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Things to Do in Hai'an (2026)
Begin your visit at the Hai'an Museum, located at 128 Zhongba Road, open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The museum offers a deep dive into the region's Neolithicβ¦ ποΈ Start at the Museum
Begin your visit at the Hai'an Museum, located at 128 Zhongba Road, open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The museum offers a deep dive into the region's Neolithic past, including artifacts from the Qingdun site. Admission is free, but bring your ID for registration.
πΏ Stroll Qutang Park
Qutang Park, on Qutang Road, is a peaceful escape with lotus ponds and shaded walking paths. It's especially lovely in the early morning when locals practice tai chi. The park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and entry costs 10 RMB.
π― Explore the Old Town
Hai'an's old town, centered around the East Street area, preserves Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Wander the narrow lanes to find traditional snack shops and small craft workshops. Don't miss the Han Family Mansion, a restored merchant's residence that offers a glimpse into local history.
π Taste Local Specialties
For a true taste of Hai'an, try the famous 'Hai'an rice wine' and 'fried eel noodles' at Lao Jie Restaurant on East Street. A hearty meal for two costs around 80 to 120 RMB. For a quick bite, the night market near the People's Square offers skewers and stinky tofu from 6 PM onward.
πΆ Walk the Riverfront
The Tongyang River waterfront has a newly renovated promenade, perfect for an evening stroll. You'll find locals fishing, children playing, and vendors selling roasted sweet potatoes. The path is free and accessible 24 hours, but it's best visited at sunset for the view.
π Getting Around
Hai'an is compact, and most attractions are within walking distance of the city center. For longer trips, buses cost 2 RMB per ride, and taxis start at 8 RMB. Ride-hailing apps like Didi are also widely used and affordable.
ποΈ Shop at the Market
The Central Market on Renmin Road is a bustling hub where locals buy fresh produce, seafood, and daily goods. It's a great place to pick up local snacks like 'jian dui' (sesame balls) as souvenirs. The market is open from 7 AM to 7 PM, and bargaining is expected.
π Evening Entertainment
As night falls, head to the Hai'an Grand Theater on Changjiang Road for a performance of local opera or a concert. Tickets range from 50 to 200 RMB, and shows usually start at 7:30 PM. Alternatively, join the square dancers at the People's Square for a free, lively local experience.
Appreciate the detail in this guide, the museum and old town are both worth the time. I'd add that the rice wine mentioned is often served warm at Lao Jie, which is how the locals prefer it, so don't be surprised if they bring it steaming. Also, for the night market near People's Square, the stinky tofu gets better later, around 8 PM, when the second vendor sets up, he's got a spicier sauce that's worth the wait. If you're there on a weekday, the riverfront is much quieter and you can actually hear the water, which is a nice change from the weekend crowd.
the museum tip is solid but ngl the Qingdun stuff is way more impressive than the guide makes it sound, there's this jade artifact they found there that's like 5,000 years old and the display lighting is actually decent. if ur into that, also check the small exhibition hall on the 2nd floor, most people miss it and it's got the better pottery pieces.
for the old town, skip the main East Street on weekends, it gets packed with tour groups. instead cut into the side alley next to the Han Family Mansion, there's a tiny workshop where an old guy still handmakes bamboo steamers, he'll let u watch if u buy a small one for like 15 RMB. way cooler than the souvenir shops.
one thing the guide missed: rent a shared bike for the riverfront walk, the promenade is longer than it looks and the sunset view near the second bridge is the best spot, the vendors cluster there too. also the roasted sweet potatoes are legit, get the ones from the cart with the red umbrella, they're sweeter.
honestly the museum is a good start but dont sleep on the old town at night. after the tour groups leave, around 7 or 8 pm, the lanterns come on and the place feels totally different, way more atmospheric. grab some fried eel noodles from the little stall two doors down from the Han Family Mansion, not the fancy restaurant, its like 15 RMB and the owner's been doing it for 30 years. also if u have a free morning, walk up to the small temple on the hill behind Qutang Park, its not on any map but the view over the whole town is worth the climb, and theres a monk there who'll let u ring the bell for free if u ask nicely.
Shanghai hidden gems beyond the Bund?
honestly skip the bund crowds and head to the former french concession around wukang road. grab a coffee at some random lane spot, the whole area has these old lane houses that feel way more real than the skyline. also check out the rock bund art museum near the south bund, it's in this old industrial building with killer views and barely any tourists last time i was there. if u want food, go to tianzifang but skip the main alleys and wander into the side lanes, you'll find a tiny dumpling place that's like 15 yuan for 10 pieces
if you're around on a weekend morning, hit up the antique market on dongtai road before it fully gentrifies. it's mostly gone now tbh but there's still a few stalls tucked near the intersection with liuhe road, you'll find old propaganda posters and weird mao-era knickknacks for like 20 kuai. also the shanghai natural history museum in jing'an is underrated, the building itself is this wild spiral shape and the dinosaur skeletons are legit impressive, plus it's like 30 yuan entry. for a quiet evening walk i'd do the suzhou creek path near the north bund but go west from the waibaidu bridge, past the old post office building, there's a stretch where the lights hit the water just right and nobody's around
yeah if you want something totally different check out the long museum (long museum west bund) it's this massive space with rotating contemporary art, way less crowded than the power station of art. also walk the suzhou creek trail near the north bund, it's kinda rough around the edges but you get these weird views of old factories mixed with new towers