To taste Jiangsu is to know China

To taste Jiangsu is to know China 

Visitor Guidebook 

Jiangsu is located on the east coast of China. The total land 

area of the province is 102,600 square kilometers. Jiangsu 

is crossed by the Yangtze River from east to west and by the 

Grand Canal from north to south, while Lake Tai and Lake 

Hongze, both located within Jiangsu's borders, are two of 

the largest lakes in China. In addition, the province is 

blessed with more than 900 kilometers of coastline on the 

Yellow Sea.

A Brief Overview of Jiangsu 

593 miles of Yellow Sea coastline 

250 miles of the Yangtze River from its 

mouth westwards 

China’s historic engineering marvel, the 

Grand Canal, runs 435 miles from north 

to south 

Numerous historic water villages 

Two of China’s five largest freshwater 

lakes (Lake Tai and Lake Hongze) 

Abundant fish and seafood 

Bridges galore! 

Major Tourism Cities 

Nanjing 

Suzhou 

Yangzhou 

Wuxi 

Zhenjiang 

Changzhou 

Xuzhou 

Huai’an 

Suqian 

Lianyungang 

Yancheng 

Nantong 

Taizhou

Taste Jiangsu 

Nanjing (NJ) 

A Tapestry of Chinese Culture and History 

Nanjing is the capital and largest city in Jiangsu. Monuments 

from Nanjing’s long history are woven into the urban fabric of a 

thriving modern city. From ancient tombs to traditional bazaars, 

massive city walls, temples, and grand Communist memorials, 

Nanjing's superb array of attractions highlight the many facets of 

China's heritage. 

The famous Confucius Temple is a memorial to the great sage and is also located in an 

area that is bustling with shops, restaurants, and a snack street housed within Chinese 

traditional buildings. In the city center, the Nanjing Museum, containing a collection of 

more than 420,000 pieces, is a must for visitors to see. The observatory on Purple 

Mountain to the east of the city center was the first modern observatory to be built in 

China and contains a collection of ancient astronomical instruments. The Qinhuai 

River, in the southwest of the city, stretching for 100 kilometers, was historically the 

commercial center of Nanjing. 

Visiting Nanjing's attractions is also remarkably convenient; many are concentrated in 

the modern downtown, while others are located on the forested slopes of a mountain 

just next to the city. As one of China's most prosperous cities, Nanjing also offers its 

visitors excellent hotels at all price levels, restaurants, and shopping.


Suzhou (SZ) 

China’s Garden Classic 

For centuries, Suzhou has been renowned for its culture, gardens, 

and arts, and today this heritage makes the city a favorite among 

tourists from around the world. To many visitors, it epitomizes the 

beauty and sophistication of classical Chinese civilization. Suzhou 

became a thriving center of trade and commerce in Imperial China, 

and its wealthy merchants and officials built elegant classical 

gardens and mansions that still dot the city. These lovingly wellmaintained 

gardens have become a symbol of the city, and they 

are a beautiful fusion of nature and architecture. Many traditional 

homes, temples, gates, and other buildings have been preserved 

and restored, and are a reminder of the world of traditional China. 

Suzhou is located less than an hour from Shanghai, making a visit 

to this charming and memorable city remarkably easy. 

As one of the famous tourist cities in China, Suzhou has 

made a great improvement to its basic facilities and 

tourist services. Suzhou is accessible by plane, highspeed 

train, and bus. Star-rated hotels with good 

services and reasonable guesthouses and hostels 

provide a range of lodging. Of course, tasting local 

delicacies should not be forgotten in your journey. 

Authentic Suzhou cuisine and snacks can be found in 

Guan Qian Street, where delicious food and friendly 

service are memorable. When night falls, Suzhou is 

quiet and peaceful. You can enjoy it while sipping a cup 

of tea in any teahouse.


Water Towns of Suzhou 

Rating alongside these World Heritage List Chinese classical 

gardens are the exquisite water towns in Suzhou. Zhouzhuang, 

Mudu, Tongli, and Luzhi should not be missed by any visitor. In 

these water towns, a number of Ming and Qing dynasty 

preserved buildings can be found. The natural sights and human 

landscape enhance each other's beauty, which is a great 

attraction to visitors who linger here. 

These water towns are accessible by the tourist shuttle bus. 

There are many buses from Shanghai and Suzhou to these water 

towns. Among these water towns, Zhouzhuang is the most 

popular one. The tourist shuttle bus to Zhouzhuang leaves from 

Suzhou north long-distance bus station from 7:05 am to 5:00 pm 

every 20 minutes. There are around seven buses heading for 

Zhouzhuang from Shanghai long-distance bus station daily.


Yangzhou (YZ) 

The Home of Slender West Lake and Birthplace of the Grand Canal 

Yangzhou, on the northern bank of Yangtze River, 

emerged during the Spring and Autumn period (770- 

476 BC) when Fu Chai, king of the Wu state, built his 

defense system. Eventually, it grew into a large, 

populated city. Emperor Yangdi of the Sui dynasty 

(581-618) visited prostitutes here; Emperors Huizong 

and Gaozong of the Song dynasty (960-1279) built 

their temporary palaces here; and Qing Emperor 

Qianlong visited there six times. The city itself is a 

museum of Chinese culture and Huaiyang cuisine. 

Small and quiet as it is, you have an easy access to all 

the latest modern conveniences here, while enjoying 

traditional heritage 

Yangzhou is not connected by rail, but it is easily accessible. A bus 

journey from Shanghai takes about 3.5 hours; from Suzhou about 

2.5 hours; from Nanjing about an hour. City transport is 

convenient, for most public buses run from 06:00 to 18:00. Taxis 

are cheap: starting price of five or six RMB. If you go to Yangzhou 

by highway from Shanghai or Suzhou, you will go across the 

marvelous Runyang Bridge, one of the longest bridges over the 

Yangtze River. The nearest airport is at Nanjing; tickets can be 

booked at major hotels.


Wuxi (WX) 

The Brightest Pearl of Lake Tai 

Wuxi is in southern Jiangsu is 128 kilometers from Shanghai. It is a city of affluence 

and fascinating natural scenery. Its splendid array of gardens, lakeside scenery, 

charming traditional crafts, and even a Buddhist colossus truly make it a fantastic 

destination. A prosperous modern city, most of Wuxi's most famous attractions are 

along the shores of Lake Tai, China's largest freshwater lake. A series of elegant 

traditional gardens complement the beauty of the shoreline, especially in spring 

when thick groves of cherry and plum trees coat the coast in a white blanket of 

blossoms. 

Wuxi is on the Shanghai-Nanjing-Beijing railway line. Around 60 express trains 

stop at or pass through Wuxi railway station each day. Direct train connections to 

almost all the major cities are available. Trains run along China's east coast to 

Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou and beyond; further to the north such as Beijing; 

to the southwest to cities such as Chengdu; and to the northwest to cities 

including Xi'an. It is also served by a small airport, which has connections to 

Beijing, Foshan, Kunming, and many other cities.


Zhenjiang (ZJ) 

Sweet and Sour 

Zhenjiang is located on the south bank of the Yangtze River, 200 kilometers northwest 

of Shanghai and 60 kilometers east of Nanjing. It is surrounded on three sides by hills 

and mountains. In the southern suburbs, these vertical peaks are planted with countless 

old trees and bamboo groves. Jinshan Mountain is major attraction of Zhenjiang, 

situated in its northwest, three kilometers from the city center. It was originally an islet 

situated in the middle of the river. Later, because of the constant deposits of mud and 

sand, it has been connected to the land. It is noted for its enchanting scenery. The 

temple on the hill is said to have been built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. As the temple is 

built along the hill with one layer over another, there is a common saying that "the 

temple covers the hill.” In the mythical tale of Legend of the White Snake, the story of 

the white snake Bai Suzhen took place on Jinshan Hill. 

Zhenjiang can be accessed easily. It is located on the 

Shanghai-Nanjing railroad and the Beijing-Hangzhou 

Grand Canal. It serves as a busy harbor on the Yangtze 

River transportation route. It takes only about two hours 

from Shanghai to Zhenjiang.


Changzhou (CZ) 

China’s Jurassic Park 

Changzhou means: "ordinary prefecture.” Located in the center of the "Golden Delta" of the lower reaches of 

the Yangtze River, Changzhou is a major economic city in China. It is a peaceful riverside town that lies astride 

the Grand Canal just north of Lake Tai, and about halfway between Shanghai and Nanjing. 

Changzhou boasts of over 100 tourist attractions, including many political, military, religious and historic sites 

and scenic spots, such as the Tianning (Buddhist) Temple and Pagoda, Maoshan caves, Tianmu Lake, and 

Dinosaur Park. 

As with many of the canal towns, the old city of Changzhou is heart-shaped and ringed by canals. At the center 

of the heart, Bei Dajie and Nan Dajie are the two main streets, where you are most likely to find places to eat. 

Some notable restaurant dishes are: steamed bread with pork and crab meat, vegetable and meat dumpling in 

chicken soup, and three delicacy dumpling (shrimp, carp and pork). 

Changzhou is linked with the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway, the Shanghai-Nanjing railway, and has an airport. 

Along the Yangtze River that passes by the city, a port has been built that can berth 10,000-tonne ships.


Xuzhou (XZ) 

The Other Terracotta Warriors 

In the north of Jiangsu, Xuzhou is 

one of China's best showcases for 

the art, archaeology and history 

of the Han Dynasty, China's first 

great dynasty. It is also regarded 

as one of the most important 

trading centers between 

northern and southern China. 

Xuzhou features such tourist 

attractions as the Terracotta 

Warriors and Horses of the 

Western Han Dynasty, Yunlong 

Mountain and Lake, Museums, 

Tombs of the Han Dynasty in 

Guishan Mountain, and the 

Quanshan Mountain Forest 

Nature Reserve. Tourists will find 

many local dishes and 

refreshments in Xuzhou; Donpo 

pork and sweet and sour carp are 

two regional specialties. 

As far as transportation is 

concerned, Xuzhou also has very 

convenient access. It is a rail 

center at the junction of railroads 

serving Jiangsu, Shandong, Anhui, 

and Hunan provinces. Moreover, 

it also has an airport. So it is very 

easy to get to Xuzhou.


Huai’an (HA) 

The Home of Zhou Enlai 

Huai'an, which in Mandarin means Everlasting Peace of 

the Huai River, is located at the confluence of the 

Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and the ancient Huaihe 

River in northern Jiangsu. Huai’an has a history of more 

than 2,200 years. The major attractions include ancient 

archaeological sites, the first mausoleum of the Ming 

Dynasty, the Grand Canal Plaza, the underwater city of 

Sizhou (China’s Pompeii), Lake Hongze scenic spots, and 

the Memorial Hall of Zhou Enlai. 

Huai’an is easily accessible by the Nanjing-Lianyungang 

Expressway, the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway, and the 

Xinhuai Railway. 

Besides these enchanting attractions, Huai’an’s 

cuisine is also not to be missed. It can be traced all the 

way back to the Neolithic Age, some 6,000 or 7,000 

years ago. There are four main features that 

contribute to the development of Huai’an cuisine: 

abundant natural resources, proximity to the Grand 

Canal, the needs of the high-ranking officials and 

merchants in the area, and the respect for the local 

chefs and their food culture. Some specialty dishes of 

Huai’an include Boli mutton, Pingqiao bean curd, 

Zhougong meatballs, Wenlou omelet, Wenlou 

steamed dumplings, and braised cattails with shrimp.


Suqian (SQ) 

The Spirit of Jiangsu 

A city in northern Jiangsu, Suqian has rich tourist resources. Both Hongze and 

Luoma Lakes present charming scenery with fishing boats sailing on the water 

and birds finding homes in the lakeside areas. The major scenic attractions 

include the native place of Xiangyu the Conqueror and the temporary palace 

of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. 

Suqian is a city of “high spirits” as a result of its distilling of famous brands of 

Chinese liquor or bai jiu. One of the best known of these brands is Yanghe 

with its highly distinctive blue bottles. A visit to this distillery and a sample of 

its products can make anyone truly feel the spirit of Jiangsu. 

Although Suqian does not have its own airport, it can be easily through 

surrounding airports. For example, the city is only 60 kilometers east of the 

Xuzhou Guanyin Airport and 100 kilometers south of Lianyungang Baitafu 

Airport. Nanjing (Lukou) International Airport is a little bit farther. It is about 

260 kilometers south of Suqian. Xuzhou’s Guanyin Airport is only about a 40 

minutes’ drive from downtown Suqian. 

Generlally, visitor can also get from Suqian to Nanjing by bus within three 

hours, to Xuzhou within about one hour. There are also bus services to 

Shanghai and Beijing.


Lianyungang (LYG) 

LYG by the Sea 

Lianyungang is an important coastal city in Jiangsu that has naturally 

evolved into a beach resort, as the mountains standing right on the 

edge of the sea make a stunning environment for travelers to relax and 

unwind. Lianyungang attracts tourists and business travelers from all 

over the world and has in fact been listed as one of 50 select 

destinations for travelers. 

One of the main attractions is Huaguo Mountain (Flowers and Fruits 

Mountain), featured in the classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West, 

and is where the novel’s hero, Sunwukong, also known as the Monkey 

King, was born and where he later chose to make his home. Besides 

Huaguo Mountain, Donghai crystals and hot springs, Jinping Mountain 

Cliffs, Kong Wang Mountain, and Lianyungang Beach are also the good 

choice for you. The handicrafts made of shell make great souvenirs to 

take home. The high quality seafood cannot be missed in the fishing 

village at Lianyungang Harbor and also nearer to the bathing beach in 

the town of Xugou. 

Lianyungang is a transportation hub in Jiangsu as well as in China, as 

the bridgehead of the New Asian-European Continent Corridor, the 

Longhai Railway (Lianyungang-Lanzhou) starts at Lianyungang, and 

stretches out westwards to Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur 

Autonomous Region. The railway continues out even further to Russia 

and Europe, connecting Asia and Europe.


Yancheng (YC) 

Longest Deer Trail in the World 

Yancheng, or Salt City in Mandarin, is a city with a 

history of 2,100 years. Lying on China’s east coast, the 

splendid coastal city has a well-protected coastline, 

wetland, and uncontaminated water. Two national 

nature reserves with international prestige, Yancheng 

National Nature Reserve and Yancheng Dafeng Milu 

National Nature Reserve, are located in the city. The 

nature reserves are the important wintering habitat for 

millions of migrating birds and shelter an enormous 

number of other species of insects, fish, and wild 

animals. 

Yancheng has efficient transportation, including 

highway/expressway, railway, air and waterway. At 

present, at least five expressway/highway lines link the 

city with other major cities in Jiangsu, including 

expressways of Nanjing-Qingjiang-Yancheng, Suzhou- 

Yancheng, Yancheng-Huai'an, Yancheng-Nantong and 

coastline. The Xinchang Railway is a trunk rail-line for 

the city. The Port of Yancheng offers the waterway for 

cargo and passengers and receives containers from 

Japan and South Korea. Yancheng Airport has flights to 

Beijing, Wenzhou, Guilin Guangzhou, and South Korea.


Nantong (NT) 

The Fabric of China 

Nantong lies on the northern bank of the Yangtze River 

estuary, and is surrounded by water on three sides. It faces 

Shanghai and Suzhou across the Yangtze River, borders 

Yancheng in the north, and neighbors Taizhou to the west. 

An important feature is the museums in Nantong. Several 

excellent museums are dedicated to Nantong’s history, 

while arts and crafts studios showcase Nantong’s centuriesold 

skills such as blue calico and embroidery. 

The major attractions include Dinghui Temple, Langshan 

Park, The Nantong Museum (first museum in China), and 

Water Painted Garden (Shuihui Yuan). In additions, the city 

also offers travelers a diverse range of interesting products 

to take home, such as blue calico, Nantong kites, and Baipu 

tea. 

Nantong functions as a hub of communications linking the 

north side of the Yangtze River with its south side, and 

connecting the hinterland with the ports. Now a 

communication network consisting of water, land and air 

routes in a coordinated fashion has been developed, with 

all the infrastructures being improved and approaching 

perfection day by day. Nantong Harbor is one of China's 

top 10 ports. Nantong Xindong Airport, a Class B airport 

approved by the authorities at the state level, has flights to 

many domestic cities and international flights as well. The 

new Sutong Bridge from Nantong to the northern part of 

Suzhou and to the northwest of Shanghai will significantly 

reduce the travel time from Shanghai and Suzhou.


Taizhou (TZ) 

Cradle of Great Chinese Statesmen 

Taizhou, or Peaceful Prefecture in Mandarin, is a city with a history of over 

2,100 years. The city is situated on the north bank of Yangtze River, bordering 

Nantong to the east, Yancheng to the north, and Yangzhou to the west. It is 

on the list of Historical and Cultural Cities of Jiangsu Province and its tourist 

services are booming. Each of the subdivisions under the Taizhou’s 

jurisdiction, including counties or towns has its own tourist attractions, 

including historical relics, temples, memorial halls, parks and more. The Mei 

Lanfang Memorial Park, Qinhu Lake Scenic Region, and Liu Jingtin Park are the 

major attractions. 

In Taizhou, the Nanjing-Jinjiang-Yancheng Highway passes through from 

south to north and China National Highway 328 goes from west to east. There 

are two routes to get to Taizhou, one is to take buses from Shanghai or 

Nanjing through China National Highway 328 or the Nanjing-Jinjiang- 

Yancheng Highway; the other one is to take trains from Nanjing through 

Nanjing-Qidong Railway.

To taste Jiangsu is to know China

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