Three Days and Two Nights in Huanggang, Hubei Province

🌿Want to experience the double healing power of "Dongpo's legacy + spectacular mountain scenery"? This Huanggang guide will take you through the millennium-old cultural site of the Red Cliffs, ascend the most dangerous peak in Central China, and savor authentic hanging pots and meat cakes. Let's go! 📅 Day 1: Dongpo Culture: A Slow Life in the Ancient City Morning: Dongpo Red Cliffs: Immerse Yourself in a Thousand Years of Literary Charm - Must-see highlights: ✅ Two Fu Hall: The collection of wood-carved steles of the *Ode to the Red Cliffs* and the stunning replica of Su Shi's handwritten calligraphy. ✅ Qixia Tower: Ascend the tower and overlook the Yangtze River. Feel the river breeze on your face as if you can hear Dongpo's chanting of "The Great River Flows East". ✅ Liuxian Pavilion: Exhibits historical materials about Su Shi's life in Huangzhou. Don't miss the interesting exhibition panels on "The Birth of Dongpo Pork". - Tip: The scenic area is not large and can be visited in 2 hours. It is recommended to hire a guide (CNY 30/person) to listen to the historical stories. Lunch: Dongpo's Culinary Memories - Must-try combinations: 🌟 Huangzhou Shaomei: The glutinous rice shaomei at "Dongmenlu Gusao Breakfast" has a thin skin and generous filling. It's perfect with a bowl of egg wine. 🌟 Dongpo Pork: The yellow wine braised pork at "Meizhou Dongpo" is tender, not greasy, and goes perfectly with rice. Afternoon: Yi'ai Lake Park: Take a Deep Breath in the City's Green Lung - Recommended route: 1. Yi'ai Pavilion: The best viewpoint for the lake and mountain scenery. You can rent Hanfu (CNY 30/hour at the scenic spot) for ancient-style photos. 2. Dongpo Memorial Hall: Immersive projections recreate Su Shi's life in Huangzhou. The "Xuetang Painting Snow" interactive installation is super fun. 3. Lakeside Greenway: Rent a shared bike (CNY 20/hour) and watch egrets skim over the lake's surface. You might even encounter newlyweds taking wedding photos. Evening: Sleep by the Lake: Listen to the Wind by the Water - Hotel recommendation: The New Beacon Walden Hotel next to Yi'ai Lake. Some rooms have balconies with lake views, offering stunning night views. 📅 Day 2: Tiantangzhai: The Pinnacle of Scenery in Central China Morning: Reaching the Summit: Spectacular Sea of Clouds - Transportation advice: - Drive 2 hours directly from the city center, or take the "Huanggang → Luotian" bus from Huangzhou Bus Station (7:00-16:00, CNY 30). - Combined ticket for scenic bus + cable car (CNY 280). The cable car is recommended for going up the mountain (saves 2 hours of physical exertion). - Highlights: ✅ Zheren Peak: The cliff resembles the outline of a human face, and when surrounded by clouds and mist, it looks like a "Cloud Immortal". ✅ Tiantang Grand Canyon: Hike to see the Nine Shadows Waterfall and Lovers' Waterfall. The clear stream water is perfect for chilling watermelons. Lunch: Luotian Hanging Pot: Rustic Charm in the Mountains - Ordering guide: - Must-try combination hanging pot with "chicken + ribs + tofu", heated on a wood-fired stove, with a ring of corn cakes. - Pair it with local "chestnut braised pork" (Luotian chestnuts are soft, waxy, and sweet, and are a National Geographical Indication product). Afternoon: Queqiao Immortal: Romantic Check-in Spot - Must-do for couples: - Walk across the "Magpie Bridge" and take hand-in-hand photos. Hang a love lock on the chain wall (locks can be purchased at the scenic spot). - Walk on the "glass walkway" (ticket: CNY 60) to challenge your courage and overlook the undulating mountains. Evening: Mountain Living: Healing Under the Stars - Hotel recommendation: Bodao Peak Resort Hotel within the scenic area. Open the window to see the starry sky, and capture the sunrise and sea of clouds in the early morning. 📅 Day 3: Guifeng Mountain: Geological Wonders and Nostalgia Morning: The Turtle Swallows the Sun: A Geological Lesson from Millions of Years Ago - Core landscapes: ✅ Guitoushi (Turtle Head Rock): A 300,000-ton boulder shaped like a turtle exploring the sea, which is said to be a sacred beast left by Yu the Great when he controlled the floods. ✅ Guifeng Temple: An ancient temple from the Tang Dynasty. The "Beamless Hall" inside the temple has a unique architectural style, and the fortune-telling is said to be very accurate. ✅ Azalea Sea (April-May only): Thousands of acres of ancient azalea communities, covering the mountains in red during the flowering season (miss it, wait a year!). Lunch: Macheng Flavors: A Carbohydrate Feast - Locals' hidden gems: 🌟 Macheng Meat Cake: The fish cake + meat cake combo at "Laomijiu Meat Cake Shop" is springy, fresh, and fragrant. It's perfect with steamed rice. 🌟 Macheng Oil Noodles: Plain boiled noodles sprinkled with chopped green onions, served with a pickled mustard green and shredded pork soup. Refreshing and palate-cleansing. Afternoon: Souvenirs for the Journey Home: Take the Taste of Huanggang with You - Must-buy list: - Luotian chestnuts (vacuum-packed), Macheng Laomijiu (slightly sweet and fragrant), Huangzhou Dongpo Cakes (thin, crispy, and sweet). - One-stop shopping at "Huanggang Specialty Supermarket" in the city center, with express delivery available. ⚠️ Practical Tips (Pitfall Guide) 1. Ticket discounts: - Dongpo Red Cliffs: Half-price student tickets (CNY 25), free for seniors over 60. - Tiantangzhai/Guifeng Mountain: Book 2 days in advance on the "Hubei Culture and Tourism" official account for a CNY 20 discount compared to on-site prices. 2. Clothing suggestions: - Tiantangzhai has a high altitude, so bring a light jacket in summer (temperature difference of 10°C+) and wear non-slip hiking shoes. - New Chinese style/Hanfu is suitable for Wen Red Cliffs, and bright-colored clothes can be worn at Guifeng Mountain (to contrast with the rocks). 3. Food map: - Huangzhou "Kuaizi Road": In addition to the Miyazaki wall, try the lotus root and pork rib soup at "Xiaoshihou Wei". The soup is milky white. - Qichun "Medicinal Cuisine Banquet": Coix seed stewed pork tripe and Poria cocos cake are a must-try for health enthusiasts (you can book stewed dishes in advance by phone). The beauty of Huanggang lies in the "rocks piercing the sky" described by Su Shi, in the surging sea of clouds at Tiantangzhai, and in the rustic charm of the boiling hanging pots. If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, come here—read a poem at Wen Red Cliffs, experience a mountain rain at Tiantangzhai, watch a sunset at Guifeng Mountain, and let your body and mind return to the poetry of nature.🌄