Chuzhou

Chuzhou lies in eastern Anhui, close to Nanjing, with high-speed train journeys taking roughly 10–20 minutes. Life moves at a relaxed pace, everyday costs are affordable, and the city offers scenic landscapes, historic sites and lively local streets. It is well suited to a weekend or short holiday trip.

• Langya Mountain: Entry to this national 5A-rated scenic area is free, but a combined ticket costing around RMB 60–65 is required for key attractions including Zuiweng Pavilion, Langya Temple, Nantianmen and Tongle Garden. Enter through the north gate and take the shuttle to Nantianmen, then work your way downhill to enjoy the sights while conserving energy.

• Taiping Ancient Town: Located in Quanjiao County, the town is a good place to examine historic architecture by day and enjoy illuminated scenery after dark. Its 128 ornately carved historic buildings and the 33-meter-high Jinfu Tower make good photography subjects. Evening attractions include a light show and the live theatrical production *Splendid Taiping*.

• Chuzhou Museum: Admission is free with a reservation. Its indoor galleries make it a useful option for hot or rainy days. The natural history gallery presents its exhibits in settings that feel like a forest exploration, while the history gallery offers an introduction to eastern Anhui culture.

• Wu Jingzi Memorial Hall: Located in Quanjiao County, this memorial hall features Jiangnan-style garden architecture in a quiet setting with relatively few visitors. A visit offers a sense of the world of Wu Jingzi, author of *The Scholars*.

• Chuzhou Dog Market: This large market sells flowers, birds, fish, insects and assorted everyday goods. It usually operates on Sundays and may stay open all day on public holidays. Visit early in the morning to observe local life and take candid street photographs.

Suggested 2–3-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Chuzhou and Exploring Local Streets
  • Arrive in the afternoon and check into a hotel in the city center.
  • Explore Zunyang Street in the early evening. This provincially designated historic and cultural district preserves Jianghuai-style homes from the late Qing and early Republican periods. You can also take a photo beside the wall bearing large “Chuzhou” characters.
  • In the evening, browse Sihe Road Night Market or try local late-night snacks at an oyster sauce skewer shop.
• Day 2: Langya Mountain and an Evening in the Ancient Town
  • Set off early for Langya Mountain. Take the shuttle to Nantianmen, then walk downhill via Langya Temple, Shenxiu Lake and Zuiweng Pavilion, enjoying the landscapes described in Ouyang Xiu’s writing.
  • Head to Quanjiao County in the afternoon to visit Wu Jingzi Memorial Hall.
  • Enter Taiping Ancient Town in the early evening and stay to enjoy and photograph the scenery once the lights come on.
• Day 3: Museum Visit, a Walk and Shopping Before Departure
  • Take your time in the morning. After a good rest, visit Chuzhou Museum or go for a walk in Chengnan Wetland Park.
  • Try Anhui cuisine for lunch, then pick up Zhanji walnut cookies and Kawangka milk tea as gifts before heading home.

Local Food Suggestions

• Lianjie Oyster Sauce Skewers: A representative local choice for late-night food, serving fried skewers seasoned with a house oyster sauce. They are crisp on the outside and tender inside. Try the beef skewers, “scarecrows” (tofu-skin knots) and fermented dried tofu.

• Kawangka: This milk tea brand originated in Anhui. Options include Huizhou Fermented Rice and osmanthus yogurt, both with rich, fragrant flavors and a moderate level of sweetness.

• Zhanji Walnut Cookies: Local residents often buy gifts here, particularly the crisp, crumbly walnut cookies. Consider the black tea walnut cookies and Maofeng tea milk pudding.

• Lao Chuzhou Chuzhou Cuisine: This long-established Anhui restaurant serves local dishes with rich, savory sauce flavors. Consider braised fermented mandarin fish, Yifan Fengshun flatbread and tofu balls in clear broth.

• Nanmenkou (Zhengji): This breakfast shop is popular with local residents. The soup dumplings have thin wrappers and plenty of broth, while the pan-fried dumplings have crisp bottoms and generous meat fillings. Glutinous rice balls in sweet red bean soup are also available.

Accommodation and Transport

• Accommodation: Consider staying near Suning Plaza or Shuishi Plaza in the city center for convenient dining and taxi trips to Langya Mountain. If hotel comfort is a priority, the city also has five-star options such as Sheraton and Wyndham, with prices that generally reflect the standard of accommodation.
• Transport: After arriving by high-speed train at Chuzhou Station, take a bus or taxi into the city center. Attractions within the city are fairly close together, and taxis are convenient. For Quanjiao County or outlying attractions, consider driving or taking a taxi, as bus journeys take longer.

Practical Travel Tips

• Free Combined Tickets for Recitation: The visitor center at Langya Mountain’s north gate offers free combined tickets to visitors who can recite the complete *Account of the Old Drunkard’s Pavilion* in Mandarin within five minutes. There are 60 places on weekdays and 100 on public holidays. Arrive early to queue if you wish to take part.
• Route and Energy Planning: Take the outer-loop shuttle to Nantianmen for RMB 20 one way, then follow the downhill sightseeing route. This less strenuous route takes around 3–4 hours in total.
• Venue Opening Hours: Indoor venues such as Chuzhou Museum and Wu Jingzi Memorial Hall are usually closed on Mondays. Check their opening arrangements before setting out.
• Market Days: Chuzhou Dog Market generally operates only on Sundays, with no market on other days. Plan your visit accordingly.
• Salt Levels: Local Anhui dishes tend to be salty. If you prefer lighter seasoning, ask for less salt when ordering.