[2025 Xuyi Attraction] Travel Guide for Tieshan Temple National Forest Park (Updated Jul)

When in Xuyi, you must do three things: feast on crayfish, visit the volcanic crater, and explore Tieshan Temple! This hidden gem in Huaian, Jiangsu boasts the world's third-largest volcanic geological wonder and mouthwatering crayfish so fresh it'll make your eyebrows dance - all for just 200 RMB per person! 🦞 Must-visit attractions: 【Volcanic Crater National Geological Park】 One of the world's best-preserved volcanic craters! Best visited after 4pm when sunset illuminates the photogenic volcanic rocks. The mountaintop glass observation deck (not for acrophobes) is Instagram-famous. Don't miss the volcanic stone-grilled sausages at the entrance - 10 RMB each! 【Tieshan Temple Forest Park】 A rare summer retreat in the Yangtze Delta with 95% forest coverage. Get the combo ticket including the Purple Mountain Observatory's Xuyi Station to see the 1.2-meter diameter radio telescope. Wear anti-slip shoes - there are countless stone steps! 【Ming Ancestral Tomb Scenic Area】 The memorial tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang's great-grandfather features well-preserved stone statues along the Sacred Way. Fun fact: Its 600-year-old drainage system still works perfectly - especially dramatic during rainstorms. 【Xuyi Crayfish Museum】 The only one in China! The immersive light exhibition on 2nd floor recreates 1980s open-air food stalls with interactive installations. The gift shop sells vacuum-packed crayfish deliverable by SF Express. 🍽️ Food Guide: La Beitou Thirteen-Spice Crayfish: Locals' childhood favorite, try the garlic+thirteen-spice combo Yu's Crayfish Flagship Store: Featured on "Once Upon a Bite", their crayfish platters are photogenic Datong Farmers Market: Buy fresh Hongze Lake catches at morning market (bargain a must!) 🏡【Boutique Stays】🏡 ▫️ Jinling Nongjia Homestay Japanese-style hot spring villas amidst tea plantations♨️ 270° floor-to-ceiling windows reveal firefly habitats 🎆 May Day fireworks + crayfish BBQ parties 🚗【Transport Tips】🚗 1.5h drive from Nanjing‼️ 🚄 Take high-speed rail to "Huaian East Station" then transfer to tourist shuttle 🛵 Rent shared e-bikes (2 RMB) to explore old streets ⚠️【Avoiding Scams】⚠️ 1️⃣ Look for "Xuyi Lobster" geographical indication label 2️⃣ Be cautious with unofficial photographers at attractions 3️⃣ Best travel season: May-October

Huai'an is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province. Located in the Subei Plain, at the intersection of the Huai River and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, it has always been known as the "Canal Capital" and the "Land of Fish and Rice." As the hometown of Premier Zhou Enlai, Huai'an combines a profound historical and cultural heritage with modern tourism vitality. It has rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and distinctive cuisine, and is an important cultural tourism destination in the Yangtze River Delta region. Recommended attractions Cultural history Zhou Enlai's Former Residence Tourist Area It includes the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall, the former residence, and the He Xia Ancient Town, which shows Premier Zhou Enlai's life and his feelings for his family and country. The former residence has a blue brick and tile wood structure, retaining the architectural style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There are also historical sites such as the Wentong Pagoda and Zhenhuai Tower nearby. Special experience: Take a boat trip on the Liyun River to experience the canal culture; take a night tour of the Liyun River Cultural Corridor, where the light show and ancient buildings complement each other. Huai'an Prefectural Office The former residence of the governor of the Cao River in the Ming Dynasty. The existing main hall covers an area of more than 500 square meters, completely presenting the architectural pattern of the ancient official residence. It is an important window to understand the administrative system of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Wu Cheng'en's Former Residence The former residence of the author of "Journey to the West" is located in He Xia Ancient Town. The blue brick courtyard is elegant in layout and has a study room, back garden, etc., displaying Wu Cheng'en's creative background. Natural Scenery Hongze Lake Ancient Dam Scenic Area A world cultural heritage site, the "Water Great Wall" with a history of more than 2,000 years, you can stroll along the dam to view the lake, or visit the Sanhe Sluice, Shuifu City and other water conservancy projects. First Mountain National Forest Park Named after Mi Fu's inscription "First Mountain", it integrates Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist cultures. The forest spring pavilions are scattered, and the cliff stone carvings are well preserved. Climbing to the top, you can overlook the Huai River scenery. Tieshan Temple National Forest Park The largest wild animal and plant gene bank in Jiangsu, Tianquan Lake is rippling with blue waves, suitable for hiking and camping, and feeling the tranquility of the original forest. Red Tourism and Theme Parks Huai'an Fantawild With red culture as the theme, it restores the modern history of China through high-tech projects, such as the live-action performance of "Zhiyuan Zhiyuan", which is suitable for parent-child and patriotic education tours. Journey to the West Paradise Based on "Journey to the West", combined with VR, roller coasters and other technological amusement facilities, it creates an immersive mythological world, suitable for young tourists to experience. Food Recommendations Huai'an is one of the birthplaces of Huaiyang cuisine, known for its exquisite knife skills and original flavor, combining both northern and southern flavors. Classic Huaiyang Cuisine Soft-Shelled Eel Select wild eel backbones with thick pen-holders, the brine is sweet and salty, and the entrance is smooth and tender like silk, named after the shape of an official's belt. Pingqiao Tofu Banquet A Qing Dynasty court dish, the tofu is as thin as hair, and the soup base is made with crucian carp brain and crab roe, which is fresh, fragrant and long-lasting, and is a good product for warming the stomach in winter. Qingong Meatballs The glutinous rice skin is wrapped with fatty and lean meat filling, which is chewy and has the meaning of "reunion and happiness". It is commonly found in wedding banquets. Local Snacks Xuyi Crayfish A specialty of Hongze Lake, the thirteen-spice seasoning contains more than 30 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines, which are spicy, fresh and fragrant. It is a must-try in the summer night market. Wenlou Soup Dumplings The skin is as thin as paper, the soup is full, and it is eaten with ginger vinegar, with rice porridge and pickles, opening the sense of ritual of Huai'an breakfast. Tea Sanzi Crispy as silk, it can be eaten dry or soaked in tea. It is common in old teahouses, and it adds more flavor to listening to Pingtan opera. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Local Cuisine Matou Mutton Soup: Free-range old sheep are stewed, the soup is fresh and the meat is rotten, served with sesame cakes dipped in soup, a must-see for drivers on long distances. Gaogou Knuckle: The pork knuckle is tied and braised, salty and fragrant, vacuum-packed as a souvenir. Travel Tips Best season: Spring and autumn are suitable for travel (flower viewing in March-May, crab tasting in September-November), and you can experience the fishing customs of Hongze Lake in summer. Transportation: High-speed trains go directly to Nanjing, Shanghai and other cities; urban buses and trams cover the main attractions. Accommodation: Homestays in He Xia Ancient Town (such as Jiangba Courtyard), resort hotels on the shore of Hongze Lake (such as Guanhai Hot Spring Resort)

5-day Huai'an tour: Explore the city with this must-have guide! This super practical guide will take you to the beautiful scenery and delicious food of Huai'an. Save it now and start your Huai'an journey! -------------------- 🎉 Route overview: DAY 1: Departure—Hongze Lake Start your Huai'an journey with a visit to the magnificent Hongze Lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery. DAY 2: Laozishan Hot Spring Relax in the comfort of Laozishan Hot Spring and enjoy the relaxation and healing of body and mind. DAY 3: Jinhu Water Forest Scenic Area Explore the Jinhu Water Forest and feel the magical charm of nature and the fresh greenery. DAY 4: Tieshan Temple National Forest Park Stroll through Tieshan Temple National Forest Park, breathe in the fresh air, and experience tranquility and harmony. DAY 5: Hongze Lake—Departure Return to Hongze Lake to experience its unique charm again, end your pleasant Huai'an journey, and return home. -------------------- 🎒 Travel checklist: Huai'an travel essentials 👚👖 Clothing: The temperature in Huai'an in December is moderate. You can wear a light sweater with a jacket during the day, and it is cooler at night, so it is recommended to bring a thick jacket. You can choose comfortable casual pants or jeans for easy walking. Don't forget to bring comfortable sneakers for a more relaxing trip. 🎒🕶️ Accessories: Huai'an has many water attractions, so remember to bring a sun hat and sunglasses for sun protection and style. Choose a lightweight backpack for easy carrying of personal items. If you plan to take photos, you can bring a camera and spare batteries to capture the beautiful scenery. 🆔💳 Documents and finances: ID card and bank card are essential, and don't forget to bring some cash for emergencies. If you have special discount documents such as student ID, senior citizen ID, etc., bring them along to enjoy more discounts. -------------------- Huai'an is not only about beautiful scenery but also stories. We look forward to your next visit to explore more unknown surprises!