Discover Bengbu: Longzihu, cultural heritage and hotels

If you’re looking for a hotel in Bengbu, it helps to consider the themes that shape your trip: Longzihu offers lake and landscape, while historic residences, cultural heritage and the history of crayfish offer other points of interest.

Longzihu: Lake and landscape

The Longzihu Scenic Area lies in eastern Bengbu. It is designated a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and national ecological demonstration area, as well as a provincial-level scenic area. Its characteristic landscape is known as “three mountains surrounding a lake”: the name captures the impression of the lake and the mountains around it.

Longzihu is about 10 kilometers long and has a water surface of approximately 8.4 square kilometers. There is an ecological loop trail by the lake that is suitable for cycling. An 18.5-kilometer cycling route around the lake is also planned or designated for the scenic area. Check the current route status before setting out.

A pedal-boat activity is listed as an experience on the east shore of Longzihu, allowing visitors to experience the lake from the water. Since the offering may change with operator changes, check whether it is currently available before planning a visit.

Historic residences and cultural heritage

The Lake-Rising Moon Ancient Residences Expo Park is on the southwest shore of Longzihu in Bengbu. This cultural tourism project rescued scattered surviving old residences and reconstructed them in one place. On the main island, Fengqing Old Street features nearly 200 old residences in the Huizhou style. The park is described as China’s first open-air museum.

The park also includes a rare historic covered theater built in 1888. It is also the permanent venue for the annual meeting of the Taihu World Cultural Forum. This gives the site both historic architecture and a contemporary institutional role, though these need not be the same focus of a visit.

The intangible cultural heritage exhibition hall at the China Bengbu Ancient Residences Expo Park includes exhibition, interactive experience, multimedia and sales areas. It showcases 35 intangible cultural heritage projects from Bengshan District, including Yang’s micro-carving, Hulu shadow engraving, Feng-Hua painting and Xinyi Liuhequan. Exhibitions may change, so check which displays are currently on view before visiting.

Another historic site is the Tomb of Tang He on Cao Mountain in eastern Bengbu. It is a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit in Anhui. Qiyan Temple is on Zhuizi Mountain in the Longzihu Scenic Area and was established as early as the Sui and Tang dynasties. Together, these places offer different ways to explore Bengbu’s cultural history, from reconstructed residential architecture to historic sites.

Crafts and leisure activities

Xinfu Tian Agricultural Study Farm is located between eastern and western Lushan in Longzihu District. Its learning programs cover agriculture, weaving and local craft techniques. These themes offer a different focus for travelers interested in agricultural work or traditional crafts than the historic buildings at the Expo Park.

Xiyou Kingdom amusement park has more than 30 non-powered attractions and 13 rides or other powered activities. The numbers may change. This distinction gives a clearer picture of the range of activities listed without implying that they are suitable for any particular visitor group.

Crayfish and Bengbu’s food culture

Majiash Street is associated with two milestones in the history of crayfish: China’s first crayfish snack stall was established there in 1979; by 1998, the street had become Anhui’s largest crayfish distribution and consumer market. This history gives the local specialty a connection to the area, regardless of which dishes are available today.

The Youth Market on the east shore of Longzihu offers typical Bengbu specialties, including pork shaobing and a fermented rice drink. If you plan to visit the market, check its opening hours in advance.

Discover more destinations: Xuancheng, Anqing, Hefei, Chuzhou, Fuyang, Tongling, Wuhu, Suzhou

For the broader travel overview: Anhui.