Yanzhou District Travel

Yanzhou District, Jining, Shandong — one of the ancient Nine Provinces, known as the "Thoroughfare of Nine Provinces, Throat of Qilu," integrating historical and modern landscapes such as Xinglong Cultural Park, Yanzhou Museum, and Jinkou Dam. A 3-day in-depth tour decodes the millennium-old cultural lineage of ancient Yanzhou and experiences the charm of historical heritage blended with modern development.

2700+
Years of Urban History
2
4A-Level Scenic Areas
10+
Core Attractions
15+
Specialty Foods
Xinglong Cultural Park, Yanzhou District, Jining City
Xinglong Cultural Park - Buddhist Culture Holy Land
A large cultural tourism park centered on Buddhist culture, featuring the tallest indoor Sakyamuni Buddha statue in China, integrating modern technology with traditional Buddhist culture, hailed as the "Buddhist Culture Landmark of Southwest Shandong."

Yanzhou District Three-Day Ancient Nine Provinces Culture Tour

Visit Xinglong Buddhist chant to comprehend Zen, explore the museum to trace the Nine Provinces, stroll along the Sihe River to enjoy willow scenery, taste sesame cakes to feel local flavor, and unlock the beauty of ancient Yanzhou's history and nature

Duration
3 Days / 2 Nights
Main Destinations
Xinglong Cultural Park, Yanzhou Museum, Jinkou Dam, Shaoling Park, Sihe River Landscape Belt
Suitable For
History enthusiasts, religious culture researchers, families with children, food explorers
Budget per Person
¥600-¥1,200
01
Buddhist Chant Tracing
Xinglong Cultural Park · Yanzhou Museum · Zhongyu Bridge
Highlights

In the morning, visit Xinglong Cultural Park to experience Buddhist culture, admire the giant Buddha statue and dynamic murals. In the afternoon, tour Yanzhou Museum to learn about the history of the ancient Nine Provinces. In the evening, stroll along Zhongyu Bridge to feel the charm of the ancient city.

Attractions
Xinglong Cultural Park
National 4A-level scenic area, divided into East and West Zones. The East Zone focuses on Buddhist cultural experiences, featuring the 118-meter-high He Shi Pagoda and an indoor gold-plated giant Buddha. The West Zone is a cultural leisure area blending traditional gardens with modern recreational facilities.
Yanzhou Museum
National second-class museum, housing over 5,000 artifacts. Treasures include the "Number One Sword Under Heaven" (Sui dynasty iron sword) and the Northern Dynasties blue-glazed lotus-zun, systematically showcasing Yanzhou's historical development from prehistoric times to the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Zhongyu Bridge
A landmark building of Yanzhou's ancient city, first built in the Tang dynasty. The existing structure is a modern reconstruction spanning the Fu River. The bridge features exquisite carvings, surrounded by several Ming and Qing style buildings — a great place to experience the ancient city's ambiance.
Practical Info
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Hotels near Xinglong Cultural Park
  • Business hotels in city center
  • Ancient city themed homestays
Food Recommendations
  • Yanzhou Big Sesame Cake
  • Hot and Sour Soup
  • Braised Pork Rice (Bengrou Ganfan)
  • Fried Rice Candy
Travel Tips
  • Hiring a guide at Xinglong Cultural Park is recommended (¥50/tour)
  • Free scheduled guided tours available at the museum (10:00/14:00)
  • Night lights at Zhongyu Bridge turn on at 19:00
02
Ancient Dam Tracing
Shaoling Park · Jinkou Dam · Gulou Old Street
Highlights

In the morning, stroll through Shaoling Park to enjoy garden scenery and explore Du Fu's relics. In the afternoon, visit Jinkou Dam to experience the wisdom of a millennium-old hydraulic project. In the evening, browse Gulou Old Street to experience local life and traditional handicrafts.

Attractions
Shaoling Park
Yanzhou's oldest park, named after Du Fu's poem line "Du Ling's poems are my teacher." Features include Shaoling Terrace, a stele forest, and rockeries. Dense vegetation makes it a popular leisure spot for locals.
Jinkou Dam
An ancient hydraulic project first built in the Han dynasty, spanning the Sihe River. Combining flood control, irrigation, and navigation functions, the dam is constructed of massive stone blocks with exquisite structure. Designated a national key cultural heritage protection unit in 2013.
Gulou Old Street
Yanzhou's traditional commercial district, preserving a large number of Ming, Qing, and Republic-era buildings. Gathers time-honored shops, traditional handicraft stores, and specialty food stalls, with the drum tower ruins as the area's landmark.
Practical Info
Transportation Guide
  • Shaoling Park is directly accessible by bus Routes 1 and 3
  • Jinkou Dam is about 3 km from the city center, 10 minutes by taxi
  • Gulou Old Street is in the city center, reachable on foot or by bike
Ticket Info
  • Xinglong Cultural Park: East Zone ¥60, West Zone ¥30
  • Yanzhou Museum: Free (reservation required)
  • Shaoling Park: Free
  • Jinkou Dam: Free
Travel Tips
  • Best photo time at Jinkou Dam is around sunrise
  • Traditional sesame cakes at "Sesame Cake Zhang" on Gulou Old Street require queuing
  • Shaoling Terrace in Shaoling Park offers a good vantage point overlooking the city
03
River Views
Sihe River Landscape Belt · Ziyang Mountain · Departure
Highlights

In the morning, stroll along the Sihe River Landscape Belt to enjoy the beautiful river scenery. In the afternoon, climb Ziyang Mountain for a panoramic view of Yanzhou and learn about farming culture. In the evening, purchase specialties and depart.

Attractions
Sihe River Landscape Belt
An ecological cultural landscape belt built along the Sihe River, featuring waterfront platforms, a wetland park, and cultural sculpture groups, showcasing the integration of "ancient Sihe River culture" with modern ecological concepts — an ideal place for leisure and fitness.
Ziyang Mountain
A historically famous mountain in Yanzhou, renowned for the legend that "Yu the Great climbed this mountain during flood control." Features include the Yu Wang Temple ruins and a Farming Culture Exhibition Hall. The summit offers panoramic views of Yanzhou city and the Sihe River scenery.
Yanzhou Specialty City
A shopping mall showcasing and selling Yanzhou's specialty products, including Yanzhou Big Sesame Cake, Ziyang Smoked Fish, and Lu embroidery products — a one-stop shop for local specialties.
Practical Info
Experience Programs
  • Sihe River boat ride (¥30/person)
  • Ziyang Mountain farming culture experience (soy milk grinding, cloth weaving)
  • Yanzhou Big Sesame Cake making observation
  • Traditional dough figurine DIY
Souvenir Recommendations
  • Yanzhou Big Sesame Cake Gift Box
  • Ziyang Smoked Fish
  • Lu Embroidery Crafts
  • Caohe Garlic Products
Return Trip Guide
  • Yanzhou Station has trains to Beijing, Shanghai, Jinan and other cities
  • About 40 km from Jining Qufu Airport, 50 minutes by taxi
  • Specialty City supports home delivery service

Must-Try Foods in Yanzhou District

Yanzhou Big Sesame Cake

Yanzhou's traditional famous food, round and large in shape with a crispy outer crust and soft inner layers. Salty and fragrant, the middle is as thin as paper and translucent. Originating in the Ming dynasty, it is praised as the "Number One Flatbread of Qilu."

Hot and Sour Soup

A Yanzhou specialty breakfast made with beef or mutton broth as the base, cooked with pepper, chili, vermicelli, tofu and other ingredients. Spicy and savory, it warms the stomach and drives away cold — the breakfast choice of locals for centuries.

Braised Pork Rice (Bengrou Ganfan)

A Jining area specialty, with a uniquely Yanzhou flavor. Large chunks of pork belly are slowly braised in a clay pot until tender, served with rice, braised tofu, and greens. Rich but not greasy, with intense aroma.

Fried Rice Candy

A Yanzhou traditional sweet treat made from glutinous rice, sesame, and sugar. Crispy and sweet, it melts in the mouth — a traditional holiday snack and an excellent gift.

Yanzhou District Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (Apr-May): Willow trees shade the Sihe River banks, pleasant scenery
  • Autumn (Sep-Oct): Cool weather, perfect for mountain climbing and outdoor activities
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Experience Yanzhou Spring Festival traditional folk activities
Must-Try Foods
  • Yanzhou Big Sesame Cake
  • Hot and Sour Soup
  • Braised Pork Rice
  • Ziyang Smoked Fish
  • Fried Rice Candy
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx ¥100
  • Accommodation: ¥150-300/night
  • Meals: ¥60-120/day
  • Transport: approx ¥30
  • Total: ¥600-1,200
FAQ
  • Does Xinglong Cultural Park require reservations? → No reservation needed, tickets can be purchased on-site
  • Which Yanzhou Big Sesame Cake shop is most authentic? → "Time-honored Sesame Cake Shop" on Gulou Old Street
  • Is the Sihe River Landscape Belt suitable for cycling? → Yes, dedicated bike lanes are available
  • Are guided tours available at the museum? → Free scheduled tours; private guide ¥50/tour

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