Xialu District Travel

Xialu District, Huangshi City, Hubei Province — the geographical center of Huangshi, integrating the Zen spirit of Dongfang Mountain (the "First Mountain of the Three Chu Regions"), the profoundness of Copper Capital industry, and the elegance of urban lake scenery. Experience the collision of tradition and modernity in a 2-day 1-night tour.

Thousand-Year-Old Ancient Temple (Honghua Zen Temple)

Industrial Heritage Attractions

Urban Lake Landscapes

12+

Local Special Snacks

Panoramic View of Honghua Zen Temple on Dongfang Mountain, Xialu District, Huangshi

Dongfang Mountain - The First Mountain of the Three Chu Regions

A famous Buddhist sacred place in southeastern Hubei, with an altitude of 475 meters. The ancient Honghua Zen Temple in the mountain was built in the Tang Dynasty, with incense burning for a thousand years, and the mountain forest coverage rate is over 90%

2-Day 1-Night Zen and Industrial Tour in Xialu District

Climb Dongfang Mountain to comprehend Zen, explore relics to recall glory, wander lake views to enjoy leisure, taste snacks to know local flavors, and experience the unique customs of multicultural integration

                    
Itinerary Duration
2 Days 1 Night

                    
Main Destinations
Dongfang Mountain, Honghua Zen Temple, Industrial Heritage Park, Qinggang Lake

                    
Suitable For
Religious culture lovers, industrial history enthusiasts, family travelers, leisure tourists

                    
Per Capita Budget
¥350-¥600

Zen Mountain Scenery

Dongfang Mountain Exploration · Ancient Temple Worship · Mountain Seclusion

Itinerary Highlights

Climb Dongfang Mountain in the morning and enjoy mountain forest scenery along the trail; visit the thousand-year-old Honghua Zen Temple at noon to experience Buddhist culture; explore affiliated scenic spots in the mountain in the afternoon, and go down the mountain to taste Xialu's special food in the evening.

Attraction Arrangement

Dongfang Mountain Scenic Area

The iconic mountain range of Huangshi, famous for "being not high but elegant, water not deep but clear". The scenic area includes Honghua Zen Temple, Dongfang Tianchi, Bell Tower and other attractions, making it an ideal place for praying, leisure and mountain climbing.

Honghua Zen Temple

Founded in the first year of Yuanhe in the reign of Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty (806 AD), it is a key cultural relic protection unit in Hubei Province and a dojo of the Caodong Sect of Zen Buddhism. The temple preserves precious cultural relics such as Tang Dynasty bronze Buddha statues and Ming Dynasty bells and drums.

Dongfang Mountain Folk Culture Village

Located at the foot of Dongfang Mountain, it focuses on displaying the folk customs of Huangshi area, with traditional handicraft workshops, folk performance stages, and special snack streets. Visitors can experience movable type printing, pottery making, etc.

Practical Information

Accommodation Recommendations

Mountain Homestay on Dongfang Mountain
Business Hotel in Xialu Urban Area
Inn around Qinggang Lake

Food Recommendations

Xialu Pig's Trotter Noodles
Yinzi Cake (Printed Rice Cake)
Dongfang Mountain Vegetarian Cuisine
Chicken Soup Noodles

Travel Tips

Wear non-slip shoes for mountain climbing and prepare drinking water
Do not make noise in the temple and abide by Buddhist worship etiquette
Experience projects in Folk Culture Village need to be booked in advance

Industry and Lake Charm

Heritage Exploration · Lake View Stroll · Specialty Shopping

Itinerary Highlights

Visit Copper Capital Industrial Heritage Park in the morning to learn about Xialu's industrial history as the "Copper Capital"; stroll around Qinggang Lake Park in the afternoon to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery; purchase special local products in the evening and end the trip.

Attraction Arrangement

Copper Capital Industrial Heritage Park

Built on the basis of a century-old copper mining and smelting relics in Xialu District, it preserves industrial heritage such as old factory buildings, smelting furnaces, and mine tunnels, showing the development history of copper industry through physical objects and multimedia.

Qinggang Lake Park

The core urban lake park in Xialu District, with a lake area of about 300 mu. A greenway, water-friendly platform and landscape bridge are built around the lake, making it an ideal place for citizens to relax, exercise and birdwatch.

Xialu District Museum

Displays the historical context of Xialu area from ancient copper mining to modern industrial development, with a collection of precious exhibits such as bronze artifacts, industrial tools, and historical photos.

Practical Information

Shopping Recommendations

Copper craft souvenirs (such as copper tea sets, copper ornaments)
Dongfang Mountain Zen cultural and creative products
Xialu Fried Dough Twist gift box
Yinzi Cake specialty

Ticket Information

Dongfang Mountain Scenic Area: ¥20
Honghua Zen Temple: Free (incense tickets voluntary)
Industrial Heritage Park: ¥15
Museum and Park: Free

Return Guide

About 10 minutes' drive from Huangshi North Railway Station
About 25 minutes' drive from Huangshi Railway Station
Urban bus No.6 and No.22 reach major scenic spots

Must-Try Foods in Xialu District

Xialu Pig's Trotter Noodles

The iconic snack of Xialu District, using local rice noodles with slowly stewed crispy pig's trotters, the soup is boiled with bone broth and added with secret spicy sauce, fresh, spicy and refreshing, which is the first choice for locals' breakfast.

Yinzi Cake (Printed Rice Cake)

A traditional rice food in Huangshi area, with particularly exquisite production techniques in Xialu. Made from glutinous rice flour, filled with sesame or red bean paste, pressed with wooden molds to form patterns, steamed to be sweet and soft, often used in festivals.

Dongfang Mountain Vegetarian Cuisine

Vegetarian cuisine originating from Honghua Zen Temple, using soy products, mushrooms and vegetables as raw materials, imitating the shape and taste of meat dishes, light and healthy, reflecting Buddhist dietary culture.

Xialu Fried Dough Twist

Traditional fried food in Xialu, made from flour, sesame, salt or sugar, twisted into a spiral shape and fried until golden, salty or sweet, crispy and delicious, easy to carry.

Xialu District Travel Tips

Best Travel Time

Spring (March-May): Dongfang Mountain is in full bloom with pleasant climate
Autumn (September-November): Clear sky and mild weather, suitable for mountain climbing and outdoor activities
15th day of the first lunar month: Dongfang Mountain Temple Fair, experience folk activities

Must-Experience Activities

Morning class prayer at Honghua Zen Temple (need to contact in advance)
Overlook the panoramic view of Xialu urban area from Dongfang Mountain
Experience VR mining scenes at Industrial Heritage Park
Cycling around the greenway of Qinggang Lake

Budget Reference

Tickets: About ¥35
Accommodation: ¥100-200 per night
Catering: ¥50-80 per day
Transportation: About ¥30
Total: ¥350-600

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is it to climb Dongfang Mountain? → The trail is gentle, suitable for family trips, the whole journey takes about 1.5 hours
What's the dining time for vegetarian cuisine? → The dining hall of Honghua Zen Temple is open to the public from 11:00 to 12:00
Is there a guide service at the industrial heritage site? → Audio guide is provided (rental fee ¥20)
Can I fish in Qinggang Lake? → Allowed in designated areas (ticket required)

Explore Travel in All Districts and Counties of Huangshi City

Huangshigang District