Gulou District, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Travel

Gulou District, Xuzhou, Jiangsu — the core urban area of Xuzhou, home to Guishan Han Tomb, Xuzhou Museum, Hubu Mountain and other historical and cultural attractions, a 2-day experience of the millennium-old Han tomb wonders and ancient city style.

2000+
Years of Han tomb history
10000+
Museum collections (pieces)
30+
Historical and cultural relics (sites)
20+
Gulou specialty foods (types)
Panoramic view of Guishan Han Tomb, Gulou District, Xuzhou
Guishan Han Tomb - Landmark of Gulou District
Guishan Han Tomb is the joint burial tomb of Liu Zhu, the sixth generation Chu King of the Western Han Dynasty. Famous for its exquisite structure and grand scale, it is an outstanding representative of Xuzhou's Han culture.

Gulou District 2-Day History and Culture Tour

Han tomb exploration, museum treasure hunt, ancient street tracing, food experience

Duration
2 days, 1 night
Main Destinations
Guishan Han Tomb Scenic Area, Xuzhou Museum, Hubu Mountain Ancient Residences, Yellow Tower, Huilongwo Historical and Cultural District
Suitable For
History and culture enthusiasts, archaeology fans, families, photography lovers
Budget per person
¥400-¥1000
01
Han Tomb Wonders & Historical Context
Guishan Han Tomb Scenic Area · Xuzhou Museum · Hubu Mountain Ancient Residences
Highlights

In the morning, explore Guishan Han Tomb and marvel at ancient engineering wonders; in the afternoon, visit Xuzhou Museum to trace the development of Han culture; in the evening, stroll through Hubu Mountain and experience Ming and Qing architectural charm.

Attractions
Guishan Han Tomb Scenic Area
National 4A-level scenic area, consisting of Guishan Han Tomb, Edict Museum, Han Terracotta Warriors Museum and more. The Guishan Han Tomb is the mausoleum of Liu Zhu, the Chu King of the Western Han Dynasty, with complex chamber structure and ingenious layout, representing the pinnacle of Han Dynasty tomb architecture.
Xuzhou Museum
Located at the northern foot of Yunlong Mountain, the museum has a rich collection of cultural relics, especially those unearthed from Han tombs. The gold-threaded jade garment, silver-threaded jade garment and jade coffin are national treasures, systematically showcasing the historical and cultural development of the Xuzhou region.
Hubu Mountain Ancient Residences
Located south of the ancient Xuzhou city, named for its higher elevation than the urban area. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was a gathering place for wealthy merchants. The existing ancient residential clusters are well-preserved, with architectural styles blending northern and southern features, known as the "Museum of Northern Jiangsu Residential Architecture."
Practical Info
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Characteristic guesthouses near Hubu Mountain Ancient Residences
  • Business hotels in city center
  • Lakeside hotels on Yunlong Lake
Food Recommendations
  • Xuzhou Di Guo Ji (Clay Pot Chicken)
  • Ma Street Sha Tang (Soup)
  • Lianglaifeng Hot & Spicy Soup
  • Eight-Strand Fried Dough Stick
  • Fried Cicadas
Travel Tips
  • Recommend hiring a professional guide at Guishan Han Tomb for deeper historical insight
  • Audio guides available for rent at the museum (20 yuan)
  • Hubu Mountain is beautifully lit at night, great for photography
  • Protect against sun in summer, there is limited shade in the scenic area
02
Ancient City Charm & Modern Appeal
Yellow Tower · Huilongwo Historical and Cultural District · Return
Highlights

In the morning, visit the Yellow Tower and trace Su Shi's flood control history; in the afternoon, tour Huilongwo Historical and Cultural District and experience the unique blend of ancient and modern; in the evening, end the trip and return.

Attractions
Yellow Tower
First built in the first year of the Yuanfeng reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, constructed by Su Shi during his tenure as Prefect of Xuzhou. Named for its solid earth and yellow bricks, it is one of the five famous towers of Xuzhou. The tower displays Su Shi's flood control achievements and poetry culture in Xuzhou.
Huilongwo Historical and Cultural District
Located in the southeast corner of Xuzhou's ancient city, it is a residential building complex from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Named for its low-lying terrain where rainwater flows backward. After protective restoration, the traditional architectural style has been preserved while introducing modern commercial formats, becoming a new cultural leisure landmark.
Practical Info
Transportation Guide
  • Gulou District has convenient transportation, Metro Line 1 runs north-south
  • Guishan Han Tomb accessible by buses 37 and 608
  • Taxi between attractions costs about 10-30 yuan
  • Recommend walking or cycling for downtown attractions
Ticket Info
  • Guishan Han Tomb Scenic Area: 80 yuan
  • Xuzhou Museum: Free (advance reservation required)
  • Hubu Mountain Ancient Residences: 30 yuan
  • Yellow Tower: 20 yuan
  • Huilongwo Historical and Cultural District: Free
Travel Tips
  • Museum is closed on Mondays, plan accordingly
  • Huilongwo district has many specialty gift shops for souvenirs
  • Choose time-honored restaurants for authentic Di Guo Ji
  • Recommended specialties: Xiaohai Crispy Candy, Sheep Horn Melon, Ginkgo Fruit

Must-Try Foods in Gulou District

Xuzhou Di Guo Ji (Clay Pot Chicken)

A traditional Xuzhou famous dish, using locally sourced chicken stewed with chili, Sichuan pepper and other seasonings. Dough cakes are stuck around the pot edge and dipped in the soup. The chicken is tender, the soup rich, and the flavor unique.

Ma Street Sha Tang (Soup)

A century-old time-honored Xuzhou snack, made with chicken broth as the base, adding wheat kernels, shredded chicken, seaweed and other ingredients, thickened into a soup. Rich in texture and delicious in taste, it is a favorite breakfast for Xuzhou locals.

Lianglaifeng Hot & Spicy Soup

A famous Xuzhou snack, made by simmering mutton and lamb bones in soup, adding chili, pepper and other seasonings. The taste is spicy and rich, with warming and dampness-dispelling effects, a winter warming delicacy.

Eight-Strand Fried Dough Stick

A Xuzhou specialty pastry, made from eight strands of dough twisted together, fried until golden and crispy. Can be eaten directly or dipped in soup, with a unique texture, a traditional Xuzhou breakfast item.

Gulou District Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (Mar-May): Pleasant climate, suitable for outdoor activities
  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Clear and crisp weather, comfortable touring
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Fewer tourists, avoid peak season
  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Be mindful of heat prevention
Must-Do Experiences
  • Explore the thousand-year-old tomb at Guishan Han Tomb
  • View the gold-threaded jade garment at Xuzhou Museum
  • Photograph Ming and Qing architecture at Hubu Mountain Ancient Residences
  • Taste authentic Xuzhou Di Guo Ji
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. 130-150 yuan
  • Accommodation: 200-500 yuan/night
  • Meals: 100-200 yuan/day
  • Transport: 50-150 yuan
  • Total: 400-1000 yuan
FAQ
  • How to get to Gulou District? → High-speed rail to Xuzhou East Station, transfer to Metro Line 1
  • How long does a Guishan Han Tomb tour take? → About 3 hours
  • Does the museum require reservation? → Yes, via the official WeChat account
  • What are Gulou District's specialty souvenirs? → Xiaohai Crispy Candy, Sheep Horn Melon, Xuzhou Spicy Soup Mix

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