Two-Day Poetry & Landscape Tour of Maanshan

Immerse yourself in picturesque mountains and rivers, and lose yourself in the sacred land of the immortal poet Li Bai.

Caishiji Scenic Area → Cuiluo Mountain → Riverside Plank Road → Santai Pavilion → Sanyuan Cave → Taibai Tower → Li Bai’s Mausoleum on Daqing Mountain → Xie An Memorial Shrine → Festival Square

Yushan Lake → Putang Scenic Area

Take Tour Bus No.1 at the railway station to the scenic spot. Upon alighting, a grand memorial archway will greet you. Walk along the main street of ancient Caishi Town toward Cuiluo Mountain. Cross the bridge, pass through the main gate and the riverside plank road, and you will reach Santai Pavilion. As the highest vantage point of Caishiji and a remarkable landmark along the Yangtze River, Santai Pavilion offers a panoramic view of Maanshan’s urban skyline, rolling peaks on both riverbanks and stunning river scenery.

After enjoying the river views, visit Li Bai’s cenotaph and Sanyuan Cave. Also known as Three Officials Cave, Sanyuan Cave is the largest of the five natural stone grottoes at Caishiji. A short walk from the cave stands a sculpture depicting Li Bai leaping into the river. Further down the path lie Rhinoceros Burning Pavilion, riverside stone carvings and the Giant Footprint rock formation. Turn left along the riverbank and walk a short distance past Guangji Temple to reach Taibai Tower, which houses numerous manuscripts and biographical exhibits of Li Bai, well worth a thorough visit.

At noon, taste the authentic Yangtze River Seafood Feast at Cuiluo Xuan Restaurant inside Caishiji Scenic Area. In the afternoon, take a minibus bound for Dalong or Huangchi from the long-distance bus station to Taibai Town, Dangtu County. Upon arrival, hire a local tricycle to Li Bai’s Mausoleum. On the left side of the mausoleum compound lies Green Lotus Pond, spanned by the arch-shaped Crane Ascension Bridge that leads to Ten Odes Pavilion. A stone stele in the center of the pavilion is carved with Li Bai’s Ten Odes to Gushu. To the left of the pavilion stands Taibai Shrine, dominated by a 2.47-metre-tall white marble statue of Li Bai. Li Bai’s tomb sits behind the shrine.

If time permits after touring the mausoleum, ride a tricycle to the nearby Xie An Memorial Shrine, reconstructed from Xie An’s former residence by local villagers. Li Bai paid his respects here many times during his lifetime. Take a bus back to downtown Maanshan in the early evening.

Spend your night at Festival Square, the largest and most fashionable public square in Maanshan, and admire its enchanting night views.

In the morning, head to Yushan Lake Park first. Graceful and charming Yushan Lake is encircled by nine scattered peaks, giving rise to the well-known praise “Nine Peaks Embracing One Lake”. The lakeside park built around the water boasts exquisite, enchanting scenery, with walkways and green trees winding all around the lake — an ideal retreat to unwind amid natural landscapes. For lunch, try Maanshan Stuffed Duck at restaurants on Jiefang Road beside Yushan Lake.

In the afternoon, travel to Putang Scenic Area in eastern Maanshan. The natural scenic zone is divided into three sections: Huangzhuang, Sword Lake and Lingxuan. Bamboo seas, ancient trees, clear springs and temple bell chimes are hailed as the Four Wonders of Putang