Hexia Ancient Town

🏰 Hexia Ancient Town is a must-visit town in Huai'an. It has produced 67 successful candidates in the imperial examinations, making it a true hometown of scholars. Notable figures such as Wu Cheng'en, the author of 'Journey to the West', Liang Hongyu, a heroine of the Southern Song Dynasty, Shen Kun, a top scholar of the Ming Dynasty, and Wu Jutong, a great medical scientist of the Qing Dynasty, all hail from Hexia. ⛩ Historically, Hexia Ancient Town was a crucial hub for wine and salt on the Grand Canal between Beijing and Hangzhou, a necessary passage for transporting salt and grain. With a history of 2,500 years, the ancient town has not been overly commercialized and still has many local residents. The ancient stone-paved roads retain the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and walking on them, one can still feel the atmosphere of the past. 🛎 Hexia is also the main origin of Huai medicine and Huaiyang cuisine. Signature dishes of Huaiyang cuisine, such as Huai'an Soft-Shelled Turtle, Kaiyang Reed Shoots, and Wenlou Soup Dumplings, all originate from Hexia Ancient Town. 🎈 Recommended spots: Ancient Wenlou (Crab Roe Soup Dumplings are a specialty), Huaxiang Water Dragon Bureau, Chenggong Bridge, Ancient Opera Stage Yue Family Tea Snacks, Wang Family Tofu Pudding, Li Family Qingo Meatballs