竹林大饭店

I didn't expect that I could eat shrimp bran wontons, marble duck, fermented bean curd jelly, chicken sauce tofu, fresh meat/red bean paste plum cake, and golden navel (called tiger claw in Shanghai) all at once in Zhulin Hotel in Yancheng. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg, there are too many things to eat there. Zhulin Hotel is located in the city center of the old city of Yancheng. It looks like a very modern building, but inside it is the original scene of old Yancheng, restoring the post office, bank, cloth shop, photo studio, barber shop, comic book stall, fishing village and other shops of that era, full of life and interest. What is particularly surprising is that there are so many people inside, and most of them are young people.

There aren't many places to visit in downtown Yancheng, but this place is very unique. It's called a big hotel, but it's actually a museum. You can see a lot of things that look old, and you can even sit in an old shop and eat. Other cities have similar places, but the display here is very detailed, and the restoration is very high. It feels like you're there, and it shows that a lot of effort was put into the layout. The air conditioning is very strong inside, and you can also have breakfast at the Zhulin morning market. It's worth a visit.

Walking into the Zhulin Hotel, I felt like I was revisiting yesterday and was instantly transported back to my childhood. Even my mother, who is almost 80 years old, was filled with emotion and kept recalling the past days.

Familiar scenes in memory, enjoy some snacks on the first floor after visiting

Day 1: Wetland Wonders (Chinese Elk Park, Red-crowned Crane Reserve, Yellow Sea Forest) Dazong Lake Day 2: Lake and Flower Charm (Dutch Flower Sea, Xixin Temple, Dazong Lake, Jiulongkou) Day Ocean Bay Day 3: Ancient Charm Reborn (Anfeng Ancient Town, Eastern Jin Water Town, Water Street, Day Ocean Bay) Zhuxi Ancient Town Day 4: Childlike Fun (Hans Christian Andersen Amusement Park, Zhuxi, Wuyou Ancient Town, Return Trip) Day 1: A Magical Day Dancing with Mythical Beasts 7:30 AM Chinese Elk Park The world's largest elk gene bank, take an electric car into the core wetland area and encounter the spectacle of the "Four Dissimilars" taking their morning bath. Must-try experiences: Feeding elk (designated areas only), and the saltwort latte at the Deer Garden Cafe. Gourmet Easter Egg: Freshly grilled venison skewers at the scenic area's exit (limited to 100 skewers daily). 11:00 Red-crowned Crane Wetland The southernmost point in the world where red-crowned cranes winter, with thousands of cranes flying together from December to March, a breathtaking spectacle reminiscent of "The Story of Yanxi Palace." Secret attraction: VR recreates Ren Xiujuan's story of crane conservation in the Ecological Museum, and professional birdwatching scopes are available for rental at the telescope observatory. 2:30 PM Yellow Sea Forest Park The largest plain forest in East China, a magical light and shadow experience amidst the secrets of Metasequoia. Recommended overnight stay: Forest Cabin B&B, with a stargazer guide available at 8:00 PM. Mobility Tip: Rent an electric bike (30 RMB/hour) to easily visit the Forest Eye Glass Tower. Day 2: Flower Sea, Buddhist Chant, and Legends 8:00 AM: Dutch Flower Sea Monet's Garden, woven with 30 million tulips, boasts a flower parade from March to May that rivals Keukenhof. Photography Tip: Wear a solid-colored dress and capture windmill reflections along the Rainbow Plank Road. Recommended Souvenir: Preserved Flower Frame (DIY at the Flower Arrangement Center). 10:30 AM: Xixin Temple Northern Jiangsu's oldest temple, listen to the morning and evening bells beneath the Ming Dynasty ginkgo trees. Zen Experience: 11:00 AM: Vegetarian Banquet (Must-Try Eight Treasures Tofu), and pray for a consecrated salt-carved amulet in the abbot's room. 1:00 PM: Dazong Lake Guinness World Record-breaking Reed Maze, explore the ruins of an ancient city from the Eastern Jin Dynasty by oar boat. Boat Song Interaction: The boatwoman will teach you how to sing the Huai Opera "Zhao Wu Niang." Get the tune right and get the boat fare free. Food Hit: Recommend the "Langli Baicha" (steamed freshly caught whitefish) at the all-fish banquet. 5:00 PM Jiulongkou The ecological secrets of the confluence of nine rivers: Huai Opera Town offers daily performances. Sunset Secret: Climb the Lake Viewing Tower and gaze west, where nine rivers flow like golden dragons chasing the sun. Snack Guide: Meijia Shop's lotus root starch dumplings, served with lotus petals as bowl holders. Day 3: Salt Merchant Secrets and Water Charm. 8:00 AM Anfeng Ancient Town. A Silver Empire on the Salt Canal: Touch the thousand-year-old wheel tracks on the bluestone slabs. Quest: Find the nine salt merchant secret codes along Qili Long Street and collect them in exchange for traditional sea salt. Food Memories: Wu's Shaobing Shop's Dragon and Tiger Shaobing, where sweet and savory lovers reconcile. 11:00 AM Eastern Jin Dynasty Water City. Recreate the splendor of Yandu during the Song Dynasty with a real-life scenario-based kill scene in the eight salt gangs' neighborhoods. Must-See Show: 7:30 PM, "Yandu Past" Water Curtain Show; Front-Row Seats Get Wet and Interactive Handcraft Experience: Homemade Zodiac Salt Sculptures at the Salt Workshop (Book 2 hours in advance) 2:00 PM, Water Street A Taste of the Riverside: Eight Great Bowls Reveal the Grandeur of the Caogang Clan. Food Route: Soy Sauce Bibimbap at Zhulin Hotel → Listen to Pingtan and Drink Biluochun at Shuiyun Pavilion → Buy Opera Masks and Lollipops at the Huai Opera Museum 6:00 PM, Dayang Bay A Tang Dynasty-inspired feast amidst the city's green lungs: A sunset at Ying Pavilion rivals that of Tengwang Pavilion. Hot Spring Tips: Soak in the "Five Blessings Soup" in the order of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. Rub the salt bath with your left hand (traditional custom). Night Cherry Blossom Wonderland: From March to April, we recommend staying at the Sakura Inn, where you can enjoy the night cherry blossom light show right from the window. Day 4: Fairy Tale Town and Time Capsule 9:00 AM Andersen Fairy Tale Park The world's first Hans Christian Andersen theme park, a real-life fairy tale encyclopedia. Three Must-Sees: 1. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Submarine (with real bubbles) 2. 50-meter-high rotating flower basket (caution for those with acrophobia) 3. 7:30 PM Drone Meteor Shower (wishing success rate depends on mystical factors) 1:00 PM Millennium Ancient Town Zhuxi Ancient Town: Experience the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Wheat Straw Painting + Find Love at the Dong Yong Temple Wuyou Ancient Town: Drunken Snail Workshop + Find Fan Zhongyan's Calligraphy at Zhuxi Academy Food Hot and Bad List Three Must-Try Intangible Cultural Heritage Sites: Dongtai Fish Soup Noodles (Hexing Building Branch, 5:30 AM for the freshest broth) Jianhu Lotus Root Balls (Wangji, Jiulongkou, crystal skin wrapped with sesame and osmanthus) Wuyou Drunken Snails (Shaoji, a time-honored brand, marinated for 49 days in rice wine) Tips to Avoid: Bamboo Tube Milk Tea in the Scenic Area (recycling bins are questionable for hygiene) June Yellow Crabs Impersonating Hairy Crabs (authentic Yancheng crabs only fatten after Mid-Autumn Festival) Whole Deer Banquet (illegible sources from informal farms) Travel: Transportation: Car rental is the best option (attractions are scattered), and the high-speed rail station rental and return points are open 24 hours a day. Tickets: Save 40% on a 3-day combo ticket, including discounts on 12 attractions and hot springs. Photography: Morning Mist in the Yellow Sea Forest (enter the park before 6:00 AM), Lanterns on the Water Street (before lights go out at 9:00 PM) Souvenirs: Salt Sculptures (look for the texture of the sea salt), Straw Paintings (Zhuxi Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum), "Yancheng Dialect" Notebook Seasonal Eggs Spring: Tulips in the Dutch Flower Fields (April), Pear Blossoms and Snow in Hengbei Village (end of March) Summer: Night Swimming at Jinsha Lake (July-August), Water Chestnut Picking Festival at Dazong Lake (June) Autumn: Redwoods in the Yellow Sea Forest (November), Hanfu Festival in Dongjin Water City (Mid-Autumn Festival) Winter: Skiing and Hot Springs at Dayang Bay (December-February), Red-crowned Crane Wintering (Best in January) This city, born of salt, hides storytelling bluestone slabs, dancing red-crowned cranes, and luminous salt crystals. The four-day journey is like opening a multi-layered treasure box, from prehistoric wetlands to futuristic lights and shadows, from the heroic spirit of the Jianghu to fairytale fantasy. Every turn is a montage of time and space. Don’t forget to fill a bottle of salty wind in Chuanchang River, which is the homesickness that the people of Yancheng have pickled for thousands of years.

🌊[Off-season Yancheng is over, so August and September are really not recommended! Honest Advice + Tips] Yancheng at the end of summer vacation and early autumn isn't the best time to visit! It's hot and humid, and some attractions are less accessible. But... the off-season has its hidden gems! If you absolutely must go during this time, take note of this hard-earned advice and pitfall prevention guide! --- 🌞[Itinerary (Tested for Summer Vacation)] ✅Day 1: Indoors First! · Morning: China Sea Salt Museum (Cool and educational) · Afternoon: Water City Salt Town · Bamboo Forest Hotel (Retro-style neighborhood, air-conditioned, perfect for photos) · Evening: European-style Flower Street (Wait until sunset for beautiful night views and plenty of snacks) ✅Day 2: Enjoy the natural scenery early and late! 6:00 AM: Chinese Elk Park (See the elk while it's cool, with fewer people and good photography opportunities) · Noon: Rest at the hotel/enjoy a Huaiyang meal · After 4:00 PM: Yellow Sea Forest Park (Bike to escape the heat; the tree-lined boardwalk is super cool) ✅ Day 3: Hidden Gem Discovery · Morning: Yancheng Art Museum/1956 Star Theater (air-conditioned rooms for art) · Afternoon: Tangduli Ancient Town (heavy commercial atmosphere but worth a quick stroll) or Salt Cube Bookstore (coffee and a book) --- 🍜 [Taste bomb! Food Red and Black Lists 🔥 Red List (Blind Eyes): · Morning Tea: Hongxiang Hotel (Crab Roe Buns and Fish Soup Noodles are Amazing!) · Huaiyang Cuisine: Northern Jiangsu Cuisine with Shanyuqiang (Soft-shelled Eel and Glutinous Rice Balls are Must-Tries) · Snacks: Egg Pancakes and Wuyou Tang Mahua at Zhulin Hotel · Seafood: Fisherman's House (Fresh, Not Overpriced, Yancheng's Small Seafood is YYDS!) ⚫ Black List (Avoid): · "Specialty Stalls" in Scenic Areas: Such as the venison skewers at the entrance of the Elk Park (Fake meat and expensive!) · Night Market Seafood Platters (Not fresh and heavily seasoned, masking the quality) · Internet-famous Milk Tea/Coffee (Yancheng's local teas are average, chain brands are recommended) --- 💣 [Tears of Experience + Tips for Avoiding Scams] 1️⃣ Transportation: Yancheng's attractions are scattered, and public transportation is inconvenient! We recommend renting or chartering a car, and using taxi platforms to avoid illegal taxis! 2️⃣ Weather: August and September bring high temperatures and frequent thunderstorms. Bring an umbrella, sunscreen, and a small fan. Try to plan your outdoor activities early in the morning and evening! 3️⃣ Tickets: Buy tickets online the day before (save 5-10 yuan). A must-take the Elk Park sightseeing bus (the park is so large that walking can lead to heatstroke!) 4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay in the city center (Yandu District/Tinghu District) for convenient access to everything. Don't be tempted by cheap accommodations in remote areas! 5️⃣ Hidden gems: · Yellow Sea Forest Park offers firefly watching in the evening (ask the staff!) · Yancheng Museum is free but reservations are required and closed on Mondays! · Locals recommend the Renmin Road Market (the morning market's stuffed egg pancakes and fish ball soup are super authentic) --- 🎁 [Off-season tip: Go the other way for a surprise!] · Less crowded! No need to fight for photo spots, and hotel rates are 30% cheaper than peak season. · Sunset lovers' delight: The sunsets at the Red-crowned Crane Wetland and Tiaozini Mudflats are breathtaking (but beware of mosquitoes!) · Students should visit: Some attractions offer summer discounts with student ID. --- Yancheng is beautiful, but August and September are a real test of your stamina! If you love nature, can wake up early, and can handle the heat, then the off-season is a good time. If you're afraid of the heat and fatigue... I recommend waiting for the cooler autumn weather! (The return of the red-crowned cranes after October is even more spectacular!) #YanchengTravel #NicheTravelDestinations #FoodHotlist #WeekendWhereToGo #CityCyclingDiary