Huai'an
Explore Huai'an
About Huai'an
A Grand Canal crossroads and hometown of Premier Zhou Enlai, celebrated as a cradle of Huaiyang cuisine with the riverside He Xia old town and canal-governor heritage.
Top Attractions
Zhou Enlai Former Residence
The childhood home of Premier Zhou Enlai in Fuma Lane of the old Huai'an town — 32 connected rooms bought by his grandfather in the Xianfeng era. Free with real-name reservation, closed Mondays; the courtyard residence presents the premier's family life and early years.
Hexia Ancient Town
A canal town within the 5A Zhou Enlai Hometown scenic area, free to wander day and night. Over its 2,500 years Hexia produced Han Xin, Liang Hongyu, Wu Cheng'en and top scholar Shen Kun; stone lanes, private gardens and teahouses serve the famous Huaiyang morning tea.
Li Canal Cultural Corridor
A national 4A riverside corridor of 10.8 square kilometers along the old Li Canal in Qingjiangpu District. Qingjiangpu Tower, Guoshi Pagoda and Zhongzhou Island's canal museums line the banks; the core area is free around the clock, with exhibit halls and evening cruises ticketed separately — the night view is the highlight.
Hongze Lake Ancient Dike
A national 4A area centered on the 67-kilometer Hongze Lake Grand Dike — a UNESCO Grand Canal heritage point and national key heritage site built from the Han dynasty onward. Shuicheng old town, Yuren Bay and lakeside walkways are free to explore, with boat cruises and sightseeing vehicles extra.
Huai'an Fu Shu (Prefecture Yamen)
One of only two ancient prefecture yamen compounds surviving in China, a national 4A site whose main hall of over 500 square meters is the largest in the country. Halls, prisons and exhibits reconstruct Ming-Qing local government —窦娥冤 lore included — with 2–3 hours recommended.
Jinhu Lotus Flower Sea
A national 4A wetland of some 12,000 mu in Jinhu County, famous for its summer lotus seas — among the best-known lotus-viewing sites in China. Boardwalks and boats thread the ponds at peak bloom from June to September; entry about 40 CNY (the site has run free-entry promotions in recent years).
Fantawild Glorious Orient (Huai'an)
A red-culture theme park of the Fantawild "Glorious Orient" series on Fangte Avenue in Hongze district, recreating a century of modern Chinese history with immersive rides, giant-screen theatres and night shows across some 60 hectares. One of Huai'an's most-visited family attractions, it drew about 1.73 million guests in 2023; tickets from about CNY 140 with separate night sessions.
Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall
Opened on 6 January 1992 on the shores of Taohuayin lake north of Huai'an's old town, with the hall name inscribed by Deng Xiaoping. The water-girt main hall, statue plaza and lakeside gardens commemorate Premier Zhou Enlai, born in Huai'an in 1898; the 40-hectare complex ranks among China's hundred classic red-tourism sites. Free with ID.