Tongling Summer Cooling Guide | Two Days and One Night Fun Itinerary
| Two Days and One Night Fun Itinerary. In the scorching summer heat, Tongling is definitely a fantastic summer resort! In two days and one night, we’ll take you to experience the cool charm of this city. The best part is the great value for money—you can have a great time without spending much.
1. Budget Planning 💰
- Accommodation: Budget 100 - 150 RMB per night. You can choose budget hotels in the city center, such as Xuanyi Preferred Hotel near Tongling Changjiang Middle Road Underground Pedestrian Street, which is affordable, convenient for travel, and surrounded by many delicious food options; or find homestays near scenic spots, like those near Yongquan Tourist Resort, where the environment is quiet and you can enjoy the cool mountain air at a very reasonable price.
- Food: Daily per person budget 40 - 100 RMB. Tongling has many snacks, and Tongzhi Snack Street is a must-visit. Coconut milk Qingbuliang costs 12 RMB per serving; having a bowl on a hot summer day is refreshing with rich coconut milk aroma and a complex taste, perfect for cooling down. There’s also Tongling large intestine noodles, served with local spicy sauce, costing 8 - 10 RMB per bowl, full of local flavor.
- Transportation: Two-day budget 30 - 50 RMB. Mainly use city buses; get the Tongling electronic bus card via Alipay and scan the code to ride, with fares between 1 - 2 RMB; you can also choose shared electric scooters, costing 15 - 20 RMB per hour, convenient and fast, and you can stop anytime to enjoy roadside scenery.
- Tickets: Some attractions are free, and total fees for paid attractions won’t exceed 50 RMB. Check ticket prices in advance and plan your itinerary reasonably to save a lot of money.
2. Transportation Guide 🚌
- Public Transport: Download the local bus travel app to check routes and real-time bus info, making travel convenient and fast. The bus network covers most attractions.
- Shared Travel: Shared electric scooters are everywhere on Tongling streets. For short distances, ride one and enjoy the summer breeze freely and comfortably. But remember to wear a helmet and follow traffic rules.
3. Food Recommendations 🍜
- City Center: Tongzhi Snack Street gathers various specialty snacks. Besides the mentioned coconut milk Qingbuliang and Tongling large intestine noodles, there’s Guangdong rice rolls with egg, beef rice rolls with shrimp, costing 18 RMB per serving. The rice batter is steamed thin and translucent, with visible ingredients inside, topped with sauce, tasting amazing.
- Near Scenic Spots: Yongquan Town’s Jiangnan Flavor Street is not to be missed, offering all kinds of Tongling specialty foods. Shunan crispy sugar, a century-old intangible cultural heritage craft, sweet and crispy; Babao vegetables, a Hui-style pickled vegetable platter, refreshing and appetizing; and Yongquan baked sesame cakes, freshly baked with a strong sesame aroma, costing 3 - 5 RMB each, delicious and affordable.
4. Attraction Recommendations 📸
👉 Day 1: Tianjing Lake Park → Riverside Ecological Park
- Tianjing Lake Park: Open all day for free. The total area is 1.1 square kilometers, with a lake surface of 0.82 square kilometers. The park is lush with plants, pavilions, bridges, and flowing water, full of Jiangnan water town charm. You can stroll along the lake, feel the cool breeze on your face, rest in the pavilion, and enjoy the lake and mountain scenery.
- Riverside Ecological Park: Free, recommended to visit in the evening. The park has a 75% green coverage rate, with shaded greenways lined with trees on both sides, and one side facing the Yangtze River view. At dusk, enjoy the sunset glow here and feel the river breeze take away the day’s fatigue.
👉 Day 2: Yongquan Tourist Resort → Liqiao Water Town
- Yongquan Tourist Resort: Tickets cost 60 - 70 RMB per person (park ticket + scenic area). During summer, middle and high school students with exam admission tickets and university students (excluding adult colleges) with valid ID are exempt from the small town park ticket. This place feels like a secret Jiangnan paradise, with lush mountains and flowing streams. You can stroll and enjoy the tranquility and coolness of nature; also, take photos at Qixingzhai, ride the slide down the mountain, and experience excitement and fun.
- Liqiao Water Town: Tickets cost 39.9 RMB per person (Tongling residents with valid ID enjoy free admission). Middle and high school students with exam admission tickets and university students with original student ID are free. The water town’s streets and alleys are quaint, with gently flowing rivers. You can also watch the intangible cultural heritage iron flower performance, enjoy the brilliant light show, and experience a dreamy and colorful summer night.
5. Notes ❗
- For summer travel, check the weather forecast in advance, take sun protection and mosquito repellent measures, and carry an umbrella in case of sudden rain.
- Some Tongling foods are quite spicy; if you can’t handle spicy food, be sure to inform the restaurant in advance.
- When taking public transport or visiting scenic spots, keep your personal belongings safe.
- Some scenic spots offer summer discounts; check in advance and prepare relevant documents to enjoy the benefits.