[2025 Dongtai Attraction] Travel Guide for Anfeng Ancient Street (Updated Oct)

Anfeng Ancient Street: In the quaint Qingming era came here as if passing through time and space, in the quaint Ming and Qing Dynasties. In this small town far from the temple, people enjoy a quiet life for generations. Although they lack luxury, they are comfortable. If you are setting up a small house here, you can sit down with a friend every day, and laughing and talking about life is also a beautiful thing in life. The first time I met Anfeng Ancient Street, although I have heard some of the cultural history here, but when the densely packed houses are discharged from my sight, I am still amazed that he has saved so well. Every cockroach has a story. In the big space, there are hidden memories of the world that cannot be touched by the world...

📌Destination: Yancheng · Dongtai City (Yangtze River Delta Ecological Leisure Town) 🏙️City Impression: The Poetry of Wetland Cranes and Ancient Salt Fields ▶️Dongtai lies by the river and sea, boasting the rare global combination of intertidal wetlands and plain forests, along with a 2,000-year heritage of sea salt culture. Free from the hustle of popular cities, here you can watch migratory birds fly together, explore forest oxygen bars, and savor fresh river and sea delicacies. It’s the ideal "light vacation" destination in the Yangtze River Delta. 🏞️Must-Visit Attractions: A Duet of Nature and Culture 【Ecological Wonders】 1️⃣ Yellow Sea Seaside National Forest Park 🌟Highlights: The largest artificial Metasequoia forest in East China, with over 90% forest coverage and an abundance of negative oxygen ions. 🛝Activities: Cycle along the 5 km rainbow boardwalk, enjoy the misty forest light show, and check in at the Treehouse of the Cedar Tribe. 🏔️Tips: The Metasequoia forest turns golden-red in October-November, perfect for photography; a small train inside the park costs 30 RMB per person. 2️⃣ Tiaozi Ni Wetland (Core Area of World Natural Heritage) 🌟Highlights: The largest migratory stopover for the endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper globally, with a unique "tidal forest" landscape. 🛝Activities: ▶️Tide pooling and shell collecting (tools available for rent at 10 RMB/set) ▶️Birdwatching tower for photographing "thousands of birds returning to roost" (best time: 2 hours before high tide) 🏔️Tips: Check daily tide times on the "Dongtai Culture & Tourism" WeChat official account; free admission (shuttle bus 20 RMB mandatory). 【Cultural Exploration】 1️⃣ Xixi Tourism and Cultural Scenic Area ▶️Dong Yong and the Seven Fairies Cultural Park: Han-style architecture recreating the legend of the celestial couple; the nighttime live show "The Celestial Fate" is a must-see (ticket 80 RMB). ▶️Haichunxuan Pagoda: The oldest Tang dynasty pagoda in Jiangsu, standing for a thousand years without a foundation, free to visit. ▶️Limu Street: A Ming and Qing dynasty old street by the Salt Transport Canal, experience traditional salt making and straw weaving crafts. 2️⃣ Anfeng Ancient Street ▶️Salt Course Office: Exhibition on the salt transport history of the Ming dynasty’s Huaihai region, revealing the glory of the "World’s Salt Warehouse." ▶️Bao’s Mansion: Huizhou-style salt merchant residence, a treasure trove of brick carvings and woodwork art. 🍔Food Guide: A Feast of River and Sea Freshness 【Three Must-Try Dishes】 ✅ Dongtai Fish Soup Noodles ▶️Essence: Wild crucian carp and eel bones simmered for 3 hours, producing a milky white broth that is neither fishy nor greasy. 🏪Recommended Restaurants: Xu He Fish Soup Noodles (old brand, average 15 RMB per person) Red Lantern Noodle House (open 24 hours, crab roe adds extra flavor) ✅ Chenpi Wine Braised River Fresh ▶️Specialty: Local intangible cultural heritage chenpi wine used to cook pufferfish or shad, the wine aroma removes fishiness and the meat is tender. 🏪Recommended Restaurant: Haiwangfu Restaurant in Jianggang Town (pufferfish requires 1-day advance reservation). ✅ Qindong Crab 🕜Golden Season: September to November, blue shell, white belly, yellow hair, and golden claws, rich roe and full yellow. 🍽️How to Eat: Steamed with ginger vinegar dip, or as crab roe soup dumplings (recommended at Jinshuiwan Grand Hotel). 🕋【Snacks and Souvenirs】 🛍️ Fu’an Su’er Cake: Crispy pastry with red bean paste filling, sweet and savory flavors (made on-site in Fu’an Ancient Town). 🛍️ Spicy Shrimp Sauce: Fermented wild small shrimp, perfect for mixing with noodles (available at "Haisheng" supermarket). 🚄Transportation Guide: Seamless Green Travel 🚇External Transport High-speed rail: Shanghai/Nanjing → Dongtai Station (1.5-2.5 hours), 10-minute taxi to downtown. 🚘Self-driving: Exit "Dongtai" on Shenhai Expressway (G15), clear signs to attractions. 🛺Internal Transport 🚌Direct shuttle: High-speed rail station → Yellow Sea Forest Park / Tiaozi Ni (departures daily at 8:30/14:00, 15 RMB per person). 🛵Shared electric scooters: "Miaozou Travel" electric bikes cover the city, 3 RMB/20 minutes. 🚍Charter service: One-day wetland + forest tour car rental about 300 RMB (recommended via "Dongtai Changxing" platform). 🏯Accommodation Recommendations: From Forest Cabins to Ancient Town Inns ✅Forest-style Vacation ▶️Yellow Sea Forest Meiju Hotel: French resort style, window views of cedar forest (600 RMB and up, includes breakfast for two). ▶️Elf Guesthouse: Treehouse cluster deep in the forest with starry skylights (family-friendly, from 400 RMB). ✅Ancient Town Charm ▶️Xixi Caoshi Street Guesthouse: Song dynasty style courtyard, very convenient for night tours (200-350 RMB). ▶️Anfeng Ancient Town · Yanguan Inn: Century-old salt merchant residence converted, experience night patrols (from 150 RMB). ✅City Center Value ▶️All Seasons Hotel (Dongtai City Center): Walking distance to food street, free parking (under 200 RMB). 🏞️Travel Tips: 3 Days 2 Nights In-Depth Itinerary ✅Day 1: Wetland Ecological Adventure Morning: Tide pooling and birdwatching at Tiaozi Ni (bring waterproof shoe covers) Afternoon: Cycling and forest class at Yellow Sea Forest Park Overnight: Forest Meiju Hotel ✅Day 2: Salt Culture Time Travel Morning: Anfeng Ancient Street (Salt Course Office + Bao’s Mansion) Afternoon: Xixi Scenic Area (Haichunxuan Pagoda + The Celestial Fate show) Overnight: Caoshi Street Guesthouse ✅Day 3: Dongtai on the Palate Morning: Make Su’er cakes and buy spicy shrimp sauce in Fu’an Ancient Town Noon: Eat chenpi wine braised pufferfish in Jianggang Town Before departure: Take away fish soup noodles from "Red Lantern" in the city 📜Avoid Pitfalls and Seasonal Tips 🎫Ticket Savings Buy the "Dongtai Combo Ticket" (Xixi + Anfeng + Forest Park) on Trip.com one day in advance to save 30 RMB. Keep the shuttle bus ticket for Tiaozi Ni; multiple entries allowed on the same day. 🔆Best Seasons April-May: Fat razor clams at Tiaozi Ni, blooming Chinese violet cress in the forest. September-November: Peak birdwatching season + crab availability + Metasequoia color change. ⚠️Important Reminders Some protected areas in Tiaozi Ni require permits; do not enter core zones without authorization. Choose qualified restaurants for pufferfish (look for "Pufferfish Cooking License"). 📌The beauty of Dongtai lies in the flocks of birds soaring over the mudflats, the calls echoing from the millennia-old salt fields, and the warmth of a steaming bowl of fish soup noodles. Avoid the crowds and come to this underrated "Pearl of the Yellow Sea" to feel the healing power where nature and civilization intertwine!

🌊 Who understands the joy of having the whole mudflat to yourself in Yancheng? (My poor friend who went to Sanya during the Lunar New Year, look at me enjoying the empty city and laughing like a goose 🦆) --- 🌿 Why Yancheng? 👉🏻 2-hour high-speed train from Shanghai, prices are 1/3 of Suzhou and Hangzhou 👉🏻 One of only two intertidal wetlands in the world (the other is in South Korea) 👉🏻 Hotel prices drop to 150+/night after the Lunar New Year, buy-one-get-one-free scenic spot tickets --- 🚗 Transportation and accommodation tips ▪️ High-speed train tip: Buy a ticket to "Yancheng Dafeng Station", take a taxi for 15 yuan to Holland Flower Sea (tulips start to bloom at the end of February 🌷) ▪️ Accommodation tip: Yellow Sea Forest Park cabin (400+/night including breakfast for two and tickets), open the window to see elk walking around, more healing than Animal Crossing ▪️ Reverse tourism tip: Avoid the crowds at the Red-crowned Crane Reserve, go to 📍Dafeng Port Zoo to see bowing elk (5 yuan/bag of carrots to feed them) --- 📸 Exclusive photo spots ✅ Tiaozini Wetland (free | go at low tide) → Bring salt! Write "I was here" on the mudflat (the tide will erase it in 10 minutes) → See the "tidal tree" spectacle at 3 pm, drone view looks like the earth's blood vessels ✅ Anfeng Ancient Town (free | 10 times fewer people than Zhouzhuang) → Buy rice wine from the grandma sunbathing at the entrance of Wu's Ancestral Hall (5 yuan/bowl with traditional blue and white porcelain) → Go to the tea house converted from a century-old pawnshop, the owner will teach you how to play Yancheng leaf cards 🃏 ✅ Water Street Lantern Festival (until February 24) → Don't blink during the 7 pm Phoenix Flying performance! After the show, squeeze to the back door of the stage to buy lotus root balls (brown sugar flavor beats the scenic spot store) --- 🍜 Local food guide 🔥 Farmer Street Egg Pancake (starts at 3 pm) → Add kelp shreds + pork tenderloin = 7 yuan, sweet bean sauce is the soul → Next door, oil sticks with tofu pudding, sweet and salty forever 🔥 Dongtai Fish Soup Noodles (Aunt Mei's Noodle House) → White soup made with crucian carp bone marrow, sprinkle white pepper and drink until your nose sweats → Secret menu: add a spoonful of shrimp roe, so fresh that your friend will change their train ticket overnight 🔥 Dagang Salted Goose (Unnamed stall on Jianshe Road) → Starts selling at 4 pm, goose gizzard is more popular than goose meat → Vacuum-packed, can be taken on the high-speed train, mix with noodles at home and make your roommate cry with envy --- 💣 Pitfalls to avoid 1️⃣ Red-crowned crane release time changed to 10:30! Don't wait for the afternoon show 2️⃣ Holland Flower Sea only has greenhouse flower fields in February, don't be fooled by online photos 3️⃣ Be cautious of "seafood stalls" recommended by taxi drivers, menu has no prices 4️⃣ Yellow Sea Forest Park train costs 50 yuan/person, better to rent a bike --- 📌 Hidden tips for traveling through Dafeng 🔸 Bring rubber shoes! Tiaozini mudflat can trap people 🔹 Book a free tour guide at Yancheng Museum in advance (wearing Hanfu can trigger NPC storylines) 🔸 Dazong Lake winter fishing season is ending, buy fish on-site and they can help marinate it 🔹 Bring back a bundle of Binhai sausages, colleagues will chase you for the link after steaming (Being fed New Year goods by three shop owners in Anfeng Ancient Town, I finally understand what "the warmth of scattered Jiangsu" means 💖) --- 💬 "What other reverse tourism gems are there in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai? Share your secret bases in the comments!"

9 hidden gems in Yancheng, off the beaten path and stunning! Yancheng, a hidden gem in northern Jiangsu, is home to many beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage. These 9 attractions are not to be missed, off the beaten path and stunning! Milu Deer Park Yancheng's only 5A-level scenic spot, the world's largest milu deer nature reserve. Here, herds of milu deer graze and frolic on the grass, taking you into a fairytale animal kingdom. Holland Flower Sea Covering an area of 3,000 mu, it is known as the "Disneyland of Yancheng". Every spring, more than 30 million tulips bloom, red, yellow, and purple intertwined, like a dreamland. Yellow Sea Forest Park The largest artificial ecological forest park in East China, with metasequoia, wooden houses, rivers, boardwalks, and small trains, is a great place to get close to nature. Red-crowned Crane Wetland Ecotourism Area The largest coastal wetland reserve on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean, and the world's largest wintering ground for wild red-crowned cranes. In autumn and winter, red-crowned cranes dance gracefully, a sight to behold. Dazong Lake - Eastern Jin Water City Dazong Lake is clear, and the lake and mountains are picturesque. The Eastern Jin Water City is modeled after Southern Song architecture, with an ancient style and charm, as if taking you back in time. Yanzhen Water Street A commercial street modeled after the Ming and Qing dynasties, known as the "Yancheng version of Qinhuai River". There are many delicacies, as well as theatrical performances, and the night view is charming. New Fourth Army Memorial Hall A window to learn about the history of the New Fourth Army and the old appearance of the military headquarters. The relics and photos in the museum tell the story of the difficult revolutionary years. Tiaozini A golden beach on the shores of the Yellow Sea, with wide and flat sand, shining in the sunlight. The sea breeze is gentle, making you feel relaxed and happy. Anfeng Ancient Street Full of historical charm, with bluestone roads, carved doors and windows, and ancient shops. Stroll through it and feel the changes of time. These attractions in Yancheng each have their own charm, come and check them out for an unforgettable trip!

Anfeng Ancient Town is located on the banks of the Chuanchang River, the ancient salt river. Anfeng Salt Field was ranked first among the "Top Ten Salt Fields in Huainan" during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was a salt industry distribution center where merchants from all over the world gathered. It has a seven-mile long street, 72 There are half a temple and a thousand shops. The current Anfeng Ancient Street is a relatively well-preserved part of the southern section of the "Qili Long Street", with a total length of nearly one kilometer. We went there in the morning, there were not many people, and the town was a bit quiet, but it was also nice, and we could feel the tranquility of the town. Lingxiao flowers can be seen everywhere, and ivy has laid a green carpet on ancient buildings. There are many stores along the street, but many of them are local intangible cultural heritage specialty stores, which is quite interesting. Zheng Banqiao, one of the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou", also studied and lived on the ancient street for several years, so the Zheng Banqiao Living Museum was built on Anfeng Ancient Street. Currently, the best-preserved ancient building on this ancient street is the Bao's Building, which was built in 1850 for Bao Zhiyuan, the ancestor of Bao Yungao, a scholar in the late Qing Dynasty. Its well-organized layout, exquisite construction and simple carvings reflect the mutual penetration and integration of ancient Anhui-style architecture and northern Jiangsu residential culture. The building consists of a bank, a pawnshop, a shop, a residence, a garden and a warehouse. It covers an area of ​​more than 3,000 square meters and has 105 rooms. In addition, the Wu Family Ancestral Hall, Wan Family Ancient House, Hao Family Ancient House, Zhu Family Courtyard, Cao Family Courtyard, Qian Weixiang’s Former Residence, and Yuan Chengye’s Former Residence are dotted in Lane 13 of Jiuba, an ancient street of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There are several places that charge tickets, which are also very cheap, only ten yuan. If you are interested, you can go in and have a look. Stop and go, you can basically finish shopping in one morning, you can choose a suitable place and simply have a meal.

Next to the old street, in the ancient alley Come to Anfeng Ancient Town to start a journey to escape from the world Drink a pot of gourd wine Look at the branches at night At night in Anfeng Ancient Town, the atmosphere of the market comes to your face Aunts singing and dancing is the life I yearn for most - Anfeng Ancient Town The Neolithic Age has a history of thousands of years Anfeng Qili Long Street is the most complete section There are many former residences of celebrities, such as Bao's Building, Wu's Ancestral Hall, Former Residences of Celebrities (Ge Xianglan), Salt Class Department and other buildings There are also intangible cultural heritage arts 🎨 passed down from generation to generation

Anfeng Ancient Town's most worthwhile place to stroll is the old street, which is the most intact section of Anfeng's seven-mile-long street, featuring the Bao's building, Wu's family ancestral hall, the residence of the famous (Ge Xianglan), the Salt Administration Office, and other buildings. ✨ The old street is like a scroll of painting, with polished shiny stone roads stretching into the distance, flanked by shops one after another, large and small, more than a dozen exhibition halls, each with a different theme. You can see shops that paint with hair, straw paintings, ancient money exchanges, and more. ✨ There is also the locally famous Dragon and Tiger Fighting Sesame Cake, priced at three yuan each, and the taste is quite good. 🎫 Ticket: No admission fee 📍 Address: The ancient town is located in Dongtai City, Yancheng, Jiangsu. 🛠️ Transportation tips: 🚅 Take the high-speed train to Hai'an, then a 20-minute taxi ride will get you there. Self-driving is of course the most convenient, with free parkin

Anfeng Ancient Town, like an old history book, allows me to browse through it and discover precious stories and memories. Anfeng Ancient Street has dozens of century-old brands and hundreds of thousands of square meters of Ming and Qing architectural groups, which reproduce the prosperous scene of commerce and trade in the past and show the charm of the ancient town. Anfeng merchants gathered, shops lined up, and the ancient town of seven Huaili in the north and south was built at the end of the Ming Dynasty. It started from the Xiaozao Xingyue Bridge in the north and reached the Yanba Yingning Bridge in the south. Anfeng Salt Field was the leading "Huainan Middle Ten Fields" in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was a salt distribution center where merchants from all directions gathered. It built a seven-mile long street, seventy-two and a half temples, and thousands of shops. The current Anfeng Ancient Street is a well-preserved part of the "Seven Mile Long Street" in the south, with a total length of nearly one kilometer. In the early morning, when the first ray of sunlight shines on the bluestone road of Anfeng Ancient Town, I seem to be in the scroll of history. This ancient town, originally named Dongtao, is a treasure carrying a long history and culture. And now, standing at the starting point of Anfeng Ancient Street, staring at the kilometer-long stone road, walking in it, at this moment, I feel the precipitation of time. On both sides of the ancient street, the Ming and Qing buildings stand tall, as if telling ancient stories. Wu's family ancestral hall and Bao's building are historical witnesses of this long-standing town. Stepping into the Wu's family ancestral hall, it seems that you can listen to the glory and inheritance of the ancient family; entering the Bao's building, you can feel the prosperity and atmosphere of ancient commerce and trade. For lunch that day, I chose to taste local delicacies in the old brands in the ancient town, such as Dongtai fish soup noodles, grass stove cakes, Gu Xiangzhai pastries, etc. The taste of Anfeng is the cultural heritage of Anfeng Ancient Town. There is also Dongtao Qishi Garden, where you can feel the cultural atmosphere here. In the afternoon, I visited the old houses of Ge Xianglan and Yuan Chengye, and learned more about the history and stories of celebrities on this land. Every corner of this ancient town is filled with a historical atmosphere, as if a time machine has taken me through. Experience the wonderful combination of nature and art on the ancient street The shell art of Dongtao Shell attracted me. Those colorful shells form a beautiful picture, which makes me appreciate the wonderful beauty of shells. And Dongtao Qishi Garden shows me the magic of nature, various stones have different shapes, which is amazing. In the afternoon, I participated in the production of handmade lanterns and made a beautiful lantern by myself. This is a precious experience of ancient craftsmanship. In the evening, I strolled by the river in Anfeng Town, watching the beautiful scenery of the sunset reflected on the water, and felt peace and tranquility in my heart. Experience leisure and shopping time on the old street Give yourself some time to explore the streets and alleys of the ancient town. Every corner here is an excellent place for photography. The ancient streets, ancient buildings, and natural scenery all inspire me. The local teahouse is also a good place for me to taste tea, where I can taste time carefully. When visiting the ancient town, you must go to check in at the ancient well of Xianqing in the ancient town. It is a righteous well. Wu Jiaji's fourth ancestor, Wu Xianqing, funded the well and benefited the people, supplying salt people. I haven't seen such an ancient well for a long time. Walking in the ancient town, I feel a bit cool here. The water in the ancient well is also very cool. When you travel to the ancient town, you must go and feel it. Anfeng Ancient Street In the afternoon, I visited some specialty shops in the ancient town and bought some souvenirs and handicrafts. "Old Street. Gift" cultural and creative shop, shop selling straw painting, blue printed cloth shop, etc., are all fascinating! I also bought a pair of nadir shoes at the old brand "Chunhe Shoe Shop" in the ancient town. They are all nadir shoes made stitch by stitch, very characteristic and commemorative. It is said that "a child travels a thousand miles and his mother worries". A pair of simple old cloth shoes not only carries nostalgia, but also a deep miss for the hometown.

This was my first visit to Anfeng and I was attracted by its history and culture! Visiting an ancient town is like flipping through a scroll of history. Anfeng Ancient Town is an ancient town with a long history and culture. It was originally named Dongtao. Fan Zhongyan built a seawall here, which ensured peace and prosperity for the people, so the area was renamed Anfeng. In the Ming Dynasty, the salt industry in Anfeng flourished, and the "He Salt" (also known as "An Salt") produced here was popular in the south of the Yangtze River. Anfeng is home to many merchants and shops. At the end of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, an ancient town of seven li from north to south was built, starting from Xiazhao Xingyue Bridge in the north and ending at Yanba Yingning Bridge in the south. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Anfeng Salt Field was the leader of the "Ten Salt Fields in Huainan" and a salt distribution center where merchants from all over the world gathered. It had a seven-mile-long street, seventy-two and a half temples, and thousands of shops. The current Anfeng Ancient Street is the relatively well-preserved part of the southern section of the "Seven-Li Long Street", with a total length of nearly one kilometer. The Wu Family Ancestral Hall, the Bao Family Building, the Yuan Chengye Residence and others are scattered among the Jiuba Shisan Lanes of the Ming and Qing Ancient Streets. Walk on the long stone road of Anfeng Ancient Town and feel the simplicity and tranquility here. There are many tourists visiting the ancient town. Walking on the old streets has a unique flavor. The flavor of Anfeng, Dongtao Qishiyuan, Dongtao shells, handmade lanterns… dozens of century-old brands and hundreds of thousands of square meters of Ming and Qing architectural complexes recreate the prosperous commercial scene of the past and showcase the warm charm of the ancient town.

As Anfeng, a famous historical and cultural town in the country, there are many literati. The philosopher of the Ming Dynasty, the founder of the Taizhou school, Wang Wei, and the Wu Yiji, the poet of the Qing Dynasty, were all Anfeng people. In fact, the "learning" thought put forward by Wang Hao is also the high school alma mater, the academic style and school-running characteristics of Jiangsu Anfeng Middle School. It is vaguely remembered that the listing ceremony of the famous historical and cultural towns of the year was held on the playground of Anfeng Middle School. The wall of the entrance of Anfeng Gu Nan Street reads the four characters of "Sacred Earth and Rhyme". Holy Land means that the ancient town of Anfeng is a sanctuary of the Holy Land. He Yun refers to the core of the ancient town culture is harmony. [Tickets] Anfeng Ancient Town Scenic Area implements the free ticket of Guzhen Street District, the internal attraction joint ticket, 40 yuan / person, including the ancient town of Bao's Building, Wu's family, the former residence of Goxiang, Anfeng Salt Division, Dabei Five attractions; [toll attractions opening hours] 8