Huai'an travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Huai'an, Jiangsu, China.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Huai'an.
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1
Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall
Tip: Bring a passport or ID card; entry is by real-name registration · Arrive at opening on a weekday to avoid tour groups · The hall is closed on Mondays except national holidays · Allow about two hours and wear comfortable shoes for the large site · Use a translation app, since most panels are in Chinese
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2
Zhou Enlai's Former Residence
Tip: Go on a weekday morning to avoid tour groups in the narrow courtyards · Combine with the Zhenhuai Building and Government House on foot or by short taxi ride · Bring ID in case registration is requested · Use a translation app for Chinese-only signage
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3
Huai'an Government House
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning to avoid tour groups · Allow up to two hours for the full compound · Combine with Zhenhuai Building and Han Hou Shrine nearby · Check performance times if interested in staged shows · Carry cash or mobile payment for the ticket office
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4
Wu Cheng'en's Former Residence
Tip: Combine with a walk through Hexia Ancient Town, allowing 3 hours in total · Visit on a weekday morning for a quieter experience · Buy tickets at the gate; mobile payment is common · Take bus to the Zhuxiang Street stop and walk about 500 m · Use a translation app for Chinese panels
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5
Hexia Ancient Town
Tip: Visit in late afternoon to see the town lit up · Streets are free; buy tickets only for houses you want to enter · Take bus to Zhuxiang Street stop · Wear comfortable shoes for uneven stone paving · Eat at small local restaurants away from the main souvenir lane
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6
Zhenhuai Building
Tip: Visit in late afternoon to catch the lighting at dusk · Combine with the neighbouring Han Hou Shrine · Many bus lines stop nearby, so a taxi is unnecessary · Bring small change or use mobile payment for the 10 yuan ticket
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7
Wentong Pagoda
Tip: Visit in morning or late afternoon for the best light · Pair with Zhenhuai Building and Hexia Ancient Town · Bus 65 or y65 to the Pharmaceutical Company stop · Do not expect interior access or extensive exhibits
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8
China Water Transport Museum
Tip: Check for a possible midday closure before arriving · Visit on weekday mornings to avoid school groups · Bus 69 to Caoyun Xiaoqu stops nearby · Use a translation app because labels are mainly Chinese · Allow time to walk around the square afterwards
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9
Qingyan Garden
Tip: Arrive early on weekdays for a quiet walk · Bring water in summer, since shade is limited in places · Combine with the Huai'an Museum nearby · Bus 2 or 7 serves the garden · Visit in spring for blossoms
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10
Han Hou Shrine (Han Xin Shrine)
Tip: Visit together with the Zhenhuai Building next door · Go on a weekday morning for quiet courtyards · Read about Han Xin's story beforehand to appreciate the inscriptions · Use a translation app for Chinese-only panels
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Historic
Huai'an Government House
Prefectural government compound in the old Huai'an District city, dating to 1370
Han Hou Shrine
Shrine to the Han general Han Xin beside Zhenhuai Building
Ming Ancestral Tomb
Tomb of the Hongwu Emperor's grandfather on the Hongze Lake shore, a national key heritage site
Hexia Ancient Town
Historic lanes of former salt-merchant mansions and the Wu Cheng'en residence
Memorial
Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall
Free memorial hall to the PRC's first premier, born in Huai'an
Zhou Enlai's Former Residence
Childhood home of Zhou Enlai on Fuma Lane, with two houses and 32 rooms
Iris Chang Memorial Hall
Free memorial to the author of The Rape of Nanking, on North Nanchang Road
Museum
China Water Transport Museum
Grand Canal grain-transport history at Caoyun Square
Huai'an Museum
Free city museum on Jiankang Road West
Nature
Hongze Lake Ancient Dike Scenic Area
Stone-walled Gaojiayan lake embankment and Shuifu City on the shore of Hongze Lake
Qingyan Garden
Free Qing-era garden in Qingjiangpu, once a river governor's office
Family
Journey to the West Amusement Park
Theme park tied to the Wu Cheng'en novel, in the development zone
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most memorials and museums open about 08:30-09:00 and close 16:30-17:30; the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall and Iris Chang Memorial Hall close on Mondays. Confirm on the listed phone numbers or Ctrip.
- Fees
- Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall, Zhou Enlai's Former Residence, Huai'an Museum, Iris Chang Memorial Hall and Qingyan Garden are free; Huai'an Government House ¥60 (~$8.50), China Water Transport Museum ¥50 (~$7), Wu Cheng'en residence ¥40 (~$5.60), Zhenhuai Building ¥10 (~$1.40).
- Best Times
- Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) for mild weather; July-August is hot and humid with the heaviest rain (about 250 mm in July).
- Booking
- Carry a passport for real-name entry. Free sites may require a free timed reservation through the site's WeChat mini-program; check at the gate or by phone.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
The old city sights (Government House, Zhenhuai Building, Han Hou Shrine, Zhou Enlai's residence, Wentong Pagoda, Hexia Ancient Town) are clustered in Huai'an District and can be covered in one day; Qingjiangpu district (Qingyan Garden, Huai'an Museum) is a separate half-day.
Huai'an District (the old prefectural city) and Qingjiangpu (the modern centre with main hotels and Huai'an Station) are different parts of town; use a taxi or DiDi between them.
Hold the passport for ticket offices; many sites in Huai'an use ID-based entry.
Use Amap or Baidu Maps for bus routes; Western map apps are unreliable in China.
Pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card; carry about ¥200 (~$28) in cash as backup.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Huai'an attractions?
March-May and September-November have mild weather; July-August is hot and humid with the heaviest rainfall.
Is the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall free?
Yes. Entry is free, the hall is closed on Mondays except national holidays, and visitors should carry a passport.
Where is Wu Cheng'en's former residence?
At 12 Datong Lane in Hexia Ancient Town, Huai'an District; entry is about ¥40 (~$5.60).