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3 Days in Huai'an: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall (No. 1 Yan'an East Road, open 8:30-17:00, free entry). Spend about 2 hours exploring the exhibits and the adjaβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Zhou Enlai & City Center
Start your morning at the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall (No. 1 Yan'an East Road, open 8:30-17:00, free entry). Spend about 2 hours exploring the exhibits and the adjacent former residence. Then walk 10 minutes to Huai'an Fudi Snack Street for lunch, where local favorites like soft-shell turtle soup cost around 30-50 yuan.
ποΈ Afternoon: Museums & Parks
After lunch, head to the Huai'an Museum (No. 88 Huaihai South Road, open 9:00-17:00, free) to learn about the city's canal history. It's a 15-minute taxi ride (about 15 yuan). Later, stroll through Qingyan Park (Qingyan Road, free entry) for a relaxing walk among ancient trees and pavilions.
π Evening: Canal Nightlife
As dusk falls, walk along the Li Canal waterfront near the Wenfeng Tower. The area is lit up beautifully, and you can take a 30-minute canal boat ride (50 yuan per person, departures until 20:30). For dinner, try the local braised fish at Lao Huai'an Restaurant (No. 88 Huaihai Middle Road, average 80 yuan per person).
π Day 2: Hongze Lake & Wetlands
Take bus route 1 from the city center to Hongze Lake Scenic Area (about 1 hour, 5 yuan). Arrive by 9:00 to explore the lakefront boardwalk and the Grand Canal Cultural Park. Entry to the main area is 60 yuan. Rent a bike (20 yuan per hour) to cycle along the dike for panoramic views.
π¦ Lunch: Lakeside Seafood
For lunch, stop at a lakeside restaurant like Hongze Lake Fish Village (near the east gate). A meal of steamed white fish and local river shrimp costs around 60-80 yuan per person. Try the special Hongze Lake salted duck, a regional specialty.
πΏ Afternoon: Wetland Park
In the afternoon, visit the Hongze Lake Wetland Park (entry 40 yuan, open 8:30-17:30), a 15-minute taxi from the lake (about 20 yuan). Walk the elevated boardwalks through reeds and watch for migratory birds. Allow 2-3 hours to fully enjoy the trails and observation towers.
π Evening: Local Opera
Return to the city by bus (last bus around 18:00) or taxi (about 60 yuan). In the evening, catch a Huai Opera performance at the Huai'an Grand Theatre (No. 128 Huaihai South Road, tickets from 80 yuan, shows usually at 19:30). Book in advance online or at the box office.
π― Day 3: Ancient Towns & Temples
Take a 40-minute bus (route 8, 4 yuan) to Hexi Ancient Town, a well-preserved canal settlement. Wander the stone streets and visit the Hexi Temple (free entry). For a snack, try the local sesame cakes sold at street stalls for 5 yuan each.
πΆ Afternoon: Canal Cruise
After lunch at a local noodle shop (about 20 yuan), take a 30-minute taxi (about 30 yuan) to the Qingjiangpu Ancient Canal area. Board a traditional wooden boat for a 1-hour cruise (80 yuan per person, departs hourly until 16:00). The route passes old warehouses and arched bridges.
π Final Dinner: Food Street
End your trip at Huai'an's Night Food Street on Huaihai Road, open from 17:00 to midnight. Sample street foods like grilled river eel (15 yuan per skewer) and sweet osmanthus lotus root (10 yuan). It's a bustling area with plenty of seating and a lively atmosphere.
oh this is a really thorough guide, props for putting it together. i've been to huai'an a few times for work and i'd say the day 1 canal boat ride is worth it but try to catch it right at sunset, the light hits the wenfeng tower in a specific way that makes for great photos. also a small tip for day 2 - if you're at hongze lake and the bike rental is sold out, just walk north along the dike for about 20 minutes, there's a smaller pier where local fishermen sell fresh-caught shrimp straight off the boat for like 10 yuan a bag. way fresher than the restaurants.
one thing the guide misses is day 3 evening - instead of the night food street on huaihai road, i'd recommend the little alley behind the old confucius temple on ximen street. it's smaller but the grilled river eel there is charcoal-grilled not electric, and they have this fermented tofu that's an acquired taste but locals swear by it. also the huai opera at the grand theatre is cool but if you're on a budget, check if the small theater at the cultural center on jiefang road has shows - tickets are like 30 yuan and it's way more intimate. enjoyed reading this, solid planning.
this is a really solid plan, i've been living near huai'an for about five years now and you've got the essentials down. one thing i'd tweak is day 2 - instead of the wetland park in the afternoon, consider the hongze lake fish market near the east gate around 2pm. it's not on most guides but you'll see locals buying live fish from tanks and there's a tiny stall serving fish head soup for like 15 yuan a bowl, super fresh and way more authentic than the restaurant stuff.
for day 3, the qingjiangpu canal cruise is nice but the boats leave every hour on the dot and they wont wait if you're late, i learned that the hard way. also the night food street on huaihai road is fine but the grilled eel there is a bit overpriced imo - the same skewer is 10 yuan at the little stalls near the old north gate market, just a 10 minute walk from there. overall you'll have a great trip, the canal stuff is the real highlight.
been to huai'an a bunch for work and this guide is really well thought out. one thing i'd flag is day 1 lunch at huai'an fudi snack street - the soft-shell turtle soup is the famous dish but the stall second from the corner on the left does a better version with more ginger, locals know to ask for it "with extra pepper" which cuts the richness. also day 2's wetland park is nice but if you're there in spring 2026 check if the lotus pond section is open yet, sometimes they close it for dredging and you'll waste the taxi ride.
for day 3 the hexi ancient town tip about it being quiet after 3pm is spot on, i'd say go straight to the canal alleys first and save the temple for last since it closes at 4:30 anyway. the sesame cakes on dongmen street are better but the ones at the crossroads near the old post office have a sweeter filling if that's your thing. overall you've got a great balance of tourist spots and local flavor, the canal boat at sunset is definitely the highlight.
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