[2025 Bozhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Caocao Underground Military Transport Road Scenic Area (Updated Aug)

Enter the history of the Three Kingdoms world I like the history of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Worth a walk #Three Kingdoms World #Zhengzhou·Xuchang

Step into a historical labyrinth—this is the underground troop passage secretly built by Cao Cao for military operations. Stretching for several kilometers, its winding and intricate design is truly awe-inspiring! These tunnels are said to have been constructed during the Three Kingdoms period. Ingeniously designed, they connect several key military points, enabling Cao Cao to deploy troops and march covertly. The interior of the tunnels is narrow yet sturdy, equipped with ventilation shafts, waterproofing features, and branching paths to confuse enemy forces—a true masterpiece of ancient military engineering. Today, parts of the tunnels are open to the public, allowing visitors to explore this millennia-old passage and experience the wisdom and strategy of ancient warfare. Stepping into the tunnels feels like traveling back in time, evoking a profound sense of reverence.

Bozhou Ancient City has weathered 1,800 years of history. Its blue bricks and black tiles hide the secrets of Cao Cao's military tunnels, and the lingering fragrance of thousand-year-old agarwood drifts from Pharmacy Street. Free admission + low prices make it a must-visit destination for Hanfu enthusiasts! 🚌Transportation Guide: 🚌20-minute taxi ride from Bozhou South High-Speed Railway Station (approx. CNY 30). 🚗Drive to "Bozhou Ancient City" (parking lot fee: CNY 10/d; charging stations available nearby). 🚌Take Bus No. 1 or 2 to the south gate of the ancient city (taxis are recommended for night tours). 🏯Must-try immersive experiences: 1️⃣ Cycling on the ancient city wall: Ride along the Ming Dynasty city wall, overlooking the white walls and black tiles reflected in the moat (bike rental: CNY 15/hr). 2️⃣ Cao Cao's military tunnels: Explore the mysteries of this underground labyrinth and learn about the ingenious strategies of the Three Kingdoms era from live guides (tickets: CNY 50). 3️⃣ Huazu An: Visit the former residence of the "Medical Saint" and see the bronze acupuncture figures. Make your own herbal sachet (workshop: CNY 30/person). 4️⃣ Huaxi Building: Listen to the intangible cultural heritage performance of Bozhou Bangzi Opera and learn Huangmei Opera from the actors (shadow puppet shows are available on weekends). 📸Tips for atmospheric photos: ✅ Caowei Ancient City Tower: Take photos of a girl in red holding an oil-paper umbrella on the tower, with the backdrop of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. ✅ Pharmacy Street: Pose in front of "Baicaotang" and transform into an ancient shopkeeper with props like bronze scales and an abacus. ✅ Wo River night view: Take a Wu Peng boat ride and admire the lights illuminating the thousand-year-old Huanqing Bridge. ✅ Hanfu Experience Hall: Rent a Ming Dynasty Ruqun for CNY 49 and take photos in Xushen Cultural Park, just like in a time-travel drama. 💡Unlock hidden experiences: ✔️ Ancient winemaking experience: Participate in the steaming and mixing processes at the old cellar of Gujing Gong Jiu (CNY 50/person, including tasting). ✔️ Chinese herbal medicine blind box: Grab a handful of goji berries as a souvenir at the China Bozhou Chinese Herbal Medicine Trading Center (CNY 10/bag). ✔️ Traditional barbershop: Get a traditional haircut from an experienced barber and enjoy the "one push, two cuts, three ear cleanings" experience (CNY 30). ✔️ Night tour of the sea of lights: During the Lantern Festival, watch thousands of medicine lamps float down the river, carrying wishes downstream on lotus-shaped lamps. 🏡Accommodation recommendations: 🏡 Bozhou Hotel: A boutique hotel converted from a Republican-era building, with a rooftop offering panoramic views of the ancient city (from CNY 200/person). 🏡 Huaxi Building Inn: Listen to storytelling in a Huizhou-style courtyard and wake up to the sound of Bangzi Opera in the morning (from CNY 150/person, including breakfast). 🌙 Stay overnight in an old mansion: Stay in the century-old Ma Family Mansion and listen to stories about the mansion from the security guards at night (average price: CNY 80). ⚠️Things to avoid: 1. Sun protection is essential when visiting the ancient city during the day, as the bluestone roads reflect strong sunlight. 2. Be cautious when shopping on Pharmacy Street and beware of overpriced herbal medicines (it is recommended to buy from reputable pharmacies). 3. The military tunnels are narrow and damp, so wear non-slip shoes and do not carry large luggage. 4. The food in the ancient city is quite salty. Northern visitors may want to bring their own snacks.

The scenic area is in the city, and parking is within the scenic area. There are not many parking spaces, especially the ground parking spaces, which somewhat affect the overall photography of the scenic area. Fortunately, the main attraction is the underground military transport tunnel, and it should not be affected after the peak tourist season! The scenic area is well worth a visit. The underground military transport tunnel is well-equipped, and it is very cool inside during the summer. There are many visitors, and there are many preferential policies, offering discounts or free tickets for veterans, the elderly, and children, which is very good! The visit to the scenic area takes 1-2 hours. There are many snacks across the street, and it seems to be a market with various snacks like pancakes and beef and lamb snacks at reasonable prices! Worth visiting!!!

Cao Cao's Troop Movement Path, also known as Cao Cao's Hidden Troop Path, is located under the main streets of the old city in Bozhou, Anhui Province, centered around Dazhui and extending in all directions to the outside of the city. It is the oldest and most well-preserved large-scale underground military facility in China. The Cao Cao Troop Movement Path includes the Qiaowang Tower and the ancient tunnels. The entire network of tunnels is interwoven in a complex grid, with a multi-level distribution and intricate structure. More than eight thousand meters have been discovered, earning it the nickname 'The Underground Great Wall'. The saying goes, 'In war, deception is key,' hiding the troops and then striking unexpectedly and unpreparedly, which is very much in line with Cao Cao's cunning nature. Address: No. 548, Renmin Road, Bozhou City. Little tip: Cao Cao's underground troop movement path is now open at night, with opening hours from 18:00 to 22:00.

Cao Cao's Troop Transport Path. During the Han Dynasty, Bozhou in Anhui was the administrative center of Yuzhou and the Qiao region of the Pei state, which was Cao Cao's hometown. He grew up here, and also took refuge here during Dong Zhuo's tyranny. Cao Cao and his son had deep affection for this place, and after the establishment of the Wei Kingdom, the Qiao region was promoted to Qiaodu, becoming one of the five capitals. To protect his hometown during the chaotic times, Cao Cao constructed a secret military facility beneath the city—the Troop Transport Path. Today's Troop Transport Path is located underground in the old city district of Bozhou. The brickwork sections of the tunnel date back to the Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties, while the earth and wood structure parts can be traced back to the Cao Wei period. Centered around the Qiao Watchtower, the tunnel extends in all directions, with a total length of nearly eight thousand meters. Currently, about seven hundred meters are open for public visits, with a complex and extensive layout. It is the earliest and largest underground military tunnel discovered to date and is known as the 'Underground Great Wall'. The Qiao Watchtower was reconstructed based on historical records of the military watchtower built by Cao Cao in his hometown, and Cao Zhi once composed 'Three Variations of the Plum Blossom' for this tower. This antique-style building has four stories and stands out among the ancient city. Before entering the underground battle tunnel, visitors can choose to climb the tower and enjoy the surrounding views of the ancient city. 🌟 Highlights: Below the tower, on the first underground level, there is a newly built Jian'an Literature Museum, which details the literature of Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and the Seven Scholars of Jian'an, who inherited the Han Dynasty's music bureau and greatly innovated, perfected the seven-character and five-character poetry genres, and empathized with the sorrow and generosity of the common people. They were later praised as the 'Spirit of Jian'an' and also reveal the profound hometown sentiment towards Qiao County (Bozhou) in the literary works of the father and sons. 👍 Highly Recommended: Going down another level, visitors enter the actual range of the tunnel. The once spacious area suddenly becomes narrow, and the real chill of the underground air surges up, making it impossible for taller individuals to stand upright, allowing visitors to truly experience the oppressive feeling of ancient secret passages. Although only a few hundred meters of the tunnel are open, the cramped atmosphere has already made some people feel slightly uncomfortable. The main tunnel is a parallel double path, with holes between the two paths for communication. There are crisscrossing side paths, single-lane paths, and double-decker paths, as complex as a city's overpass. The general depth here is 2-3 meters, with the deepest point reaching 7 meters, and the floor undulates. The tunnel also has many mechanisms, with ventilation holes at the top leading to the surface, niches in the walls for oil lamps, and military facilities such as trip boards and traps.

Cao Cao's Troop Transport Path, also known as Cao Cao's Hidden Troop Path, is located beneath the main streets of the old city in Bozhou, Anhui Province, centered around Dazhui and extending in all directions to the outside of the city. It is the oldest and most well-preserved large-scale underground military facility in China. The scenic area consists of three parts: the Qiaowang Tower, the Jian'an Literature Museum, and the Underground Troop Transport Path. The entire network of tunnels is intricately woven and crisscrossed; the layout is ingenious, with diverse changes; it is distributed in three dimensions and has a complex structure; the scale is grand, and the engineering is vast. More than eight thousand meters have been discovered, and its value far exceeds that of a complete ancient city preserved above ground, earning it the nickname 'Underground Great Wall'. On June 25, 2001, Cao Cao's Troop Transport Path was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit in the fifth batch. In February 2016, the Bozhou Cao Cao Underground Troop Transport Path Scenic Area was rated as a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. Accommodation and Dining: Up the slope at the entrance of the Troop Transport Path is Bozhou City Gate Old Street, where a variety of Bozhou's special snacks are available. There are many nearby homestays and hotels to choose from, depending on your travel plans. A single Bozhou city holds half the history of the Three Kingdoms, taking you to appreciate the grand talent and strategy of Cao Cao. Cao Cao's Troop Transport Path

📍Bozhou, you're right to come✔ ✅Producing traditional Chinese medicine, one of the four major medicine capitals, the air is filled with the smell of traditional Chinese medicine. ✅The historical background is very heavy, it is the hometown of Cao Cao, Laozi, Hua Tuo and others, we also learn about history and culture. ✅In addition to various delicacies, there is also the regional specialty 'medicinal diet', which is a win-win situation. About transportation🚝 🚝High-speed rail direct (suitable for long distance) 🚗Self-driving (nearby) About accommodation🏠 1️⃣Near the high-speed rail station: convenient for taking a bus, good environment, a bit far from the attractions 2️⃣City center accommodation (near Bozhou Old Street), convenient transportation, close to attractions 🗓Itinerary: Day1️⃣ Cao Cao Underground Troop Transport Tunnel-Huazu Temple-Dao De Central Palace-Flower Play Tower-Bozhou Old Street-Nanjing Lane Money House Day2️⃣Bozhou Museum-Cao Cao Park-Kangmei Chinese Medicine City About attractions🌴 1️⃣Cao Cao Troop Transport Tunnel The earliest and largest underground military tunnel in history, with roads crisscrossing inside, it is said to be more than 8,000 meters long, known as the Underground Great Wall! There are also roadblocks, ambush points and various ingenious mechanisms along the way, and the narrow places inside the tunnel can only accommodate one person... Ticket: 50 2️⃣Huazu Temple How can you not come to Huazu Temple in the capital of traditional Chinese medicine? Here you can check in Hua Tuo's surroundings, health preservation people will definitely worship for three minutes, there is a 'Washing Mushroom Pool' in the temple, the medicine garden is blooming with peony, mandala, atractylodes and other medicinal flowers, you can also take beautiful photos by the flower sea at sunset Ticket: 27 3️⃣Dao De Central Palace Here is the statue of Laozi (that is, the so-called 'Taishang Laojun'), not many people, the environment is also very simple, it is a treasure place for Hanfu to take pictures Ticket: 18 4️⃣Flower Play Tower Flower Play Tower is a Qing Dynasty theater in a small city in northern Anhui, built during the Shunzhi period, also known as Shanxi Guild Hall and Daguan Temple. Flower Play Tower has three unique features: the iron pillars at the door, brick carvings and wood carvings, which are worth savoring. Ticket: 45 5️⃣Bozhou Old Street Go out along the Flower Play Tower and you will arrive at Bozhou Old Street. The gray tiles and green bricks are all over the street. You can see the leisurely old people chatting and drinking tea at the door, the peddlers pushing bicycles and selling loose wine along the street, it really feels like when I was a child Ticket: Free 6️⃣Nanjing Lane Money House Built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, it is the best preserved ancient money house in the country. The whole is a three-entry four-courtyard, and the architectural relics such as the accounting room, the shopkeeper's room, and the treasury inside are still well preserved Ticket: Free 7️⃣Bozhou Museum If you want to experience Bozhou, a city with a heavy historical background, the museum is undoubtedly the best check-in point! The collection is rich, there are statues of Cao's three fathers and sons, brick carvings of Cao Cao's clan tombs, and Cao Cao's father's luxurious burial goods 'Silver Thread Jade Clothes', people who like Cao Cao's family are blessed~ ❗No need to make an appointment in advance, just swipe your ID to enter 8️⃣Cao Cao Park The largest park in Bozhou, after visiting the museum You can continue to stroll here, it is the best place to understand the history of Cao Cao and his family Ticket: Free 9️⃣Kangmei Chinese Medicine City Bozhou Kangmei Chinese Medicine City is the largest traditional Chinese medicine trading center in the country. Here! Although it is a big market, you can really feel the enthusiasm and boldness of the locals. There is no business-mindedness, more simplicity, here you can buy all kinds of traditional Chinese medicine, there are several floors, each floor has different areas, basically you can buy all the medicinal materials on the market! There are also various kinds of flower tea! Remember to go before ten o'clock~ Ticket: Free ❗❗This place is optional, you don't need to buy medicinal materials, I personally think you don't need to go 🔟North Street Night Market A paradise for food and snack lovers! Remember to try the pancake roll gluten, rock roast cheese, fried cold noodle roll stinky tofu and bridge head ribs here, and the sour plum soup, medicinal diet, medicinal diet steamed buns developed according to medicinal materials are absolutely irresistible Ticket: Free Food recommendation🍲 Beef bun, dry pot duck, Lixin soup, Bozhou skin... And the medicinal diet and medicinal diet steamed buns developed according to medicinal materials are absolutely irresistible In general, Bozhou is very suitable for reverse tourism, those who like the history of the Three Kingdoms can come here~