Travel Guide to Huizhou Ancient City!

Huizhou Ancient City, located in She County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, is one of China's four great ancient cities (alongside Lijiang, Pingyao, and Langzhong). With over 2,000 years of history, it is a concentrated showcase of Huizhou-style architecture and Huizhou culture. Here’s a detailed travel guide:

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**📌 Basic Information**
- **Address**: Huizhou Road, She County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
- **Ticket**: Free entry to the ancient city; combo ticket for internal attractions is around ¥100 (includes Huizhou Prefectural Office, Xu Guo Stone Archway, Doushan Street, etc.). Some attractions require separate tickets.
- **Opening Hours**: Open all day (internal attractions usually 8:00 AM–5:00 PM).
- **Best Seasons**: March–May (rapeseed flower season) and September–November (autumn foliage). Avoid June–July (rainy season).

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**🚗 Transportation**
- **High-Speed Rail**: Take the train to "Shexian North Station," then a 15-minute taxi ride (¥10–15).
- **Bus**: Take Bus No. 4 or 701 to the "Huizhou Ancient City" stop within She County.
- **Self-Drive**: About 40 minutes from Huangshan city center, or 2 hours from Hangzhou.

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**🌟 Must-Visit Attractions**
1. **Xu Guo Stone Archway**
- The only "eight-legged archway" in China, built for Ming Dynasty scholar Xu Guo. Exquisitely carved, it’s hailed as the "Oriental Arc de Triomphe."
2. **Huizhou Prefectural Office**
- The political center of ancient Huizhou, reconstructed in Ming-Qing style, offering insights into ancient official culture.
3. **Doushan Street**
- A Ming-Qing era street with bluestone paths flanked by Huizhou merchant mansions and ancient residences, perfect for photography.
4. **Yuliang Dam** (1 km from the city)
- An ancient hydraulic project dubbed the "Dujiangyan of the South," ideal for sunset views and boat rides on the Xin’an River.
5. **South Gate Tower (Nanqiao Tower)**
- A landmark of the city, this Song-style gate tower looks especially charming under night lights.

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**🍜 Local Delicacies**
- **Stinky Mandarin Fish**: A Huizhou cuisine classic; try it at "Longfeng Huizhou Restaurant."
- **Hairy Tofu**: Fermented tofu, crispy outside and tender inside, commonly found at street stalls.
- **Stone Pancakes (Shitou Guo)**: A traditional Huizhou snack, with preserved vegetable filling being the most popular.
- **Huangshan Baked Sesame Cakes**: Best when freshly baked; great as souvenirs.

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**🏠 Accommodation Recommendations**
- **In-City Inns**:
- **September Huizhou** (Huizhou-style courtyard, ¥150–300/night).
- **Anruo Hotel** (quaint and photogenic).
- **She County Hotels**: Vienna Hotel (budget-friendly for families).

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**🚶‍♂️ Suggested Itineraries**
**One-Day Tour**
Huizhou Prefectural Office → Xu Guo Stone Archway → Doushan Street → Tao Xingzhi Memorial Hall → Yuliang Dam (sunset).

**Two-Day Tour**
- **Day 1**: Huizhou Ancient City + Yuliang Dam
- **Day 2**: Tangyue Memorial Archways (6 km away) + Xin’an River Scenic Area (15 km away).

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**📝 Travel Tips**
- **Footwear**: Wear comfortable flats—the bluestone paths are uneven.
- **Avoid Crowds**: Visit before 9 AM or after 4 PM during holidays.
- **Cultural Respect**: Some ancient residences are still inhabited; keep quiet when touring.
- **Night Activities**: Summer features music parties, light shows, and other evening events.

Huizhou Ancient City is like a living history book. Strolling through it, you’ll feel the poetic essence of "A lifetime of longing, yet no dream compares to Huizhou." Take your time to savor every carved detail and the timeless charm of its stone-paved streets.