[2025 Suqian Attraction] Travel Guide for LongWangMiao Palace (Updated Jun)

In Zaohe Town, where the Grand Canal meets Luoma Lake, a cluster of ancient buildings with red walls and yellow tiles stands quietly. This is the Dragon King Temple Palace, known as the "Little Forbidden City of Northern Jiangsu." Built during the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, this royal complex is both a spiritual symbol for emperors praying for peace and prosperity and a brilliant gem along the Grand Canal cultural belt. When the spring sunlight shines on the glazed tiles and the melodies of the thousand-year-old Liuqin opera echo through the ancient theater, a cultural journey across time begins. 1. Monument to Water Control: Historical Echoes from Floods to Peace The birth of the Dragon King Temple Palace is closely linked to the Yellow River floods. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Yellow River changed course, diverting into the Huai River and causing frequent floods in the Suqian section, bringing great suffering to the people. To pray for the Dragon King to calm the floods, the temple was first built in the Shunzhi period. In the 23rd year of Kangxi (1684), it was extensively rebuilt. Emperor Qianlong stayed here five times during his southern tours, adding structures such as the Imperial Stele Pavilion and Yu King Hall, forming today’s northern palace-style complex with three courtyards and nine successive halls. Entering the palace, the first sights are the two archways inscribed with “Clear Rivers” and “Calm Seas,” symbolizing the ancient people's deep wishes for peace. Passing through the archways, above the mountain gate on the north side of the square, the seven gilded characters “Imperially Built Anlan Dragon King Temple” written by Emperor Qianlong himself stand out, with a “Qianlong Imperial Calligraphy” seal on the stele, exuding royal majesty. The pair of stone lions in front of the gate are especially unique, blending northern and southern styles: the male lion steps on a ball, and the female lion cradles a cub. After 300 years of weathering, they remain vivid and lifelike, the only Qing Dynasty royal stone lions of their kind in Jiangsu Province. The Imperial Stele Pavilion is one of the palace’s core cultural relics. Inside stands a 5-meter-tall stele carved from a single piece of bluestone. The stele cap is engraved with the words “Imperial Decree,” and the four sides of the stele body record the reasons for the temple’s construction during Kangxi and Yongzheng’s reigns, as well as imperial poems written by Qianlong during his five stays. Notably, the last character of each of the five poems is “wave,” subtly echoing the water control theme. The stele base is shaped like a “gongfu” mythical beast, said to swallow rivers and spit water, embodying hopes for flood control and peace for the people. 2. Architectural Splendor: A Royal Blend of North and South The architectural art of the Dragon King Temple Palace is exceptional, with a strict symmetrical layout combining the grandeur of northern royal buildings and the delicacy of southern Jiangnan gardens. Along the central axis are the ancient theater, mountain gate, Imperial Stele Pavilion, Dragon King Hall, and Yu King Hall, arranged in sequence. On both sides, bell and drum towers, east and west side halls, and palaces are staggered, forming a closed layout of “four courtyards and three entrances.” The ancient theater at the southernmost end features eaves that curve upward like swallows in flight. A gilded plaque reading “Zou He Ping” hangs on the lintel, with “Yang Chun” and “Bai Xue” plaques on the upper and lower doors, exuding elegance. When Emperor Qianlong stayed here, he watched the local Zaohe Liuqin opera, and traditional performances still take place on the stage today, allowing visitors to experience the timeless charm of Chinese opera. The Dragon King Hall is the main hall of the palace, with a double-eaved Xieshan roof covered in yellow, green, and blue glazed tiles. Inside, carved beams, painted rafters, and flying eaves frame a gilded seated statue of the East Sea Dragon King, whose majestic expression commands respect. Flanking the statue are eight major water gods holding tablets, as if ready to obey the Dragon King’s orders. Behind the hall, colorful murals depict an elephant carrying a child holding a “wan nian qing” (evergreen), symbolizing eternal vitality. In front of the moon platform stands an iron cauldron weighing over a ton, once used to burn paper offerings during rituals; its weathered rust tells stories of time gone by. Yu King Hall is the tallest building in the palace, over 20 meters high with two stories. The roof is decorated with yellow glazed tube tiles and dragon finials. Emperor Qianlong stayed here overnight five times. Inside the second-floor “main palace,” the dragon bed, dragon chair, and desk, though weathered, still reveal the royal grandeur of the past. In front of the east and west palace gates grow six trees—cypress, persimmon, paulownia, Chinese toon, locust, and poplar—symbolizing “eternal spring” and “lasting prosperity,” representing the nation’s flourishing destiny. 3. Folk Festival: A 300-Year-Old Temple Fair Legend Every year from the 8th to the 10th day of the first lunar month, the Zaohe Dragon King Temple Fair is one of the largest folk events in northern Jiangsu. Originating in the Ming Dynasty and made famous by Qianlong’s multiple visits, it ranks first among the 36 major incense festivals in northern Jiangsu. During the fair, the ancient town of Zaohe is packed with people. On the 8th, the “Fireworks Day,” the Dragon Pool Square lights up with dazzling fireworks, blending traditional pyrotechnics with modern lighting. On the 9th, the “Main Sacrifice Day,” a sacrificial altar is set up on the moon platform of the Dragon King Hall, with music playing and devotees burning incense and bowing, praying for favorable weather. The most spectacular event is the “Four Mountains Grand Assembly,” featuring a royal procession with 12 yellow canopy umbrellas, 4 dragon gate flags, and 24 sand lanterns, recreating the solemnity of Qing Dynasty imperial rituals. Besides rituals, the fair is a grand showcase of folk arts. Performances of Liuqin opera, Huaihai opera, flower boat dances, and other intangible cultural heritage alternate on stage, while Shandong kuaishu and Henan zhuizi arts also blend in. The food street fills the air with aromas of local specialties like Zhao family rice soup, Qianlong tribute pastries, and wheel cakes, alongside delicacies from across China such as Changsha stinky tofu and Xinjiang lamb skewers, delighting visitors. Recently, with the completion of Zaohe Longyun City, modern entertainment like the “Dayu Controls the Waters” 5D cinema and rapid river rides have been added, infusing new vitality into the traditional fair. 4. New Chapter of the Canal: From Palace to Cultural Tourism Complex To protect and utilize this precious cultural heritage, Suqian City has invested heavily in restoring the Dragon King Temple Palace and developed the Zaohe Longyun City cultural tourism complex centered around it. The newly built Qianlong’s Southern Tour Grand Garden recreates the grand scenes of Qianlong’s southern inspection tours through immersive settings. The Shili Tongsheng Commercial Street blends Ming and Qing architectural styles with modern commercial elements, becoming a popular spot for visitors to relax and shop. Within Longyun City, the “Ancient Canal Millennium” flying cinema offers immersive experiences that transport visitors through time to witness the Grand Canal’s thousand-year evolution. The “Drama of Qianlong · Zaohe Storm” live water battle show combines wirework, explosions, and special effects with historical stories, immersing the audience in the scene. Additionally, the complex offers Hanfu rentals and intangible cultural heritage handicraft workshops, allowing visitors to deeply engage in traditional culture preservation. At night, the Dragon King Temple Palace appears even more solemn and elegant under the lights, with fireworks shows in Longyun City reflecting on the lake, creating a stunning visual feast for visitors. For accommodation, the five-star Weijing International Hotel, inspired by traditional scholar-official culture, provides a comfortable resting place. 5. Beauty of the Four Seasons: Unique Experiences Year-Round The Dragon King Temple Palace offers beautiful scenery in every season. In spring, apricot blossoms bloom in front of the ancient theater, contrasting charmingly with the red walls and green tiles. In summer, ancient cypress trees in front of Yu King Hall provide refreshing shade. In autumn, ginkgo leaves beside the Imperial Stele Pavilion form a golden carpet, like a painting. In winter, snow-covered glazed tiles sparkle like an ice palace from a fairy tale. Besides the temple fair, the palace hosts rich activities in other seasons. The spring “Mountain Date” flower viewing guide, autumn Grand Canal Cultural Festival, and winter intangible cultural heritage market ensure visitors find surprises no matter when they come. From the Dragon King Temple built to pray for flood control to a cultural tourism complex integrating cultural experiences and leisure entertainment, Suqian Dragon King Temple Palace has weathered 300 years and still radiates vibrant life. Here, you can touch the weight of history, feel the warmth of culture, and experience the fusion of tradition and modernity. Standing beneath the flying eaves of Yu King Hall, gazing at the flowing Grand Canal in the distance, you may hear the echoes of history and see a nation’s eternal pursuit of a better life. Dragon King Temple Palace

I've traveled almost all over Jiangsu this year. When it comes to Suqian, no one thinks of it as a tourist city. But it's really fun! ‼️ Kudos to Suqian's culture and tourism department for decorating each scenic spot with vibrant colors and excellent entertainment and interaction, making the holidays full of joy. 🤙Here's a 2-day nanny-level guide for you, no need to thank me. Let me take you around Suqian, a hidden tourist gem. . 🌈Reasons to visit Suqian 1⃣️The Jiangsu Water Charm Tourism Annual Pass includes all the must-see attractions in Suqian, which is very affordable. It's like Suqian is giving away all the tickets. 2⃣️If you want culture, there's Xiang Yu's Hometown and the Suqian Museum. 3⃣️If you want natural scenery, there's Santai Mountain Forest Park and the boundless Natian Flower Sea. 4⃣️If you want parent-child interaction and fun parks, there's Zaohe Longyun City, where you can have fun all day long. 5⃣️If you want historical heritage, there's the National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, Longwang Temple Palace. 6⃣️If you want romance and leisure, there's Luoma Lake Beach Sunset, where you can pretend you're in Greece. 7⃣️If you want a special surprise, there's the Yanghe Wine Culture Scenic Area, where you can freely drink 72-proof raw liquor. 8⃣️During the holidays, the best resort hotels cost no more than 300+. . 🔥Recommended dining and accommodation ⭕For dining, you can choose Chujie Pedestrian Street and Baolong Plaza for local delicacies. ⭕For accommodation, I recommend Jinling Grand Hotel Suqian, which is right by Luoma Lake. The environment is excellent, it's a large resort hotel, and the service and breakfast are superb. . ❤️Itinerary Day 1⃣️ ✔️Santai Mountain Forest Park 🔆Specific route: Enter from the west gate and exit from the east gate. Be sure to take the most beautiful plank road route. I don't recommend taking the sightseeing car. 🔆Must-see attractions: The forest oxygen bar and misty fairyland of the Mist Forest Plank Road, the Rainbow Beach amusement area of Begonia Bay, the super beautiful Rose Garden RV area, the Natian Boundless Flower Sea, and the music festival 🔆Visiting time: 3 hrs ✔️Zaohe Longyun City Take a taxi for about 40 mins to the second stop. This is a theme park featuring water management culture, shipping culture, and royal parade culture. 🔆Must-see programs: The scenic area has the "Imperial Anlan Longwang Temple" (Qianlong Palace), a national key cultural relics protection unit, and the Chen Family Courtyard and God of Wealth Temple, municipal-level cultural relics protection units. There are 7 free cultural and expo exhibition halls included in the annual pass in the park. Other entertainment projects can be purchased separately for about CNY 20–30. There is a large-scale fireworks show at 19:30 on weekend holidays, which must be booked in advance. 🔆Visiting time: 4 hrs ✔️Luoma Lake Beach Park I originally wanted to watch the fireworks show in Zaohe Longyun City, but I couldn't get a spot. So I immediately took a taxi to Luoma Lake Beach Park to wait for the beautiful sunset by the lake. 🔆Must-see programs: From 6:00–6:45pm, sit on the fine white sand and wait for a grand sunset feast. There will be many decorations on the beach for taking pictures. The golden-edged dolphins really match the sunset. As the sun sets, the beach becomes more and more lively. The large amusement equipment carries the happy laughter of children. How romantic it is to sit on a carousel on the beach. And don't miss the fairy tale world of the 7th Luoma Lake Beach Festival. 🔆Visiting time: 1.5–2 hrs . Day 2⃣️ ✔️Xiang Yu's Hometown Take a taxi from the hotel for 30 mins to Xiang Yu's Hometown Scenic Area in the city center. This is the birthplace of Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu, and a realistic recreation of the ancient city of Western Chu. 🔆Must-see attractions: The core attractions include Xiang Yu's Former Residence, Xiang Mansion, the ancient city tower of Western Chu, the Six Arts Garden, etc. There are many exhibitions and performances to see. This is more of a fun park than a cultural attraction. There are so many interactive and performance programs in the park. You can climb up and take pictures of every antique sculpture, which is an excellent and super fun experience. 🔆Visiting time: 1.5 hrs ✔️Suqian Museum From the exit of Xiang Yu's Hometown Scenic Area, it is just connected to the Suqian Museum. It has more than 3,000 collections of various types, including 9 first-class cultural relics, 30 second-class cultural relics, and 111 third-class cultural relics. You can gain an in-depth understanding of the history of the Suqian area and the cultural pulse that began in prehistoric times. 🔆Visiting time: 1 hr ✔️Yanghe Wine Culture Tourism Area The last program of the 2-day tour is reserved for the Yanghe Wine Culture Tourism Area, a 4A-level scenic spot. Follow the tour guide and the same batch of tourists onto the bus to start a 1.5-hr Yanghe wine culture experience. 🔆Must-see programs: Personally experience the storage of 90,000 tons and 60,000 tons of high-grade raw wine. The air in the warehouse is filled with a deep aroma of wine and intoxication. There are also storage warehouses from the Ming and Qing dynasties that have been around for hundreds of years, which is really shocking. If you have a good enough capacity for alcohol, you can taste the 72-proof raw liquor, 63-proof Beauty Spring, and the special coffee with 53-proof Dream Blue. 🔆Visiting time: 1.5 hrs 🌀🌀Return trip Take a taxi from Yanghe Wine Culture Tourism Area to Suqian Station, which is a 30-min drive, and enter the station smoothly in a second.

Suqian is the hometown of Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu, and is also a famous wine capital and water city. Emperor Qianlong once praised it as the "most beautiful place in the world in spring." Here, you can find natural and cultural attractions such as the Hometown of Xiang Yu, Santai Mountain Forest Park, Hongze Lake Wetland, and Qianlong Palace. Hometown of Xiang Yu: The scenic area is filled with large Han-style buildings, which are magnificent. Various methods such as statues and scene arrangements are used to showcase stories related to Xiang Yu. It is suitable for bringing children to learn history while having fun. Hongze Lake Wetland: Known as the world's "natural species gene bank," it is home to over 210 species of aquatic plants, 86 species of fish, and 206 species of birds, making it a renowned ecological travel destination. Santai Mountain National Forest Park: Famous for its "Eight Most Beautiful Sceneries," it features a harmonious blend of mountains, water, and countryside. It is divided into three areas: "Forest Tour Area," "Forest Leisure Area," and "Forest Resort Area," making it a natural oxygen bar. Take advantage of the bright spring sunshine and come to experience the charm of Suqian!

How to spend 2 days in Suqian? This guide is all you need! A super practical guide to help you explore Suqian with ease and without detours! / 🌈 Route Overview: D1: Longwang Temple Palace—Zaohou Longyun City—Hometown of Xiang Yu Visit the ancient Longwang Temple Palace and feel the historical charm—Zaohou Longyun City will show you the unique canal culture—In the evening, visit the Hometown of Xiang Yu and relive the legend of Chu and Han. D2: Santai Mountain National Forest Park Immerse yourself in the greenery of Santai Mountain National Forest Park and enjoy the fresh air and tranquility of nature. / Places to Visit: 🌟 Hometown of Xiang Yu 🌟🌟 Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Address: No. 288, Huanghe South Road, Sucheng District, Suqian City Opening Hours: 09:00–17:30 (or 09:00–18:00, subject to the actual time) Duration: 2–3 hours This is the birthplace of Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu. The heavy sense of history will take you back to the era of heroes. 🌳 Santai Mountain National Forest Park 🌲 Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐ Address: Santai Mountain Avenue, Suyu District, Suqian City, Jiangsu Province Opening Hours: 09:00–17:00 Duration: 3–4 hours Want to feel the freshness and tranquility of nature? Santai Mountain is the right place for you! The beautiful water and scenery, and the idyllic landscape will make you linger. / 🧳 Travel Preparation: 👕👖 Clothing: The temperature in Suqian is moderate in November. It is recommended to bring a light down jacket, sweater, and jeans for easy movement. 🎒📷 Accessories: A backpack will free your hands and is suitable for carrying a camera, water bottle, etc. Don't forget to bring a power bank to record beautiful moments at any time. 🆔💳 Documents: ID card and bank card are essential. Book tickets in advance for peace of mind. Bring some cash for emergencies. / 🎉 Suqian, a city not to be missed! Come and feel the unique charm of this city, and you will be sure to linger and look forward to coming back again! 🌈

Located in the ancient town of Zaohe, Longwangmiao Palace is the essence of Zaohe Ancient Town, also known as Qianlong Palace. The building is particularly sophisticated and magnificent. Central stage, there are two springs in the upper and lower doors, and two houses in white snow. There are two stone lions in front of the Dragon King Hall. The carvings are simple and lifelike. The lion is stepping on the ball, symbolizing the right and majesty, and the lion is stepping on the little lion, symbolizing the extension of the child. The Yubei Pavilion is umbrella-shaped. The two sides of the monument and the cap of the Imperial Monument are engraved with the pen and poems written here by the 27th, 30th, 45th and 49th years of Qianlong. .