Kaizhou

Hanfeng Lake and the surrounding mountains shape Kaizhou's cityscape. Sites devoted to Communist revolutionary history and lakeside leisure areas are the main attractions. Everyday costs are relatively affordable, and the pace of life is relaxed, making this a good destination for a weekend or short holiday.

• Hanfeng Lake: Created by the Three Gorges Project, this 15-square-kilometer lake lies within the city, with its shoreline woven into the urban area. Lakeside paths are suitable for walking and cycling, and the evening is a good time to watch the sunset.

• Kaizhou Juzi Garden: China's first garden dedicated to the imperial examination system features red walls, an old pagoda, and lake views, making it a good spot for sightseeing and photography. Nearby Wenfeng Pagoda offers elevated views of the city and lake; admission to climb the pagoda costs extra.

• Kaizhou Old Town: This district features traditional-style buildings with white walls and dark roof tiles. After dark, you can enjoy the illuminated streets. During your visit, take a 2-yuan ferry across the water and back, or try local snacks on the lakeside food street.

• Liu Bocheng Memorial Hall: This national 4A-rated revolutionary heritage site includes a main exhibition hall, a bronze statue square, and a weapons park. Its solemn architecture and educational exhibits make it suitable for a family learning visit. Admission is free, but you must bring your ID card. The memorial is closed on Mondays.

• Xuebaoshan National Forest Park: With an average elevation above 1,500 meters, the park is a good place to see autumn foliage from late October through November. You can drive along winding mountain roads, hike the cliffside trail, or camp under the stars.

Local Food Specialties

Kaizhou cuisine combines food traditions from the Three Gorges region and the Daba Mountains. Dishes tend to be rich in oil and chili, with steamed dishes and cured meats especially common.

• Kaizhou Mixed Steamed Meat: Originating in Linjiang Town, this dish combines pork belly, ribs, pork intestines, and other ingredients, steamed over a layer of sweet potato or pumpkin. The result is soft and rich, with the flavors of the ingredients mingling together.

• Sichuan Pepper Beef: Thinly sliced yellow cattle beef is dressed with a special Sichuan pepper sauce. The dish has a fragrant, numbing flavor and a firm, chewy texture, and is often served with alcoholic drinks.

• Lao Qinniang Beef Wontons: These are Kaizhou's version of large wontons, with thin wrappers and generous fillings. The broth is flavored with litsea cubeba oil, giving it a distinctive taste.
• Bingbo Mooncakes: This food specialty from Linjiang Town is recognized as intangible cultural heritage and has a history of 400 years. A very thin sesame crust encloses a filling of brown sugar and rock sugar. Sweet, fragrant, and crisp, these mooncakes make good gifts to take home.

• Street Snacks: Zishui dried tofu, Huanxitou, Lübo cold noodles, and Shuxin steamed dumplings are commonly found in neighborhood streets and food markets. A filling meal usually costs a little over 10 yuan per person.

Suggested Itineraries

The following routes focus on relaxed city sightseeing and autumn mountain scenery respectively. Choose according to the length of your stay and how you plan to travel.

Two-Day City Break (Ideal for a Weekend)

• Day 1: Cultural Sights and a Lakeside Walk: After arriving in the afternoon, visit Juzi Garden to see its red walls and traditional buildings, then take a walk through Hanfeng Lake Wetland Park. Stay by the lake for sunset, and try Kaizhou mixed steamed meat or Xiongdi spicy crab for dinner. After dark, visit the illuminated Wenfeng Pagoda and the covered bridge at the regulating dam.

• Day 2: Revolutionary History and Old Town Streets: Visit Liu Bocheng Memorial Hall in the morning to learn about local revolutionary history, avoiding its Monday closure. In the afternoon, head to Kaizhou Old Town, take the 2-yuan ferry, and try local snacks. If you can get tickets, join the Longyou Hanfeng Lake night cruise in the evening to watch a water-screen film and a drone show.

Autumn Mountain Nature Trip (Best by Car)

• Day 1: Drive from central Chongqing to Xuebaoshan in the morning, a journey of about three hours, enjoying the autumn scenery along the winding mountain roads. In the afternoon, camp and gather chestnuts at Xuebaoshanju · Music Camp Bar. In the evening, schedule a visit to Shizibao to watch the sunrise over a sea of clouds.
• Day 2: Walk the cliffside trail in Shuangping Village in the morning, looking down over the gorge's autumn forests. At lunchtime, try seasonal dishes such as chicken braised with chestnuts in Manyue Town. Return to central Kaizhou in the afternoon to visit Juzi Garden and Hanfeng Lake, then have hot pot before heading home.

Accommodation and Transport

• Where to Stay: Consider hotels or guesthouses in the Hanfeng Lake commercial area or near Kaizhou Old Town for lake views and convenient evening sightseeing. Options include Ji Hotel and boutique guesthouses around Hanfeng Lake.

• Driving: The drive from central Chongqing to Kaizhou takes about 3–3.5 hours. Roads along the route are generally good, with scenery to enjoy, making driving a good option.
• High-Speed Train and Coach: Take a high-speed train to Wanzhou North Station, then transfer to the Kaizhou express coach. The coach journey takes about 1.5 hours.

Travel Tips

• Night Cruise Tickets: Tickets for the Longyou Hanfeng Lake night cruise are in high demand. Buy them through the “Hanfeng Lake Tourism Resort” mini program when sales open at 9:00 a.m. each day. Consider a departure that covers the period from sunset to nightfall.
• What to Wear: Mountain areas such as Xuebaoshan have large temperature differences between day and night in autumn, so bring a warm jacket. Hanfeng Lake can be windy at night; a light windbreaker is useful for an evening cruise.
• Memorial Entry Requirements: Liu Bocheng Memorial Hall is free to visit, but you must bring your ID card. Avoid Mondays, when it is closed.
• Gifts to Take Home: Bingbo mooncakes and Kaizhou sausages are distinctive local specialties that are easy to carry. Buy them from reputable long-established shops or stores.