Yangzhou

Introduction

Situated on the north bank of the Yangtze River in central Jiangsu Province, you will find yourself in a city that serves as a gateway between several neighboring regions. Your journey through this part of East China places you near the provincial capital and within reach of various surrounding cities across the river and along the land.

Before you go

Prepare for your visit by understanding that you are entering a city with over 2,500 years of history as a major trading center for silk, rice, and salt. You will find the landscape defined by its proximity to the Yangtze River and an extensive network of canals, including both the old and modern routes of the Grand Canal. While the physical walls of the Ming Dynasty have been removed, you can still trace their contours through the layout of the canals in the city center.

As you navigate the city, note that most areas follow a rectangular grid plan centered around the Wenchang Pavilion at the intersection of Wenchang and Wenhe Roads. Depending on your interests, you can explore different districts:

• The area northwest of the center features a maze of "slender" lakes and rivers with various monuments and green spaces.
• The west side offers wide streets and landscaped paths along rivers and canals in a more modern residential setting.
• The far east side provides large-scale recreational facilities and gardens.
• The south side transitions into rural landscapes toward the Yangtze River, where unpaved trails follow the old Grand Canal.

Getting there

You can reach the city by air via Yangzhou Taizhou Airport, which offers domestic flights within China as well as international flights to Japan and South Korea. Alternatively, you can fly into Nanjing Lukou or Shanghai Hongqiao; from these locations, you can catch express buses or transfer to trains that connect directly to the city center.

The rail network provides extensive connectivity through two main hubs. Yangzhoudong Railway Station serves as the primary transportation hub for high-speed trains traveling to major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Xi'an, while Yangzhou Railway Station offers both high-speed and conventional train services. For those arriving by bus, the city features two major terminals located adjacent to these railway stations, providing express routes throughout Jiangsu province. If you are traveling from south of the Yangtze River, you can cross via a 24-hour ferry service; note that bicycles are prohibited on the Run-Yang Bridge expressway and must use the ferry instead.

Getting around

You can navigate the city using a reliable bus system with well-marked stops and posted schedules. Key east-west routes along Wenchang Road connect the two main railway stations, while specific tourism routes pass through major sights throughout town. For real-time navigation, you can use popular Chinese mapping applications to find information on all available routes.

Taxis and rideshare services are widely available for your convenience. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, pedicabs are abundant in the old town area where they can take you through narrow alleys. You may also choose to cycle, as many major streets feature protected lanes with lower traffic outside of the city center. Shared bicycles are ubiquitous throughout the urban area, though you should remain alert for mopeds that may disregard traffic laws.

Where to stay

You will find limited lodging options in the immediate vicinity of the train station, though a hotel is available within the new bus station building nearby. Most accommodations are concentrated in two primary areas: around the downtown district and within several blocks of the old main bus station on Jiangyang Road and Hanjiang Road.

While some hotels are located along major streets throughout the city, you should be aware that many smaller establishments may close for a few days during Chinese New Year. Additionally, expect higher rates during holidays when crowds gather near the Slender West Lake area.

Food & drink

Savor the flavors of Huaiyang cuisine by trying local staples like Yangzhou fried rice, which features a mix of fried egg, muer mushroom, ham, shrimp, scallions, peas, and carrots. You can also sample Lion's Head meatballs made with pork and crab, steamed dumplings, or tofu noodles served in a chicken-style soup. For those seeking variety, the local food scene offers stinky tofu and semisweet Thousand-layer cake. If you prefer a meat-free experience, visit Damingsi Vegetarian Restaurant to enjoy vegetable-based versions of these regional favorites.

Start your morning with traditional breakfast staples such as steamed filled buns, mantou, rice porridge, or boiled eggs. When it is time for a drink, you can choose between local Snow beer or Kirin Japanese beer. You can also find coffee at the Starbucks located within the Living Mall area.

What to see and do

Explore the historical heart of the city by strolling along the Xiaoqinhuaihe Canal and wandering through the narrow lanes of the nearby surviving old city blocks. You can visit several significant sites, including Daming Temple, which features a spring next to its tea house, and the Hanlinyuan Museum, a deep tomb for a ruler of the Guangling Kingdom. For those interested in religious history, Tianning Temple offers a collection of halls featuring calligraphy, antique shops, and a copy of the Siku Quanshu, while the Puhaddin Park provides insight into the local Muslim community through its inscribed buildings and nearby halal eateries.

Nature and scenic landscapes are also available to experience. You can walk through the pavilions of Slender West Lake or explore the various sections of Ge Yuan and He Yuan, both of which feature traditional garden designs. For a different perspective on history, visit the Shi Kefa Memorial, the Grand Canal Museum, or the site of the former Confucian Academy at Wenchang Ge. If you prefer to be active, Songjiacheng Sports and Recreation Park offers boardwalks through marshes and a long bicycle trail around its perimeter. On warm summer days, you can follow a boardwalk trail leading toward Baozhang Lake.

When to go

You can experience four distinct seasons in Yangzhou, characterized by a subtropical monsoon climate. The spring and autumn periods are brief transitions where you will notice changing winds and shifting humidity levels as the weather moves between the extremes of the year.

During the summer months, you should prepare for hot and very wet conditions, including the plum rain season which brings concentrated downpours. In contrast, winter is long and cold, where you may encounter frost, freezing conditions, snow, and ice.

Three days in Yangzhou

Day one, you can arrive in the city via the Yangzhoudong Railway Station or by taxi from the Yangzhou Taizhou Airport. You can explore the historic atmosphere of the area near Wenchang Pavilion and wander along Wenhe Roads.

Day two, you can travel through the local districts to see the sights along Jiangyang Road. Your journey takes you through parts of East China where history is woven into the landscape.

Day three, you can spend your final day exploring the surroundings near Yang Bridge before preparing for your departure from the city.