Three Days in Zhucheng: A Historical and Culinary Journey Along the North-South Divide

Bangbu, the "Pearl City" by the Huai River, is named for its ancient abundance of river clam pearls. It lies quietly on China's geographical north-south boundary, where the grandeur of the north meets the elegance of the south. The 7,300-year-old Shuangdun cultural site was unearthed here, with carved symbols witnessing the dawn of Chinese civilization. Every step you take on this land treads on the folds of history, and every breath carries the aroma of flavors from both north and south. 1. Must-Visit Landmarks Where History Meets Modernity 1. Longzi Lake Scenic Area: The Visual Totem of the North-South Divide Longzi Lake lies like a jade dragon coiled on the east side of the city, with a water area equivalent to four West Lakes, making it the largest urban inland lake in the country. The China North-South Divide Sculpture on the lakeshore (39.9 meters tall) is the city’s spiritual totem—designed by Han Meilin, it features a red and blue giant dragon entwined around a bronze pearl. The blue on the north side symbolizes coldness, while the red on the south side represents warmth. At dusk, it’s recommended to climb the Wanghuai Tower to watch the sunset dye the lake’s surface, with the Huai River winding east like a golden belt, and occasionally catch the healing scene of a lone willow dancing by the waves on "Solitary Tree Island." 2. Zhanggongshan Park: Overlooking Zhucheng’s Green Lung As the city’s largest park, climbing the Wanghuai Tower offers a 360° panoramic view of Bangbu: to the north, the century-old Huaihe Railway Bridge; to the south, a jungle of modern buildings. At the foot of the mountain stands the River Clam Maiden sculpture, a city symbol—her pearl radiance tells the legend of her battle with the Dragon King to protect fishermen. Early mornings by the lake, locals practice Tai Chi and walk their thrushes, offering a perfect window into Bangbu’s everyday life. 3. Gaixia Ruins: The Epic Site of Chu-Han Struggles (Guzhen County) The lament "With strength to move mountains and spirit to cover the world" still seems to echo in the wind. Walking into the ancient Gaixia battlefield, the rammed earth of the Overlord’s City and the tomb of Consort Yu tell the story of the decisive battle in 202 BC that shaped dynastic fate. The newly built Chu-Han Culture 3D Experience Hall uses holographic technology to recreate the "Ambush from Ten Sides" battlefield, and at the intangible cultural heritage fabric workshop, you can sew your own Consort Yu doll (experience fee about 30 RMB). 2. Deep Cultural Experiences Not to Be Missed - Bangbu Museum: The architecture is inspired by "Dayu splitting mountains to guide the Huai River." The museum’s treasure, the "Pottery Sculpture with Patterned Face," carries a smile from 7,300 years ago and is praised as the "Mona Lisa of the East." Recently exhibited is the Western Zhou Suigong Xu, with 98 characters of inscription proving the history of Dayu’s flood control. - Jingtushan Scenic Area (Huaiyuan County): Climb Tushan to visit the Yu King Palace, touch the "Qimu Stone," and hear the story of Dayu passing his home three times without entering; cross the Huai River to climb Jingshan and explore Bianhe Cave, the birthplace of the Heshibi jade. When pomegranate flowers bloom in June, the mountain is ablaze with spectacular color. - Ancient Residential Expo Park: 450 relocated ancient houses reborn on the six islands of Longzi Lake, where Hui-style horse-head walls coexist with Jinzhong brick carvings. In the afternoon, listen to Sizhou opera by the Ming Dynasty stage and taste Huaiyuan pomegranate juice (15 RMB/cup), as if traveling through the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" painting. 3. Bangbu’s Culinary Delights: A Taste of North-South Flavors Bangbu’s cuisine is a gift of its geography—the boldness of northern wheat meets the freshness of Jianghuai aquatic products: - Must-Try Trio Sesame Seed Cake with Pork Tenderloin (recommended at Li’s near Zhanggongshan North Gate): crispy hand-rolled cake wrapped around freshly fried tenderloin, brushed with sweet and spicy sauce; Bangbu Giant Prawns (A Cai Old Shop Night Market): three flavors—garlic, oil-fried, and braised—paired with ice wine to cut the richness; Hugou Sesame Seed Cake (Guzhen County): layers as thin as paper, said to originate from the "Horse Hoof Pastry" that rewarded Chen Sheng’s uprising army. - Special Experiences The Republican-era café transformed from Baoxing Flour Mill (about 35 RMB per person), where you can sit beside century-old machinery and savor hand-poured Huai River water coffee; the Old Bangbu Food Culture Hall offers river clam vermicelli—freshly caught clam meat from the Huai River stewed with sweet potato vermicelli. 4. Suggested Itinerary Planning Classic Three-Day Route - Day 1: Morning at Zhanggongshan Park (climb tower for city view) → Bangbu Museum (lunch at Xueyuan with four-color glutinous rice balls) → Afternoon at Longzi Lake (divide monument + boat ride) → Night tour of the beautiful Huai River scenic belt - Day 2: Full day at Ancient Residential Expo Park (Hanfu photo shoot + intangible cultural heritage experience) → Evening Flower Drum Lantern Carnival (folk performances) - Day 3: Guzhen Gaixia Ruins (3D hall + fabric workshop) → Buy Hugou sesame seed cake as a souvenir before departure One-Day Popular Check-In Tour: Longzi Lake Divide Monument → Zhanggongshan River Clam Maiden → A Cai Old Shop Lobster → Baoxing Flour Mill Loft Travel Tips - Best Seasons: April-May (pomegranate flower sea) and September-October (clear autumn weather), avoid the rainy season from June to August - Special Transport: Take the free tourist bus line (connecting main attractions), experience the Huai River ferry (2 RMB per person) - Deep Experience: If visiting on the 28th day of the third lunar month, catch the Tushan Yu King Temple Fair to watch sacrificial music and dance and taste the hundred-family tribute feast Epiphany in the Huai River Evening Breeze: As I watched the dusk dye the divide monument by Longzi Lake, I suddenly understood Bangbu’s magic—it does not chase the times deliberately, yet the 7,300-year-old pottery figurines’ smiles remain vivid, and Xiang Yu’s sigh blends into the charcoal fire of the sesame seed cake oven. This calm confidence to live within the folds of history may be the true meaning of "Bangbu has settled." Bangbu · Anhui