Gaotang County Travel

Gaotang County, Liaocheng, Shandong — the hometown of Chinese calligraphy and painting art, boasting Yuqiu Lake's ecological scenery and preserving historical sites such as Chai Mansion and Xingguo Temple, blending calligraphy and painting culture with water town charm. A 2-day in-depth tour decodes the heritage of the ancient city and experiences the unique charm of humanity and nature intertwined.

2500+

Years of Urban History

Provincial-Level Heritage Sites

10+

Core Attractions

15+

Specialty Foods

Yuqiu Lake, Gaotang County, Liaocheng City

Yuqiu Lake - Pearl of Gaotang

Gaotang County's landmark landscape, composed of East and West Lakes. Numerous historical sites surround the lake with beautiful scenery — a great place for leisure and recreation, known as the "Pearl of the Northern Water City."

Gaotang County Two-Day Calligraphy & Painting Water Town Journey

Visit Chai Mansion to trace history, tour Yuqiu Lake to enjoy water scenery, explore the Calligraphy & Painting Museum to appreciate art, taste old tofu and other specialty flavors, and experience the cultural heritage of the hometown of calligraphy and painting

                    
Duration
2 Days / 1 Night

                    
Main Destinations
Chai Mansion, Yuqiu Lake, China Calligraphy & Painting Museum, Xingguo Temple, Qingping Ancient Town

                    
Suitable For
Culture enthusiasts, families with children, calligraphy and painting lovers, leisure vacationers

                    
Budget per Person
¥500-¥1000

Ancient City Tracing

Chai Mansion Scenic Area · Yuqiu Lake Scenic Area · Beihu Park · Night Market Street

Highlights

In the morning, explore Chai Mansion to experience the grandeur of an ancient official residence, stroll along Yuqiu Lake to enjoy lake scenery. In the afternoon, visit Beihu Park for leisure time. In the evening, head to Night Market Street to taste Gaotang specialty snacks.

Attractions

Chai Mansion Scenic Area

Provincial cultural heritage protection unit, the private residence of Chai Huangcheng, the fifth-generation descendant of Chai Rong, Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou dynasty. The architectural style is simple and elegant, showcasing the characteristics of Ming and Qing official residences. Inside, there is a Chai family culture exhibition hall.

Yuqiu Lake Scenic Area

National AAA-level scenic area, consisting of East Lake, West Lake and North Lake, covering a total area of about 1,060 mu. There are islands in the lake and pavilions on the islands. Historical sites such as Chai Mansion and Xingguo Temple surround the lake — a water-view park integrating sightseeing, leisure, and entertainment.

Beihu Park

An important part of the Yuqiu Lake scenic area, themed around leisure and fitness. Features a lakeside trail, waterfront platform, and landscape installations — a great place for morning exercise and evening walks, with brilliant night lighting.

Practical Info

Accommodation Recommendations

Hotels near Yuqiu Lake
Business hotels in county center
Characteristic homestays

Food Recommendations

Gaotang Old Tofu
Luohan Cake
Devil Meat (Five-Spice Donkey Meat)
Guada (Pan-fried Pastry)

Travel Tips

Guide service available at Chai Mansion (¥50/tour)
Evening walks at Yuqiu Lake are comfortable, enjoy the sunset
Night Market Street opens after 18:00; suggest going early to avoid crowds

Calligraphy & Painting Appreciation

China Calligraphy & Painting Museum · Xingguo Temple · Sun Dashi Art Gallery · Qingping Ancient Town · Departure

Highlights

In the morning, visit China Calligraphy & Painting Museum to appreciate the charm of calligraphy and painting art, explore Xingguo Temple to experience Buddhist culture. In the afternoon, visit Sun Dashi Art Gallery to admire masterpieces, head to Qingping Ancient Town to experience folk customs. Purchase specialties in the evening before departure.

Attractions

China Calligraphy & Painting Museum

A relatively large-scale professional calligraphy and painting museum at the county level in China, housing thousands of works from various dynasties. It systematically showcases the development history of Gaotang as the "Hometown of Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Art" and regularly hosts calligraphy and painting exchange events.

Xingguo Temple

First built in the Sui dynasty with a long history. The temple features the Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall and other buildings, with flourishing incense. Ancient cypresses tower inside, creating a serene environment — an important religious and cultural site in Gaotang.

Qingping Ancient Town

A famous historical and cultural town, preserving a large number of Ming and Qing ancient buildings, with relics such as the "Eight Great Scenes of Qingping." The ancient town has rich folk culture and abundant specialty handicrafts — an ideal place to experience rural charm.

Practical Info

Transportation Guide

Attractions within the county town can be reached by bus or taxi (starting fare ¥6)
Qingping Ancient Town is about 20 km from the county town; township bus or self-driving recommended
China Calligraphy & Painting Museum is about a 15-minute walk from Yuqiu Lake

Ticket Info

Chai Mansion Scenic Area: ¥30
China Calligraphy & Painting Museum: Free
Xingguo Temple: ¥10
Sun Dashi Art Gallery: Free

Travel Tips

Calligraphy and painting experience activities available at China Calligraphy & Painting Museum (advance reservation required)
Qingping Ancient Town is great for vintage-style photos; wear comfortable shoes
Visit Gaotang specialty shops before departure to purchase local products

Must-Try Foods in Gaotang County

Gaotang Old Tofu

A Gaotang traditional delicacy. Made from soybeans into tofu pudding, served with special marinade, sesame paste, chili oil and other seasonings. Smooth texture, delicious taste — a beloved local breakfast.

Luohan Cake

Gaotang traditional pastry, named for its shape resembling a Luohan's belly. Made from flour, oil, and sugar, with distinct layers, crispy and sweet. With a history of hundreds of years, it is a must-have festive food in the region.

Devil Meat (Five-Spice Donkey Meat)

A Gaotang specialty meat dish, actually five-spice donkey meat. Sold to regions beyond Shanhaiguan in the past, locals called it "Devil Meat." Tender texture, rich fragrance, nutritious — a famous Gaotang specialty.

Guada (Pan-fried Pastry)

Liaocheng area specialty snack, with a unique Gaotang flavor. Made from flour as wrapper, stuffed with meat or egg filling, pan-fried until done. Crispy on the outside, fresh and savory on the inside — can be served as a main dish or snack.

Gaotang County Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit

Spring (Apr-May): Yuqiu Lake scenery is pleasant, perfect for spring outings
Autumn (Sep-Oct): Cool weather, suitable for visiting ancient towns
Winter (Dec-Jan): Experience Gaotang Spring Festival folk activities

Must-Try Foods

Gaotang Old Tofu
Luohan Cake
Devil Meat (Donkey Meat)
Guada (Pan-fried Pastry)
Gaotang Small Jujubes

Budget Reference

Tickets: approx ¥50
Accommodation: ¥150-300/night
Meals: ¥60-120/day
Transport: approx ¥30
Total: ¥500-1000

FAQ

Which Gaotang Old Tofu shop is most authentic? → "Old Wang Tofu Pudding" near the old bus station
Does China Calligraphy & Painting Museum require reservation? → No reservation needed; enter with ID card
How much time to spend at Qingping Ancient Town? → Recommended 2-3 hours
Where can I buy Gaotang calligraphy and painting works? → Multiple galleries on Calligraphy & Painting Street

Explore Districts & Counties of Liaocheng