Chizhou Travel

Chizhou, Anhui — a sacred Buddhist site and eco-tourism city in China, home to famous attractions such as Jiuhua Mountain, Xinghua Village, and Pingtian Lake. It is a distinctive tourist destination integrating Buddhist culture, poetry and wine culture, and landscape ecology.

1400+
Years of Urban History
1
Famous Buddhist Mountain
30+
Key Cultural Relic Protection Units
1.3 Million+
Permanent Resident Population

3-Day 2-Night Landscape and Cultural Tour of Chizhou City

Pay homage to Buddhist sacred sites, taste poetry and wine culture, and experience ecological landscapes

Trip Duration
3 Days 2 Nights
Main Destinations
Jiuhua Mountain, Xinghua Village, Pingtian Lake, Guniujiang
Suitable For
Buddhist culture lovers, landscape tourism enthusiasts, poetry culture seekers
Per Capita Budget
¥1200-¥2500
01
Buddhist Sacred Site
Pilgrimage and Meditation Experience at Jiuhua Mountain
Itinerary Highlights

In the morning, climb to the Tiantai Scenic Area of Jiuhua Mountain and visit Baisui Palace and Flesh Body Palace; in the afternoon, tour Huacheng Temple and Qiyuan Temple to experience Buddhist culture; in the evening, stay in Jiuhua Street to experience Zen life.

Attraction Arrangement
Jiuhua Mountain
One of China's Four Great Buddhist Mountains, the dojo of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Famous for its four wonders: strange peaks, exotic rocks, sea of clouds, and Buddha's light. There are 99 existing temples, and its Buddhist architecture, Buddha statue sculptures, and Buddhist music have high artistic value.
Xinghua Village
A cultural scenic spot famous for Du Mu's poem "Qingming". The reconstructed Xinghua Village Cultural Tourism Area takes poetry and wine culture as its theme, recreating the artistic conception of "the cowherd points to Xinghua Village in the distance", making it an ideal place to experience Chizhou's poetry and wine culture.
Practical Information
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Zen Guesthouses in Jiuhua Street
  • Star-rated Hotels in Guichi District
  • Resorts around Pingtian Lake
Food Recommendations
  • Jiuhua Vegetarian Cuisine
  • Chizhou Small Pancakes
  • Qiupu Mandarin Fish
  • Shitai Yipin Pot
Travel Tips
  • Jiuhua Mountain ticket is about ¥190
  • Xinghua Village ticket is about ¥60
  • It is recommended to wear comfortable hiking shoes
  • Respect Buddhist customs and pay attention to dressing
02
Poetic City of Landscapes
Lake and Mountain Scenery with Ecological Experience
Itinerary Highlights

In the morning, visit Pingtian Lake Scenic Area and experience water activities; in the afternoon, go to Shitai Guniujiang to explore primeval forests; in the evening, return to the urban area to taste local food.

Attraction Arrangement
Pingtian Lake
A national wetland park, named after Li Bai's poem "The water is like a piece of silk, this place is Pingtian". With a lake area of 12.5 square kilometers and a 20-kilometer greenway around the lake, it is an ideal place for leisure sightseeing and water sports.
Guniujiang
A national nature reserve, known as the "Gene Bank of Animals and Plants in East China". With a main peak of 1727 meters above sea level, it features strange peaks, waterfalls, sea of clouds, and ancient trees, making it an excellent base for eco-tourism and popular science education.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Direct buses from urban area to Pingtian Lake
  • Take tourist special line to Guniujiang
  • Driving time is about 1.5 hours
  • It is recommended to book tickets in advance
Ticket Information
  • Pingtian Lake is open for free
  • Guniujiang ticket is about ¥100
  • Including scenic spot transportation and insurance
Visiting Tips
  • Bicycles can be rented to ride around Pingtian Lake
  • Prepare enough drinking water for climbing Guniujiang
  • Pay attention to protecting the ecological environment
  • Be careful of slippery roads on rainy days
03
Poetic Qiupu
Li Bai's Footprints and Ancient Village Visit
Itinerary Highlights

In the morning, follow Li Bai's footprints along the Qiupu River and visit Qiupu River Scenic Area; in the afternoon, tour Shengjin Lake Wetland to watch migratory birds; in the evening, return and end the landscape tour of Chizhou.

Attraction Arrangement
Qiupu River
Li Bai visited Qiupu five times and left famous poems such as "Seventeen Poems of Qiupu". Qiupu River Scenic Area takes Li Bai's poetry culture as the theme, combined with landscape scenery, to create a poetic tourism experience.
Shengjin Lake
A national nature reserve and one of China's main wintering grounds for cranes. A large number of migratory birds inhabit here every winter, making it a paradise for bird watchers and photographers.
Practical Information
Return Suggestions
  • About 1 hour's drive from Dongzhi County to Chizhou urban area
  • About 30 minutes from Chizhou Station
  • It is recommended to depart for return before 4 pm in the afternoon
Food Map
  • Dongzhi Rice Dumplings
  • Shitai Selenium-enriched Tea
  • Qingyang Wild Mountain Vegetables
  • Guichi Fermented Fish
Souvenir Recommendations
  • Jiuhua Buddhist Tea
  • Shitai Selenium-enriched Agricultural Products
  • Xinghua Village Wine
  • Chizhou Bamboo Weaving Handicrafts

Must-Try Foods in Chizhou City

Jiuhua Vegetarian Cuisine

Featured vegetarian food of Jiuhua Mountain, made from wild seasonal vegetables and bean products. Exquisitely prepared with unique flavors, it not only complies with Buddhist precepts but also is rich in nutrition, embodying the essence of Buddhist dietary culture.

Qiupu Mandarin Fish

A traditional famous dish of Chizhou, using mandarin fish specialty of Qiupu River, cooked with local characteristic seasonings through unique craftsmanship. It has tender meat and delicious taste, and is the delicacy mentioned in Li Bai's poems.

Chizhou Small Pancakes

Featured breakfast in Chizhou, with crispy outer skin and various fillings such as shredded radish, cowpea, and vermicelli. Fragrant and delicious, it is one of the most favorite breakfast foods of local people.

Dongzhi Rice Dumplings

Featured snack of Dongzhi County, with rice flour as the skin and fillings mostly of vegetables or meat, steamed. It has a soft and glutinous taste and delicious flavor, being a representative food of the local area.

Chizhou City Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • April-May: Spring mountains are picturesque, suitable for mountain climbing and Buddha worship
  • September-October: Clear and crisp autumn weather, suitable for landscape tours
  • Watch migratory birds at Shengjin Lake in winter
  • Avoid the plum rain season (June-July)
Must-Experience Activities
  • Pay homage to the Buddhist sacred site at Jiuhua Mountain
  • Taste poetry and wine culture at Xinghua Village
  • Cycle around Pingtian Lake
  • Explore primeval forests at Guniujiang
  • Follow Li Bai's footprints along Qiupu River
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: About ¥200-350
  • Accommodation: ¥300-600 per night
  • Catering: ¥150-300 per day
  • Transportation: ¥100-250
  • Total: ¥1200-2500
Frequently Asked Questions
  • How long does it take to visit Jiuhua Mountain? → 1-2 days recommended
  • What is the difficulty level of climbing Guniujiang? → Moderate difficulty, requires certain physical strength
  • Can I swim in Pingtian Lake? → Allowed in designated areas, pay attention to safety
  • Where is Chizhou's characteristic food street? → Qiupu Road Food Street, Changjiang Road Snack Street