Just got back from Xuancheng, here are some hard truths

🌿 July Travel Guide to Xuancheng | Off-the-Beaten-Path Culture + Foodie Heaven! Take this guide and you're welcome~ Located in southeastern Anhui near Huangshan, Xuancheng is an ancient town with an ink-painting aesthetic! Recently recommended by National Geographic for the Southern Anhui "Tibetan Line," it's gotten more visitors, but the city itself remains quite niche~ 📅 Two-Day Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Artsy Ancient Village + Night Market Adventure Morning: Hike Jingting Mountain (Free! Where Li Bai wrote poetry, with super-soothing tea fields) Noon: Eat at "Lao Jie Kou" Huizhou cuisine restaurant—stinky tofu is a must! Funky but delicious~ 🤤 Evening: Stroll the Guogou Plaza night market—grilled pig trotters and ice jelly will revive you! Day 2: Nature + Culture Marathon Morning: Boat ride at Qinglongwan Reservoir (Water is crystal clear! Like floating in emerald) Noon: Local dishes at "Xuancheng Hotel"—stinky mandarin fish is pungent perfection! Evening: Admire lanterns at Shuidong Old Street, perfect for hanfu photos! 🎯 Must-Do List Jingting Mountain (Free! Open 6:00-18:00) Sunset views from the top—same perspective as Li Bai! Xuan Paper Cultural Park (Forgot ticket price...) Try paper-making—even clumsy hands can do it! Shuidong Old Street (Free!) Lantern-lit nights = instant photo ops. "Hui Wei Lou" Restaurant (~¥50/person) Stinky fish + bamboo shoot pork—locals' favorite! Qinglongwan Reservoir (Free!) Snap pics of fishermen for ultimate vibes~ 🏨 Stay Recommendation "Xuancheng New Century Grand Hotel"—great value! Rooms feature xuan paper decor, 5-min walk to night market. (Psst: Front desk ladies know hidden food gems!) 🚌 Transport Tips Bus: Line 1 to Jingting Mountain, Line 2 to Shuidong Old Street—only ¥2! Taxi: Downtown starts at ¥7—drivers are chatty and warm. 💢 Pain Points: Jingting Mountain has endless stairs—flip-flops = bad idea! Boating in summer = extreme sun—slather on sunscreen like a mask! ✨ Tips ✔️ Best in July: Free lotus blooms at Wanling Lake Park! ✖️ Avoid rainy season: Qinglongwan may close due to floods. 🍜 Foodie Heaven Hairy tofu: White fuzz looks scary... but with chili sauce = AMAZING! Stinky mandarin fish: Smells lethal, tastes lick-the-plate good! Shuiyang Three Treasures: Duck feet + wings + tofu—perfect binge-watching snack! Pan-fried dumplings: Crispy bottom + juicy filling—carb bliss! Kudzu root balls: Chewy goodness, sweet or savory! 💰 Two-Day Budget Food: Breakfast ¥10 (porridge + crullers) + Lunch ¥50 + Night snacks ¥30 = ¥90/day × 2 = ¥180 Lodging: New Century twin room ¥200/night × 1 = ¥200 Transport: Bus ¥4 + Taxi ¥15 = ¥19 Total: ~¥400! Just ¥200/person—easy win~ Xuancheng is tiny! Downtown can be explored in half a day—great for side trips. Not very commercial—for trendy shopping, head to Hefei. Summer heat is brutal—AC is a lifesaver!