Shouxian County, Huainan City, Anhui Province — a national-level historical and cultural city, an important birthplace of Chu culture, home to numerous historical sites such as the Shouxian Ancient City Wall, Anfengtang, and Confucian Temple. Experience the historical depth and cultural heritage of this "millennium-old county" in one day.
Ancient City Exploration, Water Conservancy Discovery, Confucian and Taoist Cultural Context, Chu Rhyme Heritage, Ancient Town Customs
In the morning, climb the Shouxian Ancient City Wall to overlook the ancient city style, and decode the civilization of the Chu capital at the Chu Culture Museum; in the afternoon, explore Anfengtang to experience the water conservancy wisdom of the "No.1 Pond under Heaven", and step into the Confucian Temple and Bao'en Temple to touch the Confucian and Buddhist cultural context; in the evening, visit the Mosque and Zhengyangguan Ancient Town to experience the folk customs of multicultural integration.
A traditional famous pastry of Shouxian, said to be named after the people offering pastries to Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin, when he was defeated in Shouchun. Made with flour, lard, white sugar, green and red silk, etc., it is multi-layered, crispy, sweet but not greasy. It is a necessary pastry for festivals and receiving guests in Shouxian, and its making technique is listed in the provincial intangible cultural heritage.
A specialty of Bagong Mountain in Shouxian, originating from the period when Liu An, the King of Huainan in the Western Han Dynasty, refined alchemy. Made with Bagong Mountain spring water and soybeans, it has a delicate and tender texture, and can be made into dozens of dishes such as "Wensi Tofu" and "Mapo Tofu", being a representative of Chu diet culture.
A characteristic winter soup in Shouxian, made with local goats and simmered slowly with spices such as Angelica dahurica and cinnamon. The soup is clear, the meat is firm, and it is served with baked sesame seed cakes or rice crust to warm the body and dispel cold. The "clear soup mutton" from the old shop at the North Gate of Shouchun Town is the most famous.
A specialty food of Anfengtang in Shouxian, made with whitebait from the pond as the main ingredient, simmered with eggs, starch, coriander, etc. It has a smooth and tender taste and a rich fresh flavor, being a seasonal delicacy in local summer and autumn, reflecting the dietary characteristic of "prospering because of the pond".