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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 entirβ¦ πΊοΈ 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.
ποΈ 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.
π 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.
π― 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.
π 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.
π 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.
ποΈ 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.
ποΈ 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.
π’ 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.
π 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.
π₯Ύ 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.
π± 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.
π 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.
π 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.
Things to Do in Licheng (2026)
Start at the Licheng Ancient City Wall, a Ming-dynasty fortification that still wraps around the old town. Walk the southern section between the South Gate and East Gate for the bβ¦ π― Historic Core
Start at the Licheng Ancient City Wall, a Ming-dynasty fortification that still wraps around the old town. Walk the southern section between the South Gate and East Gate for the best-preserved battlements, then descend into the narrow lanes of the old quarter. Entry to the wall is free, but the adjacent City God Temple charges 20 RMB and is worth it for its ornate carvings.
π Local Food Streets
Head to Dongmen Food Street in the evening, where vendors serve Licheng's famous sesame pancakes and spicy beef soup. Try the 'old vinegar noodles' at the 50-year-old Wang Family Noodle Shop, a bowl costs 12 RMB and fills you up fast. For a sit-down meal, book a table at the courtyard-style restaurant 'Old Licheng Flavor' on Zheng Street, known for its braised pork with preserved vegetables.
ποΈ Scenic Spots
Take a 20-minute bus ride (line 5) from the city center to the Longtan Gorge, a limestone canyon with turquoise pools and a 30-meter waterfall. The entrance fee is 60 RMB, and the 3-hour hiking loop is moderately challenging, so wear sturdy shoes. For a quieter option, stroll through the Licheng Botanical Garden, which is free and features a large lotus pond that blooms in July.
π Cultural Experiences
Catch a traditional shadow puppet show at the Licheng Folk Art Theater, which performs every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM. Tickets are 50 RMB and can be booked at the theater's box office or through the official WeChat account. Before the show, join the free calligraphy workshop in the theater's lobby, offered from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
ποΈ Shopping Streets
Browse the antique stalls on West Market Street, where you can find old coins, porcelain, and wooden carvings; bargaining is expected, so start at half the asking price. For modern souvenirs, visit the Licheng Handicraft Center on Renmin Road, which sells locally made paper-cut art and embroidered silk fans. The center is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and most items cost between 30 and 150 RMB.
π Evening Activities
After dark, the old city walls are illuminated, and the moat area becomes a popular spot for a leisurely walk. Join the locals at the South Gate Square, where a free open-air concert takes place every Saturday from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM. For a quieter evening, head to the rooftop bar of the Licheng Grand Hotel, which offers a panoramic view of the city lights and serves local craft beer for 25 RMB a glass.
π Getting Around
Licheng's public bus system is efficient, with single rides costing 2 RMB and most routes running from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Taxis are affordable, with a starting fare of 8 RMB, but traffic can be heavy during rush hours. For a more authentic experience, rent a bicycle from the city's shared bike stations, which are scattered throughout the old town and cost 1 RMB per 30 minutes.
π Seasonal Events
Plan your visit around the Licheng Lantern Festival in late February, when the entire old town glows with handmade lanterns and there are nightly dragon dances. In October, the Autumn Harvest Fair fills the East Gate Square with local produce, folk music, and craft stalls. Both events are free to attend, but arrive early to avoid the crowds.
Good write up, covers the basics well. One thing I'd flag for anyone doing the wall walk in summer: there's almost no shade on the southern section, so go early or late. I made that mistake in July and was cooked by the time I hit the East Gate, the little tea stall under the gate tower saved me though, cold plum juice for 6 RMB.
For the antique stalls on West Market Street, most of the stuff is reproduction, but if you look for the older vendors who sit on stools with their goods on a cloth, they sometimes have genuine pieces. I found a Qing-dynasty coin there for 40 RMB after chatting with the seller for a bit, he even threw in a small wooden bead bracelet. Just don't expect to find anything valuable, it's more about the hunt.
Also, the rooftop bar at the Grand Hotel is decent, but the beer is 28 RMB now, not 25. Prices went up last spring. If you want a cheaper drink with a view, try the small balcony bar on the third floor of the old guesthouse near the South Gate, it's not as high but the moat view is nicer at night.
Nice write up, I've lived here three years and still learned a couple things from it. One thing I'd add for anyone staying a few days: the shared bikes are great, but check the baskets first. Half of them have broken clips and you'll lose your groceries or whatever you're carrying, learned that the hard way near the north gate.
For the folk art theater, the puppet show is good, but the calligraphy workshop is the actual hidden gem. The old man who runs it does it for free and he's patient with beginners, he'll let you keep your practice sheet too. I still have mine from last spring, it's a nice souvenir that costs nothing.
If you're there in October for the harvest fair, don't skip the corner stall selling candied hawthorn skewers near the stage. 5 RMB and they're better than the fancier ones on the main strip, the sugar coating is thinner and the fruit is tarter. Also, the fair gets loud near the music, so if you want to actually chat, wander to the back where the craft stalls are, it's way more chill.
solid guide, especially the wall walk tip. i'd add that if u go to longtan gorge, go on a weekday morning, the tour groups hit it after 10am and the trail gets packed. also the bus line 5 from the center can be slow rn cause they're fixing the road near the east gate, so give urself an extra 15 min.
for food, the sesame pancakes on dongmen are great but the real move is the little stall at the corner of west market street, sells a fried flatbread with egg and chives, 5 rmb, only open till 1pm. and if u want to skip the crowd at old licheng flavor, try 'zhao ji' on hongqi lane, same style braised pork but half the wait.
one thing the guide missed, the city god temple has a second courtyard that most folks walk past, they do a free tea tasting there in the afternoons, not advertised anywhere. also the lantern festival is insane, but book a hotel a month ahead if u can, everything within walking distance sells out.