Top Travel Destinations in Lu'an, Anhui

Located in western Anhui at the northern foot of the Dabie Mountains, Lu'an is a tourist city blending red culture, natural scenery, and historical relics. It boasts East China's last primeval forest, spectacular canyon waterfalls, abundant revolutionary heritage, and unique folk culture and cuisine. Here's your Lu'an travel guide:

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📌 Must-Visit Attractions
1. **Tiantangzhai (5A Scenic Area)**
- Known as "East China's Last Primeval Forest" with 96.5% forest coverage. Features waterfall clusters (Jiuying Waterfall, Xieyu Waterfall), White Horse Grand Canyon, and glass walkways. Summit views span Hubei and Anhui provinces.
- **Ticket**: ¥100 (includes shuttle bus).

2. **Wanfo Lake (5A Scenic Area)**
- "Anhui's Thousand-Island Lake" with 60+ islands. Boat tours to Swallow Island and Zhou Yu Island.
- **Ticket**: ¥55 (boat ticket separate).

3. **West Anhui Grand Canyon (4A Scenic Area)**
- "China's East African Rift Valley" with unique canyon terrain, ideal for hiking adventures.
- **Ticket**: ¥70.

4. **Doushahe Hot Spring Town**
- Japanese-style hot spring resort for relaxation.
- **Ticket**: From ¥168.

5. **Liuwanqingxia Movie Town**
- "Anhui's Mini Hengdian" with Republic-era architecture and epic live show "Legend of Dabie Mountain".

6. **Red Tourism Sites**
- **Jinzhai Red Army Square** (historical landmark of "Generals' County")
- **Dushan Revolutionary Sites** (birthplace of the Fourth Red Army).

7. **East Stone Bamboo Shoot Scenic Area (4A)**
- "Anhui's Jiuzhaigou" with bizarre peaks and Huizhou-style architecture.

8. **Foziling Reservoir**
- New China's first large-scale multiple-arch dam, combining hydro-engineering with natural beauty.

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🍜 Local Delicacies
1. **Lu'an Melon Seed Tea** (Top 10 Chinese teas)
2. **Hanging Pot Feast** (Tiantangzhai specialty: stewed free-range chicken & bacon)
3. **Wanfo Lake Fish Head** (claypot soup, exceptionally fresh)
4. **Mugwort Cakes** (Qingming Festival snack)
5. **Jinzhai Black Pork** (firm texture, must-try rural dish)
6. **Lu'an Sesame Cakes** (crispy outside, fragrant inside, Qing Dynasty legacy)
7. **Huoshan Dendrobium Chicken Soup** (nutritious tonic)

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🏨 Accommodation
- **Near Tiantangzhai**: Tiantangzhai Resort, Jinjiang Metropolo Hotel
- **Wanfo Lake Area**: Songdu Resort Hotel
- **Doushahe Hot Spring Town**: Hot Spring Hotel (Japanese-style villas)
- **Downtown Luxury**: Wanda Reign Hotel, Gloria Grand Hotel

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🚗 Transportation
- **High-speed Rail**: Hefei South Station → Lu'an Station (~30 mins)
- **Self-drive**: Hefei → Shanghai-Xi'an Expressway → Lu'an (~1.5 hrs)
- **Scenic Transport**: Some sites require shuttle buses/taxis (e.g., Dabie Mountain Grottoes)

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📅 Best Seasons
- **Spring (Mar-May)**: Blooming flowers, ideal for outings
- **Summer (Jun-Aug)**: Cool retreats (Tiantangzhai/Wanfo Lake)
- **Autumn (Sep-Nov)**: Red leaves, perfect for photography
- **Winter (Dec-Feb)**: Hot spring season (Doushahe, Lingxin Valley)

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🎯 Itinerary Suggestions
- **2-3 Day Classic Trip**
- **Day1**: West Anhui Grand Canyon → Doushahe Hot Spring (overnight)
- **Day2**: Tiantangzhai (waterfalls + White Horse Canyon)
- **Day3**: Wanfo Lake cruise → Return

- **4-5 Day In-Depth Trip**
- Add Mazongling (autumn foliage), Foziling Reservoir, Jinzhai Red Culture Park

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Lu'an offers majestic landscapes and profound revolutionary history, whether for hiking, hot springs, or heritage exploration—guaranteed to captivate! 🔥✨