Tongling is back, listen to my advice
Tongling, Anhui's "Ancient Bronze Capital," in October with refreshing autumn breezes, is the perfect season to explore the millennium-old bronze culture and wander through the charming Huizhou-style water towns. This guide will take you on an immersive experience of Tongling's cultural heritage and natural wild beauty at an affordable price.
🌍Geographical Tags
Tongling, with the Yangtze River flowing through the city, has 3,000 years of bronze smelting history on one side and the gentle elegance of Huizhou water towns on the other. Visiting in October, you can dive into the mountains to enjoy autumn scenery and also take night tours of ancient towns to watch the intangible cultural heritage iron flower performances, all while enjoying very budget-friendly costs!
📅3 Days 2 Nights Essential Itinerary
Day 1: Water Town Night Feast · Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival
- Morning: Head straight to Liqiao Water Town (open all day, stunning at night), take a black-awning boat weaving through white walls and black tiles, and try freshly made maqi (crispy outside, glutinous inside, 5 RMB/portion).
- Noon: Rush to Yongquan Town (8:00-21:00), exchange copper coins for a bowl of firepot braised pork (aromatic meat, 30 RMB/portion), and experience the novelty of retro-style consumption.
- Evening: Return to Liqiao Water Town to watch the intangible cultural heritage iron flower performance (free) + bonfire party, stay at Yongquan Farm Resort (forest villa with private hot spring, about 400 RMB/night), and fully immerse yourself in the Jiangnan night atmosphere.
Day 2: Volcano Adventure · Ancient Town Nightlife
- Morning: Climb Fushan Scenic Area (8:00-17:00, ticket 80 RMB), explore billion-year-old volcanic relics, check out cliff inscriptions, and when mist swirls after rain, it looks like a fairyland. The view of the Yangtze River from the summit is breathtaking.
- Noon: Stroll through Datong Ancient Town (free, ferry 10 RMB), eat sauerkraut noodle chunks (12 RMB/bowl) in this millennium-old town by the Yangtze River, sour and spicy to whet your appetite.
- Evening: Visit Tongguanshan 1978 Cultural and Creative Park (free), perfect for cool industrial-style photos, stay at Tongquetai Kaiyuan International Hotel (river view room overlooking Tianjing Lake, about 300 RMB/night).
Day 3: Mountain Stream Trekking · Food Street Crawl
- Morning: Rush to Wutong Flower Valley (ticket 60 RMB), experience glass rafting (scream your lungs out during the plunge, 80 RMB/person), and feel the crispness of autumn in the forest.
- Noon: Head to Tongzhuang Night Market, gnaw on spicy duck heads (so spicy it brings tears but you can't stop, 8 RMB each), then have a bowl of ice jelly (6 RMB/bowl).
- Afternoon: Take a cup of red bean fermented rice wine (5 RMB/cup) home, sweetly ending the trip~
🌟Must-Visit Checklist
- Liqiao Water Town: Stunning Huizhou architecture night scenes, iron flower performances lighting up the night sky, like traveling through "The Longest Day in Chang'an."
- Yongquan Town: Relive the twelve scenes of Jiangnan step by step, the magical experience of copper coin consumption, soak in Jiubao Hot Springs until you don’t want to leave (autumn hot springs are even more healthful).
- Fushan Scenic Area: Billion-year-old volcano + cliff inscriptions, a paradise for hiking lovers, with an incredibly stunning Yangtze River view from the summit.
- Datong Ancient Town: A time capsule by the Yangtze River, with bluestone old streets, old teahouses with fragrant tea, and you can take a ferry to watch the Yangtze finless porpoise (protected base observation, no contact).
🍜Food Attack List
- Weifu Immortal Chicken: Chicken so tender it falls off the bone, sauce mixed with rice can wow you for three bowls! (40 RMB per person)
- Shun’an Crispy Candy: Sweet hit of black sesame + maltose, a must-buy souvenir~ (20 RMB/box)
- Danpi Smoked Fish: Smoked with peony root, salty and delicious, perfect with beer! (35 RMB/portion)
- Tongguanshan Stinky Tofu: Crispy outside, tender inside, stinky and flavorful, only 5 RMB to eat until full.
💰3-Day Expense List (Per Person)
- Accommodation: (400+300) ÷ 2 = 350 RMB
- Food & Drink: (30+12+8+6+40) = 96 RMB
- Tickets: 80 (Fushan) + 60 (Wutong Flower Valley) + 10 (ferry) = 150 RMB
- Transportation: City taxi + bus ≈ 50 RMB
- Total: 350 + 96 + 150 + 50 ≈ 646 RMB, excellent cost performance!
⚠️Travel Tips
- Sunscreen: UV rays in Tongling are still strong in October, sunscreen + hat are a must!
- Copper Coin Exchange: The copper coin exchange at Yongquan Town has long lines, better to go in the morning.
- Dress: Wearing Hanfu for Liqiao Water Town night tours boosts photo success rate by 200%; wear non-slip shoes for Fushan hiking.
Tongling’s autumn carries the weight of bronze culture and the tenderness of Jiangnan water towns. Spending just a few hundred RMB can bring a fulfilling trip—who wouldn’t love such a journey?