Things to do in Lai'an

No. 7 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Anhui

Chishan Lake National Wetland Park

Chishan Lake National Wetland Park is located at the junction of Leiguan Town, Lai'an County, Chuzhou City, Anhui Province and Chengqiao Street, Liuhe District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, with a total area of 5,800 mu, of which 3,600 mu is in Jiangsu Province and 2,200 mu is in Anhui Province. The park has a superior geographical location and obvious transportation advantages. It is 50 kilometers away from Nanjing City, 70 kilometers away from Chuzhou City, and 190 kilometers away from Hefei City. Chishan Lake Wetland Park is named after the more than 50,000 pond cypress trees growing in more than 1,000 mu of water. This pond cypress forest planted in the early 1980s has formed a natural landscape of "water forest" with forests in the water and birds in the forest after nearly 40 years of natural growth and development. According to the survey, there are 194 species of vascular plants belonging to 60 families, 154 genera, 8 orders, 15 families, 43 species of fish, 18 species of amphibians, 4 orders, 8 families, 13 species of mammals, 5 orders, 5 families, 102 species of birds belonging to 13 orders, 32 families, including 13 species of national second-level key protected animals in the wetland park.

No. 20 of Best Things to Do in Anhui

Langya Mountain Scenic Area

Langya Mountain is named after the title bestowed by Sima Rui, the first emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It is located in the southwest of Chuzhou City. It integrates the city and the mountain, is rich in historical and cultural resources, and has beautiful natural scenery. It is the location of the "No. 1 Pavilion in the World" Zuiweng Pavilion, one of the first national AAAA-level tourist attractions, a national scenic spot and a national forest park.The Langya Mountain Scenic Area covers an area of 115 square kilometers, including three major areas: Zuiweng Pavilion Area, Puxian Area, and Qingliuguan Area. The Langya Mountain Scenic Area is located in the Zuiweng Pavilion Area, covering an area of 4.98 square kilometers. It is a rich place for historical and cultural resources and ecological landscape resources of Langya Mountain, including five major tourist areas: Zuiweng Pavilion Cultural Theme Area, Tongleyuan Study and Tourism Area, Langya Secret Realm Exploration Area, Nantianmen Sightseeing Area, and Shenxiu Lake Leisure and Sports Area.Langya Mountain is a famous cultural mountain. Since the Tang Dynasty, a large number of historical celebrities such as Li Youqing, Wei Yingwu, Ouyang Xiu, Su Shi, Zeng Gong, Wang Anshi, Xin Qiji, Song Lian, Wang Yangming, Wen Zhengming, etc. have left a large number of handed down works about Langya Mountain. The great writer Ouyang Xiu of the Song Dynasty "The Drunkard" In "The Pavilion", "The Drunkard's intention is not in the wine, but in the mountains and rivers" has become a popular saying throughout the ages, and the Drunkard's Pavilion is also known as "the best pavilion in the world". There are 2 national key cultural relics protection units in the scenic area - Langya Mountain cliff carvings and stele inscriptions (especially the seven cliffs from the Tang Dynasty and the stele "The Drunken Old Pavilion" written by Su Shi are rare treasures) and Wuliang Hall, 4 The province's key cultural relics protection units are the Langya Temple ancient building complex built in the Tang Dynasty, Qingliuguan built in the Five Dynasties, Zuiweng Pavilion ancient building complex built in the Song Dynasty and Fengle Pavilion ancient building complex.Langya Mountain is an ecological pure land, located in a humid monsoon climate zone, with distinct four seasons, pleasant scenery, rich animal and plant resources, and a forest coverage rate of over 85%. Langya Elm and Zuiweng Elm are rare tree species unique to Langya Mountain. The plum tree "Oumei" planted by Ouyang Xiu is one of the four great plum longevity stars in China. Langya Creek, Glass Swamp, Rangquan, Zhuoyingquan and other mountain springs and Guiyun Cave, Xuehong Cave, Chongxi Cave and other caves are the "Nine Caves and Eighteen Springs" scenic spots of Langya Mountain."The drunkard's intention is the mountains and rivers of Langya". The rich natural and cultural landscapes of Langya Mountain make it famous as one of the "eight famous scenic spots" with "famous people, famous pavilions, famous texts, famous monuments, famous springs, famous caves, famous forests, and famous gardens". An ecological pure land and a famous cultural mountain, Langya Mountain welcomes you.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo

Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo is located in the north of Nanjing, built along three hills: Dahongshan, Fangniushan, and Xiaohongshan. With a green coverage rate of over 85%, the rolling hills form a unique forest view. The zoo brings together rare wild animals from around the world and adopts an immersive multi-species mixed-housing model, allowing animals to naturally express their instincts in environments that simulate their native habitats. The nearly 30 venues in the park are divided into three major zones by hill. The Dàhóngshān zone is mainly home to fierce beasts and native species, including the Tiger Area, Bear Area, Chinese Felid House, Felid Planet, Wolf Area, Native Species Conservation Area, Meerkat House, Monkey Hill, and Giraffe House; the Fàngniúshān zone brings together the Koala House, Gaoligong Exhibition Area, Gondwana Exhibition Area, Asian Primate Area, Orangutan House, and Hippo House; the Xiǎohóngshān zone is mainly composed of bird exhibition areas, including the Tropical Bird House, Hornbill Garden, Muntjac and Reeve's Muntjac Slope, Parrot House, Pheasant Garden, and Rare Bird Garden. Among them, the Gondwana Exhibition Area is themed on the ancient continent of Gondwana, presenting the ecological landscape of species from the Southern Hemisphere; the Gaoligong Exhibition Area focuses on the biodiversity of Gaoligong Mountain in Yunnan; and the Native Species Conservation Area is dedicated to the conservation and wild release of China's native wildlife, making it one of the park's signature exhibition areas. Both the Koala House and the Giant Panda House are popular venues in the park. Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo was among the first domestic zoos to cancel animal performances and stop visitor feeding activities. With the core philosophy of "everything for the animals," it focuses on ecological renovation of venues and improvement of animal welfare. The park also undertakes the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife in the Jiangsu region, rescuing a large number of injured and stray wild animals every year.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

West Lake

West Lake is the core scenery of Hangzhou, with cloud-covered mountains on three sides and the city on one, and the two long causeways, Su Causeway and Bai Causeway, lie across the lake surface, dividing the water into several stretches large and small. Among the lakeside highlights, the "Ten Scenes of West Lake" handed down from the Southern Song dynasty rank first, and together with the later "New Ten Scenes of West Lake" and the "Three Reviews of the Ten Scenes of West Lake," over a hundred attractions spread out along the lake shore and the surrounding mountains, with pavilions, terraces, temples, and pagodas, gardens, causeways, and islands setting off one another against the distant mountains and nearby waters; the legend of the Broken Bridge, where Bai Niangzi and Xu Xian met, adds a touch of story to the lake and hills. There is no need to insist on visiting every spot; simply choosing a stretch of shoreline and wandering slowly is pleasant enough. You can explore West Lake on foot, by cycling, by the sightseeing electric shuttle that circles the lake, or by boat. The shuttle route makes exactly one full loop around the lake, saving effort and being convenient; cycling along the lakeside is leisurely and romantic, with many public bicycle rental points along the shore; if you want to take a boat, the several piers around the lake offer different boat types and routes, and it is recommended to take a boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon in the center of the lake while enjoying the lake views from the water along the way; alternatively, you can hail a rowboat at the lakeside and let the boatman row you around the lake for a more free and flexible experience. Attractions on the north shore are concentrated. The usual route starts from Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge in the northeast corner, follows Bai Causeway to Solitary Hill, and along the way you can see cultural views such as the Xiling Seal Art Society, the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, the China Seal Museum, and Zhongshan Park–Pavilion for Releasing Cranes, taste a bowl of authentic West Lake vinegar fish at Louwailou, and then pass Xiling Bridge to the Temple of King Yue and Breeze-Ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden. In summer when the sun is strong, you might instead walk along Beishan Road, hide under the dense shade of the trees, and look at the curve of Broken Bridge and the swaying weeping willows on Bai Causeway; along the way there are many entrances where you can climb Baoshi Hill for high views; in the evening, the live performance Impression West Lake on Yue Lake is also well worth seeing. If you have plenty of time and energy, you can also get on the Su Causeway from around the Temple of King Yue and walk to enjoy the full view of West Lake. Hubin Road to Nanshan Road along the southeast shore is another area with a dense concentration of attractions. Hubin Road sits at the junction of the urban area and the scenic area, right next to the downtown commercial district, making it suitable for a short stop for travelers on a tight itinerary; by the lake there is also the iconic musical fountain and a cruise pier. From Hubin Road heading south along Nanshan Road, Orioles Singing in the Willows, the Long Bridge, Leifeng Pagoda, and Evening Bell at Nanping Hill line up one after another, and further west is Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor. The distances between adjacent attractions are convenient to cover on foot or by sightseeing bus, and you can choose a few to visit according to your preferences. Leifeng Pagoda and Evening Bell at Nanping Hill are best scheduled for the evening—listening to the bell at Jingci Temple and climbing Leifeng Pagoda to look down over the lakes and hills in the twilight are both excellent experiences.

qiu shui shan zhuang

No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Jiangsu

Nanjing Museum

The Nanjing Museum is located at the southern foot of Purple Mountain, on the north side of Zhongshan Gate. Here, you can see ancient artifacts such as the jade burial suit sewn with silver thread, appreciate painting and calligraphy art, and even take a stroll down old streets for a journey through time. Museum historyThe museum was established in 1933 and completed in 1948, with its main hall modeled after the mountain gate of Dule Temple in Tianjin. After expansion in 2009 and opening to the public on November 6, 2013, it became the second largest museum in China after the National Museum of China, featuring six halls: the History Hall, Special Exhibition Hall, Digital Hall, Art Hall, Republican Era Hall, and Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall. Museum layoutThe museum's main buildings are divided into two sections, left and right. After walking a short distance on the right side, you will reach the museum's old main hall, modeled after the Dule Temple. Behind the "Dule Temple" is the History Gallery, while the other five galleries are all on the left side. You can either tour from the five galleries on the left to the History Gallery on the right, or from the History Gallery to the five galleries on the left. It is recommended to visit the History Gallery first, because the special exhibition hall housing the "treasure of the museum" is located to the left of the History Gallery. You can follow the order of History Gallery - Special Exhibition Hall - Digital Gallery - Republican Era Gallery - Art Gallery - Intangible Cultural Heritage Gallery to tour the entire museum. History exhibition hallThe history museum displays cultural relics arranged in chronological order from ancient times to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walking through it feels like strolling through five thousand years of Jiangsu's civilization. Highlights include: the jade burial suit sewn with silver thread, a wall built brick by brick during the Southern and Northern Dynasties with brick carvings faintly depicting the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove" upon closer inspection, and more. Special exhibition hallThe "Splendors of the Prosperous Age" area of the special exhibition hall displays official kiln porcelain from the Qing Dynasty, the "Fine Clocks and Watches Exhibition" displays ancient Chinese timekeeping devices and Western clocks and watches, and "Approaching Buddhist Statues" features resplendent, exquisitely crafted Buddhist statues. As for the "treasure of the museum," the gilt Tibetan-style stupa from the early years of the Zhengtong reign of the Ming Dynasty (1436–1439 CE), a single exhibit occupies an entire room, and its sheer grandeur alone is stunning enough. This museum treasure was unearthed from the underground palace of the Hongjue Temple Pagoda on Niushou Mountain in Nanjing. On a square red sandstone base, four blue-and-white porcelain vases surround a golden stupa in the center, and in front of the stupa is a small gold coffin and silver outer coffin, upon which lies a golden reclining statue of Shakyamuni. Digital galleryThe digital pavilion uses modern technology to present ancient themes, with exhibits such as the animation "Picture Scroll of Scenes in the Southern Capital" (similar to the Along the River During the Qingming Festival in the China Pavilion at the World Expo). What is quite interesting is that there are many interactive games here, and you can touch the screen to play games set in ancient times. Art venueThe art museum displays sculptures, calligraphy, and paintings. The exhibited paintings by Fu Baoshi, which use Chinese ink painting techniques to depict Eastern European red-roofed buildings, squares, and sculptures, are quite distinctive. Republic of China galleryThe Republic of China Gallery has transformed the entire indoor space into a street scene from the Republic of China period. Trams are displayed on the street, and shops with Republic-era style line both sides, open for business and selling items that evoke nostalgia. At a general store, you can buy "mouse droppings" (also known as kumquat pills), a snack from childhood. The post office offers Nanjing Museum postmarks, and at the Librairie Avant-Garde upstairs, the staff wear period clothing; if you want to mail a postcard, the bookstore also sells stamps. Intangible cultural heritage museumThe intangible cultural heritage museum displays folk handicrafts such as woodblock prints, paper cuttings, gold foil, and festive lanterns. Here you can enjoy performances such as Kunqu opera, Baiju, and Pingtan. Reference performance times: 14:00-16:00.In the small theater, you can watch 3D films for free, and the film is about 20 minutes long.The small theater in the intangible cultural heritage museum will also be open to the public on weekends and public holidays at 19:00 if there are traditional Chinese opera performances, and tickets are required.

Zuiweng Pavilion

The Zuiweng Pavilion is located at the foot of Langya Mountain, to the southwest of Chuzhou City, Anhui Province. The Zuiweng Pavilion, Beijing Taoran Pavilion, Changsha Aiwan Pavilion, and Hangzhou Huxin Pavilion are collectively known as the "Four Distinguished Pavilions in China." The Zuiweng Pavilion is small and exquisite, with Jiangnan pavilion characteristics. It is close to the steep mountain wall, with cornices reaching toward the sky. It has experienced several hundred years of damage, repair, and reconstruction, and was listed as a provincial key protection unit of cultural relics after the Liberation.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Jiangsu

Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone

Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone, also known asNiushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone, it is named for its two peaks, one in the east and one in the west, which resemble the two horns of an ox's head. Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone boasts beautiful scenery and has long enjoyed the reputation of "Spring Niushou." In ancient times, it featured such Jinling scenic spots as Niushou Smoke and Mist and Zutang Temple's Resounding Tin Staff, and it also preserves many historical sites, such as the Jiangning section of the ancient fortifications where Yue Fei fought against the Jin, and the Zheng He Cultural Park. Usnisa Palace The Usnisa Palace is themed around the enshrinement of the Buddha's parietal bone relic and is divided into two parts: the large dome and the small dome, symbolizing outer offerings and inner offerings. The Usnisa Palace utilizes the original mine pit to build an underground palace, with six levels below ground and three levels above ground, appearing very solemn and magnificent. The parietal bone relic of Shakyamuni Buddha was enshrined at the Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone in October 2015. Visitors may go to the Usnisa Palace to pay homage on special Buddhist festivals. For specific times to view the relic, please call the attraction for inquiries. A thousand years of history Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone is a Buddhist sacred site. The Buddha Cave Temple, built by Sikong Xu Du in the second year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (503 AD), was the first temple on Niushou Mountain, and Li Yu, the last ruler of the Southern Tang, renamed it Hongjue Temple. During the Tang Dynasty, Chan Master Farong, hailed as the "Bodhidharma of East China," founded the Niutou Chan School on Niushou Mountain, known in ancient times as "Jiangbiao Niutou." The founding of the Niutou Chan School served as an important bridge in the true transformation of Indian Chan into Chinese Chan! Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone - Taohua Stream Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone - Taohua Stream is located at the east entrance of Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone, with a total area of 14.87 hectares, approximately 220 mu. The peach blossoms selected are 26 varieties suitable for growing in the Nanjing area, making it a new view created by the Niushou Mountain attraction. A small stream winds down from Yinlong Lake, its water babbling, with peach trees planted on both sides. In spring, the buds gradually bloom, and a sea of flowers is intoxicating.

Selected for Night Attractions in Jiangsu

Nanjing Confucius Temple

The Confucius Temple was originally built in the Song Dynasty to commemorate Confucius. It is located beside Gongyuan Street on the north bank of Qinhuai River. However the temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current temple was rebuilt in 1987 after it was destroyed by Japanese Aggressors during WWII. Currently, the temple is the main scenic spot of the Qinhuai River Scenery. It also includes the China Imperial Examination Museum and Xue Gong (The Imperial Academy). At the Confucius Temple, you can admire a 6 meter high huge portrait of Confucius and 38 mural paintings reflecting the life story of Confucius.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Confucius Temple-Qinhuai Scenic Area

The Confucius Temple-Qinhuai Scenic Area refers to the Qinhuai River area centered around the Confucius Temple, where the streets, alleys, residences, and historical sites along both banks form a continuous stretch. It has been a bustling and lively part of Nanjing since ancient times. The line "The swallows that skimmed by painted eaves in bygone days are dipping now among the humble homes' doorways" by Liu Yuxi describes this very place. The Wuyi Lane mentioned in the poem still lies hidden among the alleys near the Confucius Temple. Exploring history along the river is the highlight of this area: The Dacheng hall of Confucius temple stands by the water, with a towering screen wall across the Pan pond in front; the nearby Jiangnan examination hall was the imperial testing site for provincial exams during the Ming and Qing dynasties, now replaced by the China imperial examination museum; Zhan garden and Egret isle park both originated from the mansion gardens of Xu Da's family, a founding general of the Ming dynasty—the former also houses the Taiping heavenly kingdom history museum; scattered along both banks within walking distance are historical sites like Meixiang tower (former residence of "Peach blossom fan" heroine Li Xiangjun), the well-preserved Zhonghua gate with its urn-shaped defense system, Wu Jingzi's residence (author of "The scholars"), and ancient ferry relics like Taoye crossing, easily connected into a historical walking trail. Cuisine is also a signature feature of this area: "The eight Qinhuai delicacies" refer to sixteen famous dishes from eight time-honored snack restaurants, including Yongheyuan's crab-shell yellow sesame cakes and dried shrimp shreds, Qifangge's duck oil crispy cakes and sesame oil dried shreds, Jiangyouji's beef pot stickers, and Lianhu pastry shop's osmanthus-filled glutinous rice balls. The Confucius Temple area and Laomendong are lined with teahouses, snack shops, and various stores, offering plenty of opportunities to rest and grab a bite when tired, along with the chance to pick up some souvenirs. The highlight comes after nightfall: board a painted boat from the pier in front of the Confucius Temple, listen to the guide while admiring the white walls and black tiles illuminated by riverside lanterns—this is the classic "night mooring on the Qinhuai" experience. From Chinese New Year to the Lantern Festival each year, the Qinhuai River Lantern Festival (also known as the Jinling Lantern Festival), listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, takes place here. The Confucius Temple, Laomendong, and along the Qinhuai River are adorned with lanterns and decorations. "Visiting the Confucius Temple to see lanterns during New Year" remains a cherished tradition for Nanjing locals. Even on ordinary days, the area buzzes with cultural temple fairs, food festivals, and other celebrations, offering unique surprises in different seasons.