WAN XI REN GU TU CAI GUAN

West Anhui is a collective name for one city and five counties in the Dabie Mountain area in western Anhui Province, namely Lu'an City and its subordinate counties Huoshan County, Shucheng County, Shou County, Huoqiu County, and Jinzhai County. West Anhui has beautiful scenery and rich tourism resources. Its main areas are the Yangtze River Basin and the Huaihe River Basin. Now West Anhui mostly refers to Lu'an City, Anhui Province.

The environment outside is very good, but the restaurant is not very clean. The taste is good, chicken soup and shrimp soup are good [Taste]

Unexpectedly good, there is food available after 2 o'clock, the local rooster is cooked deliciously and chewy, and the dishes are affordable.

See Lu'an for Anhui's Famous Foods #AnhuiLu'anFamousFoods Lu'an, a major culinary hub in Anhui, blends the flavors of western Anhui with the specialties of the Dabie Mountains, creating a comprehensive culinary experience, from street vendors to renowned banquet dishes. The following analyzes representative dishes from three perspectives: traditional specialties, specialty snacks, and intangible cultural heritage banquets: Wanfo Lake Clay Pot Fish Head uses wild silver carp heads from Wanfo Lake. Slow-cooked for six hours in lake water, the broth is creamy white and rich in gelatin, while the fish flesh is as tender as tofu. Its fresh, non-smell-inducing flavors have made it a signature dish of Lu'an cuisine. The CCTV program "A Bite of China" even filmed its production process. Jinzhai Hanging Pot, a millennia-old dish in the Dabie Mountains, combines black pork, goat, wild mushrooms, and other ingredients layered in a clay pot and slowly simmered over charcoal to achieve a harmonious blend of flavors. Eating together around the hearth is a symbol of hospitality for mountain residents and a culinary memory of the ancient tradition of "eating from a shared fire." The "Lu'an Ten Seas" banquet, a municipal intangible cultural heritage feast, features ten dishes, including braised pork with vermicelli and wild delicacy dumplings, showcasing a comprehensive spectrum of ingredients, from freshwater to mountain delicacies. Each dish carries the auspicious symbol of "perfection," making it a must-have for important occasions such as weddings and funerals in Lu'an. It was selected as a featured item in the 2025 "Super Wan" Food Competition. The Western Anhui White Goose Banquet, centered around municipal intangible cultural heritage cooking techniques, maximizes the superior quality of the large white geese from Western Anhui. Over ten dishes, including braised goose chunks, foie gras, and goose blood soup, create a harmoniously savory and savory flavor palette. The foie gras, made with the fatty livers of free-range geese, is a hidden gem in the feast. Artemisia Baba, a Lu'an spring special, features fresh artemisia seeds pan-fried with glutinous rice flour and diced bacon. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the delicate fragrance of mugwort and the richness of cured meat create a wonderful balance. In 2025, the Lu'an Cultural and Tourism Bureau launched a special "Mugwort Baba Making Experience Tour," where visitors can pick mugwort and learn the traditional craft. Xuji Peanut Candy, a provincial intangible cultural heritage delicacy, uses high-quality peanuts from the Dabie Mountains and maltose, crafted through 12 steps, including boiling, mixing, and pressing. Its crisp texture stems from a unique "three cold and three hot" process, creating a perfect balance between the fragrant peanuts and the sweetness of the candy. In 2025, peak daily sales exceeded 3 tons, making it a must-buy souvenir for tourists. From fresh fish from Wanfo Lake to wild game from Jinzhai Mountain, from street food breakfasts to intangible cultural heritage banquets, Lu'an cuisine has created a culinary map of "mountain, water, and city." The "Lu'an Food Passport," launched by the local government in 2025, integrates 32 must-try restaurants. Visitors can check in and unlock hidden dishes. This innovative approach is revitalizing traditional cuisine. Whether it’s the long line of shredded chicken buns at the entrance of Wupaili Alley in the early morning, or the whole fish banquet by Wanfo Lake at night, Lu’an tells the story of this thousand-year-old city through food.

**A seven-day in-depth tour of the Great Rift Valley in Western Anhui**, combining geological exploration, revolutionary culture, scenic beauty, and experiences of Western Anhui folk customs, catering to summer vacation needs. Total budget: approximately 2,800 RMB (excluding round-trip transportation): --- ### 🌄 **Itinerary Overview** **Theme**: Geological wonders exploration + revolutionary memories of the Dabie Mountains + summer wellness retreat on a lake island **Accommodation Strategy**: First two nights in a B&B near the Great Rift Valley (experience the tranquility of the mountains), the second three nights at Wanfo Lake/Hot Spring Resort (enjoy the lake views and soothing therapies), and the final night in downtown Lu'an (for a convenient return trip). **Transportation Recommendations**: Take the high-speed rail to Lu'an Station, then charter a car or drive the entire journey (average cost approximately 200 RMB per day; SUV recommended for mountainous terrain). --- ### 🗓️ **Daily Itinerary** #### **🚶 Day 1: Arrive in Lu'an · Explore the Rift Valley** - **Afternoon**: Rent a car at Lu'an Station and drive to the Western Anhui Great Rift Valley (a one-hour drive). Stay at either September Villa or the Old Tea Factory B&B at the entrance to experience the traditional Anhui dwellings. - **Evening**: Warm up with a light hike and visit the Zhangjiadian Battle Memorial Hall to learn about the history of Liu and Deng's army's advance into the Dabie Mountains (free, closes at 5:00 PM). - **Dinner**: Enjoy mugwort cakes and air-dried mutton hotpot at the B&B, paired with Lu'an Guapian tea. #### **⛰️ Day 2: Conquer the Great Rift Valley · Geological Exploration Day** - **Morning** (enter the park before 7:00 AM to escape the heat): Journey through the core area of the Western Anhui Great Rift Valley and challenge the three gates. - **First Gate**: View the "Divine Frog Rock" and the crescent-shaped grotto palace, and experience the reverberating sound waves. - **Second Gate**: Climb the slippery rock face using both hands and feet, mindful of dripping water (bring non-slip shoes and a raincoat). - **Three Gates**: Pass sideways through the narrow, one-person-wide "Line of Sky" and ascend to the Hero Pavilion for panoramic views of the mountains. - **Afternoon**: Visit the **Dabie Mountain Grottoes**, exploring a 160-million-year-old geological wonder and experiencing the cliff swing and Sky Mirror (a 10-minute drive from the Rift Valley). - **Night**: Learn to make lotus leaf glutinous rice chicken at a B&B, while stargazing and listening to insects chirping in the courtyard. #### 💦 **Day 3: Canyon Rafting & Cooling Water Fight** - **Full Day**: Drive 1.5 hours to **Huoshan Grand Canyon Rafting** (formerly Kongque River Rafting): - Morning: Experience East China's most thrilling canyon rafting (8km, 160m drop), with water fights and rapids. - Noon: Enjoy salt-and-pepper river shrimp and wood-fired chicken soup at a farmhouse at the rafting destination. - Afternoon: Cool off in the **Wanfo Lake Cold Spring Pool** or go fishing by the lake (stay at the Wanfo Lake Resort Hotel). #### **🏞️ Day 4: Wanfo Lake Island Fun · Three Kingdoms Culture** - **Morning**: Cruise Wanfo Lake (entrance fee + boat 105 RMB). Recommended island visits: - **Swallow Island**: Watch the "Peacock Flies Southeast" performance and trace the footsteps of Northern Song Dynasty painter Li Gonglin. - **Zhou Yu Island**: Zipline across the lake and hear the story of "Xiao Qiao's Dressing Table" (Shucheng is Zhou Yu's hometown). - **Afternoon**: Learn about the history of the "artificial Milky Way" at the **Longhekou Reservoir Memorial Hall** and unleash your child's energy at the children's playground. - **Dinner**: Order the clay pot fish head at "Yuwei Restaurant" at Songdu Wharf (the white broth is mellow and delicious, the red broth is spicy). #### **🌿 Day 5: Slow Life in the Mountains · The Ancient Tea-Horse Road** - **Morning**: Tour **Maotanchang Ming and Qing Old Street** in Hanfu (rental 30 RMB/hour), take photos of Hui-style architecture, and discover handmade oil-paper umbrellas. - **Afternoon**: Horseback riding and archery at the **Ma Zheng Culture Park** (experience the history of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road), or bamboo stream tracing in the **Eastern Stone Shoot Scenic Area** (with oxygen inhalation in the "Health Slow Valley"). - **Overnight**: Soak in the cold springs at the Xugu Hot Spring Resort to relieve hiking fatigue. #### **🛶 Day 6: Red Footprints · Danxia Secret Realm** - **Morning**: Pay tribute at the **Zhangjiadian Battle Front Command Site** and retrace the route into the Dabie Mountains. - **Afternoon**: Explore the Danxia landforms at the **Songliaoyan Scenic Area**, explore the thousands of unique caves, and discover Jurassic sandstone relics. - **Final Dinner**: Enjoy braised local rooster and dry-pot fish soup at "Anhui West Home" in downtown Lu'an. #### **🎁 Day 7: Return · Selected Souvenirs** - **Morning**: Restock in Lu'an City— ✅ Lu'an Guapian (authentic packaging at Green Basket Supermarket) ✅ Huoshan Dendrobium (Baixin Pharmacy) ✅ Handmade Artemisia Baba (vacuum-packed at the local produce market). - **Afternoon**: Return the car to Lu'an Station for the return trip. --- ### ⚠️ **Key Tips** 1. **Rift Valley Safety**: - Wear non-slip trekking shoes and a light raincoat; store valuables at the scenic area entrance. - Children and the elderly are advised to take the outer plank road to avoid crossing the three gates (the plank road is smooth and safe). 2. **Summer Optimization**: - Morning activities (7:00-10:30 AM). In the afternoon, enjoy a museum, teahouse, or rafting to escape the heat. - Wanfo Lake cruises depart early in the morning (8:30 AM) to avoid the afternoon sun. 3. **Accommodation Recommendations**: - Rift Valley Area: Jiuyue Villa (Farmhouse Feeling), Banshan Xingyun (Starry Sky Cabin). - Wanfo Lake: Xugu Hot Spring Resort (Cold Spring Pool), Guyue Villa (Lake View Room). 4. **Budget Control**: - Entrance fees total approximately 400 RMB (50% discount for students/seniors with ID). - Food and Beverages average 80 RMB per day, and B&Bs average 200 RMB per day (20% premium on weekends). > This plan features a "morning adventure + afternoon escape" rhythm, integrating three main themes: geology (West Anhui Rift Valley/Gorges), hydrology (Wanfo Lake/Rafting), and the Red Revolution (Zhangjiadian Campaign). The total number of steps over seven days is approximately 100,000, and the average daily driving time is ≤ 1.5 hours. During peak summer season, it is recommended to book accommodations three days in advance. Bring a drone for stunning panoramic views of the Rift Valley!