Cangzhou 4-Day Tour | Classic Combo of Iron Lion and Huanghua Port・All-Age Friendly Guide

Cangzhou, a city that hides the soul of martial arts and the charm of the Bohai Sea! In 4 days, take your parents to see the thousand-year-old Iron Lion, stroll the ancient city with friends to savor local flavors, explore wetlands and birdwatch with children. The pace is relaxed, the food is solid, and the whole family can enjoy a rich experience～ 🗓️ Itinerary Overview: D1: Arrive in Cangzhou → Cangzhou Iron Lion Scenic Area → Qingzhen Mosque → Nanhu Park D2: Wu Qiao Acrobatic World (5A) → Acrobatic Museum D3: Huanghua Port → Nandagang Wetland → Shell Lake Park D4: Xian County Single-Arch Bridge (5A) → Cangzhou Old City Wall → Return 🦁 Day 1: Lion City Origins · Old Town Charm 📍 Cangzhou Iron Lion Scenic Area Highlights: The "World's First Lion" Iron Lion (built in the Tang Dynasty), majestic despite the passage of time. Elders listen to the "Sea-Calming Roar" legend, children are amazed by the giant iron lion. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30. 💰 Admission: Adults 40 RMB, seniors over 60 half price, children under 1.2 meters free. 📸 Photo Spots: Front of the Iron Lion (capture the full view and historical weight); lion culture sculptures inside the park (fun group photos). 📍 Qingzhen Mosque Highlights: A famous mosque in North China, blending Islamic and Chinese architectural styles. The main hall is resplendent in gold and jade. Elders experience religious culture, children admire exquisite carvings. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00 (respect prayer times, non-believers should not enter the main hall). 💰 Admission: Free. 📸 Photo Spots: Moon Viewing Tower at the temple gate (architectural details); beside the century-old cypress in the courtyard (peaceful atmosphere). 📍 Nanhu Park Highlights: A lakeside park in the center of old Cangzhou, offering boating (30 RMB/hour) and fish feeding. Elders stroll and chat, children chase bubbles in the square. 🕙 Open all day, free admission. 🍖 Recommended Nearby: Old Cangzhou Hot Pot Chicken near Nanhu, signature mildly spicy hot pot chicken with tender meat, clear broth for kids, about 50 RMB per person. 💡 Tips: The Iron Lion Scenic Area has replicas for close-up viewing (original protected); shoes must be removed to enter Qingzhen Mosque, respect ethnic customs. 🤹 Day 2: Hometown of Acrobatics · Skillful Wonders 📍 Wu Qiao Acrobatic World (5A) Highlights: "Watch Chinese acrobatics in the world, watch Wu Qiao acrobatics in China," featuring animal taming, bowl balancing, tightrope walking, etc. Elders are fascinated, children applaud enthusiastically. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30. 💰 Admission: Adults 144 RMB, seniors over 60 half price, children under 1.2 meters free. 📸 Photo Spots: Jianghu Culture City Archway (retro acrobatic atmosphere); in front of the performance stage (high-difficulty moves). 📍 Acrobatic Museum Highlights: Exhibits the history of acrobatics and props, with interactive areas (like spinning plates). Kids try hands-on, elders reminisce over old props. 🕙 Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (included in the World ticket). 🍖 Recommended Nearby: Wu Qiao Ancient Town Acrobats’ Canteen, must-try donkey meat sandwich and lamb intestine soup, sandwich crispy outside and tender inside, about 30 RMB per person. 💡 Tips: The World has a performance schedule (get the brochure in advance), choose front-row seats for elders and kids; don’t let children try difficult interactive acts alone. 🌊 Day 3: Bohai Exploration · Wetland Birdwatching 📍 Huanghua Port Highlights: An important northern seaport, watch giant ships entering and leaving, dock operations. Elders admire the grandeur of "Cangzhou connecting to the sea," children collect small seashells. 🕙 Open all day, free (follow regulations in dock area). 📸 Photo Spots: Sea viewing platform (port panorama); on the breakwater (waves and ships). 📍 Nandagang Wetland Highlights: One of North China’s largest wetlands, autumn hosts migratory birds like geese, ducks, and swans. Boat tours (40 RMB/person) for birdwatching. Elders enjoy the view from the bow, children use binoculars to spot birds. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:00. 💰 Admission: Adults 50 RMB, seniors and children same discount as before. 📍 Shell Lake Park Highlights: A lake formed by shell accumulation, the beach is full of small shells. Children dig for treasures, elders sunbathe by the lake. 🕙 Open all day, free admission. 🏨 Recommended Hotels: Huanghua city hotels like Cangzhou Huanghua Jindu Hotel, family rooms with breakfast, 260-400 RMB/night. 💡 Tips: Wetlands are windy, bring jackets for kids; Huanghua Port dock area is off-limits, stay in the viewing area. 🌉 Day 4: Ancient Bridge Elegance · Old Town Memories 📍 Xian County Single-Arch Bridge (5A) Highlights: Ming Dynasty ancient stone bridge with exquisite stone rail carvings (lions, monkeys, mythical beasts), known as the "world’s longest asymmetrical stone arch bridge." Elders tell stone carving legends, children count stone lions. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:00. 💰 Admission: Adults 20 RMB, seniors and children half price. 📸 Photo Spots: Full view of the Single-Arch Bridge (capture the arch’s curves); in front of stone rail carvings (fine details). 📍 Cangzhou Old City Wall Highlights: The only remaining old city wall ruins, weathered bricks and stones, next to a replica ancient commercial street. Elders recall the old city, children buy small toys. 🕙 Open all day, free admission. 🍖 Recommended Nearby: Old Lion’s Head Restaurant near the city wall, must-try braised lion’s head meatballs and Cangzhou stewed chicken, tender meat suitable for elders, about 40 RMB per person. 💡 Tips: Single-Arch Bridge is 1 hour from downtown, start early; wear plain clothes for photos at the city wall to enhance historical feel. 📌 Cangzhou Survival Guide: 1. Transportation: Taxi starting fare in the city is 7 RMB; for Wu Qiao/Huanghua, car rental recommended (200-250 RMB/day) as attractions are scattered. Single-Arch Bridge and wetlands have parking lots, convenient for self-driving. 2. Clothing: Spring wear light jackets + long sleeves (windy); summer wear short sleeves + sun protection; autumn wear jackets + long pants; winter wear down jackets (dry, cold, windy). 3. Taboos: No pork in halal restaurants, avoid taboo topics; do not disturb migratory birds in wetlands; do not climb stone carvings on ancient bridges. 4. Accommodation: Choose hotels by the canal in the city (e.g., Cangzhou Guesthouse), close to attractions, with elevators, 300-500 RMB/night. 🎁 Must-Buy Souvenirs: ① Cangzhou Lion’s Head canned food (30 RMB/can, vacuum packed, easy to carry) ② Wu Qiao acrobatic small props (spinning plates, diabolo, 20-50 RMB each, kids love to play) ③ Huanghua dried winter jujubes (25 RMB/bag, no additives, loved by elders and kids) ④ Cangzhou aged vinegar (40 RMB/bottle, century-old brand, rich flavor) 🥰 Closing Interaction: Cangzhou’s Iron Lion has roared for a thousand years, acrobatics have been performed for a thousand years, Bohai tides have surged for a thousand years～ If you come, would you want to take your parents to see the Single-Arch Bridge stone carvings, or accompany your children to learn a little acrobatics in Wu Qiao?