A Must-Visit for Three Kingdoms Fans: Xuchang

📅 Trip Highlights: Travel through the Three Kingdoms (Prime Minister Cao’s Mansion, Chunqiu Tower) Water charm and slow life (Moat boat tour, Baling Bridge) Taste of Xuchang (Hot tofu, Wang Luo pig trotters) 🗓️ Day 1: Immersive Cao Wei Culture Tour 🌞 Morning 📍 Prime Minister Cao’s Mansion (Entrance 60 RMB) ✅ Must Experience: Check in at the statue of Cao Cao and the scene of "Holding the Emperor to Command the Lords" Explore the underground soldier storage cave (stunning lighting effects) 9:30/14:30 Three Kingdoms drama performance (free admission) 📍 Chunqiu Tower (Entrance 30 RMB) Where Guan Yu read "Chunqiu" at night, rooftop offers a view of the old town 🌙 Afternoon to Night 📍 Moat Boat Tour (Day 30 RMB / Night 50 RMB) Ride an ancient-style boat and enjoy the light show on both banks (recommended 19:30 session) 📍 Cao Wei Ancient City Night Market ✅ Must Eat: Old House hot tofu (amazing with chili sauce) Yuzhou steamed sweet potato jelly 🗓️ Day 2: Historical Sites and Ecological Leisure 🌞 Morning 📍 Baling Bridge Scenic Area (Entrance 40 RMB) Site of Guan Yu “Picking up his robe to resign from Cao,” see the 28-meter-tall Guan Yu statue Try archery, touhu (pitch-pot), and other Three Kingdoms interactive activities 📍 Xuchang Museum (Free, reservation required) Focus on Han dynasty pictorial bricks and Jun porcelain exhibition 🌙 Afternoon to Night 📍 Central Park (Free) Thousands of acres of lotus ponds are stunning in summer (best in July-August), perfect for cycling and strolling 📍 Technology Square Food Street Local night snack hotspot, recommended: Wang Luo pig trotters (braised, tender and flavorful) Yanling blast furnace sesame cake (with tofu skewers) 🗓️ Day 3: Yanling Huadu Hot Spring Wellness 🌞 All day 📍 Yanling Huadu Hot Spring Resort (40 minutes from city center) ✅ Must Do: Soak in natural fluorine hot springs (over 60 pools) Visit the Five-Color Land Scenic Area (spectacular chrysanthemum exhibition in autumn) Experience traditional Chinese medicine therapies (moxibustion, massage) 🍜 Lunch: Yanling big pot dishes inside the resort 🌙 Before Departure 📍 Xuchang Pangdonglai Angel City Buy trending mooncakes and spicy sausage snacks (like the supermarket version of Haidilao) 🍜 Food Highlights and Warnings ✅ Must-Try List: Hot tofu: Old House and mobile stalls by the moat are the most authentic Wang Luo pig trotters: century-old marinade, melts in your mouth Yuzhou mixed stew: rich soup with beef offal, vermicelli, and fried tofu ❌ Avoid: “Three Kingdoms Banquet” near scenic spots (poor value for money) 🚗 Transportation Tips Within city: Shared electric scooters everywhere, starting at 2 RMB Yanling Hot Spring: Intercity bus K6 line direct (1-hour ride) From Zhengzhou: High-speed train 25 minutes to Xuchang East Station 🏨 Accommodation Suggestions Luxury: Yanling Huadu Hot Spring Hotel (includes hot spring tickets) Cost-effective: Guesthouses near Cao Wei Ancient City (150 RMB/night) 💡 Tips: Chunqiu Tower and Baling Bridge offer a combined ticket (70 RMB, better deal) Pangdonglai closed on Tuesdays, avoid that day! Summer moat boat tours provide mosquito repellent Bring this guide and experience the vibrant life and history of Xuchang!