Huai'an Travel

Huai'an, Jiangsu — the Capital of Canals, home to the Li Canal Cultural Corridor, Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall, Hongze Lake and other famous attractions, a tourist destination integrating canal culture, red culture and food culture.

2200+
Years of city history
1
5A-level scenic spot (Zhou Enlai's Hometown)
10030
Square kilometers total area
4.55M+
Permanent residents

Huai'an Districts & Counties Travel

Huai'an 3-Day Canal Culture Tour

Stroll along canal ancient towns, experience lake and mountain scenery, taste Huaiyang cuisine

Duration
3 days, 2 nights
Main Destinations
Li Canal Cultural Corridor, Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall, Hongze Lake Ancient Weir, Hexia Ancient Town, Xuyi Crayfish
Suitable For
Culture enthusiasts, food explorers, eco-tourists, red tourism lovers
Budget per person
¥1000-¥2000
01
Canal Culture
Li Canal and Red Culture Tour
Highlights

In the morning, visit the Li Canal Cultural Corridor and experience the charm of the canal; in the afternoon, tour the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall and learn about red culture; in the evening, taste Huaiyang cuisine.

Attractions
Li Canal Cultural Corridor
National 4A-level tourist attraction, an important section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Along the river are attractions such as Qingjiangpu Tower, Ciyun Temple, and Confucian Temple, showcasing Huai'an's profound canal culture.
Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall
Built in memory of Premier Zhou Enlai, the hall displays a large collection of Zhou Enlai's biographical materials, photos, and cultural relics, an important venue for learning about Premier Zhou's life story.
Practical Info
Accommodation
  • Resort hotels along the Li Canal
  • Downtown business hotels
  • Old street characteristic guesthouses
Food Recommendations
  • Huaiyang cuisine
  • Soft pocket eel
  • Pingqiao tofu
  • Wenlou soup dumplings
  • Xuyi crayfish
Travel Tips
  • The night view of Li Canal is beautiful, recommended for evening visits
  • Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall is suitable for red culture enthusiasts
  • Experience authentic Huaiyang cuisine
02
Lake and Mountain Scenery
Hongze Lake and Ancient Town Experience
Highlights

In the morning, visit Hongze Lake Ancient Weir and experience lake and mountain scenery; in the afternoon, tour Hexia Ancient Town and enjoy the ancient town style; in the evening, taste Hongze Lake delicacies.

Attractions
Hongze Lake Ancient Weir
National 4A-level tourist attraction, an important component of the World Heritage China Grand Canal. First built during the Eastern Han Dynasty, it is known as the "Great Wall on Water."
Hexia Ancient Town
A famous historical and cultural town in China with over 2500 years of history. The ancient town preserves a large number of Ming and Qing buildings, with old streets and alleys full of charm, a great place to learn about canal culture.
Practical Info
Transportation
  • City buses reach major attractions
  • Regular buses from Huai'an to counties and districts
  • Self-driving recommended for convenience
Ticket Info
  • Li Canal Cultural Corridor: Free
  • Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall: Free
  • Hongze Lake Ancient Weir: ¥60
  • Hexia Ancient Town: Free
  • Combo tickets offer discounts
Cultural Experience
  • Learn about canal culture and history
  • Experience the slow life of the ancient town
  • Taste authentic Hongze Lake delicacies
03
Food Journey
Crayfish and Huaiyang Cuisine Experience
Highlights

In the morning, visit Tieshan Temple Forest Park and experience natural ecology; in the afternoon, taste Xuyi crayfish and experience food culture; in the evening, buy Huai'an specialties and conclude the trip.

Attractions
Tieshan Temple Forest Park
National 4A-level tourist attraction, the best-preserved and largest wildlife kingdom in Jiangsu Province. The forest coverage rate reaches 93.8%, a natural oxygen bar.
Xuyi Crayfish
China's geographical indication product, a specialty of Xuyi County. Xuyi crayfish are large with plenty of meat, delicious in flavor, and after a unique cooking process, they taste spicy and appetizing.
Practical Info
Shopping Guide
  • Xuyi crayfish
  • Huai'an tea twists
  • Hongze Lake hairy crab
  • Jinhu lotus root
  • Lianshui chicken cake
  • Huai'an cattail shoots
More Food Recommendations
  • Soft pocket eel
  • Pingqiao tofu
  • Wenlou soup dumplings
  • Kaifang cattail shoots
  • Zhuqiao turtle
  • Jiangba fish balls
Return Tips
  • Huai'an Station has multiple trains to various destinations
  • Huai'an Lianshui Airport is about 20 km from the city center
  • Aquatic products should be transported via cold chain

Must-Try Foods in Huai'an

Huaiyang Cuisine

One of China's four major cuisines, Huai'an is an important birthplace of Huaiyang cuisine. It emphasizes fresh ingredients, fine knife work, precise heat control, light flavors, and highlights original taste.

Soft Pocket Eel

A representative Huaiyang dish, made with pen-sized green eels, processed through blanching, slicing, stir-frying and other steps. The meat is tender and the taste is delicious, a traditional Huai'an famous dish.

Pingqiao Tofu

A famous Huai'an dish, using lactone tofu with shrimp, ham, mushrooms and other ingredients. Fine knife work and delicious taste make it a representative of Huaiyang cuisine.

Xuyi Crayfish

China's geographical indication product, a specialty of Xuyi County. Large with plenty of meat, delicious flavor, after a unique cooking process, spicy and tasty, famous nationwide.

Wenlou Soup Dumplings

A traditional Huai'an famous snack, originated during the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty. Thin skin with generous filling, delicious soup, with a particular eating method: "Gently lift, slowly move, open the window first, then drink the soup."

Huai'an Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • April-May: Spring flowers bloom, best for sightseeing
  • September-October: Clear autumn weather, crayfish at their best
  • Summer: Escape heat at Hongze Lake, remember sun protection
  • Winter: Taste seasonal lake delicacies
Must-Do Experiences
  • Night cruise on Li Canal
  • Visit Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall
  • Enjoy lake and mountain views at Hongze Lake
  • Taste authentic Huaiyang cuisine
  • Experience the slow life of the ancient town
  • Buy Xuyi crayfish
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. ¥150-250
  • Accommodation: ¥200-400/night
  • Meals: ¥100-200/day
  • Transport: approx. ¥150
  • Total: ¥1000-2000
FAQ
  • Which Huai'an attraction is most worth visiting? → Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall and Li Canal Cultural Corridor are must-visits
  • Where to eat the most authentic Huaiyang cuisine? → Time-honored restaurants are most authentic
  • Transportation from Huai'an to Nanjing? → 1 hour by bullet train
  • What are Huai'an's three delicacies? → Eel, turtle, crab
  • What are Xuyi's specialties? → Crayfish, Tieshan Temple, Ming Ancestral Mausoleum