A trip to Ma'anshan can be explored through several cultural threads: the literary legacy of Li Bai, the river landscape around Caishiji and archaeological evidence from the Three Kingdoms period. Some of the places mentioned are nearby, while other attractions are further afield in the region. This distinction can help you organize your interests when planning your trip.
Li Bai and the places that commemorate him
Among the cultural sites associated with Li Bai in the Caishiji area near Ma'anshan is Taibai Lou. It was first built during the Yuanhe era of the Tang dynasty (806–820) and was originally called Zhixian Lou. The building was repaired during the Song and Yuan periods, then rebuilt in 1440 and 1657. After it was later destroyed in a war, it was built again in 1877. This sequence of construction, repairs and rebuilds makes Taibai Lou a particularly historic stop for anyone interested in Li Bai's cultural legacy.
The Yixian Garden in the Caishiji Cultural and Ecotourism Area offers another perspective. It is designed in the style of a Jiangnan garden and also draws on stories about Li Bai in Anhui, Dangtu and Caishi. The garden design and literary theme come together without telling the same story: here, the setting sits alongside the stories associated with Li Bai.
The wider region around Ma'anshan also has connections to Li Bai. A January 2024 account mentions five themed tourist routes developed by Ma'anshan, including “With Li Bai through Southern Anhui” and “Following in the Footsteps of the Poet Immortal.” Check which routes are available before your trip. In January 2024, regularly offered free talks on Li Bai's culture at public cultural institutions, in communities and at universities were also described. An annual overview reported that same month included more than 20 public-benefit cultural and tourism activities, including poetry collections, poetry readings and presentations of tourism offerings. If an event is to be a highlight of your stay, check the specific dates.
Caishiji: River Landscapes and the Old Town
Caishiji, historically also known as Niuzhuji, lies southwest of Ma'anshan city on the Yangtze River. Steep river cliffs, flowing water and distinctive rocks are among the features that led Caishiji to be called one of the “Three Yangtze Jis,” together with Yanziji and Chenglingji. The landscape is thus a focus in its own right, alongside the Li Bai sites and the city's history.
The north gate of Caishi Old Town borders the Caishiji area. Its location can be identified by several landmarks: it lies south of Jiuhua West Road, north of the Suoxi River, east of Zhongshi Road and west of Caishi Binjiang Park. A 2020 description presents the renovated old town as a blend of Tang culture, a historic battlefield, river scenery and the character of a waterside town. Opera performances and presentations of intangible cultural heritage are also held regularly in the Caishiji area; a 2020 report describes this program. Check the dates in advance for individual performances.
A 2020 report lists a total of 19 rest areas with shaded seating along the visitor route in the Caishiji Tourist Area. Confirm which of these are available before your visit. The area also has a specific culinary recommendation: a fish banquet featuring fish, shrimp and crab is suggested as a visitor meal.
Cultural History Further Afield
For those looking beyond Li Bai to the Three Kingdoms period, the wider region includes Zhuran Cultural Park, a memorial park dedicated to Zhu Ran and the culture of the Three Kingdoms. Its main exhibits include a cultural plaza themed around the Three Kingdoms period, a large bronze sculpture of Zhu Ran, a large repoussé copper relief wall and stone reliefs based on Han-era designs.
The Museum of the Zhu Ran Family Tomb preserves a Wu tomb from the Three Kingdoms period. The person buried there is described as being particularly clearly identified and of high rank among the excavated Wu tombs in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze. Ma'anshan City Museum is classified as a National Second-Class Museum. Its permanent exhibition, described in 2026, comprises five sections: “Dawn of Civilization,” “Capital Region of the Six Dynasties,” “Outstanding Figures,” “Poetic City of Mountains and Water” and “Modern Civilization.”
When choosing a hotel, it may help to decide first what you want to focus on during your stay: Li Bai connections, Caishiji's river landscape or the history of the Three Kingdoms.
Discover more destinations: Tongling, Chuzhou, Huainan, Juchao, Fuyang, Huangshan, Chizhou, Huaibei
For the broader travel overview: Anhui.
