blue bricks and gray tiles is not only a living fossil of the "courtesy culture" of the Qing Dynasty, but also a permanent symbol of the Chinese nation's humility and tolerance. There are stone archways on both sides of the alley, with inscriptions such as "Virtue and Fragrance" and "Courtesy" highlighting traditional virtues. The wall is embedded with reliefs, reproducing the scene of Zhang Ying composing poems and neighbors yielding to each other; the "Liuchixiang Cultural Exhibition Hall" at the end of the alley systematically displays the origin, inheritance and influence of the allusion through pictures, texts, and objects.

Tongcheng Ancient City

Tongcheng Ancient City District is the seat of Tongcheng City (County) and has a history of more than 1,200 years. The ancient city faces south and is backed by the three mountains of Yuping, Touzi and Longmian, and is flanked by the two rivers of Shihe and Longmian. The scenery of the mountains and waters is particularly enchanting. The ancient city is elegantly built with twists and turns, and is known as "Seven Turns, Eight Corners, Nine Lanes and Thirteen Alleys". The ancient buildings that have been preserved or restored in the city include: the magnificent "Tongcheng Confucian Temple" that reflects the cultural characteristics of Tongcheng; the "Southeast Two Old Streets" with flying eaves and corners that reflect the architectural characteristics of Ming and Qing Dynasties; the "Gaochun Jixuan" with exquisite shapes and Jiangnan charm; the "Zilai Bridge" with five piers and four holes that spans the Longmian River; the "Jingtu Lotus Society" that is quiet and solemn, as if you are in a fairyland; the "Xian Gujing" that has never dried up for thousands of years and is full of legendary colors, etc. Every step you take in the city, there is a celebrity relic, such as Fang Xuejian's "Lecture Garden", Fang Yizhi's former residence "Xiaosha Garden", Zuo Guangdou's former residence "Danjiao Hall" and "Zuogong Temple", Zhang Ying and Zhang Tingyu's "Prime Minister's Mansion" and "Six-foot Lane" ruins, Yao Nai's "Xibao Pavilion" and the ginkgo tree he planted, Yao Yuanzhi's old hall "Bamboo Leaf Pavilion", Fang Dongshu's family temple, Fang Zongcheng's former residence "Nine Rooms Building", Wu Rulun's book collection "Banshan Pavilion", Fang Shoudun's poetry pavilion "Linghan Pavilion", and the modern revolutionary martyr Wu Yue's former residence, etc., are all vividly visible, showing the unique charm of the ancient city. Contemporary famous scholars and writers Zhu Guangqian, Fang Dongmei, Ye Dingyi, Fang Xiaoyue, Fang Lingru, Ma Maoyuan, Guang Renhong, Shu Wu, etc. have also left their youth footprints in their hometown ancient city. The main attractions include: Zhu Guangqian's former residence, etc. When the famous historian Luo Zhewen visited the ancient city, he wrote: "In the past, the capital was full of dignitaries and the literature was the best in the world; today, the humanities are rising again and leading the trend again."

Kongcheng Old Street

The shops and houses in Kongcheng Old Street are all made of blue bricks and gray tiles, many with flying eaves and pointed corners. The streets, lanes and alleys are paved with granite, and the wooden windows are lined up in an array, which has a strong Jiangnan water town style. Kongcheng Old Street is located in the Nine Towns of Tongcheng, and Kongcheng is one of the Nine Towns. There is the "Tongxiang Academy" in the town from the Qing Dynasty, which is famous throughout the country. Kongcheng Old Street is not just a simple tourist attraction, but also carries multiple functions such as social and cultural. It is a complex property that perfectly combines vacation and tourism.

Tongcheng Temple of Confucius

No. 9 of Family-friendly Attractions in Anhui

Wanfo Lake Scenic Area

Wanfo Lake Scenic Area is surrounded by Wanfo Lake, formerly known as Longhekou Reservoir, which is located 30 kilometers southwest of Shucheng County, about 80 kilometers from Hefei and 73 kilometers from Lu'an. The first purpose of going to Wanfo Lake is to see the lake view, the lake water is clear, and there are many small islands in the lake; the second is to see the water conservancy project. The Wanfo Lake Dam was built in 1960. It was built entirely by hand by the people during the three-year natural disaster. It is very remarkable. Wanfo Lake is not small, but the transportation is not convenient. You can drive by yourself and travel around the lake freely. Wanfo Lake Dam is on the north bank of the lake. Tourists usually pass by here first. To the west of the dam is the departure pier where you can take a Cruise. The Cruise have different types and different fees. There are some islands in the lake where you can go to play, such as Yanzi Island, Zhouyu Island, Dragon King Island, etc. Of course, you need to take a boat to go to the island. The vegetation on the island is lush, and the man-made attractions on the island are relatively ordinary. If you don't take a boat, you can also take a walk on the shore. There are some hotels with lake view rooms around Wanfo Lake, and some local restaurants on the way around the lake. It is recommended to taste the local delicacies in the hotels or restaurants - Wanfo Lake fish head, Wanfo Lake abalone, Wanfo Lake steamed fish, Wanfo Lake drunken shrimp, Wanfo Lake shrimp soup, which are known as the "five delicious flowers of Wanfo Lake". Among them, Wanfo Lake fish head is the most famous. Then order a pot of local famous tea "Shucheng Xiaolanhua Tea", don't mention how comfortable it is. Although the price of Dining in the Attraction is a bit expensive, the taste makes people feel that it is worth the money. The advantage of self-driving is that if you are interested, you can also go to Tangchi Town, Shucheng County, Lu'an City, about 10 kilometers east of Sanjiang Wharf, to soak in hot springs. Because this Tangchi Town is west of Tangchi Town, Lujiang County, Hefei City, it is called "West Tangchi". Or drive to Wanfo Mountain, 64 kilometers southwest of Wanfo Lake, where the water of Wanfo Lake comes from. Wanfo Mountain is relatively remote, and the main peak Laofoding is 1,539 meters above sea level. If you want to play, you can stay at the foot of the mountain at night and spend a whole day climbing the mountain the next day.

Huohai Happy Water World

The Huohai Happy Water World is located in the Xianlong Lake Resort Area on the east of Tongqian Road, Tongcheng City, Anqing. It is a large open water world with dozens of entertainment items, such as the Passion Water Disco Bar, the Crazy Slide Area, the Six-Color Slide Racing Track, the Huohai Exploration, and so on. With reasonably divided function areas, the water world provides tourists with refreshing coolness and joy in the hot summer.

Xizi Lake Ecotourism Area

The Xizi Lake Ecotourism Area is a natural ecological area located in the southeastern part of Tongcheng. It's name, meaning 'playing children', arose because children living along the lakeside often come to splash about in its waters. The beautiful lakes and mountains, the simple and unsophisticated local customs, and the rich produce of the land and water will make you really feel that you are returning to nature. The wetlands along the lakeside are all connected, and rare animals migrate here with the seasons, creating a rarely-seen wetland landscape.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Mount Huangshan Scenic Area

Mount Huangshan Scenic Area is located in Tangkou Town, Huangshan District, Huangshan City. Since ancient times, Mount Huangshan has been one of China's most renowned mountains. Its peculiar pines, strange rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs are known as the "Four Wonders" of Mount Huangshan. In addition to these, rime, snowscapes, and sunrises are also views that visitors will not miss. There is an ancient saying: "Having visited the Five Great Mountains, one need not look at any other mountains; having visited Mount Huangshan, one need not look at the Five Great Mountains." The attraction is divided into the south gate, west gate, and north gate. The vast majority of visitors enter and exit through the south gate, which has two entrances and exits—front mountain and back mountain—both close to Tangkou Town at the foot of the mountain. The town has also become a transfer hub for visiting Huangshan, and many visitors arrive here in advance to stay overnight. From Tangkou Town to the attraction entrance, you need to take the Huangshan New National Line shuttle bus, which stops at the front mountain gate (Ciguang Pavilion), the back mountain gate (Yungu Temple), and the Huangshan-Hot Spring attraction. Visiting the attraction mainly involves two routes up the mountain, the front mountain and the back mountain, both leading to one of the main peaks, Bright Summit. On the other side of Bright Summit, there is also a loop route — the West Sea Grand Canyon. Front mountain The front mountain refers to the hiking route starting from Ciguang Pavilion to Yuping Tower at the summit (accessible directly by the Yuping Cable Car), as well as the Mount Huangshan Scenic Area - Lotus Peak and Tiandu Peak areas at the summit. The scenery of the front mountain is grand and majestic, making it very suitable for enjoying panoramic views from the cable car. Both the highest peak, Mount Huangshan Scenic Area - Lotus Peak, and the other main peak, Tiandu Peak, are located here (the two peaks open alternately). There are also classic attractions such as the Guest-Greeting Pine, Jiulong Peak - Carp Back, Hundred-Step Ladder, One-Line Sky, and Tianhai. Back mountain The back mountain refers to the hiking route from Yungu Temple to Bai'e Ridge (accessible directly by the Mount Huangshan Yungu Cableway), as well as the mountaintop areas behind Bai'e Ridge such as Shixin Peak, Mount Huangshan Scenic Area - Shizi Peak, and West Sea Grand Canyon - Paiyun Pavilion. The scenery of the back mountain consists mostly of exquisite mountain views, suitable for enjoying on foot along the way. Flying Stone and Monkey Watching the Sea are both located here. West sea grand canyon West sea grand canyon officially opened in 2000. The canyon is deep and the scenery is very magnificent, and it is known as the true gathering place of Huangshan's essential scenery. West sea grand canyon can be entered from West Sea Grand Canyon - Paiyun Pavilion in the summit area of the back mountain, and after looping around inside the canyon, you return to the main peak area of Tianhai. It takes about 2 hours to walk down from West Sea Grand Canyon - Paiyun Pavilion to the bottom of the canyon, and then you can take a cable car to Tianhai. Route recommendations The standard way to visit Huangshan is a two-day tour, with routes divided into ascending via the front mountain and descending via the back mountain (front mountain - West Sea Grand Canyon - back mountain) or ascending via the back mountain and descending via the front mountain (back mountain - West Sea Grand Canyon - front mountain). Ascending via the front mountain and descending via the back mountain is suitable for taking the cable car up and walking down, which is both relaxing and allows you to enjoy the exquisite scenery of the latter half. However, since the essential route of the West Sea Grand Canyon runs from West Sea Grand Canyon - Paiyun Pavilion to Tianhai, you will have to backtrack along a section of the trail. It is possible to visit Huangshan in just one day, but the itinerary will be tight. It is recommended to ascend via the rear mountain and descend via the front mountain, taking the cable car both ways, and to either skip climbing the main peaks of the front mountain (Mount Huangshan Scenic Area - Lotus Peak / Tiandu Peak) or skip the West Sea Grand Canyon. Stay selection There are several accommodation options at the summit, mainly concentrated in areas such as Guangming Peak Tianhai, West Sea Grand Canyon-Paiyun Pavilion, Bai'e Ridge, and North Sea. Guangming Peak Tianhai is a great spot for watching the sunrise, and it is also suitable for storing luggage while exploring the West Sea Grand Canyon. Bai'e Ridge is the upper station of the Huangshan Yungu Cableway on the rear mountain; if you typically enter the attraction from the rear mountain in the afternoon, staying here is quite convenient.

No. 4 of Night Attractions in Anhui

Sanhe Ancient Town

Sanhe Ancient Town is situated at the southern tip of Feixi County in Hefei, where the Fengle River, Hangbu River, and Xiaonan River converge. The town derives its name from these three waterways, with the name "Sanhe" appearing as early as the Ming Dynasty and officially becoming Sanhe Town during the Qing Dynasty. In 1858, Taiping Rebellion generals Chen Yucheng and Li Xiucheng achieved a decisive victory over the Xiang Army here, historically known as the "Great Victory of Sanhe." The triumphal arch at the town entrance, Yingwang Mansion, and ancient city walls still bear witness to this turbulent period. The old bluestone-paved streets stretch along the river, lined with contiguous Huizhou-style residences featuring gray brick walls and soaring horse-head gables, blending water-town alleys with Huizhou-style markets seamlessly. Most tours begin at Sanxian Bridge in the town center. To its northwest stands the seven-story Guocui Tower, offering panoramic views of the town and displaying Huizhou artifacts like sedan chairs, inscribed tablets, carved beds, and stone carvings. Nearby, the Dafu Mansion (Sanhe Folk Museum) recreates an official residence's hall with exquisite wood carvings, including an oversized abacus over one meter long. Northeast of the bridge, Xiangu Tower is a Huizhou-style temple funded by merchants including the owner of the time-honored pastry shop "Zhonghexiang." Heading north along the east bank of Xiaonan River leads to ancient West Street, paved with bluestones and once bustling with shops—Liutongxinglongzhuang still maintains its original commercial layout. South along the west bank brings you to Quezhu Covered Bridge, named after Sanhe's ancient moniker "Quezhu," featuring a two-tiered eaves corridor with "beauty's seat" railings perfect for resting and enjoying the waterfront. The southern area around Old South Street and Wannian Street clusters notable former residences, including those of physicist Chen-Ning Yang, general Sun Liren, and Helu. During the Anti-Japanese War, young Chen-Ning Yang sheltered here with his family. Nearby, the famous "One-Person Alley" narrows to barely accommodate a single visitor, making it a popular photo spot. Further south stand Wannian Temple, Chenghuang Temple, and the historic Wannian Stage—Sanhe being the birthplace of Lu Opera, whose authentic melodies often grace the stage during festivals. Local snacks concentrate near Sanxian Bridge: freshly fried Sanhe rice dumplings with crispy shells, shrimp paste, crispy duck, and various river delicacies represent regional cuisine, while tea-flavored dried tofu makes for perfect street-side nibbling. Rice wine and feather fans serve as portable souvenirs. In 2026, Sanhe became a key filming location for CCTV's Spring Festival Gala Hefei segment, with its night scenes of a thousand fish lanterns captivating nationwide audiences.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Wangxian Valley

Wangxian Valley is located at the northern foot of Lingshan Mountain, hidden among mountain streams and gorges. It was formerly an abandoned granite quarry and, after years of ecological restoration, has been built into the valley town it is today. The attraction is structured around the Jiuniu Stream Gorge, where streams flow through the valley and waterfalls cascade in layers; the Sandie Waterfall and Sankou Pot are among its most recognizable natural views. In summer, visitors can also experience gorge rafting that winds through the ancient town. The cliffside building complex on Baihe Cliff is the attraction's signature view. On the nearly 100-meter-high cliff face, cantilevered guest rooms, plank walkways, and viewing platforms climb upward in a zigzag pattern, looking up from the valley floor like pavilions in the sky. After nightfall, the cliff lights come on one after another, and the entire valley resembles a painted scroll of lights; standing on Lanyue Bridge and gazing at the full panorama of Baihe Cliff is a classic photo spot here. The Yanpu Old Street in the valley restores the appearance of traditional dwellings in northeastern Jiangxi, with rammed earth walls, bluestone slab paths, and horse-head walls interwoven throughout. Workshop Street is lined with traditional handicraft workshops for brown sugar, brewing, papermaking, cloth dyeing, and more, where you can watch ancient production methods on site; Mingchan Alley gathers intangible cultural heritage crafts such as bamboo weaving and woodwork. Bawei Street offers a dazzling array of Jiangxi-style snacks such as dengzhan guo and taro dumplings. When visiting, it is recommended to enter the attraction in the afternoon so that you can clearly see the gorge landforms in daylight without missing the spectacular lighting after nightfall. The entire route requires walking and climbing stairs, so comfortable, slip-resistant shoes are advisable.