Stand on the stone platform at the Liuzi Canal Wharf Site in Suixi County and you are looking at bridge piers built in the early Northern Song Dynasty, with wooden piles still in the riverbed below. Huaibei rewards the traveller who is willing to travel between scattered sites rather than expect everything in one quarter.
The city suits people interested in archaeology, Han and Song dynasty remains, ancestral halls, temple architecture and the Huaihai Campaign, and who are comfortable arranging transport between rural locations. This guide covers the sites listed for the city and its county, with practical notes on timing, footwear and access.
Top things to do in Huaibei
1. Liuzi Canal Wharf Site
Built in the early Northern Song Dynasty, this site in Suixi County preserves stone platforms identified as bridge piers, along with horizontally placed wooden piles from the same period in the riverbed. It also includes Grand Canal remains such as a Jin Dynasty cross-river post road, a Song Dynasty "Wooden Bank Narrow River" and several shipwrecks. Two Song Dynasty sunken ships were excavated whole and transferred to the Huaibei City Museum, where they are on public display.
The Grand Canal was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2014 and is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Because the excavated ships are now in the museum rather than at the wharf, plan to see both if the vessels interest you.
2. Shishanzi Site
A Neolithic site and national key cultural relic protection unit, valued for the study of Neolithic culture in northern Anhui and the Huai River basin. It is considered large in area, thick in deposits and rich in content, and significantly earlier than Neolithic cultural sites in neighbouring areas.
Wear comfortable shoes, as the ground may be uneven, and visit during the day for a clearer view of the stone formations. Bring your own water and snacks, since facilities at the site are limited, and familiarise yourself with the opening and protection regulations beforehand so you do not accidentally enter restricted areas. It combines well with other cultural attractions in Huaibei for a full-day cultural trip.
3. Ancient City Han Tombs
A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in Suixi County, providing material evidence for the study of Han Dynasty tomb architecture, funerary practices and pictorial brick and stone carvings. Tomb No. 1 is oriented east-west with symmetrical front, middle and rear sections, six burial chambers, brick and stone construction and a truncated pyramidal roof. Tomb No. 2 has a west-facing passageway with ten stone carvings depicting creatures including the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, three-legged bird, elephant, pig, fish, the Kai Ming beast and the Bixie.
This is a site for close looking at carvings and structure rather than a staged attraction, so allow time to examine the details.
4. Linhuan City Site
A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in Suixi County, important for the study of local administration, urban structure and regional politics and economy during the Spring and Autumn Period, Warring States Period and Qin and Han Dynasties. The city wall has a circumference of approximately 5,800 metres, with the east, north and west sides relatively well preserved, while the south side is bordered by the Hui River, anciently known as the Huan River. A moat approximately 5 to 10 metres wide surrounds the city on three sides.
Some areas may not be fully developed or have limited preservation, so respect the site, refrain from climbing and follow signage. If you want to see the walls and moat, check the open areas in advance or visit on a clear day for better observation.
5. Former site of the General Front Committee of the Huaihai Campaign and the Headquarters of the East China Field Army
A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in Suixi County. In November 1948 the Huaihai Campaign broke out and the General Front Committee was set up, with Deng Xiaoping as secretary and Liu Bocheng, Chen Yi, Su Yu and Tan Zhenlin among those forming the committee to unify command.
Drive to Linhuan Town in Suixi County and navigate to the Memorial Hall of the Former Headquarters of the Huaihai Campaign or the Former Site of Wenchang Palace.
6. Xiangshan Park
A national 4A-level tourist attraction, with Xiantong Temple a cultural relic protection unit in Anhui Province. Every year on the 18th day of the third lunar month, the Xiangshan Temple Fair is a lively event and an important local folk activity.
If your dates are flexible, timing a visit to the temple fair gives you the park at its most active.
7. Xuji Xu Family Ancestral Hall (Hengshan Hall)
An Anhui Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit in Xiangshan District, well preserved and reflecting Qing Dynasty ancestral hall architecture: a rigorous layout, uniform roof style and clear inscriptions on the stone tablets. The inscriptions are original records of the year the hall was built and are valuable for studying the migration of the Xu clan and local family history.
Take a bus from downtown Huaibei to Qugou Town or Xuji Village in Xiangshan District. Bring a camera, since gate towers, inscriptions and roof structures are rarely so well preserved, and wear comfortable shoes for walking around the village. Check beforehand whether the halls are open to the public, as some may be privately owned by the clan or used for religious purposes, and respect local customs.
8. Han Dynasty gate tower ruins and shuiniu tombs
Anhui Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units in Xiangshan District, worth visiting if you are interested in Han Dynasty architecture, burial customs, ancient rituals and archaeological sites. The site is not a large theme park but focuses on seeing relics and understanding history, and a visit may involve walking and observing stones, remains and inscriptions.
Set aside time for slow observation rather than a quick stop.
9. Qinglong Temple
An Anhui Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit in Lieshan District. According to historical records the temple is named Qinglong Temple, and its origins may be related to the ruins of a shrine from the Three Kingdoms period or the Han Dynasty; it was later converted into a temple during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, and the buildings have undergone numerous renovations.
It suits visitors who enjoy temple culture, ancient architecture and historical exploration. Take a bus or taxi to Lieshan District or Maqiao Town, then transfer to a taxi or ride-hailing service to reach the foot of the mountain. The location at the foot of a mountain means there may be slopes or walking distances, so appropriate footwear is recommended.
10. Tomb of Gong Ji
An Anhui Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit in Xiangshan District. It is a straightforward addition to a day already spent among the district's other protected sites.
11. Secret Xia Cave Stone Carvings
An Anhui Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit in Xiangshan District, of interest for its stone carvings.
12. Former site of Zhaoji Second-Level Pumping Station
An Anhui Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit in Lieshan District, more a historical and engineering cultural site than a traditional tourist attraction. It is recommended for visitors interested in water conservancy history, rural reform and architecture of the era.
Starting from Huaibei city or the centre of Lieshan District, pass through Xuzhuang Administrative Village in Gurao Town; the site is about 600 metres south of Daxujia Village. Check with the local cultural and tourism department for opening hours or visitor guidelines before visiting.
13. The former site of the Shuangduiji battlefield in the Huaihai Campaign
An Anhui Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit in Suixi County. From November 23 to December 15, 1948, the fighting here formed part of the Huaihai Campaign.
It pairs naturally with the former site of the General Front Committee, since both relate to the same campaign.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Shishanzi Site, arriving during the day for the clearest view of the stone formations, with your own water and snacks and comfortable shoes for the uneven ground.
Afternoon: Move on to the Liuzi Canal Wharf Site in Suixi County to see the Northern Song stone platforms and wooden piles, then continue to the Ancient City Han Tombs for the tomb chambers and stone carvings.
Evening: Finish in Suixi County at the former site of the General Front Committee of the Huaihai Campaign and the Headquarters of the East China Field Army, or at the former site of the Shuangduiji battlefield if the campaign sites are your priority.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Xiangshan Park?
If you want to see the park at its liveliest, go on the 18th day of the third lunar month, when the Xiangshan Temple Fair is held.
Where can I see the Song Dynasty ships found at the Liuzi Canal Wharf Site?
Ships No. 1 and No. 2 were excavated as a whole and transferred to the Huaibei City Museum for archaeological research, and are now on public display there.
Do I need to check access before visiting the rural sites?
Yes. For the Xuji Xu Family Ancestral Hall, check whether the halls are open to the public, as some may be privately owned by the clan or used for religious purposes. For the former site of Zhaoji Second-Level Pumping Station, check with the local cultural and tourism department for opening hours or visitor guidelines.
What should I bring to Shishanzi Site?
Bring your own water and snacks, since facilities at the site are limited, and wear comfortable shoes because the ground may be uneven.
Decide which of these sites matter most to you, check access for the rural locations, and start mapping your route through Huaibei and Suixi County.