How to Spend One or Two Days in Xuzhou: A Practical Itinerary
Day 1: Start at Xuzhou Museum (book ahead), lunch at local barbecue restaurant, visit Huibu Mountain and Huilongwo historic streets in afternoon and evening. Day 2: Morning at Baolian Temple (free, scenic), afternoon at Guishan Han Tomb or Han Culture Scenic Area, dinner near Suning Square. This route maximizes Han Dynasty history while balancing culture, nature, and local food.
Why This Route Works
This itinerary focuses on Han Dynasty history, which is Xuzhou’s unique strength. The Museum-to-Han-sites progression tells the Han history story from artifacts to actual tomb interiors. Historic street visits in the evening allow daytime for paid attractions while offering relaxed evening atmosphere.
Day 1 Morning: Xuzhou Museum
Start early at Xuzhou Museum for Han artifacts and jade collections.
Key points:
- Opens at 9:00, closed Mondays
- Reservation required: Book at least two days in advance
- Allow 1.5-2 hours for the main exhibits
If you cannot get a reservation: Consider visiting other Han sites first and trying the museum later, or adjust your itinerary to skip it.
Day 1 Lunch: Local Barbecue or Di Guo Ji
After the museum, find lunch nearby. Options include:
- Jiaqing Barbecue for lamb skewers
- Zhouji Ba Zi Rou for braised pork
- Local Di Guo Ji restaurant for clay pot chicken
Tip: Follow where locals eat. Lines and crowds usually mean good food.
Day 1 Afternoon: Huibu Mountain
Huibu Mountain area offers historic atmosphere with traditional architecture and local shops.
What to see:
- Traditional buildings and streets
- Local craft shops
- Views of the old city area
Timing: Allow 1-2 hours for walking through the area.
Day 1 Evening: Huilongwo Historic Streets
Huilongwo is a historic street area popular in evenings. It combines old architecture with modern cafes, shops, and food stalls.
What to expect:
- Historic buildings with modern businesses inside
- Street food and snacks
- Relaxed atmosphere for evening walking
- Good for photos and casual exploration
Tip: This area is best in late afternoon and evening when businesses are open and atmosphere is lively.
Day 2 Morning: Baolian Temple or Yunlong Mountain
Choose based on your interests.
Baolian Temple:
- Free entry, scenic temple grounds
- Large, impressive temple architecture
- Good for photos and peaceful walking
Yunlong Mountain:
- Free entry, natural area with hiking paths
- Views of the city and Yunlong Lake
- Combines well with Yunlong Lake visit
Timing: Allow 2-3 hours for either option.
Day 2 Afternoon: Han Tomb Choice
Choose between Guishan Han Tomb or the larger Han Culture Scenic Area at Lion Mountain.
Guishan Han Tomb:
- Enter actual tomb interior (15 rooms, 700 square meters)
- Called “Eastern Pyramid”
- Compact visit, about 1-1.5 hours
Han Culture Scenic Area (Lion Mountain):
- Larger complex including Chu King’s Tomb and Terracotta Museum
- Recommended route: East Gate → Chu King Tomb → Terracotta Museum → Underwater Cavalry → Stone Relief Corridor
- Allow 2-3 hours
Recommendation: If you have time, the Han Culture Scenic Area offers more complete Han experience. If time is limited, Guishan is faster and still memorable.
Day 2 Evening: Suning Square Area
Finish near Suning Square for dinner and optional nightlife.
Options:
- Restaurants for local dishes
- Shopping and cafes
- 1818 Night Market if open (hours may vary seasonally)
Tip: This area is convenient for last-night hotels and easy subway access for departure.
Single-Day Compressed Option
If you only have one day, focus on Han history:
Morning:
- Xuzhou Museum (book ahead) OR Han Culture Scenic Area if museum unavailable
Afternoon:
- Han Culture Scenic Area OR Guishan Han Tomb
- Brief stop at Yunlong Lake or Mountain if time allows
Evening:
- Huilongwo historic streets for food and atmosphere
This compresses the highlights into one busy day.
Practical Tips
Booking: Reserve Xuzhou Museum at least two days ahead. This is essential.
Mondays: Avoid planning museum visits on Mondays. Most museums in China close on Mondays.
Transport: Use subway for downtown sites. Use taxi for distant sites like Han Culture Scenic Area.
Food: Plan lunch and dinner breaks. Historic street areas are good for evening food.
Hours: Most attractions open 9:00-17:00. Evening areas like Huilongwo stay open later.
Summary
Two days allow relaxed coverage of Han history, historic streets, and scenic areas. Day 1 covers museum and historic streets. Day 2 covers temple or mountain and Han tombs. For one day, compress to Han sites and evening historic streets. Remember to book the museum ahead and avoid Monday museum visits.
Final words
More reading and next steps
That is the main thread of the article. Keep the links below handy, and use the related posts to continue exploring the same topic from a different angle.
References and links
- Xuzhou Museum Official Website Required advance booking for museum visits, check reservation requirements before your trip.
- Han Culture Scenic Area Combined Han Dynasty site complex with recommended visiting routes and ticket information.
- Yunlong Lake and Mountain Free scenic area information for Yunlong Lake and Yunlong Mountain visits.
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