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Best Food in Shulan (2026)
Start your food tour at Lao Wang Noodle Shop (่็ๅฎถ้ข้ฆ) on Central Avenue, open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Their hand-pulled beef noodles cost 18-25 RMB and are faโฆ ๐ Signature Noodle Houses
Start your food tour at Lao Wang Noodle Shop (่็ๅฎถ้ข้ฆ) on Central Avenue, open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Their hand-pulled beef noodles cost 18-25 RMB and are famous for the rich, slow-cooked broth. For a spicier option, try the dan dan noodles at Sister Chen's, just two blocks east.
๐ฅ Dumpling Delights
Head to Happy Dumpling House (ๅนธ็ฆ้ฅบๅญ้ฆ) at 88 Market Street for the best jiaozi in town, priced at 12-20 RMB per dozen. The pork and chive filling is a local favorite, and they also offer a vegetarian mushroom version. Arrive before noon on weekends, as the line stretches out the door.
๐ข Street Food Stalls
The night market on Riverside Walk comes alive after 6 PM, with stalls selling grilled lamb skewers for 5 RMB each and spicy tofu skewers for 3 RMB. Don't miss the crispy fried squid from stall #12, run by a friendly couple who have been there for over a decade. Bring cash, as most vendors don't accept cards.
๐ฒ Hotpot Experience
For a communal meal, book a table at Red Lantern Hotpot (็บข็ฏ็ฌผ็ซ้ ) at 15 North Road, open from 11 AM to 11 PM. The set menu costs 88 RMB per person and includes a choice of broth, assorted meats, and fresh vegetables. Their signature spicy broth is not for the faint-hearted, so choose the mild tomato base if you prefer less heat.
๐ฐ Sweet Treats
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Sweet Moments Bakery (็่ๆถๅ ) on East Street, known for its egg tarts at 6 RMB each and red bean cakes at 8 RMB. The owner trained in Guangzhou and uses a traditional recipe that keeps locals coming back. They open at 8 AM and often sell out by 4 PM, so go early.
โ Coffee and Brunch
If you need a caffeine fix, visit Bean There Cafรฉ at 22 Lakeview Lane, serving excellent lattes for 20 RMB and avocado toast for 28 RMB. The cafรฉ opens at 9 AM and has a cozy second-floor seating area overlooking the lake. On Sundays, they offer a special brunch menu until 2 PM.
๐บ Evening Bars and Bites
For a relaxed evening, stop by Old Town Brewery at 7 River Street, which pours local craft beers from 30 RMB per glass. They serve a mean plate of spicy chicken wings for 35 RMB, perfect for sharing. The bar hosts live acoustic music on Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 8 PM.
๐ฐ Budget Tips
Most meals in Shulan cost between 15 and 50 RMB per person, making it a very affordable destination. To save money, eat at the food court in Central Plaza, where a full meal can be had for under 20 RMB. Also, look for lunch specials at sit-down restaurants, which often offer a 20% discount between 11 AM and 2 PM.
ngl that hotpot rec is solid but red lantern gets crazy loud on friday nights, so if u want the good spicy broth without shouting, go on a tuesday or wednesday around 2 pm. also the tomato base is fine but their mushroom broth is the real sleeper, it's got this earthy depth that pairs way better with the lamb than the spicy one
another thing the guide missed, sweet moments bakery does a batch of sesame balls at 11 am sharp, only like 20 of them and they're gone in an hour. 5 RMB each, crispy outside, warm black sesame paste inside. i've literally seen people wait outside the door for that basket to come out. way better than the red bean cakes tbh
and if u're at the riverside market, stall #3 does this grilled corn with a smear of fermented bean paste and chili powder, it's not on any menu anywhere else in town. 4 RMB, weirdly addictive, perfect snack while u walk the strip. cash only like everything else there
The guide nails it with Lao Wang, but don't sleep on their breakfast congee if you're there before 9 AM. It's only 8 RMB and comes with pickled vegetables and a soft-boiled egg, a proper way to start a cold Shulan morning.
One thing I'd add: hit the Riverside night market on a Thursday if you can. The crowd is thinner than the weekend rush, so you can actually chat with the vendors. Stall #7, two down from the squid place, does a great scallion pancake wrapped around a fried egg for 6 RMB, and the old man running it will throw in extra chili sauce if you ask nicely.
Also, the food court tip is solid, but the best deal is the dumpling shop's lunch window. Happy Dumpling House does a 15 RMB set from 11:30 to 1 PM that gets you eight jiaozi plus a bowl of their bone broth, which is cheaper than ordering the dozen a la carte. Just be prepared to share a table, it gets packed with office workers.
honestly the guide undersells bean there cafe, the avocado toast is fine but their cold brew is the real move, 18 RMB and they steep it for 48 hours, comes out almost sweet with zero bitterness. the second floor seating is great for people watching too, you can see the whole lake from the window spot by the stairs
also if u're doing the riverside market, walk past the main strip to the far end near the bridge, there's a little cart that does sugar roasted chestnuts, 10 RMB gets u a solid handful and they're still warm when u get them. the old lady running it only shows up after 7 pm but she's been at that corner for years, locals know to look for the red lantern hanging off her cart
one thing nobody mentioned, shulan does a noodle festival every october in central plaza, local shops set up stalls and u can sample like 15 different regional styles for 5 RMB a bowl. if ur timing works out it's the best 20 RMB u'll spend all trip
3 Days in Shulan: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day in the city center, where most attractions are within walking distance. Begin at the Shulan Museum (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, admission 30 RMB) to get historicalโฆ ๐บ๏ธ Day One Overview
Start your first day in the city center, where most attractions are within walking distance. Begin at the Shulan Museum (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, admission 30 RMB) to get historical context. Then stroll through Central Park, a 10-minute walk south, before lunch at a local noodle shop on Renmin Street.
๐๏ธ Morning Cultural Sites
After the museum, head to the old city wall remnants near the East Gate, about 15 minutes on foot. The wall is free to explore and offers great photo spots. Continue to the Confucius Temple (10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, 20 RMB) for a peaceful break. These sites are clustered, so you won't waste time commuting.
๐ Lunch and Local Eats
For lunch, try the famous beef noodles at Lao Wang Noodle House (88 Renmin Street, open 10 AM to 9 PM, bowls from 15 RMB). If you prefer dumplings, walk two blocks to Sister Li's Dumpling Shop, where a plate of 20 costs 12 RMB. Both are casual, busy spots favored by locals.
๐ Afternoon Transport Tips
In the afternoon, take bus 202 from the city center to the Riverside Scenic Area, about 20 minutes with traffic. The bus runs every 10 minutes from 6 AM to 9 PM, and the fare is 2 RMB. Alternatively, a taxi costs around 15 RMB and takes 15 minutes. Avoid rush hour (5 to 7 PM) when roads get congested.
๐ Evening Riverside Walk
Spend your evening along the Songhua River promenade, which is illuminated after sunset. The walk from the bus stop to the main viewing platform takes 5 minutes. Grab a snack from a riverside vendor, like grilled corn for 5 RMB. For dinner, try the fish hotpot at River View Restaurant (open until 10 PM, mains from 60 RMB).
๐๏ธ Day Two Nature Escapes
On day two, head to the Longtan Mountain Scenic Area, about 40 minutes from downtown by taxi (around 50 RMB) or bus 305 (1 hour, 3 RMB). The park opens at 8 AM and closes at 6 PM; entrance is 50 RMB. Hike the main loop trail, which takes 2 to 3 hours and offers views of the city. Pack water and snacks, as there are few vendors inside.
๐๏ธ Hidden Neighborhoods
In the afternoon, explore the old residential quarter near Beishan Road, a 20-minute bus ride from the mountain. This area features traditional courtyard homes and small artisan shops. Stop by the Shulan Folk Art Center (open 1 to 5 PM, free) to see local crafts. The neighborhood is best explored on foot, so wear comfortable shoes.
๐๏ธ Day Three Shopping and Souvenirs
Dedicate your final morning to the Central Market on Jiefang Road, open from 7 AM to 6 PM. Here you can buy local honey, dried mushrooms, and handmade textiles. Bargaining is common, so start at half the asking price. For a more modern shopping experience, visit the Wanda Plaza (10 AM to 10 PM) on the east side, which has international brands and a food court.
๐ Practical Getting Around
Shulan's public transit is reliable, but taxis are affordable for groups. A typical ride within the city costs 10 to 20 RMB, and drivers rarely speak English, so have your destination written in Chinese. Ride-hailing apps like Didi are widely used and often cheaper than taxis. Always carry small bills, as many drivers don't have change for large notes.
good writeup, covers the main stuff. one thing i'd add: if you're there in summer, the river promenade has this pop-up night market on weekends that the guide doesn't mention. it's not fancy, just lanterns and maybe 20 stalls, but they do grilled skewers and this cold barley drink that hits different after a hot day. runs like 7 to 10 pm, right past the viewing platform.
also for day three, wanda plaza is whatever, but the real hidden gem is the second hand bookshop on the corner of Jiefang and Wenming, near the market. old guy sells these faded postcards of shulan from the 90s, 5 rmb each, way better souvenir than the mass produced stuff. he's there most mornings til noon, doesn't speak much english but u can just point.
one more thing, the museum's 30 rmb is steep but they do half off for students if u got a card, and the ticket's valid for the folk art center same day, so u can bundle those instead of paying separately. not sure if they advertise that, but it worked for me last spring.
solid itinerary, that river walk at sunset is the move, i'd second the late afternoon rec. one thing nobody flagged: the wanda plaza food court on the third floor has a corner stall that does jianbing with this crispy fried dough inside, not the usual cracker version. 8 rmb, they only make it til 2 pm, after that it's just the sad soggy ones. worth timing ur shopping around it.
also if u're near the confucius temple around noon, the noodle shops on renmin get slammed with office workers, like 20 minute waits. go at 11:30 or push it to 2 when the crowd dies. the beef noodle broth at lao wang is better when it's been simmering all morning anyway, so early lunch is the play.
and for the mountain, unless u're dead set on the hike, the cable car is the better deal for time. the trail's fine but it's mostly tree cover, u don't see the city til the top. the car gives u that river bend view the whole way up. just get there when it opens at 8, after 10 the tour groups roll in and u'll be sharing the platform with a hundred folks taking selfies.
The itinerary is solid, but you're missing one of my favorite spots: the morning market that sets up along the east side of Central Park, near the old city wall entrance. It runs from about 6 to 9 AM, and you'll find vendors selling fresh soybean milk, youtiao, and these incredible sesame pancakes for 2 RMB each. I'd swap your first museum visit for that, then hit the museum after, since the crowds there don't pick up until after lunch anyway.
One thing to watch on Day Two: the bus 305 from downtown doesn't stop right at the Longtan entrance, it lets you off about a 15 minute walk away, so factor that in. If you're not up for the hike, there's a cable car that runs from the east side of the park up to the ridge, it's 40 RMB round trip and gives you a better view of the river bend than the trail does. Also, the Folk Art Center is smaller than it sounds, maybe 20 minutes to see everything, so don't plan a long stop there.
For the evening on Day One, skip the grilled corn and look for the older lady who sets up a tiny stall just past the main viewing platform selling roasted chestnuts. She's been there for years, charges 10 RMB for a bag, and they're the best in town. The River View Restaurant is good, but if you want something cheaper, there's a family-run place called Old