Things to do in Hai'an
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Top 10 attractions in Hai'an
Hanshan Temple
Hanshan Temple is located in the western suburbs of Suzhou and has a history of over 1,500 years. It gained worldwide fame through the famous line "Outside Gusu City, Hanshan Temple; midnight bell sounds reach the traveler's boat" from the Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Ji's poem "Mooring by Maple Bridge at Night." Every day, countless devotees come to the temple to strike the bell, offer incense, and pray for peace. Hanshan Temple primarily consists of structures such as the Mahavira Hall, bell tower, stele corridor, and scripture repository. The Mahavira Hall features a tall white marble Sumeru pedestal, atop which sits a gilded statue of Sakyamuni. Flanking the walls are 18 exquisitely crafted gilded iron arhat statues cast during the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty, relocated here from the sacred Buddhist site of Mount Wutai. In the stele corridor, visitors can see fragments of inscriptions by Wen Zhengming and Tang Yin—two of the "Four Great Talents of Jiangnan"—as well as poetic steles by notable figures like Yue Fei and Kang Youwei. Particularly iconic is the poetic stele "Mooring by Maple Bridge at Night," inscribed by the renowned late Qing scholar Yu Yue. The bell tower in the temple is the source of the "midnight bell sound," and the resonant, melodious chime is a symbol of Hanshan Temple. Every December 31st, Hanshan Temple holds a bell-ringing ceremony to ring in the new year, striking the bell 108 times to symbolize the dispelling of worries in the coming year. Although the current bell is no longer the one mentioned in Tang poetry but rather a relic from the late Qing dynasty, it is an enormous rarity that requires three people to embrace it fully.China · Suzhou
Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park
Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park has been rated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction. With a marine culture theme, it features five themed zones and one resort hotel, offering sixteen signature shows including "Killer whale legend", "Sea lion haha show" and "Dolphin romance". The park houses six animal exhibition venues such as the Antarctic penguin pavilion and marine mammal exploration pavilion, along with over ten amusement facilities including volcano rafting and dolphin roller coaster, showcasing more than 30,000 marine creatures. Ultraman themed pavilionThis themed pavilion is jointly created by Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park and Shanghai New Creation, located in the underwater wonderland themed area within Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, featuring the Ultraman-themed exhibition zone,Ultraman themed restaurantIt consists of five themed areas: Ultraman ice theater, Ultraman light shop, and Ultraman game center. Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park presents the spectacular land and sea mecha parade. The procession features over ten colossal mecha beasts with a total length of nearly 200 m and a combined weight exceeding 60 tons, performing daily in the park's Ice and Snow Kingdom themed area. Integrating IP entertainment, immersive performances, and themed parades, this experience will deliver immense awe and sensory impact to visitors. Specific open areas in the park (subject to the attraction's daily opening status): Attractions: dolphin roller coaster, volcano rafting, time cable car, deep sea voyage, speedy penguin, happy flying fish, flying giant fish, ocean carousel, pelican adventure Performances and venues: orca legend, Ultraman venue, Ultraman EDM square, land and sea mecha parade, sea lion express, marine animal exploration hall, dolphin encounter, town party, tribal carnival, rainforest style, water jetpack show.China · Shanghai
LEGOLAND® Shanghai Resort
LEGOLAND® Shanghai Resort is the ultimate LEGO® theme park and hotel destination for kids and their families! Build memories that last a lifetime on over 75 interactive rides, shows and attractions as well as thousands of LEGO models crafted with more than 85 million LEGO bricks across eight immersive ‘lands', that let kids and adults' imagination and creativity go wild.China · Shanghai
Qintong Ancient Town
Qintong Ancient Town is famous in China's history and culture. The town is situated in a pleasing environment surrounded by water. You can visit one of Qintong's great sights by visiting a camellia garden: some of the country's rare ancient camellia trees, with their flowers reflected in the clear water. Each year the Qintong Boat Festival is held here during the Qingming Festival. During the festival, punts, rowboats, and decorative boats stretch across 100 square kilometers, and thousands of tourists gather to witness the spectacle.Taizhou · 37 km from Hai'an
Wuzhen
Wuzhen is an ancient Jiangnan town with a long history in the northern suburbs of Tongxiang. The main scenic areas are divided into Xizha and Dongzha. Enjoying the night view of Xizha, riding a rowing boat and watching folk performances are experiences that tourists will not miss. This is also the filming location for "In Time" starring Huang Lei and Rene Liu. Dongzha and Xizha are about 1.5 kilometers apart. If you want to visit both Dongzha and Xizha in one day, you should arrive at Wuzhen early in the morning. You can visit Dongzha first (2-3 hours), and then start visiting Xizha after lunch. We visited Xizha and stayed until night to watch the night view in Xizha. If you have two days to spare, you can consider one day each in Xizha and Dongzha. Highlights of Xizha and Dongzha: You can spend a day wandering on the stone roads in Xizha, trying local snacks such as stinky tofu, Dingsheng cakes, and sister-in-law cakes, or visit old cultural sites such as Zhaoming Academy and the old post office. Of course, you can also take a paddle boat to savor the water town. small town. If time permits, be sure not to miss the Xizha Night Tour. The water alleys, ancient bridges and white walls are illuminated by the lights, which is so beautiful that the sightseeing tour is even more artistic. After admiring the night view, you can go to the bar to have a drink or watch an outdoor old movie or listen to a flower drum show, which is very relaxing. Compared with Xizha, Dongzha is smaller but has a richer atmosphere of life. There are also local people living here, and there are also attractions such as the Shadow Puppet Theater, Sanbaijiu Workshop, Xiuzhen Temple, and Mao Dun's Former Residence. You can also watch performances such as boxing boat (boxing and kicking on the boat) and high pole boat (climbing bamboo poles on the boat), so you can find Richer folk customs and historical connotations. There is a shuttle bus between Dongzha and Xizha. Food and specialty products: Braised mutton and duck in sauce are must-try delicacies in Wuzhen, and the mutton is especially famous. Hanlin Mansion Hotel and Fengyuan Restaurant in Dongzha, Yusheng Restaurant and Sauce Duck Braised Restaurant in Xizha are all popular restaurants. You may also want to try the fried stinky tofu, Dingsheng cake, sister-in-law cake and other special snacks in the streets and alleys. If you want to bring back some specialties, handmade "Sanbaijiu", Tao Xuchang brand bean paste, exquisite wood carvings and bamboo carvings, as well as scarves, tea coasters, umbrellas, wallets and various pictograms made of "blue calico" Pendants, etc. are all good choices, and there are many specialty shops on the street. Accommodation in scenic spots: There are many hotels and inns in Xizha Scenic Area, which are all managed by the government. The fees range from low to high. Staying in the scenic area can make it convenient to visit, and you can better experience the night view of Xizha. There are also many hotels and inns to choose from outside the scenic area, and the prices are cheaper than inside the scenic area.China · Tongxiang
Shanghai Wild Animal Park
Opened in 1995, the Shanghai Wild Animal Park was one of the first AAAAA (highest-rated) tourist attractions in China. Visitors can see more than 10,000 exotic animals, most of which are rare wildlife, including giant pandas, snub-nosed monkeys, takins, crested ibis, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, white rhinos, and cheetahs. The park is divided into drive-through and pedestrian areas. The drive-through portions are modeled on safari parks where animals roam through natural habitats. Another popular attraction is the park's tiger feeding pen where you can witness up close giant tigers. With lots to see and do, the Shanghai Wild Animal Park is fun for people of all ages.China · Shanghai
West Lake Cruise Boats
There are many attractions along West Lake. The West Lake Cruise is a beautiful, splendid journey. Watch the shimmering waters and the many passersby. Sit on the boat and enjoy the lakes and mountains. Relax and watch the beautiful green waves on the lake. There are a variety of ships and cruise routes to choose from, all with different prices. Visitors can choose according to their personal preferences; it's very convenient.China · Hangzhou
Nanjing Confucius Temple
The Confucius Temple was originally built in the Song Dynasty to commemorate Confucius. It is located beside Gongyuan Street on the north bank of Qinhuai River. However the temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current temple was rebuilt in 1987 after it was destroyed by Japanese Aggressors during WWII. Currently, the temple is the main scenic spot of the Qinhuai River Scenery. It also includes the China Imperial Examination Museum and Xue Gong (The Imperial Academy). At the Confucius Temple, you can admire a 6 meter high huge portrait of Confucius and 38 mural paintings reflecting the life story of Confucius.China · Nanjing
Fengqiao Scenic Area
Fengqiao Scenic Area is located by the canal west of the ancient city of Suzhou, known forFengqiao, Tieling Pass, Fengqiao ancient town,Ancient canal(A section of the Grand Canal) serves as the main attraction. Zhang Ji's Tang dynasty poem "Mooring by maple bridge at night" has drawn countless visitors through the ages to reflect on history and experience the ethereal atmosphere of hearing Hanshan Temple's bells beneath Fengqiao bridge. The Fengqiao Scenic Area's ancillary attractions occupy most of its elongated, north-south oriented Jiangfeng islet, which connects to land via bridges. Hanshan Temple stands to the east, separated by a narrow waterway.The Iron Bell Pass and Hanshan Temple are on the same bank, together with the Maple Bridge adjacent to the Iron Bell Pass, located at the northwest corner outside Hanshan Temple. The attraction has three entrances: the Heshan entrance in the south near Heshan Road and Jinmen Road, the Jiangcun Bridge entrance near the main gate of Hanshan Temple in the middle, and the Iron Bell Pass entrance in the north which leads directly to the main attraction, the Iron Bell Pass and Maple Bridge. The southern part of Jiangfeng Islet is a green belt with sparsely arranged gardens and halls, while the northern part features the newly built ancient-style Maple Bridge Old Town. There was indeed an old town here historically, thriving during the Ming and Qing dynasties as a hub where the canal and ancient post road converged, attracting numerous merchants before being destroyed in war. You can visit several exhibition halls in the town, including the Water Transport Exhibition Hall to see ship models,Jiangfeng AcademyViewing the art exhibition, the miniature model "Scenic spots of Fengqiao" in Fengqiao Garden recreates the scene from the Ming and Qing dynastiesFengqiaoThe bustling scene of the area. Several bridges are also worth noting. Jiangcun bridge near the gate of Hanshan Temple is an ancient bridge rebuilt during the Qing dynasty. It's said that the "jiang feng" in "jiang feng yu huo dui chou mian" refers both to maple trees by the river and to Jiangcun bridge and Maple bridge. The wooden covered bridge, Tingzhong bridge, offers a great angle for photographing Maple bridge and Tieling Pass. Under the archway Jinghong crossing at the northern end of Jiangfeng islet, you can see the busy traffic of boats on the ancient canal, with a cargo ship dock just across the river. A short walk east from Tingzhong bridge brings you to Maple bridge, where several steps by the waterway are said to be the mooring spot of Zhang Ji. The original construction date of Maple bridge is unknown; what we see today was rebuilt in the 6th year of Tongzhi reign (1867 AD). Walking across this single-arch stone bridge, you'll notice the steps extending into the gateway of Tieling Pass, worn smooth by time with uneven edges, vividly conveying the passage of years through the marks left by countless visitors. Tieling Pass was first built in the 36th year of Jiajing reign (1557 AD) of the Ming dynasty, serving as Suzhou's only remaining anti-pirate tower. Its stone base remains original from the Ming-Qing period, with ivy covering the weathered surface like a chronicle of time. The upper pavilion is a modern reconstruction. Visitors can ascend the narrow staircase to overlook Fengqiao ancient town and gaze at Puming pagoda of Hanshan Temple. From the dock below Tieling Pass, you can take a cruise that leisurely passes under bridges, recreating the poetic "arriving guest boat" experience. Additionally, the cruise features Pingtan performances, where soft Suzhou dialect blends with oar sounds and water reflections—a living footnote to the verse "the midnight bell reaches the visitor's boat."China · Suzhou
Lion Grove Garden(Shizilin Garden)
Lion Grove Garden, Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, and Canglang Pavilion are collectively known as the “Four Famous Suzhou Gardens”. The Lion Grove Garden was built in the Yuan Dynasty and was originally a back garden of Zen temples. It was later purchased as a private residence. This garden was treasured by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, who always stayed here during his visits to Southern China. Although the Lion Grove Garden is small, the artificial mountains in the park are very well-known. The strange rocks resemble dancing lions. The connection between the artificial mountains is not dissimilar to a maze. You can play hide-and-seek in the stone maze or count the number of observable stone lions.China · Suzhou
Experiences you can't miss in Hai'an
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What travelers say about Hai'an
M22***40October 24, 2026
4.0
Hanshan Temple is very famous, and I came here because of the poem "A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge." The temple itself isn't particularly large, making it easy to stroll around. The ancient bell and inscriptions are highlights, and the atmosphere is quiet and solemn. The Maple Bridge scenic area is right outside the temple, with the river view and ancient bridge complementing each other, creating a charming Jiangnan (southern China) atmosphere. It gets quite crowded, especially on holidays. There's a strong commercial atmosphere, with many shops selling souvenirs and incense. It's suitable for a quick stop to appreciate the poetic imagery, but don't expect it to be exceptionally tranquil. A leisurely walk, listening to the bell tolling, evokes a strong sense of history.
Hanshan Temple
辞casstOctober 25, 2026
5.0
Today's trip to the aquarium was totally worth it! The atmosphere was fantastic, especially the interactive astronaut segment, where the lighting was so dreamy and perfect for taking photos ✨. The orca show was the highlight; watching it leap out of the water was truly breathtaking, and the kids were completely mesmerized 😋. Although my legs were a bit sore after a long day, seeing these adorable marine creatures instantly lifted my spirits. Overall, a superb experience, great value for money, highly recommended for families with kids or couples! 👍
Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park
M35***94October 21, 2026
5.0
Before setting off, I was worried it would rain on the day of our visit, but luckily it was cloudy and not sunny, making for a wonderful experience! As soon as we entered the park, the kids went straight for the Halloween trick-or-treating, collecting twenty bags of candy in total. The Ugly Dwarf Nut Chocolate flavor was the best. The Little Dragon roller coaster was the kids' favorite, and they rode it twice. Unfortunately, it was during a primary school field trip that day, so the queue for the boat rides was too long, and we couldn't try them. We successfully obtained our Lego driving licenses from driving school; I suggest upgrading the quality of the licenses to make them more suitable as souvenirs.
LEGOLAND® Shanghai Resort
martinyeMay 4, 2026
4.0
The ancient town is very old, with ancient camellia and banyan trees. My child, just over 1.4 meters tall and wearing sneakers, was charged at some attractions, but was allowed to pass through Zhenhu Lake without paying. Another unique feature of Taizhou is its paid parking; street parking is also quite expensive, especially during holidays.
Qintong Ancient Town
Anonymous userOctober 25, 2026
5.0
The annual Wuzhen Theatre Festival blends the water town with theater, featuring street performances everywhere and creating a fantastic atmosphere. No need to rush; a casual stroll will yield delightful surprises. Highly recommended for those who love art and theater to experience its unique charm.
Wuzhen
Anonymous userOctober 25, 2026
5.0
Worth the time to visit. Take on the feeding bus ride! A core memory made when our children fed the brown bear! It's a huge park, we spent the whole day there. Animals are well taken care of, they look healthy and well fed. Worth the price too, children under 6yrs enter for free.
Shanghai Wild Animal Park
不凡海浪October 25, 2026
5.0
A boat trip on West Lake is the only way to truly understand Jiangnan.
Slowly sailing a painted boat towards the center of the lake, the Su Causeway and Leifeng Pagoda come into view, while the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon offers distant vistas. The lake breeze is incredibly soothing.
A guided tour is available on board to learn about the stories of West Lake.
During peak season, the queues at the dock can be quite long, so it's recommended to go early to avoid the crowds. Viewing West Lake from the shore is scenic, but being on the lake by boat truly allows you to experience being immersed in a painting.
West Lake Cruise Boats
青水月September 19, 2026
4.0
The Confucius Temple and Jiangnan Examination Hall along the Qinhuai River in Nanjing offer stunning nighttime views. A stroll through them in the gentle autumn breeze is incredibly pleasant. There are free performances and some attractions that charge admission, so you can choose what to do. In short, anyone visiting Nanjing should definitely check them out.
Nanjing Confucius Temple
oueryujiOctober 2, 2026
5.0
Shaoxing hides such a beautiful ancient village! ✨ This is Fengqiao Scenic Area. The Fengxi River flows gently, with white walls and black tiles nestled among the trees.
Without excessive commercialization, it retains the authentic charm of Jiangnan.
Walking on the old cobblestone streets, every brick and tile tells a story of a thousand years past.
Mountains, water, bridges, and alleys—slow down and feel the unique gentleness of this ancient town.
#OldTown #Shaoxing #AncientVillageScenery #FengqiaoScenicArea #TravelRecommendation #HealingScenery
Fengqiao Scenic Area
Anonymous userOctober 25, 2026
5.0
Visited on 11/09/2026. Review: Very beautiful and unique! The place was a huge labyrinth. It had so many different paths that ended in different directions.
Lion Grove Garden(Shizilin Garden)
