Huaian

Huai'an is a seriously underrated “World Capital of Food,” with more than 2,000 years of Grand Canal heritage and authentic Huaiyang cuisine so good it may stop you in your tracks. Here is a fully detailed 2-day, 1-night food-and-sightseeing guide: just follow it as is!

Itinerary Route Plan

• Day 1 Historical Sites and Ancient Town Tour in Huai'an District: In the morning, visit the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall to learn about the great man’s life. At noon, try crab roe soup dumplings in Hexia Ancient Town. In the afternoon, stroll through the ancient town and visit the Former Residence of Wu Cheng'en. In the evening, enjoy the night views along the Inner Canal.

• Day 2 Government Office and Food Tour in Qingjiangpu District: In the morning, tour Huai'an Government Office, the largest Ming- and Qing-era prefectural government office in China. At noon, enjoy authentic Huaiyang cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the China Water Transport Museum. In the evening, head to Nanmen Xiaojie for late-night snacks.

Must-Visit Attractions

Huai'an’s main attractions are concentrated in Huai'an District and Qingjiangpu District. Most sights are very close to one another and can be reached for about the starting taxi fare.

Must-Try Food and Restaurants

As the birthplace of Huaiyang cuisine, Huai'an is known for flavors that are fresh, delicate, balanced, and meticulously prepared. Step into almost any alley and the lively local food scene will lift your spirits.

• Puxian Restaurant: A long-running local favorite visited by renowned chefs. Its cattail-stem meatballs are outstanding, springy and smooth, and the soft-shelled turtle soup is also worth trying.

• Old Huai'an · Huai'an Cuisine: A classic Huaiyang restaurant with a pleasant setting. Soft-shelled long fish and Pingqiao tofu are must-orders, and the set meals offer excellent value.
• Wenlou: A century-old time-honored restaurant. Its signature crab roe soup dumplings have thin skins and plenty of broth. When eating them, remember: “lift gently, move slowly, open a window first, then drink the soup.”

• Sunjia Noodle House: A noodle shop strongly recommended by locals. The long fish noodle soup is deeply savory, the eel is stir-fried to order with plenty of wok hei, and the noodles are firm and chewy.

Beyond full meals, Huai'an’s snacks are absolutely not to be missed: long fish noodles are the top breakfast choice, Sichuan spicy goose is a must-buy souvenir, chasan is fragrant, crisp, and delicious, and in the evening you can visit the night market for crayfish and snowflake stinky dried tofu.

Transportation and Accommodation Tips

• Transportation: For high-speed rail, Huai'an East Railway Station is the best choice. After exiting the station, take Tram Line 1 directly to Huai'an District and Qingjiangpu District; the fare is only 2 yuan. Attractions in the city are close together, with taxi fares starting at around 8 yuan, and shared electric bikes are also very convenient.
• Accommodation: Staying near Hexia Ancient Town or Huajie is recommended. Attractions are highly concentrated here, food shops are everywhere, and most scenic areas can be explored on foot. You can also enjoy night views in the evening, making both sightseeing and dining especially convenient.

Pitfalls to Avoid and Practical Tips

• Reservation Reminder: The Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall, Former Residence of Zhou Enlai, and China Water Transport Museum all require free reservations one day in advance. Be sure to carry your ID card with you.
• Heat-Avoidance Plan: In summer, temperatures are high from 11:00 to 15:00, so it is recommended to visit only indoor venues, such as the China Water Transport Museum and Huai'an Government Office, and avoid prolonged outdoor sun exposure.
• Night View Options: The lights along the Inner Canal Cultural Corridor are beautiful at night, making it ideal for strolling and taking photos. You can also take a boat ride for an immersive feel of the canal’s ancient charm and recreate the grand scene of boats from the south and horses from the north.
• Seasonal Tip: If you want the best-value Xuyi crayfish, visit in May or June, when the meat is plumper and the prices are better.