Three-Day Tour of Huainan: A Historical and Culinary Journey in the Hometown of Tofu

✨ Highlights

· Explore the birthplace of tofu: At Bagongshan National Geopark, you can learn about the origin of tofu and enjoy an authentic tofu feast.
· Savor authentic beef soup: Visit local favorite old shops to experience Huainan’s most famous breakfast culture.
· Blend of nature and history: From the vast blue waves of Jiaogang Lake to the millennium-old city walls of Shouxian Ancient City, experience diverse landscapes.

📝 Basic Information

Best travel time: March to May and September to November, with pleasant spring and autumn weather ideal for outdoor activities.
Total budget: About 2000 RMB (excluding major transportation)
Trip type: Combination of historical and cultural exploration, natural scenery, and food experience

🗓️ Itinerary Overview

Here is the overall plan for the three-day itinerary, helping you get a clear view of the main activities each day:

```mermaid
gantt
title Huainan Three-Day Tour Itinerary
dateFormat HH:mm
axisFormat %H:%M

section Day 1: Bagongshan and Ancient City Exploration
Travel to Bagongshan National Geopark :d1_1, 08:00, 3h
Tofu feast lunch :d1_2, after d1_1, 1h
Visit Huainan King’s Tomb :d1_3, after d1_2, 1h
Travel to Shouxian Ancient City :d1_4, after d1_3, 30m
Tour Shouxian Ancient City Walls :d1_5, after d1_4, 2h
Dinner at Shouxian Night Market :d1_6, after d1_5, 1.5h
Return to hotel :d1_7, after d1_6, 30m

section Day 2: Jiaogang Lake and City Leisure
Travel to Jiaogang Lake :d2_1, 08:30, 3h
Fisherman’s family lunch :d2_2, after d2_1, 1.5h
Return to city center :d2_3, after d2_2, 1h
Visit Huainan City Museum :d2_4, after d2_3, 2h
Leisure at Longhu Park :d2_5, after d2_4, 1.5h
Dinner at Shangmao Cultural Plaza Snack Street :d2_6, after d2_5, 2h

section Day 3: Datong District Industrial Heritage and Natural Scenery
Visit Datong Mass Grave Education Hall :d3_1, 09:00, 1.5h
Tour Jiulonggang Historic District :d3_2, after d3_1, 2h
Taste Huainan Beef Soup :d3_3, after d3_2, 1h
Travel to Tianmu Lake :d3_4, after d3_3, 1h
Tour Tianmu Lake :d3_5, after d3_4, 2h
Dinner at Qianfeng Snack Street :d3_6, after d3_5, 2h

```

🗺️ Detailed Itinerary

🍃 Day 1: Bagongshan and Shouxian Ancient City Exploration

Morning: Depart from the city center to Bagongshan National Geopark. This is the birthplace of tofu and the ancient battlefield of the Battle of Feishui. You can hike forest trails, explore the "Huainan Worm" fossil site, and enjoy the green sanctuary. Entrance fee is about 40 RMB per person.

Noon: Enjoy a tofu feast at a farmhouse restaurant inside or near Bagongshan Scenic Area. The tofu feast is a Huainan specialty, with over a hundred tofu dishes on one table. Recommended dishes include "Chrysanthemum Tofu" and "Liu An Dian Dan." Cost is about 50 RMB per person.

Afternoon: Visit the Huainan King’s Tomb (free), then head to Shouxian Ancient City. Shouxian is one of the best-preserved Song Dynasty ancient cities in China. You can stroll along the ancient city walls (25 RMB per person), experience Chu culture, and taste the local specialty pastry "Da Jiu Jia."

Evening: Have dinner at Shouxian Ancient City Night Market, which offers a variety of authentic local snacks. Then return to the city for hotel check-in.

🌊 Day 2: Jiaogang Lake and City Leisure

Morning: Travel to Jiaogang Lake Scenic Area, known as the "East China Baiyangdian" wetland park. You can take a boat tour to enjoy the swaying reeds and flying egrets. In summer, admire lotus flowers; in winter, watch migratory birds. Combined ticket for entrance and boat is about 80 RMB per person.

Noon: Have lunch at a fisherman’s family restaurant by Jiaogang Lake, tasting fresh lake delicacies. Cost is about 80 RMB per person.

Afternoon: Return to the city and visit Huainan City Museum (free). This national second-level museum has rich collections, especially Sui and Tang dynasty ancient Shouzhou kiln ceramics and Chu bronze artifacts with local characteristics.

Then relax with a stroll in Longhu Park (free), one of Huainan’s largest comprehensive parks, featuring the "Three Wonders of Longhu" and "Eight Views of Longhu."

Evening: Head to Shangmao Cultural Plaza Snack Street, one of Huainan’s liveliest night markets, gathering various local and regional snacks.

🏭 Day 3: Datong District Industrial Heritage and Natural Scenery

Morning: Visit Datong Mass Grave Education Hall (free) to learn about the history of Japanese invasion and receive patriotic education.

Then tour Jiulonggang Historic District, the main filming location of the TV drama "Six Sisters," preserving modern industrial relics and urban memories.

Noon: Enjoy authentic Huainan beef soup in Jiulonggang district or back in the city. Recommended are Lao Liu Beef Soup (Tianjia’an District) or Xiao Duan Beef Soup (Tianjia’an District), costing about 12-15 RMB per person.

Afternoon: Travel to Tianmu Lake (free). Originally an abandoned mine pit, it has accumulated rainwater over time, forming a lake with a unique blue-green hue due to minerals. The towering cliffs around the lake offer spectacular views.

Evening: Have a farewell dinner at Qianfeng Snack Street, a local favorite night food paradise with various authentic snacks.

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations

Huainan accommodations are mainly in Tianjia’an District (city center), with convenient transportation and complete facilities.

Budget options (about 150 RMB/night):

· Home Inn/Hanting and other chain hotels: located in Tianjia’an District, close to business areas with convenient transport.
· Homestays near Bagongshan Scenic Area: about 120 RMB/night, about a 10-minute walk to the park.

Comfort options (about 200-300 RMB/night):

· Home Inn Select Huainan Fengtai Binhewan Branch: newly opened hotel with new facilities and good service.
· Huainan Qingpiguo Hotel (Panji Branch): opened in 2024, with relatively new facilities.

🍜 Food Guide

Must-try foods:

· Huainan Beef Soup (10-15 RMB/bowl): rich broth, classically paired with crispy fried sesame flatbread.
· Bagongshan Tofu Feast (about 50 RMB per person): various tofu dishes.
· Xiaji Rice Dumplings (15 RMB/serving): glutinous rice flour wrapped with meat filling, soft and fragrant.
· Jiaogang Lake Red-Yolk Duck Eggs (2 RMB/each): oily yolks, great as souvenirs.

Recommended food streets:

· Qianfeng Snack Street: a local favorite night food paradise.
· Shangmao Cultural Plaza Snack Street: one of Huainan’s busiest night markets.
· Jidi Food Street: carries the flavor of old Huainan.

💰 Budget Breakdown

Item Cost (RMB)
Accommodation (2 nights) 300
Meals (3 days) 200
Tickets & Transportation 215
Miscellaneous 85
Total 800

Notes:

· Accommodation calculated at budget level
· Tickets include Bagongshan 40 RMB, Jiaogang Lake combo 80 RMB, Shouxian city walls 25 RMB
· Transportation mainly within city and between attractions, budget about 70 RMB
· Total budget 800 RMB, well below 2000 RMB, allowing ample flexibility

💡 Practical Tips

1. Transportation: Huainan city buses cover major attractions (1-2 RMB per ride). For short distances, shared e-bikes (3 RMB/20 minutes) or taxis (starting fare 7 RMB/3 km) are convenient.
2. Tofu feast reservation: If planning to dine at Bagongshan Tofu Culture Village, it’s best to book one day in advance.
3. Seasonal tips: Lotus blooms at Jiaogang Lake in summer; migratory birds can be seen in winter. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Bagongshan.
4. Itinerary adjustments: In rainy weather, increase museum and indoor visits; if energy is limited, reduce daily attractions for a deeper experience.

Wishing you an unforgettable trip in Huainan, where you can appreciate the weight of history and the joy brought by delicious food!