the guide's spot on about Laojia Hakka Restaurant but i'd also recommend trying their braised pork belly with preserved vegetables, it's like 48 RMB and melts in your mouth. if you're around Hezhou Museum in the afternoon, there's an old lady selling sesame balls from a basket near the entrance, they're 2 RMB each and still warm.

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honestly this is a solid guide, the rice noodles at Chen's are legit but i'd say get there by 8am if you want the beef option, they run out fast. one thing i'd add is the fried taro cakes from a little cart near the Babu Square bus stop, they're like 5 RMB and way better than the ones inside the market. also for the night market, the grilled fish stall two spots down from the duck neck place has a spicy garlic version that's 20 RMB and pairs perfectly with a cold beer.

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ngl the guide's pretty thorough but one thing that always gets me is the grilled river fish from a stall near the night market entrance on Lingfeng, it's not listed but it's right across from the duck neck place. they marinate it with lemongrass and local herbs, costs 18 RMB and they wrap it in banana leaf. also if you're at Babu Square in the morning, there's a guy selling sticky rice rolls with pickled radish from a cart on the east side, 3 RMB each and he's usually there till 10am.

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This is a really solid guide, I appreciate the detail on the East Gate lanes. I spent a morning wandering those alleys and found an old man repairing bamboo furniture by hand, he was happy to show me his tools. One thing I would add is that the Fuli village bus can be crowded, so if you are going on a weekend, catch the 7:30 a.m. bus to avoid standing the whole way. Also, the dried persimmons at the farmers market are a good buy, but the ones near the back of the hall are usually a bit cheaper than the front stalls.

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That's a great guide, especially the Shibi Mountain Trail tip. I went there last month and found the tea stall the other person mentioned, but I would add that the trail itself is steeper than it looks from the bottom, so wear proper shoes. I made the mistake of going in sandals and had to take it very slow on the rocky sections near the top. The view from the pavilion made it worth the effort though, you can see all the way to the Guishan Observation Deck across the river.

For the Riverside Promenade, the sticky rice cake stall is good, but there is a man who sets up a cart near the museum entrance around 8pm selling fried tofu puffs stuffed with pickled vegetables. They are 4 yuan for three and he serves them with a chili vinegar dip that cuts through the oil nicely. He is usually there until about 9:30, but the tofu sells out fast on weekends.

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yeah the old street thing is real, i found a little shop on a side lane near the east gate that does handmade bamboo fans for like 15 yuan. the guy's been doing it for 40 years and will let you watch him carve the frame if you ask, he doesnt speak much but just nods and keeps working

for the riverside promenade, the sugarcane juice cart is good but theres a lady who sets up near the steps around 7pm with a little grill selling sticky rice cakes stuffed with red bean paste, 3 yuan each. shes only there like two hours and its cash only so keep some small bills

one spot i dont see mentioned is the old bridge on the west side of town, about a 10 minute walk from the museum. its a single stone arch from the Ming dynasty, no signs or anything, just locals fishing off it at sunset. quietest place in Hezhou imo

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