Jiangsu certainly packs a punch. Teeming with ancient history and significance, the province has also played host to some more immediate historical events. The modern tenacity of the capital city is an encapsulation of the enduring ingenuity and resilience of the populace at large, and the magnificent ancient relics found here are a testament to foregone genius and craftmanship. If you visit Jiangsu you will visit Suzhou: the canals and water towns here are colossal, and the gardens (9 of them are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites) are some of the world’s most majestic. The province is also renowned for its food (so much so that one town is listed as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy). Throw in some cherry blossom and crystal clear lakes, and you may just want to book a few extra nights here… Get ready to travel Jiangsu province!
Travel Jiangsu province: Nanjing
The provincial capital of Jiangsu, Nanjing was also the capital of six ancient Chinese dynasties and kingdoms (over a period of 500 years). The city’s rich historical heritage is evidenced in its magnificent city wall and more ancient attractions. Nanjing has also witnessed some truly horrendous modern events (the Nanjing Massacre by invading Japanese forces in WW2 is a reminder of humanity’s brutal capacity), but the city has emerged from these dark times with a renewed sense of vigour and optimism. Modern Nanjing is an attractive city full of tree-lined boulevards, museums, lakes, parks and rivers. The city is also a tertiary education hotspot, and the number of universities here is second only to Beijing. So explore some ancient & modern history and soak in the university-town atmosphere of Nanjing.
Kick-off the historical excursion with the Presidential Palace of Nanjing. Once home to royalty, this huge palace has a long history and prominent reputation (and some interesting mixture of Chinese and Western architectural styles). The palace is now the largest modern history museum of China. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum should be next on the list. Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) is considered the father of the Republic of China: he led a revolution to end the 2,000 year old feudal monarchy system. This astonishing mausoleum area is a must-see in Nanjing.
Follow up one mausoleum with another. The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the outskirts of Nanjing city proper. This mausoleum is actually the tomb of the founder of the Ming Dynasty (Zhu Yuanzhang), and took 17 years to complete. The Confucius Temple is also well-worth a visit. Although the current temple was rebuilt in 1987 (the original was destroyed by Japanese forces during WW2), it is still a fantastic place to appreciate Confucian history and culture.
The 600 year-old Nanjing City Wall is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture: Nanjing is one of the few cities in China still boasting its ancient wall. With an original perimeter of 35 kilometres (22 miles), the present wall now runs about 21 kilometres (13 miles) around. After your history-fix, head to the spectacular scenery of Niushou Mountain. The Buddhist heritage of the area is a wonderful compliment to the surrounding nature.
Suzhou
This ‘Venice of the Orient’ was actually founded 1,000 years before its Italian counterpart (maybe Venice is the ‘Suzhou of the Occident’?). Founded in 514 BC, over 40% of Suzhou is submerged in water: streams, lakes and canals are the norm here. Besides the aquatic side of the city, Suzhou is famed for its gardens: symphonic combinations of rock, water, trees and pavilions. The majesty of these gardens cannot be overstated, and no visit to Suzhou is complete without an exploration and appreciation of these delicate works of art (the gardens are so magnificent that NINE are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites). The beauty, ancient culture and artistic atmosphere of Suzhou is sure to charm.
There are far too many attractions to list here, but we will go through some of our favourites. Let’s start with the gardens… The Humble Administrator’s Garden is Suzhou’s heavy-hitter. The garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an absolutely marvellous masterpiece in delicate elegance. Built in 1509, the Humble Administrator’s Garden may well be China’s most magnificent garden (that statement in itself makes this a must-see destination).
The Lingering Garden was built in 1593 and is renowned for its graceful pavilions, rock collections, winding paths, expansive flora, and shimmering ponds. Spanning close to 6 hectares, the Lingering Garden is one of the four most famous gardens in China (along with the Humble Administrator’s Garden), and unsurprisingly is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Last (but certainly not least), continue the garden appreciation with a visit to the Lion Forest Garden. Although smaller than the aforementioned gardens, the Lion Forest Garden is known for its ornamental pavilions, plum & cypress trees, calligraphy works and masonry artforms. Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the whole structure of this garden is a dedication to Zen Buddhism.
After draining the camera battery at Suzhou’s gardens, take some time to explore some of the city’s many other attractions. Tiger Hill is more than 2,500 years old and is a landmark of Suzhou. Although the hill is relatively small, it has a rich history and is a great place to take in some beautiful views and appreciate the regions more ancient culture. Hanshan Temple dates back some 1,400 years and is still utilised in modern day worship: on a daily basis, a steady stream of believers visit the temple to strike the bell, light incense, and pray.
We haven’t forgotten about Suzhou’s water towns. Zhouzhuang is regarded by many as one of the best water towns in China. This ancient town has a history dating back more than 900 years, with many of the town’s houses being built in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Zhouzhuang is surrounded by lakes, so be sure to discover the beauty of its many water lanes and stone bridges via a gondola ride.
Tongli Ancient Town has a similar 1,000 year old history, and during the course of this history has been inspiring and producing an untold multitude of poets, painters and Confucian scholars. The rivers flowing through Tongli have divided the town into different sections, with each section being connected by stone bridges. Equally incredible, almost every residential house is facing a river canal.
Come dusk, head to Shantang Ancient Street: an ancient commercial street along the Shantang River. Ancient bridges span across the river here, and both sides of the canal are lined with old houses and traditional shops. Evening is especially memorable, with thousands of red lanterns shimmering along the water banks and winding alleys. Shantang Ancient Street is where you will be wanting to do some local fare taste-testing (and loosen some change on souvenirs).
Travel Jiangsu province: Wuxi
China’s “land of rice and fish” has a history dating back over 3,000 years. Don’t be surprised if you end up extending your intended stay here: you certainly wouldn’t be the first to fall in love with the city’s historical sites, beautiful lake views, lush mountains, countryside scenery and ancient towns. On a similar note, don’t be surprised if you gain a couple of extra pounds: oh-so-good steamed buns, braised spare ribs in brown sauce and wontons tend to have that affect… If you can, we highly (we really mean highly) encourage you to visit Wuxi in March or April: the city is home to some of the world’s most amazing cherry blossom scenery during this period…
The Lingshan Giant Buddha simply cannot be missed. The sheer scale of this monument is spectacular (with scenery to match). This is the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue, with a height of 88 meters (289 feet). Follow up a trip to the Buddha with nearby Nianhua Bay: a Zen-inspired resort town. Embark on your own journey of spiritual discovery and enjoy some of the Zen-focused music halls, flower chambers, and craft stores on the way.
Yixing Zhuhai is a bamboo-wonderland personifying Wuxi’s beauty. The bamboo forest here covers an incredible 20 hectares. Be sure to grab a ride on the cable car to fully appreciate this sea of bamboo. After absorbing the never-ending green, head underground to the Shanjuan Cave. This limestone cave is pretty enormous, with exquisite stalactites and an underground river.
If you find yourself in Wuxi come March or April, do not miss the Turtle Head Park. The multitude of Taoist temples and Buddhist effigies found here are augmented by the truly spectacular cherry blossom extravaganza. You will fancy yourself as a budding photographer after a visit here (but to be honest, mother nature has made it pretty easy). Turtle Head Park is without question one of the world’s premier cherry blossom locations.
Travel Jiangsu province: Changzhou
Beautiful Changzhou is adorned with some profound historical heritage and blissful nature. The city is also a bit of a foodie heaven, with a delightfully varied palate offering. The Nanshan Bamboo Sea is a great place to revitalize, with over 98% of the area being covered by forest. The moderate hike to the peak here captures the entirety of this vast bamboo forest.
The Tianmu Lake Scenic Area is also an example of the regions bliss. The area here is surrounded by mountains and water. Take a boat tour to maze through the multitude of scattered lake islands. Also be sure to pay a visit to the Taoist-inspired Oriental Salt Lake City: this is a great place to visit various kinds of exhibition halls and see wonderful folk performances. Our last pick for Changzhou is a bit left-field but no less interesting: the Chinese Dinosaur Park. Basically an answer to the well known “Jurassic” equivalent, this dinosaur park is a great day out full of rides and performances.
Yangzhou
This small city actually has a huge reputation in China, drawing in nation-wide visitors throughout the year. Perhaps the numerous historical sites, ancient ruins, and splendidly elegant gardens contribute to the appeal, but our bet is that a huge slice of the city’s popularity draws from the fact that it is actually a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy… The food here really is that good. The cuisine is a source of pride for the city, and the dishes, even the cheapest, are well prepared. Yangzhou fried rice is especially famous, made with eggs, mushrooms, carrots, peas, bamboo shoots and seafood or meat. Dishes based on soy cheese (tofu) are also popular, such as spicy tofu and Wensi tofu (soup). So whether you come for the attractions or food, you’re sure to leave satisfied. This is a great place to travel in Jiangsu province.
The Slender West Lake is the city’s biggest attraction. The lake is dotted with pavilions and adorned with gardens (no wonder the place has been an inspiration for countless of literati over thousands of years). Keep up the horticultural pursuit with visits to the Geyuan and Ho Family Gardens. Geyuan Garden was built in the Qing Dynasty and is known for its impressive bamboo plantations. The Ho Family Garden is also a Qing Dynasty relic, yet the garden fosters a unique fusion of Chinese and Western architecture.
We haven’t forgotten about the food… Be sure to head over to the Dongguan Street Historical District: a sumptuous concentration of local food specialities. Not only is this the place to dazzle the taste buds, it is also a stunning collection of blue bricked/grey tiled courtyards and cobble-stoned streets. The district is also the place to glimpse the historical salt merchant lifestyle of Yangzhou.
Travel Jiangsu province: Lianyungang
Located on the the coast of the East China Sea, the local diet here is seafood heavy. The region offers up some spectacular sea views and lush mountains (along with colourful year round flower blooms). The magnificent spectacle of mountains and water at Mount Huaguo rank it as the city’s must-see. Mount Huaguo is also home of the “Monkey King” in the classical Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. Yuntai Mountain is also worth a visit: the second highest peak in Jiangsu is endowed with some lovely flower meadows.
Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang is famed for its aromatic vinegar and specialty crab dumplings (an awesome combo!) The ancient city here is actually over 3,000 years old and was once the capital of Jiangsu. Mount Jin is the city’s premier attraction: Jinshan Temple is the must-see when here. Jinshan Temple is a place of local legend and offers some great panoramic views of the city. A bit further off, Mao Mountain is where the Shangqing School of Taoism originated, and there is a splendid concentration of temples on the three mountain peaks here.
We hope that this has inspired you to travel Jiangsu province!