Hongze District, Huai'an, Jiangsu Travel

Hongze District, Jiangsu — the core area of Hongze Lake, featuring Hongze Lake Ancient Weir, Laozishan Hot Spring, Jiangba Ancient Town and other distinctive attractions, offering a 2-day perfect blend of lake scenery and hot spring leisure.

1800+
Years of Ancient Weir history
400+
Square kilometers of lake surface
60+
Types of lake delicacies
350K+
Permanent population
Hongze Lake Ancient Weir Scenic Area
Hongze Lake Ancient Weir Scenic Area
Hongze Lake Ancient Weir is an important section of the World Heritage Site Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, known as the "Great Wall on Water," showcasing the wisdom of ancient hydraulic engineering.

Hongze District 2-Day Lakeside Leisure Tour

Lake scenery, hot spring experience, ancient town stroll, gourmet enjoyment

Duration
2 days, 1 night
Main Destinations
Hongze Lake Ancient Weir, Laozishan Hot Spring, Jiangba Ancient Town, Sanhe Sluice Gate, Hongze Lake Fisherman's Cove
Suitable For
Nature lovers, leisure vacationers, food enthusiasts, photography fans
Budget per person
¥400-¥800
01
Lake View & Hot Spring Experience
Hongze Lake Ancient Weir · Laozishan Hot Spring
Highlights

In the morning, visit Hongze Lake Ancient Weir and enjoy the lake scenery; in the afternoon, experience Laozishan Hot Spring to relax body and mind; in the evening, taste Hongze Lake delicacies.

Attractions
Hongze Lake Ancient Weir
A World Heritage site first built during the Eastern Han Dynasty. The weir stretches 67 kilometers, known as the "Great Wall on Water," an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese hydraulic engineering with beautiful scenery along the way.
Laozishan Hot Spring
A natural hot spring resort with water temperatures reaching above 60°C, rich in minerals. Features indoor and outdoor hot spring pools, spa treatments, and more, an ideal choice for leisure vacations.
Practical Info
Accommodation
  • Hot spring resort hotels
  • Lake-view guesthouses
  • Characteristic inns in ancient town
Food Recommendations
  • Hongze Lake hairy crab
  • Jiangba fish balls
  • Small fish potstickers
  • Silverfish steamed egg custard
  • White fish soup
Travel Tips
  • The Ancient Weir scenic area is large, consider taking the sightseeing bus
  • Prepare swimwear for the hot spring experience
  • Remember sun protection and hydration
  • Try fresh lake delicacies
02
Ancient Town & Water Conservancy Deep Dive
Jiangba Ancient Town · Sanhe Sluice Gate · Fisherman's Cove
Highlights

In the morning, stroll through Jiangba Ancient Town and feel the water town charm; in the afternoon, visit Sanhe Sluice Gate to learn about hydraulic engineering; in the evening, explore Fisherman's Cove and enjoy the lakeside sunset.

Attractions
Jiangba Ancient Town
A thousand-year-old water town, first built during the Tang Dynasty. The ancient town preserves well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture, stone-paved streets, ancient bridges and flowing water, showcasing the fishing culture and water town charm of the Hongze Lake area.
Sanhe Sluice Gate
China's first large-scale water conservancy hub project, built in 1953. The gate structure is grand and majestic, an important project for managing the Huai River, and a significant site for understanding the history of New China's water conservancy construction.
Hongze Lake Fisherman's Cove
A lakeside leisure scenic area with beautiful shoreline and viewing platforms. It is the best place to watch the sunset over Hongze Lake, and a great spot to experience fishing culture and lakeside relaxation.
Practical Info
Transportation
  • Hongze District has convenient transportation with direct buses
  • Attractions are relatively scattered, self-driving is recommended
  • Tourist shuttle buses are available
  • Walkable within the ancient town
Ticket Info
  • Hongze Lake Ancient Weir: ¥60
  • Laozishan Hot Spring: ¥128
  • Jiangba Ancient Town: Free
  • Sanhe Sluice Gate: ¥20
  • Fisherman's Cove: Free
Travel Tips
  • Jiangba Ancient Town is best explored slowly
  • Pay attention to safety at Sanhe Sluice Gate
  • Don't miss the sunset at Fisherman's Cove
  • Recommended to buy Hongze local specialties

Must-Try Foods in Hongze District

Hongze Lake Hairy Crab

A specialty of Hongze Lake, with rich crab roe and tender meat. Autumn is the best season to taste them. Authentic Hongze Lake hairy crab can be enjoyed at various restaurants and farmhouse eateries in Hongze District.

Jiangba Fish Balls

A traditional Hongze famous dish, made from fresh lake fish. The fish balls are tender and smooth, the soup is clear and delicious, a specialty of Jiangba Ancient Town, very popular among tourists.

Small Fish Potstickers

A specialty snack of the Hongze Lake area, with delicious small fish and crispy potstickers. The small fish and potstickers are cooked together in one pot, creating a unique flavor, a well-known traditional local dish.

Silverfish Steamed Egg Custard

A signature Hongze Lake dish, made with fresh silverfish and free-range eggs. The silverfish is tender, the egg custard is smooth, nutritious, and a signature dish in local restaurants.

Hongze District Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (Mar-May): Pleasant climate, beautiful lake scenery
  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Summer resort, cool lake breeze
  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Plump and delicious crabs, best tasting season
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Hot spring experience, warm and comfortable
Must-Do Experiences
  • Stroll along Hongze Lake Ancient Weir
  • Soak in Laozishan Hot Spring
  • Taste fish balls at Jiangba Ancient Town
  • Enjoy hairy crabs
  • Watch the sunset at Fisherman's Cove
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. ¥208
  • Accommodation: ¥180-350/night
  • Meals: ¥100-250/day
  • Transport: ¥80-150
  • Total: ¥400-800 (excluding shopping)
FAQ
  • How to get to Hongze District? → Direct buses from Huai'an, or self-driving
  • Which attraction in Hongze District is most worth visiting? → Hongze Lake Ancient Weir and Laozishan Hot Spring are must-experiences
  • What special souvenirs are there? → Hongze Lake hairy crab, dried silverfish, Jiangba fish balls
  • How many days are suitable? → Recommend 2 days for an in-depth lakeside leisure experience

Explore All Districts & Counties of Huai'an