My 5-Hour Nighttime Stroll in Xuzhou | I Walked Along Yunlong Lake to Huilongwo and Discovered Hidden Night Photography Spots Even Locals Don't Know About (Tested and Tested to Avoid Common Mistakes)

When exploring nighttime routes in Xuzhou, the biggest pitfall isn't finding food, but rather disconnecting the illuminated Yunlong Lake from the vibrant atmosphere of the city. Last month, I specifically chose a weekday evening to revisit the area and discovered that starting around 6 PM perfectly captures three distinct moments: the lake transitions from a somber blue hue to bright lights, the night market transforms from just opening to bustling activity, and the old teahouses shift from emptying out of the market to welcoming local enthusiasts. The following route can be completed entirely on foot and by shared bike, without needing a taxi, making it ideal for those wanting to fully experience Xuzhou's nighttime economy.

18:00-19:10 | Before and after the lights are turned on at Yunlong Lake, the lakeside lights have a more "Xuzhou feel" than during the day.

Navigate to Yunlong Lake Concert Hall. At 6:00 PM, stand on the west waterfront platform. The sun has just set, and the lake still reflects the sunlight. It's quieter here than during the day. The streetlights on the TV tower and Hudong Road will turn on first, and the glass curtain wall of the concert hall will change from gold to a cool blue. Based on my experience, don't rush to leave. Wait until around 6:20 PM when all the landscape lights are on for the most stable reflection on the lake. If it's windy, wait another two minutes; once the water is still, the whole city seems to turn upside down.

Walking south along the lakeside path from the concert hall, it's about a 12-minute walk to the intersection of Hudong Road and Sudi Road. Shared bikes are not allowed on this section; you can only walk, which conveniently avoids electric bikes. Around 7:00 PM, traffic on Hudong Road picks up. Using the roadside stone pillars as a foreground, you can capture car trails and the lakeside light strips in the same frame. This concludes the first section. I rented a shared bike to head to Fuguo Street; the journey from Hudong Road to Zhongshan Road takes about 12 minutes.

19:20-20:20 | First stop on Fu Guo Street: Eat like the locals do after get off work.

It takes about 12 minutes to cycle from Hudong Road to Fuguo Street, and a little longer if you turn in from Zhongshan Road. Fuguo Street isn't a night market for tourists to take photos; it's more like a stress-relieving passage after get off work. My principle is to "stop at whichever stall has the most local faces," avoiding chain restaurants and just grabbing something to eat first.

The street food here mainly consists of fried skewers, frog and fish dishes, and vegetable pancakes; you can get a variety of meals for just a few dozen yuan per person. My personal recommendation is to have a fried skewer with a cup of mung bean soup, eat it standing on the roadside, and then walk away. You don't need to go into big restaurants; the folding tables on the street have a much better atmosphere for a night out than air-conditioned rooms. Halfway through your meal, you'll see many people riding electric bikes home from get off work stopping right in front of the stalls. The owners know exactly what you like without you even asking—this kind of intuition is more accurate than any ranking list.

Around 8:10 PM, you can head towards Fengchu Street. It takes about 8 minutes by shared bike and about 20 minutes on foot. Cycling is recommended, as there are more shared bike parking spots near Fengchu Street in the evening, so you don't have to search for bikes on the main road.

20:30-21:10 | Fengchu Street is not a transition, but a second awakening of the late-night appetite.

Fengchu Street is narrower than Fuguo Street, the stalls are closer together, and the fumes are more intense. I learned a lesson here: don't order a main dish as soon as you walk in; save it for the one you most want to eat next. Start from the east entrance archway and walk around first before deciding, otherwise you'll be full halfway through.

The recommended order is "salty first, then sweet; fried first, then soup." Xuzhou's late-night snacks tend to be salty and spicy; fried skewers, braised pork belly, and rice noodles are all very filling. I usually leave before 9 PM because the peak time at Huilongwo Old Teahouse is after 9:30 PM. Before leaving, you can pack some sweet soup or fruit to eat on the go. This shop doesn't have a specific order; it just depends on which auntie is the slowest—that's usually the most flavorful.

21:20-23:00 | Listen to Xuzhou Bangzi at Huilongwo Old Teahouse: The Quietest Cultural Gem in the Night Economy

It takes about 8 minutes by shared bike from Fengchu Street to Huilongwo, or about 18 minutes on foot. Huilongwo is more photogenic at night than during the day; red lanterns hang over the blue brick walls, and shops gradually close, leaving only teahouses and taverns. I chose an old teahouse with a courtyard, not a bar. Local Xuzhou folk arts include Xuzhou Bangzi and Liuqin Opera. Sometimes, some teahouses in Huilongwo have amateur singers performing impromptu pieces—not formal performances, but more charming than any stage performance.

Go inside, order a pot of tea (it costs a few dozen yuan per person), sit by the courtyard and listen to half a performance. You'll understand why the old Xuzhou residents call nightlife "staying up all night." There's no sense of rushing from one performance to another. The water in the pot is refilled three times, and the singing changes from bangzi to liuqin. Don't worry about not understanding; just watch the rhythm of the old man slapping his leg next to you to know where the good luck is.

I left the teahouse before 11 PM, just in time for the light to hit the south side of the Huilongwo City Wall Museum. The path wasn't long; I'd allow ten minutes to take photos and wrap things up before 11:30 PM.

23:00-23:30 | Night Shooting Locations and Safety Tips Checklist

Here are five nighttime shooting locations I've personally tested and found effective. First, the waterfront platform west of the Yunlong Lake Concert Hall, perfect for capturing the lake's reflection alongside the TV tower. Second, the intersection of Hudong Road and Sudi Road, using long exposure on stone pillars to photograph car trails. Third, the pedestrian overpass at the intersection of Fuguo Street and Zhongshan Road, where the neon lights and crowds create a strong sense of compression. Fourth, the archway at the east entrance of Fengchu Street, backlit to photograph the stalls amidst the cooking fumes. Fifth, the south side of the Huilongwo City Wall Museum, with its blue brick walls and red lanterns, offering a stable and less crowded environment.

Four safety tips: First, shared bicycles are prohibited on the Yunlong Lake trail; when riding at night on Hudong Road, turn on your lights and check your brakes. Second, night markets are crowded; wear your bag in front and don't put your phone in your coat pocket. Third, some alleys in Huilongwo are dimly lit; when taking night photos, watch your step first, and it's best to ride in a group. Fourth, after 11 PM, use ride-hailing services to locate the south gate of Huilongwo or the entrance of the City Wall Museum; don't wait for a car in narrow alleys.

This five-hour route doesn't involve backtracking; it offers views of lakeside lights, local night market snacks, and culminates in local folk arts, making it feel more like the "inner workings" of Xuzhou than daytime sightseeing. If it's your first time visiting Xuzhou at night, following this pace will almost guarantee you a worthwhile experience.