Dongtai｜A Niche Ecological Leisure Town Loved by All Who Visit

📌Destination: Yancheng · Dongtai City (Yangtze River Delta Ecological Leisure Town) 🏙️City Impression: The Poetry of Wetland Cranes and Ancient Salt Fields ▶️Dongtai lies by the river and sea, boasting the rare global combination of intertidal wetlands and plain forests, along with a 2,000-year heritage of sea salt culture. Free from the hustle of popular cities, here you can watch migratory birds fly together, explore forest oxygen bars, and savor fresh river and sea delicacies. It’s the ideal "light vacation" destination in the Yangtze River Delta. 🏞️Must-Visit Attractions: A Duet of Nature and Culture 【Ecological Wonders】 1️⃣ Yellow Sea Seaside National Forest Park 🌟Highlights: The largest artificial Metasequoia forest in East China, with over 90% forest coverage and an abundance of negative oxygen ions. 🛝Activities: Cycle along the 5 km rainbow boardwalk, enjoy the misty forest light show, and check in at the Treehouse of the Cedar Tribe. 🏔️Tips: The Metasequoia forest turns golden-red in October-November, perfect for photography; a small train inside the park costs 30 RMB per person. 2️⃣ Tiaozi Ni Wetland (Core Area of World Natural Heritage) 🌟Highlights: The largest migratory stopover for the endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper globally, with a unique "tidal forest" landscape. 🛝Activities: ▶️Tide pooling and shell collecting (tools available for rent at 10 RMB/set) ▶️Birdwatching tower for photographing "thousands of birds returning to roost" (best time: 2 hours before high tide) 🏔️Tips: Check daily tide times on the "Dongtai Culture & Tourism" WeChat official account; free admission (shuttle bus 20 RMB mandatory). 【Cultural Exploration】 1️⃣ Xixi Tourism and Cultural Scenic Area ▶️Dong Yong and the Seven Fairies Cultural Park: Han-style architecture recreating the legend of the celestial couple; the nighttime live show "The Celestial Fate" is a must-see (ticket 80 RMB). ▶️Haichunxuan Pagoda: The oldest Tang dynasty pagoda in Jiangsu, standing for a thousand years without a foundation, free to visit. ▶️Limu Street: A Ming and Qing dynasty old street by the Salt Transport Canal, experience traditional salt making and straw weaving crafts. 2️⃣ Anfeng Ancient Street ▶️Salt Course Office: Exhibition on the salt transport history of the Ming dynasty’s Huaihai region, revealing the glory of the "World’s Salt Warehouse." ▶️Bao’s Mansion: Huizhou-style salt merchant residence, a treasure trove of brick carvings and woodwork art. 🍔Food Guide: A Feast of River and Sea Freshness 【Three Must-Try Dishes】 ✅ Dongtai Fish Soup Noodles ▶️Essence: Wild crucian carp and eel bones simmered for 3 hours, producing a milky white broth that is neither fishy nor greasy. 🏪Recommended Restaurants: Xu He Fish Soup Noodles (old brand, average 15 RMB per person) Red Lantern Noodle House (open 24 hours, crab roe adds extra flavor) ✅ Chenpi Wine Braised River Fresh ▶️Specialty: Local intangible cultural heritage chenpi wine used to cook pufferfish or shad, the wine aroma removes fishiness and the meat is tender. 🏪Recommended Restaurant: Haiwangfu Restaurant in Jianggang Town (pufferfish requires 1-day advance reservation). ✅ Qindong Crab 🕜Golden Season: September to November, blue shell, white belly, yellow hair, and golden claws, rich roe and full yellow. 🍽️How to Eat: Steamed with ginger vinegar dip, or as crab roe soup dumplings (recommended at Jinshuiwan Grand Hotel). 🕋【Snacks and Souvenirs】 🛍️ Fu’an Su’er Cake: Crispy pastry with red bean paste filling, sweet and savory flavors (made on-site in Fu’an Ancient Town). 🛍️ Spicy Shrimp Sauce: Fermented wild small shrimp, perfect for mixing with noodles (available at "Haisheng" supermarket). 🚄Transportation Guide: Seamless Green Travel 🚇External Transport High-speed rail: Shanghai/Nanjing → Dongtai Station (1.5-2.5 hours), 10-minute taxi to downtown. 🚘Self-driving: Exit "Dongtai" on Shenhai Expressway (G15), clear signs to attractions. 🛺Internal Transport 🚌Direct shuttle: High-speed rail station → Yellow Sea Forest Park / Tiaozi Ni (departures daily at 8:30/14:00, 15 RMB per person). 🛵Shared electric scooters: "Miaozou Travel" electric bikes cover the city, 3 RMB/20 minutes. 🚍Charter service: One-day wetland + forest tour car rental about 300 RMB (recommended via "Dongtai Changxing" platform). 🏯Accommodation Recommendations: From Forest Cabins to Ancient Town Inns ✅Forest-style Vacation ▶️Yellow Sea Forest Meiju Hotel: French resort style, window views of cedar forest (600 RMB and up, includes breakfast for two). ▶️Elf Guesthouse: Treehouse cluster deep in the forest with starry skylights (family-friendly, from 400 RMB). ✅Ancient Town Charm ▶️Xixi Caoshi Street Guesthouse: Song dynasty style courtyard, very convenient for night tours (200-350 RMB). ▶️Anfeng Ancient Town · Yanguan Inn: Century-old salt merchant residence converted, experience night patrols (from 150 RMB). ✅City Center Value ▶️All Seasons Hotel (Dongtai City Center): Walking distance to food street, free parking (under 200 RMB). 🏞️Travel Tips: 3 Days 2 Nights In-Depth Itinerary ✅Day 1: Wetland Ecological Adventure Morning: Tide pooling and birdwatching at Tiaozi Ni (bring waterproof shoe covers) Afternoon: Cycling and forest class at Yellow Sea Forest Park Overnight: Forest Meiju Hotel ✅Day 2: Salt Culture Time Travel Morning: Anfeng Ancient Street (Salt Course Office + Bao’s Mansion) Afternoon: Xixi Scenic Area (Haichunxuan Pagoda + The Celestial Fate show) Overnight: Caoshi Street Guesthouse ✅Day 3: Dongtai on the Palate Morning: Make Su’er cakes and buy spicy shrimp sauce in Fu’an Ancient Town Noon: Eat chenpi wine braised pufferfish in Jianggang Town Before departure: Take away fish soup noodles from "Red Lantern" in the city 📜Avoid Pitfalls and Seasonal Tips 🎫Ticket Savings Buy the "Dongtai Combo Ticket" (Xixi + Anfeng + Forest Park) on Trip.com one day in advance to save 30 RMB. Keep the shuttle bus ticket for Tiaozi Ni; multiple entries allowed on the same day. 🔆Best Seasons April-May: Fat razor clams at Tiaozi Ni, blooming Chinese violet cress in the forest. September-November: Peak birdwatching season + crab availability + Metasequoia color change. ⚠️Important Reminders Some protected areas in Tiaozi Ni require permits; do not enter core zones without authorization. Choose qualified restaurants for pufferfish (look for "Pufferfish Cooking License"). 📌The beauty of Dongtai lies in the flocks of birds soaring over the mudflats, the calls echoing from the millennia-old salt fields, and the warmth of a steaming bowl of fish soup noodles. Avoid the crowds and come to this underrated "Pearl of the Yellow Sea" to feel the healing power where nature and civilization intertwine!