Spend a Day as a Local in Huaihua | 24-Hour Travel Guide

Huaihua is truly an underrated treasure of a small city! No commercial hustle and bustle, just a slow-paced lifestyle and a deep sense of history~ Highly recommend this hidden gem and this travel guide! —————— First Stop: Hecheng District 📍 Heming Tower Not only one of Huaihua’s city landmarks but also a must-visit spot~ Take a walk along the Wushui River for some nice scenery, and many locals come here to walk their dogs in the small park. 📍 Yuhuang Palace On the way down from Heming Tower, visit Yuhuang Palace. Locals say the fortune sticks here are very accurate! Red walls and yellow tiles + towering ancient trees, the scent of incense mixed with the smell of plants instantly calms the mind. Second Stop: Zhijiang 📍 Memorial Hall of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression Victory A 40-minute drive from Hecheng District to Zhijiang. This is China’s only museum dedicated to commemorating the victory of the War of Resistance. The “Blood”-shaped surrender memorial arch is deeply moving, and the museum also has original footage of the Japanese army’s surrender. 📍 Zhijiang Third Bridge Carved beams and painted rafters showcase ethnic style! During the day, you can overlook the small town scenery; at night, the dazzling lights reflect on the water, creating a full atmosphere~ Third Stop: Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town 📍 Ancient Commercial Town Wharf A 1-hour drive from Zhijiang to Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town. This was once the busiest wharf along the Yuan River, and you can still see old boatmen drying their nets! Standing on the wharf, imagining the scene of merchant ships gathering back then is super immersive~ 📍 Ancient Commercial Town Opera Stage The opera stage is a wooden structure from the Qing Dynasty with exquisitely carved decorations, perfect for photos like a heroine in a historical drama~ Fourth Stop: Qianyang Ancient Town 📍 Zhongzheng Gate City Tower A 40-minute drive from Hongjiang to Qianyang Ancient Town. Zhongzheng Gate is the iconic building of the ancient town. Climb the city tower to watch the sunset over the Yuan River 🌅 📍 Qianyang Ancient Town Old Street The old street in the evening is full of lively local life! Bluestone roads + old residents selling goods + dogs basking in the sun, so comfortable~ 🚗 Complete Transportation Guide: ✔️ High-speed rail station → City center: Bus No. 1 direct (2 RMB) ✔️ City center → Zhijiang: Taxi about 50 RMB (recommended!) ✔️ Between attractions: Shared electric scooters are super convenient (3 RMB/hour) 🔥 Food Highlights: 1️⃣ Sanjiaoping Nameless Noodle Shop: Duck noodles + pickled long beans = legendary 2️⃣ Hongjiang Blood Rice Cake Duck: The freshest stir-fry at "Old Yang’s" in the ancient town 3️⃣ Qianyang Orange Peel Candy: Handmade by local aunties, 10 RMB/jar 4️⃣ Night Market Grilled Glutinous Rice Cake: Must add osmanthus honey