Huai'an travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Huai'an, Jiangsu, China.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Huai'an tea-twists (茶馓)
Price: Sold by weight; a small bag is roughly ¥10-30 (~$1.50-4.50)
Where: Yuejia Chasan, 100 m south of Chenggong Bridge, Hexia (open about 5AM-8PM)
Lianshui dried radish (涟水萝卜干)
Where: Local supermarkets and specialty-food shops
Lianshui chicken cake (涟水鸡糕)
Where: Local supermarkets and specialty-food shops
Gaogou bundled pork trotter (高沟捆蹄)
Where: Local specialty-food shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Hexia Ancient Town stone-slab street
Tea-twists, soup dumplings and local snacks in a historic quarter
Where: Hexia Subdistrict, Huai'an District
Hours: Open all day; shops generally daytime hours
Wenmiao antique market
Antiques and curios next to the Li Canal corridor
Where: Lunbu Road, Zhakou Subdistrict, Qingjiangpu District
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Hexia Ancient Town
Best for: Tea-twists, snacks and small local crafts
Qingjiangpu malls
Best for: Fashion, electronics and dining in Jindi MALL (168 Xiangyu Avenue) and Xuhui cmall (Anlan North Road and Fuzhun Road junction)
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Huai'an Wanda Plaza (Huai'an District)
Huai'an Joy City (Wuyue Plaza)
Guolian Rongchuang ins park
Hours: Mon-Thu 10:00-21:30; Fri-Sun 10:00-22:00
Fukangcheng Boyuehui Mall
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Malls and chain stores use fixed prices; bargaining is usual only at the antique market.
At the antique market, offer well below the first quote and walk away if the price is not met.
Food specialties are sold by weight; ask for a weighed price before buying.
Pay by Alipay or WeChat Pay where possible; stalls may not accept foreign cards.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Antiques may need an export permit; ask for the shop's certificate and keep the receipt.
- Tax-refund stores are mainly in larger cities; look for the tax-refund logo and bring a passport.