Journey Through a Millennium of Opera Charm and Unlock the Unknown Secrets of Anqing

A Private Route from a Seasoned Player to Avoid the Crowds and Enjoy "Yicheng" Anqing, the "Town of Opera" embraced by the Yangtze River and mountains, is far more than just the labels of Tianzhu Mountain and Zhenfeng Pagoda. Today, I'll take you deep into this "treasure city" to unlock an exclusive route that blends opera culture, hidden landscapes, and culinary delights, allowing you to experience the extraordinary life of a "character in a play" in three days. --- Day 1: Ancient City Stroll × Immersive Huangmei Opera Experience Morning: Time Fold in Daobashi Street Start your journey from the Daobashi Historical and Cultural Block, which is not only an open-air museum of Ming and Qing architecture, but also hides the soul of time-honored brands. Check in at the century-old "Huyumei" sauce garden to see the broad bean chili sauce basking in the sun for a full 180 days, and taste the salty, fresh, and slightly spicy sauce. Turn into the "Preface and Postscript" Quanyechang Bookstore. In this Renaissance-style old building, a cup of coffee with the Republican-style decoration will transport you back a century in an instant. Don't miss the "Great Qing Post Office" in the block, and send a postcard stamped with Anqing's old postmark to let time pass slowly. Afternoon: The A and B Sides of Huangmei Opera - Zaifen Huangmei Art Center: Put on a costume, apply opera makeup, and learn to sing excerpts from "The Fairy Couple" under the guidance of professional actors to experience the fingertip charm of "flicking the water sleeves." - Civic Stage: In the evening, go to North Zheng Street and encounter impromptu Huangmei Opera performances on the street. Local opera fans sit around, enjoying a bowl of meatball and pig liver vermicelli soup with fried noodles. The mix of everyday life and opera tunes is the "original stage" of Anqing. Overnight stay: Shaojian · Xiyinlu Homestay In the Huangmei Opera-themed guest room, carved wooden beds blend with opera elements. Listen to a recording of classic excerpts provided by the homestay before going to bed, and dream of "birds on the tree in pairs." --- Day 2: Secret Scenery × Industrial Heritage Rebirth Exploring Miaodao Mountain: A "Living Fossil" Forest on a High Mountain Drive to Miaodao Mountain in Yuexi County, a place rarely visited by tourists, but with three wonders: 1. Millennium Purple Willow Garden: Stroll along the elevated boardwalk in the high-altitude swamp and watch the twisted, dragon-like purple willows coexisting with strange rocks, as if entering a prehistoric plant kingdom. 2. Stone Lion Howling at the Moon: The giant rock formations on the edge of the cliff resemble a male lion howling at the sky, which looks even more magical when surrounded by clouds and mist. 3. Sunrise Camping: Camp on the top of Juyun Peak, the main peak, and watch the sea of clouds rolling the next morning, with the glow of the sun penetrating the strange pine trees and rocks, comparable to Huangshan but without the crowds. Afternoon: The Renaissance of the Oil Tank Park After returning to the city, go straight to the Anqing Oil Tank Ecological and Cultural Center, where four abandoned oil tanks have been transformed into libraries and art spaces. Read books in the giant oil tanks, check in at the industrial-style spiral staircase, and wait for a sunset over the Yangtze River on the riverside lawn in the evening to feel the collision of "hardcore" and softness. Night Tour: "Carb Carnival" by the Yangtze River - Dananmen Beef Buns: Queue up late at night to buy pan-fried buns. Bite into the crispy crust, and the juice of beef and old tofu bursts out instantly. Pair it with a bowl of mung bean ball soup for soul healing. - Qijie Night Market: Chicken soup with fried rice dispels the cold, and the fish head soup from Hualing Lake is so fresh that it makes your eyebrows fall off. Then pack a cup of "Bawang Chaji" milk tea and join the trendy crowd of young people. --- Day 3: Cultural Immersion × Niche Wonders Morning: Former Residences of Celebrities and Hidden Grottoes - Shitaishi Residence: Walk into the former residence of Zhao Puchu. The four-courtyard Huizhou-style courtyard houses Ming Dynasty brick carvings and century-old couplets. The Chinese pistache tree in the backyard is said to have been planted by him personally. - Xuejiagang Ruins: The Neolithic site at the foot of Tianzhu Mountain. Touch the pottery patterns from 5,000 years ago and listen to archaeologists reveal the origin of the ancient Wan Kingdom. Afternoon: The "520 Heartbeat Challenge" on Jushi Mountain Climb the 520 Glass Viewing Platform on Jushi Mountain. On the 520-meter-high heart-shaped platform, there is an abyss under your feet and continuous mountains and lakes in front of you. When descending the mountain, drill into the "Dragon Palace" Qianqu Cave, a natural giant stone cave that is like a maze adventure, and the end point is a hidden waterfall. Ultimate Surprise: The Jianghu Flavor of the Sisters Restaurant Before leaving, rush to the Sisters Restaurant and order "stir-fried field frogs" from the open stall. The field frogs raised by the owner are tender, and the spiciness hits the top of your head. Serve with a plate of water spinach for a strong wok aroma. A small shop treasured by locals, you'll want to fly here just to eat it. --- Guide Surprise: Tips That Only Locals Know 1. Transportation: High-speed rail goes directly to Anqing Station. Shared electric vehicles are recommended in the city for zero-distance travel through the streets and alleys. 2. Best Season: Azaleas bloom in Mingtang Mountain from April to May, and the autumn colors of Miaodao Mountain are stunning from October to November. 3. Consumption Level: An average of CNY 50/meal can get you all the authentic snacks, and a boutique homestay costs about CNY 300–500/night. 4. Avoiding Pitfalls: Be careful when choosing low-priced "Tianzhu Mountain Day Tour" groups. It is more free to drive or charter a car. --- The beauty of Anqing is hidden in a lantern at the corner of an old street, in the eyes of a Huangmei Opera actor, and even more so in the depths of the secret places that have not been occupied by tourists. Avoid the same old guides and use this exclusive route to start your "opera-flavored Jianghu"!