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Best Food in Licheng (2026)
Licheng is famous for its hand-pulled noodles, especially the beef noodle soup at Lao Wang Noodle House, located at 12 Zhongshan Road. A bowl costs around 18 RMB and is served… 🍜 Signature Dishes
Licheng is famous for its hand-pulled noodles, especially the beef noodle soup at Lao Wang Noodle House, located at 12 Zhongshan Road. A bowl costs around 18 RMB and is served with tender beef and a rich, spicy broth. For a lighter option, try the cold sesame noodles at Chen's Snack Bar on Wenhua Street, priced at 10 RMB.
🥟 Street Food Stalls
The night market on Dongmen Street is a must-visit for street food lovers. Try the pan-fried dumplings at Stall 23, which are crispy on the bottom and juicy inside, at 8 RMB for six. Also, don't miss the grilled skewers at Stall 45, where you can pick from lamb, chicken, and vegetables, each skewer costing 5 RMB.
🏮 Local Neighborhoods
For a more authentic experience, head to the old town area around Guangming Lane. Here, you'll find family-run eateries like Auntie Liu's Kitchen, serving home-style dishes such as braised pork and stir-fried greens for about 25 RMB per person. The nearby Ximen neighborhood is known for its tofu pudding shops, with the best at Old Zhang's Tofu, open from 7 AM to 2 PM.
💰 Budget Dining
Eating well in Licheng doesn't have to be expensive. A filling meal at a local noodle shop costs between 15 and 25 RMB, while a set meal at a fast-food chain like Kung Fu Rice is around 20 RMB. For a cheap snack, grab a jianbing (savory crepe) from a street cart for just 6 RMB, perfect for a quick breakfast.
🍽️ Mid-Range Restaurants
If you're willing to spend a bit more, try the Sichuan-style hotpot at Red Lantern Restaurant, located at 88 Renmin Avenue. A meal for two with assorted meats and vegetables costs about 150 RMB. Another great option is the Cantonese dim sum at Golden Dragon, on the second floor of the Grand Plaza, where a full spread for two is around 120 RMB.
🍰 Desserts and Sweets
For dessert, visit Sweet Memories Bakery on Jiefang Road, known for its egg tarts and red bean cakes, each priced at 6 RMB. The shop opens at 8 AM and often sells out by noon, so go early. Alternatively, try the traditional sugar paintings at the weekend fair in Central Park, where artists create edible art for 10 RMB per piece.
🍵 Tea and Drinks
To experience local beverages, stop by the Tea House on Riverside Walk, which serves a variety of green and oolong teas starting at 15 RMB per pot. For something refreshing, try the plum juice at the juice bar in the East Market, priced at 8 RMB a glass. These spots are perfect for a mid-day break from sightseeing.
🌙 Evening Food Spots
As the sun sets, the food scene shifts to barbecue and beer. Head to the riverside BBQ area near the South Bridge, where vendors grill everything from squid to corn, with skewers starting at 3 RMB. For a sit-down dinner, the rooftop restaurant at the City Hotel offers a buffet with local and international dishes for 88 RMB per person, open until 10 PM.
you can skip the hotpot at red lantern honestly, the broth's decent but the meat portions shrank last year. instead walk two blocks east to the small place on Wenhua Street, it's called Spicy Sister's, no sign in english, just a red lantern out front. the mala broth is way more numbing and they give u free pickled radish while u wait, a full spread for two runs about 130 rmb and they don't water down the chili oil.
for the tea house on riverside walk, it's fine if u want the view but the plum juice at east market is the better deal, that 8 rmb glass is freshly pressed and they'll add extra ice if u ask. also the rooftop buffet at city hotel is a trap, go to the basement instead, they've got a hotpot corner that's not advertised, 68 rmb per person and the lamb is actually fresh, not the frozen stuff upstairs.
i gotta second the old town area around guangming lane, auntie liu's is solid but the real move is the braised pork with the preserved veg on rice, it's like 22 rmb and she'll give u extra broth if u ask nice. also if ur there in the morning, old zhang's tofu is the spot but get there before 10am, the sweet version with ginger syrup sells out fast and the salty one's fine but not the same. one thing the guide missed: the sugar paintings at central park weekend fair are cool but the guy who does it charges 15 rmb for the complex dragons, stick to the simple butterflies for 10 rmb, same taste lol. also for a cheap sit-down, the second floor food court at the east market has a wonton soup place that's been there 20 years, 12 rmb a bowl and they hand-wrap everything in front of u, way better than the chains
honestly the guide nailed it with Lao Wang, but if you're there around lunch get the dry mixed noodles instead of the soup. same beef, but the chili oil and vinegar they toss it with hits different. also for the night market, stall 23 is great but the lamb skewers at stall 45 sell out by 9pm, so go early or you'll be stuck with chicken.
one thing they missed: the jianbing carts near the east gate of Central Park are way better than the ones on Dongmen. the lady there adds a cracker inside that keeps it crunchy till the last bite, and it's still 6 RMB. also, if you're into tea, skip the Riverside Walk spot and walk two blocks north to the tiny shop on Qinghe Lane, it's run by an old guy who roasts his own oolong, 10 RMB a pot and he'll talk your ear off about it.
3 Days in Licheng: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip in the Old Town, where narrow lanes and Ming-era architecture set the tone. Morning hours are best for photos before tour groups arrive. Plan to spend the entir… 🗺️ Day One Overview
Start your trip in the Old Town, where narrow lanes and Ming-era architecture set the tone. Morning hours are best for photos before tour groups arrive. Plan to spend the entire first day here, as the area is compact and walkable.
🏛️ Morning: Ancient Walls
Begin at the South Gate, the main entrance to the old city, open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Climb the restored wall for a panoramic view of the tiled rooftops. The ticket costs 60 RMB and includes access to the small museum inside the gate.
🍜 Lunch: Local Noodles
For a quick and authentic meal, head to Laochen Noodle House on East Street, just a five-minute walk from the South Gate. Their hand-pulled beef noodles cost 18 RMB and are a local favorite. Arrive before noon to avoid the lunch rush.
🏯 Afternoon: Temple Circuit
After lunch, visit the Confucian Temple on Central Avenue, a serene complex with ancient cypress trees. From there, walk ten minutes to the City God Temple, which offers a glimpse into folk beliefs. Both temples close at 5:00 PM, so start by 2:00 PM to explore at a relaxed pace.
🌆 Evening: Riverside Stroll
As the sun sets, walk to the Licheng River embankment, about fifteen minutes from the temple area. The promenade is lined with lanterns and small teahouses, perfect for a leisurely evening. Grab a seat at the Teahouse of the Moon for a pot of local jasmine tea, priced at 25 RMB per person.
🚌 Day Two Transport
On day two, take bus 101 from the Old Town bus stop to the Licheng Museum, a twenty-minute ride that costs 2 RMB. The museum is the gateway to the modern district, where you will spend the morning. Buses run every ten minutes from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM.
🏞️ Morning: Museum and Park
The Licheng Museum, open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, showcases local history with free admission. After an hour inside, walk across the street to Central Park, a green space with a large lake and walking trails. Rent a paddleboat for 30 RMB per half hour to enjoy the water.
🛍️ Afternoon: Shopping Street
Take bus 105 from Central Park to Pedestrian Street, a ten-minute ride, and spend the afternoon browsing local crafts and souvenirs. The street is packed with shops selling embroidered textiles and handmade pottery. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the asking price.
🍢 Evening: Night Market
End day two at the Night Market, located at the north end of Pedestrian Street, open from 6:00 PM to midnight. Sample grilled skewers, stinky tofu, and sweet rice cakes, with most items costing between 5 and 15 RMB. The market gets crowded by 8:00 PM, so go early for a more relaxed experience.
🚗 Day Three Day Trip
On your final day, take a taxi or local minibus to the Licheng Waterfall, about forty minutes from the city center. The minibus departs from the East Bus Station every hour from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM and costs 15 RMB one way. The waterfall is at its most powerful in the morning, so aim to arrive by 9:00 AM.
🥾 Morning: Waterfall Hike
The waterfall area features a well-marked trail that loops around the falls, taking about two hours to complete. The entrance fee is 50 RMB, and the path includes several viewpoints and a small bridge. Wear sturdy shoes, as some sections are steep and can be slippery.
🍱 Lunch: Picnic Spot
Pack a picnic lunch from the bakery near your hotel, or buy snacks at the small kiosk near the waterfall entrance. There are shaded benches along the trail, perfect for a break. Remember to carry out all trash, as the park has limited waste bins.
🚌 Afternoon: Return Trip
Catch the minibus back to the city from the same drop-off point, with the last departure at 5:00 PM. If you have time, stop at the Licheng Tea Plantation, which is on the route and offers free tastings. The plantation is open until 6:00 PM, and you can buy fresh leaves to take home.
🌃 Final Evening: Farewell Dinner
For your last night, book a table at the Old Town Restaurant on West Street, known for its braised pork and steamed fish. A meal for two with drinks costs around 150 RMB, and reservations are recommended on weekends. The restaurant is open from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and the second-floor balcony offers a lovely view of the lantern-lit street.
honestly the itinerary is solid but you're missing my favorite spot in licheng, the old drum tower at the north end of the old town. it's not on most maps but if you walk past the city god temple and follow the smell of incense for another five minutes you'll hit it. the tower itself is closed to climbing but the courtyard below has this old guy who sells the best sesame cakes in the province, 3 rmb each, and he's been there since the 80s. go in the late afternoon when he's just pulled a fresh batch, they're still warm.
also for the waterfall, the trail map makes it look like a loop but the east side is way steeper and honestly not worth it unless you're a hiker. the west side gets you all the good viewpoints and you can double back in half the time, which gives you more room for the tea plantation. and if you do stop there, skip the tasting room and ask for the oolong instead of the jasmine, the oolong is what the locals actually drink.
solid itinerary tbh, i did almost this exact route last fall and it holds up. one thing i'd add: skip the confucian temple if you're short on time and hit the city god temple first, the folk shrine has way more character and the old ladies there will sometimes tell you stories if you linger. also, the teahouse of the moon is good but the jasmine tea is sweeter than you'd expect, ask for the "dry" version if you want it less syrupy.
for the night market, don't sleep on the grilled lotus root skewers, they're the hidden gem over the stinky tofu. and if you're there on a friday or saturday, the market spills out onto the side streets with extra stalls, so go hungry. the waterfall hike is no joke, i saw someone in flip flops struggling hard, so yeah, real shoes are a must. also, the minibus back can fill up fast after 4pm, i'd grab the 3:30 one and do the tea plantation after, it's a better use of time anyway.
good plan, covers the essentials without overpacking. one thing i'd swap: day two morning at the museum is fine but the real gem is the old paper mill two blocks behind central park. it's not on any official map, just a crumbling brick building with a courtyard, but the guy there still makes xuan paper by hand and will let you try a sheet for free if you're curious. takes about twenty minutes and beats an hour of museum glass cases.
for the pedestrian street, skip the embroidered stuff near the main entrance, that's all tourist grade. walk to the far south end where the street narrows and the shops get older, there's a secondhand book stall with old local maps and postcards from the 80s. the owner speaks a little english and loves showing off the ones of the old town before it was restored.
also, the night market is good but if you're there on a tuesday or thursday, the small temple fair on lotus lane, just off the east side of pedestrian street, has better food and half the crowd. the fried tofu there is way crispier than the stalls on the main strip. just saying.