Xuancheng(China) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Xuanzhou, the standout choice is Jingting Mountain Poetic Stay, nestled at the foot of Jingting Mountain, blending traditional Huizhou architecture with modern aesthetics. Each room draws inspiration from Li Bai’s poem "Alone on Jingting Mountain," offering immersive experiences like tea ceremonies, calligraphy workshops, and traditional paper-making. Nearby, Wanying Lake Riverside Resort provides serene lakeside views and access to local festivals, making it ideal for travelers seeking authentic Xuan paper culture and Anhui countryside tranquility.

The city center (especially around Wanying Road and Aofeng Road) is the optimal base for staying in Xuanzhou. It's centrally located near key attractions such as the Xuanzhou Museum, Shuiyang River Park, and ancient city ruins, with easy walking access to historical sites. The area also boasts a vibrant food scene featuring local specialties like Ningguo stinky mandarin fish and Jixi stir-fried dishes. For peace and quiet, consider staying at a mountain-side eco-lodge within Jingting Mountain Scenic Area, where morning mist and evening stars create a meditative atmosphere.

Visitors to Xuanzhou should not miss: touring the China Xuan Paper Culture Park to participate in hands-on paper-dipping and sun-drying techniques; joining the annual Li Bai Poetry Gathering at Jingting Mountain to experience Tang Dynasty literary ambiance; attending a Hui-style ancestral worship ceremony in Jixi County to explore clan traditions and merchant culture. Additionally, the Shuiyang River Dragon Boat Festival held during the third lunar month features thrilling races and rich folk customs—perfect for immersing in southern Anhui’s living heritage.

Baiyue Phoenix Hotel is an excellent choice for families, offering a kids’ playground, indoor heated pool, and interactive cooking classes. Family suites with baby beds are available. Located near Xuanzhou Botanical Garden, it allows children to explore nature easily. Another great option is Jingting Mountain Family Camp Hotel, which provides outdoor camping, stargazing sessions, and nature education programs led by experts. Parents can relax while kids learn about insects and plants through fun, guided activities.

Must-try dishes in Xuanzhou include Ningguo Stinky Mandarin Fish, fermented and steamed to perfection—rich, tender, and aromatic, a hallmark of Hui cuisine. Jixi Ham, made from local black pigs aged for months, delivers deep umami flavor and is perfect in soups or served raw. Xuan Paper Pastry, inspired by the art of papermaking, features delicate, paper-thin layers filled with sesame and glutinous rice. Don’t miss the Shuiyang River Freshwater Feast, featuring fresh catches like knifefish, shad, and whitefish, prepared with regional secret recipes—deliciously authentic.

Photographers will love Jingting Mountain Cloud Shelter Photography Inn, perched halfway up the mountain, offering stunning sunrise and cloud-sea shots. The surrounding temple rooftops frame golden sunrises perfectly. Wanying Lake Art Hotel features an infinity rooftop terrace ideal for capturing lake reflections and distant mountains. The hotel hosts monthly Anhui Landscape Photography Workshops and offers equipment rentals. Both locations are hubs for seasonal events like cherry blossom photography and night sky capture sessions.

Spring in Xuanzhou shines brightest with vast rapeseed fields and cherry blossoms. From March to April, the Baisiling area in Jingde County blooms with thousands of acres of golden rapeseed flowers, creating a painterly contrast with traditional Hui-style villages. Meanwhile, Jingting Mountain Cherry Blossom Garden bursts into full bloom, with thousands of trees forming a pink sea, enhanced by ancient temple echoes. The Shuiyang River banks are lined with willows swaying gently, ideal for boat rides. Spring also brings the Farmers' Plowing Festival, where visitors can join in traditional rice planting and plowing rituals.

For creative souls, Xuan Paper Workshop Inn stands out—a renovated century-old residence showcasing historical Xuan paper samples and inkstones, hosting daily "Poetry on Paper" craft workshops. Jingting Mountain Poet’s Coffee & Lodge blends poetry, coffee, and mountain views, with a rotating gallery of local artists and monthly poetry salons. Wanying Old Alley Art Hostel hides in a historic alleyway, displaying original artworks and featuring a rooftop garden perfect for sketching under the stars—ideal for writers, painters, and dreamers seeking inspiration.

Couples should consider Jingting Mountain Cloud Shelter Private Villa, each with a private hot spring pool and star-gazing deck, perfect for intimate evenings under the Milky Way. Wanying Lake Lover’s Pier Hotel floats on wooden walkways over the lake, with rooms facing the water—ideal for watching dawn break together. Some rooms even feature a Love Letter Box and Memory Time Capsule service, allowing couples to leave notes for future reunions, adding a poetic touch to their getaway.

Nighttime highlights in Xuanzhou include strolling the Wanying Ancient City Night Market, sampling local snacks like Hui-style baked buns and tofu balls. The Jingting Mountain Lantern Festival lights up the mountain with thousands of glowing lanterns, casting soft light on Li Bai’s poetry stones—an enchanting “reading under moonlight” experience. Take a Shuiyang River night cruise to glide past illuminated riverbanks, enjoying folk songs and storytelling. Some hotels offer firefly exploration tours in summer, where couples can walk through bamboo groves lit by tiny glowing insects—truly magical.