Traveling with Kids in Ezhou Without Any Pitfalls

Ezhou, a thousand-year-old Wu capital neighboring Wuhan, is perfect for a weekend getaway. It offers the vast misty waves of Liangzi Lake, the Three Kingdoms heritage of Xishan, and authentic Wuchang fish to savor. I have prepared a relaxed and enjoyable two-day travel guide for Ezhou, allowing you to appreciate both natural scenery and rich historical culture. 🏞️ Two-Day Leisure Tour in Ezhou ✨ Highlights · Unique landscape connecting river and lake: Experience two distinct water views in one trip, from the First Pavilion on the Yangtze River to Liangzi Lake, Hubei’s largest freshwater lake · Three Kingdoms heritage of the ancient Wu capital: Visit the former capital of Sun Quan and immerse yourself in Eastern Wu culture through historical sites · Intangible cultural heritage food experience: Taste authentic Wuchang fish and Liangzi Lake hairy crabs, and explore Ezhou’s unique culinary culture 🗓️ Itinerary Overview Here is the overall plan for the two-day Ezhou tour to help you grasp the schedule intuitively: ```mermaid gantt title Ezhou Two-Day Tour Itinerary dateFormat HH:mm axisFormat %H:%M section Day 1: Xishan Nostalgia and Riverside Scenery Depart Wuhan :d1_1, 08:00, 1h Visit Xishan Scenic Area :d1_2, after d1_1, 3h Lunch with Specialty Fried Noodles :d1_3, after d1_2, 1h Visit Ezhou Museum :d1_4, after d1_3, 1.5h Wuchang Gate and Guanyin Pavilion :d1_5, after d1_4, 1h Stroll in Riverside Park :d1_6, after d1_5, 1.5h Night Tour and Dinner at Wudu Qiao Street :d1_7, after d1_6, 2h section Day 2: Liangzi Lake Ecological Experience Head to Liangzi Lake :d2_1, 08:30, 1h Liangzi Lake Ecotourism Area :d2_2, after d2_1, 2h Boat to Liangzi Island :d2_3, after d2_2, 30m Tour and Lunch on Liangzi Island :d2_4, after d2_3, 3h Return to Ezhou City :d2_5, after d2_4, 1h Buy Local Products and Return Trip :d2_6, after d2_5, 1.5h ``` 🗺️ Detailed Itinerary 🌳 Day 1: Xishan Nostalgia and Riverside Scenery · Morning: Depart from Wuhan by high-speed train (about 20 minutes) or drive (about 1 hour) to Ezhou. After settling in, head to Xishan Scenic Area. Xishan is Ezhou’s top mountain. Visit Lingquan Temple with over 1600 years of history, enjoy Jiangnan garden views at Xiuyuan, and climb the Wu King’s summer palace and Wuchang Tower for a panoramic view of the Yangtze River. The area also features Jiuchu Pavilion, where Su Shi inscribed poems. If traveling with elders, electric carts are available for touring. · Noon: Exit the north gate of Xishan Scenic Area and walk to Ezhou Museum. As a national first-class museum, it showcases Ezhou’s rich collection as the "Hometown of Bronze Mirrors," especially the bronze mirror exhibition on the second floor, which is a must-see. Note the museum is closed on Mondays. · Afternoon: Visit Wuchang Gate by the river, a city gate carrying Sun Quan’s historical legacy of "prospering by military strength." Then admire Guanyin Pavilion, known as the "First Pavilion of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Yangtze," standing in the river for 700 years. Afterwards, stroll through Riverside Park to enjoy the sunset over the Yangtze. · Evening: Experience the retro atmosphere at Wudu Qiao Street. The architecture and lighting evoke the Republic of China era. Enjoy dinner here and taste authentic Ezhou cuisine. 🦀 Day 2: Liangzi Lake Ecological Experience · Morning: After breakfast, head to Liangzi Lake Ecotourism Area, Hubei’s largest freshwater lake. Walk along the lake and enjoy the scenic views. September to October is crab season, offering a chance to taste fresh Liangzi Lake hairy crabs. · Noon: Take a 30-minute boat ride to Liangzi Island. Visit attractions like Zhangjia Lou and Kuixing Tower to experience fishing village culture. Have lunch at a local fisherman's restaurant, with must-try dishes including steamed silverfish egg custard and crab porridge. · Afternoon: Continue exploring Liangzi Island, try activities like net weaving and listening to fishing drum performances. Then take the boat back to the mainland and visit the Wuchang Fish Hometown Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition and Sales Hall to learn about Wuchang fish culture and cooking methods. Purchase local specialties such as canned Wuchang fish and dried Liangzi Lake silverfish as souvenirs before concluding your pleasant two-day trip and returning to Wuhan. 🍽️ Ezhou Food Guide Ezhou is famous for lake delicacies and local snacks. Here are some must-try dishes: Category Recommended Dishes Recommended Places Lake Delicacies Steamed Wuchang Fish, Liangzi Lake Hairy Crab (autumn), Steamed Silverfish Egg Custard Liangzi Island Fisherman’s Restaurant, Ezhou Old Restaurant Snacks and Staples Sawu Bean Threads, Taihe Qianzhang, Dongpo Cake (Xishan Scenic Area) Wudu Qiao Street, City Noodle Shops, Xishan Scenic Area Special Breakfast Beef Noodles/Lamb Noodles, Fresh Meat Buns Shanggong Chengji Noodle Shop, Sansao Bun Shop 💰 Budget Estimate Approximate budget for two people for two days (in RMB): Expense Category Budget Option Comfortable Option Local Transportation 200 (bus/taxi) 400 (chartered car/taxi) Accommodation (1 night) 200-300 400-600 Meals (2 days) 300 500 Tickets and Activities 200 300 Shopping and Souvenirs 200 400 Total About 1100-1200 About 2000-2200 💡 Practical Tips 1. Transportation: Ezhou’s city attractions are concentrated and accessible by bus or taxi. For Liangzi Lake, take the tourist shuttle; chartering a car is more convenient for groups. 2. Accommodation Recommendations: · Budget Choice: Home Inn Select (Ezhou High-Speed Rail Station Branch), conveniently located near the station · Comfortable Option: Ezhou Great Wall Garden Hotel, near Xishan with full facilities · Unique Experience: Ouhua Mediterranean Hotel near Liangzi Lake, featuring Mediterranean style 3. Best Seasons: Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting Ezhou. Spring offers pleasant weather and willow trees by the lake; autumn is crisp and perfect for enjoying Liangzi Lake hairy crabs. 4. Dress Code: Ezhou is windy by the lake; bring a windbreaker. The itinerary involves hiking and walking, so wear comfortable sports shoes. Ezhou, a low-key ancient city with profound history and beautiful natural scenery, is perfect for a relaxed two-day trip. I hope this guide helps you fully experience Ezhou’s charm and enjoy a wonderful weekend holiday!