San Su Temple
This temple was originally the ancestral residence of Su Xun, Su Shi, and Su Zhe, now transformed into the San Su Temple Museum. At Qixian Hall, admire the grand co-worship of 'three literary geniuses from one family'; near Rui Lian Pool, gaze at lotus leaves. Stroll slowly past the ancient well of the Su family, the Wooden Fake Mountain Hall, the Pifeng Pavilion, and the East Garden Stele Corridor. Ancient cypresses, red lychees, and ginkgo trees change colors with the seasons—most photogenic in November when ginkgos turn golden, or during summer when lotuses bloom against red walls. The museum offers audio guides, volunteer-led tours, and hands-on rubbing experiences where you can personally print a 'blessing' character or a fragment of Su Dongpo’s calligraphy. Exhibits related to the San Su Memorial Hall and the hometown of the Su brothers are located around Shahu Xing area—take the chance to trace Su Dongpo’s journey from Meishan to Bianjing, then to Hainan. Later, eating a bowl of Dongpo Pork will carry deeper meaning.
Turn 'culture' from memorization into daydreaming
After leaving the San Su Temple, don’t head straight out—instead, stroll toward Dongpo Urban Wetland and the Yuanjing Tower. Located along Binhu Road, the Yuanjing Tower offers panoramic views of Dongpo Lake, the Min River, and the city skyline. As evening falls and lights come on, the water reflects the sunset—the moment feels most like the relaxed sentiment in Su Dongpo’s poetry: 'My heart drifts far away.' No climbing, no driving required—perfect for turning 'culture' from rote learning into quiet reverie.
Lunch at a Dongpo Feast. Meishan has real confidence in making pork elbows: Dongpo Pork features tender skin, melt-in-the-mouth meat, rich red-brown sauce, and a satisfyingly non-greasy taste. You can order it at established local restaurants near San Su Temple such as Meizhou Dongpo or Mawangzi; pair it with a side of pickled vegetables—after all, Meishan is the original home of 'Dongpo Pickles'.
A Day in Meishan
The most comfortable itinerary in Meishan goes like this: morning visit to San Su Temple, lunch enjoying Dongpo Pork, afternoon spent viewing the lake and strolling along the Water Street, and evening aboard a boat on the Water Street listening to Song Dynasty music. Don’t chase the number of attractions—instead, imagine how Su Dongpo might have lived: reading books, eating meat, admiring lotuses, drinking wine, writing poems. The city is small, the red walls peaceful, and walking through it leaves you feeling: a literary hometown isn’t just a museum—it’s an entire slow-paced city.
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