Bengbu 3-Day Guide: Pearl of the Huai River
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Bengbu 3-Day Guide: Pearl of the Huai River
Three-Day Bengbu Guide: Pearl City, Cradle of Huaihe Culture
Bengbu, anciently known as "Pearl City," earned its name from abundant pearl production. This key city in northern Anhui sits along the Huaihe River, where Yu the Great gathered feudal lords during flood control efforts and where Flower Drum Lantern art originated. Three days to explore Bengbu's mountain and water beauty, historical charm, and culinary delights.
🚶 Day 1: Longzi Lake Landscape Scroll + Bengbu Museum
Morning: Longzi Lake Scenic Area
Longzi Lake is Bengbu's urban green lung, surrounded by hills on three sides with vast blue waves. The winding shoreline covers nearly 4 square kilometers, making it one of the largest urban lakes in Anhui Province.
Tour Route:
- Longhu Bridge — The iconic bridge spanning the lake, resembling a fairyland in the early morning mist. At 1.2 kilometers long, crossing on foot takes about 20 minutes, offering excellent photo opportunities.
- Pearl Bridge — Named after Bengbu's "Pearl City" reputation, its night lights string together like pearls when illuminated.
- Longhu Scenic Garden — Pavilions and towers reflect against the lake, with cherry blossoms in spring, lotus in summer, red maples in autumn — something to see each season.
- Zhuizi Mountain — A small hill east of the lake; climbing to the top offers a full view of Longzi Lake. At about 100 meters elevation, it takes 30 minutes to summit.
Practical Info:
- 🎫 Tickets: Longzi Lake Scenic Area free (some small attractions charge ¥10-30)
- ⏰ Suggested visit time: 3-4 hours
- 🚌 Transportation: Take bus 102 or 105 from the city center to "Longhu Park" stop
Noon: Bengbu Specialty Lunch
Dine near Longzi Lake at A-Cai Old Shop Lobster or Old Bengbu Local Cuisine Restaurant, tasting Bengbu's signature crayfish and local dishes. Average cost ¥50-80 per person.
Afternoon: Bengbu City Museum
Located at the Civic Plaza on Donghai Avenue, the Bengbu Museum is a must-visit for understanding Bengbu's history and culture.
Highlight Exhibits:
- Artifacts from the Shuangdun Site — Neolithic remains dating back approximately 7,300 years, the earliest evidence of human civilization in the Huaihe River Basin
- Yu Xu Site — Archaeological evidence of Yu the Great's flood control and the "Yu Gathering Feudal Lords at Mount Tu"
- Flower Drum Lantern Special Exhibition Hall — National intangible cultural heritage, known as "Oriental Ballet"
Practical Info:
- 🎫 Tickets: Free (reservation required)
- ⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 (closed Monday)
- ⏰ Suggested visit time: 2 hours
- 🚌 Transportation: Take bus 105 or 118 to "Civic Plaza" stop
Evening: Huaihe Cultural Plaza
Head to Huaihe Cultural Plaza in the evening, Bengbu's urban living room. The music fountain on the square performs daily at 19:30 (summer), with water curtains and lights creating a stunning display. Surrounding the plaza are multiple commercial complexes like Wanda Plaza, convenient for dinner and shopping.
🚶 Day 2: Mount Tu Yu King Palace + White Milk Spring + Huaiyuan Ancient Town
Morning: Mount Tu Scenic Area
Mount Tu is located about 15 kilometers southwest of Bengbu city center, a holy site associated with Yu the Great's flood control. Legend says Yu married a woman from the Tushan clan here and "passed his home three times without entering." The Zuo Zhuan records that "Yu gathered feudal lords at Mount Tu, with ten thousand nations bearing jade and silk," highlighting Mount Tu's significance in ancient Chinese history.
Highlights:
- Yu King Palace — First built in the Tang Dynasty, dedicated to Yu the Great, with ancient cypress trees and incense burning for a thousand years
- Qimu Stone — Legend says Yu's wife from the Tushan clan turned to stone, symbolizing ancient Tushan culture
- Wanghuai Tower — Climb the tower for a panoramic view of the Huaihe River like a ribbon and boundless fields
Practical Info:
- 🎫 Tickets: ¥40
- ⏰ Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours
- 🚌 Transportation: Take city bus to Huaiyuan County, then transfer to local minibus or taxi (about ¥50)
Noon: Lunch in Huaiyuan County Town
Huaiyuan County is a historic county under Bengbu. Don’t miss local dishes at Huaiyuan Local Cuisine Restaurant, trying specialties like Huaiyuan pomegranate chicken and clear-simmered Huaihe River fish. Average cost ¥40-60 per person.
Afternoon: White Milk Spring
White Milk Spring is located at the foot of Mount Jing and along the Huaihe River south of Huaiyuan County town, named for its milk-white water. The spring emerges from the center of the Chunyang Taoist Temple, flowing year-round and rich in minerals. Legend says tea brewed with this spring water is especially sweet.
Nearby are Wanghuai Tower and Shuanglie Shrine, offering a peaceful and quiet environment. Guo Moruo inscribed it as "The Seventh Spring Under Heaven," and Su Shi also left poems here.
Practical Info:
- 🎫 Tickets: ¥20
- ⏰ Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
- 🚕 Transportation: About 20 minutes by taxi from Mount Tu (¥30)
Afternoon (Continued): Zhanggong Mountain Park
Return to the city to visit Zhanggong Mountain Park, the largest urban park in central Bengbu, named for its bow-like shape. The park features Wanghuai Tower (7 stories, 45 meters high), offering a panoramic view of Bengbu.
Practical Info:
- 🎫 Tickets: Park free, Wanghuai Tower ¥10
- ⏰ Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
- 🚌 Transportation: Accessible by multiple bus routes in the city
🚶 Day 3: Gaixia Ancient Battlefield + Tuohu Lake Crab Feast
Morning: Gaixia Ancient Battlefield Site
Gaixia is located in Haocheng Town, Guzhen County, Bengbu — the site of the final decisive battle between Chu and Han. In 202 BC, Xiang Yu was besieged here by Liu Bang's army, leading to the legendary tales of "Ambushed from All Sides" and "The Hegemon Bids Farewell to His Concubine."
Highlights:
- Overlord City Site — Believed to be Xiang Yu's central command tent, with surviving rammed-earth wall ruins
- Consort Yu's Tomb — Legend says Consort Yu was buried here after taking her own life
- Gaixia Site Exhibition Hall — Displays numerous excavated artifacts and battle history
Practical Info:
- 🎫 Tickets: ¥30
- ⏰ Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours
- 🚌 Transportation: Take a long-distance bus from Bengbu city to Guzhen County, then transfer to local minibus to Haocheng Town (about 1.5 hours total)
- 🚕 Taxi: About ¥120-150 one way
Noon: Tuohu Lake Crab Feast
Tuohu Lake is a large freshwater lake in Wuhe County, Bengbu, famous for its hairy crabs. Tuohu Lake crabs are known for "green shells, white bellies, golden claws, and yellow hairs," with rich roe and sweet meat, rivaling Yangcheng Lake crabs. The best season is September to November.
Enjoy steamed Tuohu Lake hairy crabs and Tuohu Lake fish head soup at a farmhouse restaurant in Wuhe County town or by Tuohu Lake. Average cost ¥80-150 per person (depending on crab size).
Afternoon: Tuohu Lake Wetland Park
After lunch, take a stroll in Tuohu Lake Wetland Park for digestion. This is an important stopover for migratory birds, with thousands visible in winter — a paradise for photographers.
Practical Info:
- 🎫 Tickets: Free
- ⏰ Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Evening: Bengbu Old Street Night Market
Return to Bengbu city center for your final stop at Nanshan Road Antique and Jade Market. Bengbu is a nationally renowned jade processing and distribution hub; Nanshan Road Market is one of the largest antique and jade trading centers in East China. Even if you don’t buy, it’s interesting to browse.
Then walk to Mashrimp Street (crayfish food street), where the entire street is lined with crayfish restaurants, brimming with lively atmosphere. Order a pot of spicy crayfish + a few skewers of barbecue + iced beer to end your three-day trip perfectly.
🍜 Must-Try Foods
Bengbu Crayfish (Mashrimp)
Bengbu is Anhui's crayfish capital; "mashrimp" is the local nickname. Bengbu crayfish are known for large size, tender meat, and rich roe, prepared mainly spicy, thirteen-spice, or garlic. Recommended shops: Old shops on Mashrimp Street, A-Cai Old Shop Lobster. Average cost ¥60-100 per person.
Tuohu Lake Hairy Crabs
"Green shells, white bellies, golden claws, yellow hairs" — Tuohu Lake crabs have sweet meat and rich roe. Female crabs are best in the ninth lunar month, male crabs in the tenth. Price: ¥80-200/jin (about 600 grams, depending on size).
Huaiyuan Pomegranates
A national geographical indication product, with large grains, juicy flesh, and sweet taste. Huaiyuan has cultivated pomegranates for over 2,000 years, a tribute item since the Tang Dynasty. Price: ¥10-20/jin.
Sesame Cake with Pork Tenderloin
The most common street snack in Bengbu — a freshly baked sesame cake filled with fried pork tenderloin, crispy outside and tender inside. Add a fried egg or sausage for Bengbu's classic breakfast. Price: ¥5-8 each.
Huaihe River Fish Feast
With the Huaihe River running through the city, river fish naturally stars on Bengbu tables. Steamed white fish, braised mandarin fish, and fish head tofu soup are must-orders. Recommendation: Fisherman's restaurants along the Huaihe River. Average cost ¥50-80 per person.
Hugou Sesame Cake
A traditional famous snack from Hugou Town, Guzhen County, made with flour, sesame, and lard, layered and crispy. Price: ¥3-5 each.
Guzhen Peanuts
Plump grains, fragrant and crunchy, great as a souvenir. Price: ¥15-25/jin.
🚄 Transportation Guide
How to Get to Bengbu
🚄 High-Speed Rail:
- Bengbu South Station (high-speed rail): Key hub on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway; north to Beijing about 3.5 hours, south to Shanghai about 2 hours, to Nanjing about 35 minutes, to Hefei about 40 minutes.
- Bengbu Station (conventional rail): A station on the Beijing-Shanghai railway line, connecting to about 45 cities nationwide. About 2 km from the city center.
✈️ Air:
Bengbu Tenghu Airport is under construction, expected to open by end of 2025. Currently fly to:
- Hefei Xinqiao International Airport — Transfer to high-speed rail to Bengbu (about 40 minutes)
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport — Transfer to high-speed rail to Bengbu (about 35 minutes)
🚌 Long-Distance Bus:
Bengbu West Bus Station, East Bus Station, and Feiyan Express Bus Station are all located on Huaihai Road in the city center, connecting to areas within the province and neighboring provinces.
Local Transportation
| Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi | Starting fare ¥6/2.5 km, subsequent ¥1.5/km |
| 🚌 Bus | ¥1-2, covering major attractions |
| 🚇 Subway | Bengbu Rail Transit Line 1 in planning |
| 🛵 Shared Bike | Meituan/Hellobike, ¥1.5/30 minutes |
🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
| Level | Recommendation | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury | Bengbu Wanda Jia Hua Hotel | ¥350-500/night |
| Comfort | Bengbu Nanshan Haosheng Hotel | ¥200-350/night |
| Economy | Home Inn/Hanting (city center) | ¥120-200/night |
Recommended areas: Longzi Lake District or Bengshan District city center, convenient transportation and concentrated dining options.
💡 Practical Tips
Best Travel Seasons
- 🌸 Spring (March-May): Longzi Lake cherry blossoms bloom, pleasant temperatures (15-25°C), best season
- ☀️ Summer (June-August): Crayfish peak season, but hot and rainy; protect against sun and heat
- 🍂 Autumn (September-November): Tuohu Lake crabs at their most delicious, crisp autumn weather
- ❄️ Winter (December-February): Dry and cold, fewer crowds at attractions, ideal for in-depth exploration
Budget Reference (3 Days, 2 Nights)
- Budget: ¥600-800/person (hostel/budget hotel + bus + street food focus)
- Comfort: ¥1,200-1,800/person (three-star hotel + taxi + specialty restaurants)
- Premium: ¥2,000+/person (four-star and above hotel + private car + Tuohu Lake crab feast)
Notes
- 📱 Download the "Bengbu Bus" app for real-time bus queries
- 🦞 For crayfish, choose reputable restaurants; street stalls vary in hygiene
- 🎫 Visit Mount Tu Yu King Palace and Gaixia site in the morning for best lighting
- 🦀 Best season for Tuohu Lake crabs is September-November; quality drops off-season
- 📷 Best photo times: Longzi Lake sunrise and Huaihe Cultural Plaza night view
- 🗣️ Bengbu dialect belongs to Central Plains Mandarin, similar to Mandarin, with no communication barriers
Bengbu, an underrated treasure city in northern Anhui. The Huaihe River flows for millennia, Mount Tu's legends pass down through generations, and Mashrimp Street's vibrant energy never dies. Three days is too short, but it will make you remember. — Citywalk HQ