CHEN CHU

Chen Chu serves Tongling local specialties and has opened many branches. The Xinyuan branch is an old one!

The food here is good, but the environment is bad, the fume pollution seriously affects the appetite

👺Route: 1. Day 1: First Experience of Copper Culture Upon arrival in Tongling, visit the 1978 Cultural and Creative Park in Tongguan District to witness the transformation of an abandoned mining area into an industrial-style destination. In the afternoon, visit the Tongling City Museum to discover the history of bronze and its treasures. In the evening, visit West Lake Wetland Park to enjoy the sunset over the wetlands, and dine at a local restaurant in the city center. 2. Day 2: Day Trip to Ancient Towns and Landscapes In the morning, walk along the bluestone pavement of Datong Ancient Town and take a ferry to Jiangxinzhou to see finless porpoises. In the afternoon, explore the acacia trees and Dripping Cliff on Fenghuang Mountain (peonies can be seen in spring). In the evening, visit Liqiao Water Town to enjoy a light show and folk performances, immersing you in the Huizhou nightscape. 3. Day 3: Conclude with Jiangnan Style Spend the day exploring Yongquan Town, experiencing traditional consumption with copper coins, hiking to see the Twelve Scenic Spots of Jiangnan, and savoring local specialties at lunchtime. Before returning, visit Tianjing Lake Park, board a boat to view the thousand-year-old well, and soak in the relaxed atmosphere of the locals. ⛱️Must-see attractions: • Liqiao Water Town: A cluster of Hui-style buildings, the atmosphere is captivating at night when lanterns are lit. There are regular performances of iron flower making and shadow puppetry. Bus No. 26 provides a direct link. • Yongquan Town: Its core is one of the Twelve Scenic Spots of Jiangnan, surrounded by mountains, forests and streams. Hiking is available to the summit. The scenic area features ancient money houses and a food court. Transfer to Bus No. 24. • Datong Ancient Town: A free riverside town with preserved century-old teahouses and wharf ruins. Climb to Jiangxin Island to see finless porpoises (30 yuan admission). Bus No. 9 provides a direct link. • Fenghuang Mountain: A blend of nature and culture, with acacia trees, dripping cliffs, and peonies in bloom in spring. Bus No. 8 provides a direct link. • Tongguan District 1978 Cultural and Creative Park: A free industrial park, a renovated former mining area, where you can experience the life of miners. Take the bus to Dongcun Station and use the navigation system. • Tongling City Museum: Free admission, exhibiting the history of mining and smelting in Tongling. The museum's treasure, the "Golden Crab," is a must-see. Bus No. 26 is available. • West Lake Wetland Park: Free admission, located opposite the museum. Bicycle rentals and sightseeing buses are available. Egrets and wild ducks are often spotted, making it a great place for a picnic or stroll. • Tianjing Lake Park: Free admission, known as the "Little West Lake," features a landmark ancient well in the center. Boat access to the island is available. Bus No. 3/18/23/28 is available. 🍜 Food Guide: • Local Specialties: Tongling Ginger (National Geographical Indication, recommended for its sweet and sour flavor), Shun'an Crispy Candy (soft and sesame-flavored), Taiping Dried Tea (served with tea), and Datong Sesame Oil (rich in aroma). It's recommended to compare quality and price at produce stores. • Specialty Restaurants: Chen Chu, Harmony, Grandma's Home, and Wanxiangju are all established local chains offering authentic cuisine and are suitable for large gatherings. • Snack Spots: Pedestrian Street and Tongzhi Snack Street specialize in Wenzhou fried chicken, wontons, and duck blood vermicelli soup, offering excellent value and perfect for everyday cravings. • Drinks and Desserts: "San Square" milk tea (a long-standing local brand), and bread desserts from Emment and Savo (with generous ingredients) are perfect for a snack on the road. 🏨 Accommodation Guide: • Hotels in Liqiao Water Town: Accommodation in villas within the scenic area, with free entry to the scenic area and convenient parking. Rooms feature a light Chinese style, with views of flowing water and bridges from the windows. Buffet breakfast and dinner are included, and some packages include a free entrance to Manyuan Garden, perfect for those who want to fully experience the water town's nightlife. • City Hotels: Prefer Tongguan District, close to snack streets and bus stops, offering convenient access to city attractions. A wide range of prices cater to travelers of all budgets, making it ideal for those seeking convenient travel. • Accommodation Near Yongquan Town: Choose from B&Bs within or near the town, some offering free pick-up and drop-off. Experience the tranquility of the mountains and forests, perfect for those seeking a more tranquil experience. 💗Other Tips: 1. Transportation: Follow the "Tongling Public Transport" official account to check schedules. Shared bikes are available in the city, and taxis start at 7 yuan. For outlying attractions like Yongquan Town and Phoenix Mountain, it's recommended to book a ride-hailing service in advance or plan a bus transfer. 2. Admission: Five attractions, including Datong Ancient Town and the 1978 Cultural and Creative Park, are free. Admission to Jiangxinzhou for viewing the finless porpoises is 30 yuan. There are no entrance fees to Liqiao Water Town and Yongquan Town, but internal experiences are charged separately. 3. Preparation: For Liqiao Water Town, it's recommended to wear Hanfu for photos; check feeding times for viewing the finless porpoises in advance; wear athletic shoes for hiking in Yongquan Town; and reserve time to view the peonies at Phoenix Mountain in spring. 4. Time Planning: Visit Liqiao Water Town after 1:30 pm to enjoy both daytime interactions and nighttime scenery. Visit Datong Ancient Town in the early morning or evening, when the ancient buildings are even more stunning under the light and shadow. The museum tour takes about 1.5 hours and can be combined with the West Lake Wetland Park. 5. Dining Tips: Local restaurants serve generous portions, so order as needed. When buying local specialties, choose fresh, mold-free ginger and check the expiration date on crispy candies. #AnhuiJourney #AnhuiTravelGuide #AnhuiTravel #TonglingTravel #TonglingTravelGuide

Who knows, family! I thought trips around the Yangtze River Delta were all "assaults," but after three days in Tongling, I had great food, great accommodations, and the prices were incredible! 👣 The attractions were uncrowded, the scenery was beautiful, and the food was affordable and authentic. This trip completely overturned my perception of consumption! 📅 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary (No Detours) Day 1: First Experience of the Copper City's Culture - Morning: Arrive at Tongling Station by high-speed rail and take bus No. 2 directly into the city (a super affordable 1-2 yuan fare). First, head to the Tongling Museum (free! Reservations required) to see its 50-ton copper curtain wall and glimpse 3,000 years of copper mining history. - Afternoon: Visit Tianjing Lake Park (free!) and take a boat trip to the Tongtianjing (Tongtianjing), the well-known waterway visited by Li Bai three times. The boat seats three people for 40 yuan. - Evening: Enjoy delicious food at the Changjiang Road Night Market. Enjoy Yu Ling's hot pot and Vancouver fried chicken legs for 20 yuan per person. Day 2: Water Town Fireworks and Intangible Cultural Heritage Romance - Morning: Take a taxi to Liqiao Water Town (35 yuan admission), visit ancient Hui-style buildings, and experience coppersmith craftsmanship. Arrive before 4:00 PM to avoid crowds. - Afternoon: Cruise the waterways on a black-sailed boat (30 yuan/person), climb Wenchang Pavilion to capture breathtaking photos of the misty Jiangnan landscape. Hanfu rentals are 50 yuan/hour. - Evening: Watch the iron flower show at 7:30 PM (free!). The golden meteors streak across the night sky is breathtaking! ✨ Enjoy some water town braised food paired with rice wine. Overnight at a scenic hotel, including admission and shuttle bus. Day 3: Relax in the mountains and enjoy a delicious meal. - Morning: Visit Yongquan Town, exchange cash for copper coins, and enjoy Jiangnan-style snacks. Enjoy the delicious pig soup and wood-fired rice. - Afternoon: Hike the Twelve Scenic Spots of Jiangnan (combined ticket 99 yuan, includes hot springs), ascend the mountainside via a cloud ladder to view the Yangtze River, descend the mountainside on a glass slide to decompress, and soak in the 52°C strontium-rich hot springs to soothe fatigue. - Evening: Grab some Tongling sweet and sour ginger and Datong dried tea as souvenirs, and finish off your trip with a bowl of Master Pei's knife-cut noodles before returning home! 🍜 Hidden gems to enjoy (50 yuan per person, you'll eat until you're leaning on the wall) - Breakfast legends: - Jinqiu Specialty Noodle House: The beef and large intestine noodles are superb, with clean, odorless intestines. Lines start at 5 a.m. - Sister-in-law Chicken Noodle Soup: Next to Tianjing Lake Park, the broth is fresh and the noodles are chewy, a local favorite. - Must-try main dishes: - Lao Zao Fang (Jiangnan Cultural Park Branch): A local favorite with a 5-star rating, serving authentic Anhui cuisine. - Chen Chu Lao Jia Restaurant: Clay pot mountain vermicelli fish head with a variety of side dishes, authentic local flavors. - Night Market Hidden Gems: - Tongzhuang Large Intestine Noodles: A 30-year-old establishment, 15 yuan a bowl with duck blood and kelp, a comfort for night owls. - Banmu Lotus Breeze: Freshly-cooked cold noodles are refreshing and incredibly delicious in the summer. 🚌 Transportation Avoidance Guide (Save Money and Hassle) 1. Transportation: Prioritize Tongling Station (close to the city center). Tongling North Station offers convenient access to Yongquan Town. 2. City Transportation: The starting price for taxis is 8 yuan. Didi is available 30 minutes in advance for stops between attractions (cheaper than AutoNavi). Shared electric bikes are available throughout the city. 3. Pitfall Avoidance Tips: When visiting attractions like Chen Zhu's Tomb, don't rely solely on navigation. Ask locals for directions for the last kilometer. When driving to Fenghuang Mountain, avoid "shortcuts" along the ridges. ⚠️ Locals' Secret Tips - When buying Tongling white ginger, choose bagged ginger with clearly marked prices; loose ginger is prone to underweight. Ask for prices before ordering at Qili Lake Fish Restaurant. - "Free tours" and "free incense" at scenic spots are often shopping scams, so hold onto your wallet and run! Buy your boat tickets directly; don't trust scalpers who mark up your prices. - Some snacks in Yongquan Town require copper coins, so bring some cash. Wear non-slip shoes when hiking; avoid white shoes on pothole-prone mountain roads. - When staying at a hotel, remember to check the mirror (if there's a gap between your fingers and the mirror, it's safe). Pinch your drinking water beforehand to check for any abnormalities. Tongling truly has "value for money" ingrained in its DNA! Three days exploring the natural beauty of the landscape, enjoying authentic local cuisine, and spending half what you expected. 🤩 This is a real gem, add it to your travel bucket list now! #TonglingTravel #AnhuiTonglingYongquanTown #AnhuiTour #What's everyone doing over the National Day holiday? #NationalDayTravelDiary

#Local cuisine Seeing that the local Anhui cuisine ranks first, come and try it. The signature fish pancake is sour, with tofu filling, very crispy, and a lot of oil, which I personally don't like. This dry pot pork belly is an unexpected surprise, the portion is really full, and the pork belly is really fresh. It should be the most cost-effective pork belly I have eaten in so many years, especially after a period of time, when the pot is heated, the pork belly becomes softer and more flavorful.