Suqian 3-Day Guide: Hometown of Xiang Yu

Suqian 3-Day Guide: Hometown of Xiang Yu, China's Wine Capital, A Journey Through Chu-Han History

Suqian, located in the northern part of Jiangsu Province, is known as "the vein of Chinese civilization, the root of Jiangsu civilization, the source of Huaihe civilization, and the soul of Chu-Han culture." It is the birthplace of Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu; the hometown of China's famous Yanghe Daqu liquor; and a water-town pearl where the Grand Canal meets the ancient Yellow River. Emperor Qianlong once praised Suqian as "the finest land of rivers and mountains with the best spring scenery." Without the noise and crowds of big cities, Suqian offers rich history, stunning nature, and authentic local flavors — three days is enough to fall in love with this underrated gem.

🚶 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Chu-Han Majesty · Walk Through Millennia of History

Start your Suqian journey at The Ancestral Home of Xiang Wang (¥80) in the morning. This National 4A scenic area, covering over 260 acres, is the only large-scale Han-style architectural complex in China dedicated to Xiang Yu. Upon entering, you'll be greeted by the towering statue of Xiang Yu and the 8-ton Overlord Cauldron. The Yingfeng Pavilion displays artifacts and murals related to Xiang Yu's life. Don't miss the Xiang Wang's Locust Tree — legend says Xiang Yu planted it as a child, and after over 2,200 years, it still thrives. The scenic area features live performances like "The Feast at Hong Gate" daily. If you're lucky enough to catch a "wear Hanfu, enter free" event, take advantage of it! Allow 2-3 hours.

For lunch, head to Chu Street, Suqian's most authentic food street. Order a bowl of Gǎn Miàn Pí (¥5-8), the soul breakfast of Suqian locals — wide, chewy rice noodles doused in chili oil and vinegar, sour and spicy perfection. Pair it with a Chē Lún Bǐng (Wheel Cake, ¥5-10), a golden crispy fried pastry filled with rock sugar and red bean paste, sweet and fragrant.

In the afternoon, visit the Suqian Municipal Museum (free, closed Mondays) to trace the city's journey from the Neolithic era to modern times through extensive archaeological finds and folk exhibits. Afterward, stroll to the adjacent Xinsheng Street, a beautifully renovated ancient commercial street where blue-brick buildings house cafes, craft shops, and artisanal boutiques — perfect for a late afternoon walk.

For dinner, don't miss the Baolong 24th Street Night Market. Try the legendary Dīng's Soup Dumplings (¥20/basket), a century-old establishment dating back to the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. The wrapper is paper-thin yet holds a generous amount of soup — follow the ritual: "lift gently, move slowly, bite a window, sip the soup first." Per person spending at the night market is around ¥50-100 and you'll be completely satisfied.

Day 2: Lakes & Forests · Embrace Natural Beauty

In the morning, drive to Santaishan National Forest Park (¥60, ~20 minutes from downtown). Known as "Jiangsu's Xishuangbanna," the park's crown jewel is the Nà Tián Flower Sea — terraced fields carpeted with different colored blooms across seasons. The spring "Pear Blossom-Orchid Festival" is breathtaking, with pear blossoms and February orchids weaving purple and white carpets across the valleys. Climb the Tianhe Pagoda for a panoramic view, and take a peaceful walk around Mirror Lake with its jade-clear waters. The park also features rainbow bike paths and firefly sanctuaries, making it ideal for families and couples alike. Allow 3-4 hours.

For lunch, try a farmhouse restaurant near the park for Sìyáng Mixed Meat Cake (¥30-50), an intangible cultural heritage dish. The top layer is made from yam and pork fat (creamy white), while the bottom layer is lean meat and egg yolk (reddish brown) — chewy yet tender, not greasy, and packed with flavor.

In the afternoon, head to Suqian's only 5A scenic area — Sihong Hongze Lake Wetland (¥50 including boat ticket, ~1.5 hours from downtown). This is Jiangsu's largest freshwater wetland nature reserve, spanning 750,000 acres of pristine ecosystem. You must take a boat through the Reed Maze — the winding waterways through towering reeds create an incredibly serene escape. The Dawn Redwood Forest feels like walking into a fairy tale; the Deer Park lets you hand-feed sika deer. In autumn and winter, witness the spectacular migration of hundreds of thousands of waterbirds. Allow 3-4 hours, and be sure to reserve tickets 1 day in advance through the official WeChat account.

In the evening, return to the city and visit Luoma Lake Tourist Resort (free). Nicknamed "Little Sanya," it boasts fine sand beaches and crystal-clear lake water. The Beach Park offers jet skiing and ATV rides, or simply order a cocktail at the beach bar and watch the sunset over Luoma Lake. When evening lights illuminate the Ferris wheel, the scene is utterly romantic. Don't miss the lake's all-fish banquet — freshly caught lake fish prepared in a dozen different ways, around ¥80-120 per person.

Day 3: Wine Capital · A Tipsy Cultural Journey

In the morning, explore the Yanghe Distillery Cultural Tourism Area (¥60), the heart of China's Wine Capital. Tour the modern production facilities, the century-old underground cellar, and learn the complete baijiu-making process. Walking into the cellar, the rich aroma of aging liquor hits you instantly — it's intoxicating in the best way. The area offers a cocktail-mixing experience where you can blend your own baijiu-based cocktail. If you wear traditional Chinese attire, you might even get free admission. Allow 1-2 hours, and don't leave without trying the wine-braised pork belly and wine-fermented fish at the on-site restaurant.

For lunch, try another Suqian classic — Yellow Dog's Stewed Pig Head Meat (¥40-60/jin, about 500g). Dating back to the Qianlong era, this dish slow-cooks pig head meat with multiple spices until it's ruby-red, rich but not greasy, tender but not mushy. Pair it with a bowl of steamed rice for the ultimate comfort meal.

In the afternoon, head to Zaohe Ancient Town for two highlights: Dragon King Temple Palace (¥50) and Zaohe Dragon Luck City (from ¥19.90). The Dragon King Temple Palace, built in the early Qing Dynasty, was where Emperor Qianlong stayed during five of his six southern inspection tours — it's also an important node of the Grand Canal World Heritage Site. The Imperial Stele Pavilion houses calligraphy personally inscribed by Qianlong. Zaohe Dragon Luck City is themed around Grand Canal culture, with stunning nighttime lantern festivals and traditional performances like Liuqin Opera and stilt walking. Before leaving, buy some Qianlong Crispy Cakes (Ye's Baked Cakes, ¥10/box) as souvenirs — these flaky sesame pastries were praised by Emperor Qianlong himself.

🍜 Must-Eat Food

Food	Price	Best Place to Try
Gǎn Miàn Pí (Thick Rice Noodles)	¥5-8	Chu Street stalls
Chē Lún Bǐng (Wheel Cake)	¥5-10	Buzi Town, Chu Street
Sìyáng Mixed Meat Cake	¥30-50	Old restaurants in Siyang County
Qianlong Crispy Cake (Ye's Baked Cake)	¥10/box	Zaohe Ancient Town
Yellow Dog's Pig Head Meat	¥40-60/jin	Old downtown restaurants
Dīng's Soup Dumplings	¥20/basket	Ding's Restaurant downtown
Hongze Lake Hairy Crab	Seasonal	Sihong seafood market (autumn best)
Wine-Braised Pork Belly	¥40-60	Yanghe Distillery restaurant

🚄 Transportation Guide

Getting to Suqian:

• High-Speed Rail: Suqian Station (Sucheng District) on the Xuzhou-Suqian-Huai'an-Yancheng Railway. Direct trains to Xuzhou (30 min), Nanjing (2 hrs), Shanghai (4 hrs), Beijing (5 hrs). Suqian East Station, Siyang Station, and Sihong Station also serve high-speed trains.
• Air: The nearest airports are Xuzhou Guanyin International Airport (~100 km, airport bus ¥50, taxi ~¥300-500) and Huai'an Lianshui International Airport (~120 km, airport bus ¥60, taxi ~¥400-600).
• Driving: Expressways G2 (Beijing-Shanghai), G2513 (Huai'an-Xuzhou), and G2 Expressway all connect to Suqian. Approximately 5 hours from Shanghai, 3 hours from Nanjing.

Getting Around Suqian:

• Bus: Extensive coverage, ¥2-3 per ride, reaches all major attractions.
• Taxi: Starting fare ¥9 (covers first 3 km), ¥2.1/km thereafter.
• Bike-sharing: HelloBike, Meituan bikes available citywide for short trips.
• Private Car Hire: Recommended for outer attractions like Hongze Lake Wetland and Zaohe Ancient Town, ~¥200-300/day.

💡 Practical Tips

1. Best Time to Visit: Spring (March-May) for the pear blossom and flower sea spectacle; Autumn (September-November) for pleasant weather and hairy crabs in season; Summer for lotus blooms in the wetland; Winter for hot springs and warm baijiu.
2. Money-Saving on Tickets: Follow the "Suqian Cultural Tourism" WeChat account for real-time free admission events. The Suqian Tourism Annual Pass or "Wine Capital Travel Card" (¥100-150/person) covers 10-15 core attractions — excellent value.
3. Reservations: Popular spots like Hongze Lake Wetland and Santaishan require advance booking 1-2 days ahead, especially on weekends and holidays.
4. What to Wear: Hanfu or traditional Chinese outfits photograph beautifully at Xiang Yu's Hometown and Dragon King Temple. Light, pastel-colored clothing blends best with Santaishan's flower fields and the wetland. Bright dresses (red, yellow) pop against the lake backdrop at Luoma Lake. Most importantly — comfortable walking shoes are a must.
5. Accommodation: Luxury — Suqian Hengli International Hotel (city landmark, European castle style); Family-friendly — Suqian Star International Hotel (by Luoma Lake, huge pool); Heritage style — SU·Qingshuiwan Hotel (Chu-Han architecture, private courtyard hot spring tubs).
6. Food Timing: Gǎn Miàn Pí is best as breakfast; Wheel Cakes should be eaten hot; Chu Street, Baolong 24th, and Xinsheng Street are best explored in the evening for the full food-tour experience.
7. Souvenirs: Qianlong Crispy Cakes, crystal hawthorn jelly, and mini bottles of Yanghe Daqu all make excellent gifts.

Suqian is a city meant to be savored slowly. It has the fierce spirit of Xiang Yu's famous verse — "I could lift mountains, my strength was supreme" — yet also the gentle beauty of Jiangnan's spring rain on apricot blossoms. Come here to breathe fresh wetland air in the morning, slurp a bowl of Gǎn Miàn Pí on an old street at noon, sip Yanghe spirits at China's wine capital in the afternoon, and watch the glittering lights dance across Luoma Lake at night. Three days may not be long, but it's enough to remember this city's taste forever.