Bozhou Foodie Tour: In the Hometown of Cao Cao, Smelling the Fragrance of Medicine, Traveling Through a Thousand Years

Hey, friend, if you want a short trip full of flavor and depth, I sincerely recommend Bozhou in Anhui. Don’t pronounce it as “Haozhou” — this is a treasure city, filled with the scent of traditional Chinese medicine, and footsteps tracing stories from the Three Kingdoms. I guarantee you won’t regret the visit. Day 1: Travel Through the Three Kingdoms, Be a Soldier of “Cao Cao” for a Day I suggest you spend your most energetic time on the first day at Bozhou’s most hardcore attraction — the Cao Cao Underground Military Passage. This place is super cool! Imagine ancient tunnels crisscrossing several meters underground, a military marvel built by Cao Cao to secretly transport soldiers. Walking through it with a bent waist, it’s deep and winding, and you can see traps and obstacles—ancient defensive structures—like playing a real-life Three Kingdoms escape room. The weathered marks on the walls instantly take you back to that war-torn era. A friendly reminder: it’s narrow inside, watch your head, and wear comfortable flat shoes. After exiting the passage, not far away is the Cao Cao family tomb cluster. Honestly, from outside, they look like just a few large earthen mounds, but once inside, especially at Cao Teng’s tomb (Cao Cao’s grandfather), you’ll be amazed. The tall stone gates and exquisite carved stone portraits let you truly feel the Han dynasty’s “treating death as life” burial philosophy and glimpse the Cao family’s former glory. Hungry at noon? Skip the big restaurants and find a small shop near the old street. You must try Bozhou’s beef mo! It’s not an ordinary stuffed bun; its crust is golden and crispy, crumbling with every bite, filled with fragrant beef and vermicelli. One bite fills you up solidly and satisfies you instantly, recharging your energy. In the afternoon, go quietly to Huazu Temple. This is the place to honor the divine doctor Hua Tuo. The courtyard is small but serene and elegant, with a statue of Hua Tuo, a memorial hall, and his “Yuanhua Grass Hall” where he studied medicine. Here, you can feel the profoundness of traditional Chinese medicine culture, and the faint herbal scent naturally calms your mind. Day 2: Smell Hundreds of Herbs, Be a “Medicine Capital” Local for Half a Day Coming to Bozhou without experiencing its “Medicine Capital” charm is like coming for nothing. On the second morning, head straight to Kangmei Chinese Medicine City. Note, this is not an ordinary mall but the world’s largest Chinese herbal medicine trading center! Once inside, the scene will leave you speechless. The air is filled with a complex and strong medicinal fragrance, and thousands of stalls are packed with herbs you know or don’t know—from common goji berries and angelica to bizarre roots and minerals, everything is here. Watching merchants inspect goods and bargain is a busy and professional scene, a unique spectacle itself. Even if you don’t buy anything, just browsing is an eye-opener. In the afternoon, visit Huaxilou. It’s not a stage for opera but an exquisitely preserved Qing dynasty architectural complex, formerly a guild hall for merchants from Shanxi and Shaanxi. The most amazing feature is the brick-carved screen wall at the entrance, with vividly carved figures, stories, birds, and beasts. The layers of stories and details are so rich you can’t take it all in—a huge piece of art. Sitting inside, imagining the bustling scenes of merchants gathering, watching opera, and drinking tea is quite interesting. In the evening, try another Bozhou specialty—mahu. It looks plain, like a thick rice porridge, but tastes smooth with a faint bean fragrance and salty flavor. It’s very nourishing and warming, perfect for dinner or a late-night snack. Some Tips: · Transportation: Bozhou has a high-speed rail station, very convenient. The city’s attractions are concentrated, so taxis or shared electric bikes work well. · Accommodation: It’s recommended to stay in the city center or Qiaocheng District for easy access to food, shopping, and entertainment. · Souvenirs: You can bring back quality goji berries, chrysanthemum, and other common health herbs, but remember to buy from reputable stores. Overall, Bozhou isn’t a “trendy” city, but it has a calm and profound charm. Spend two or three days wandering here, and you’ll smell the thousand-year-old medicinal fragrance, touch the bricks and stones of the Three Kingdoms, and taste solid local delicacies. This is an immersive experience of history, culture, and life. I hope this guide helps you, and wish you a great time in Bozhou!