With an area of 100,000 square kilometers and a population of 70.21 million, Jiangsu province is located on the shores of the Yellow Sea, and the lower reaches of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers. Prosperous in the silk, electronics, watch productions and chemical industries, the region is also famous for planting cotton, peaches and plums; as well as producing oil and green tea. Besides, Jiangsu province has the most famed historical cities in China, making it a great destination for those who are interested in China's extensive history.
Also known as "The Land of Fish and Rice", the Jiangsu cuisine usually features them both with fresh aquatic ingredients and vegetables, such as mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Notable dishes include boneless butterfish in creamy sauce, soft silverfish, steamed Dazha crabs, crystal crab shell meatballs, Jinling salted dried duck, Yangzhou fried rice and dumplings with crab meat fillings.
Interestingly enough, the local dialect is said to be most beautiful and gentle since ugly arguments often resemble as the sound of music.
Attractions to visit
This 2,400-year-old city is currently the capital of the Jiangsu province. Comparable to Beijing, Xian and Luoyang, Nanjing was the capital for ten dynasties, thus pursue many remarkable attractions.
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Built between 1926-1929 in the memories of the pioneer of Chinese democratic revolution, the mausoleum is currently the landmark of Nanjing and a "must-visit" for tourists. It looks similar to an enormous bell and covers 80,000 square meters of land.
- The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
Built in 1381, the tomb construction had taken 100,000 labors 25 years to complete. At the beginning point of the 1,800-meter long Sacred Way stood a pavilion, where a stele carved in the memories of Zhu Yuan Zhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty can be seen. 12 pairs of animal statues can be found guarding the tomb along the Sacred Way; strongly reflecting the superior stone-carving skills of ancient China.
- Linggu Temple
The only ancient temple that remained intact in Nanjing, the Linggu Temple is in fact a reputable Buddhist establishment. Its Wuliang Hall was built entirely of bricks, without a single piece of wood, pillar and beam; therefore, is currently rated as one of the miraculous architectural masterpiece.
- Xuanwu LakeUtilized as a naval military training center in ancient China, the heart of the lake is partitioned by five different islands: Huan, Ying, Ling, Liang and Cui islands. The lake's surrounding areas pursue spectacular sceneries and bridges that are connected to the five islands.
- Yangtze River Grand BridgeIt is the first double-deck and double track highway and railway bridge in China, stretching across the Yangtze River. When the construction project started in 1968, its fame could be comparable to the present Three Gorges Dam project.
A famous cultural city with a historical background of more than 2,000 years, Suzhou is known as the "Venice of the East" as it is surrounded by various water-canal towns. Besides, its collections of intact classical gardens are the most well known.
- Zhuozheng Yuan
Also known as the Humble Administrator's Garden, it is located at the Loumen Gate of Suzhou, which is often regarded as one of the major gardens in China. Built during the Tang Dynasty, the attraction is the representative of the Chinese classical gardens with special pavilions, ponds, plants, etc; furthermore, it is said to be comparable to the Summer Palace in Beijing.
- Wangshi Yuan
Also referred to the Garden of Master of Nets, it is the smallest classical garden in Suzhou (approximately one-sixth of the size of Zhuozheng Yuan). The garden is owned by a government official and is consisted of three main sections: residential area, a central garden and an inner garden. Although the garden is small in size, the miraculous designs have created a spacious atmosphere, which continue to amaze many garden lovers.
- Lingering Garden
The 400-year-old garden is built in Qing style and is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Famous for its superior architectures, the garden also has a great collection of calligraphy artworks on various rare-shaped stones.
- Suzhou Museum
The museum was the former residence of Zhong Prince of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and was opened to the public in 1960. The new museum building was constructed between 2002-2006 under the design of Chinese-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei and recently become a new attraction in Suzhou. The museum possesses great collections of paintings, china, craft arts, jades, silk and calligraphies on display.
Bordering Lake Taihu in the south and Suzhou in the east, Wuxi is known as "The Land of Fish and Rice" to the south of the Yangtze River.
- Taihu Lake
One of the three largest freshwater lakes in China, the Taihu Lake area pursues spectacular sceneries and magnificent landscapes. Turtle Head Islet is the best spot to enjoy the wonderful views, which stretches into the lake as if an actual turtle is protruding into the water.
- Lingshan Giant Buddha
88 meters in height, the giant Buddha standing statue is built in 1997 on the Lingshan Mountain.
Pursuing various notable attractions, spectacular sceneries and gorgeous gardens, the city of Yangzhou is already 2,400 years old.
- Lean West Lake
Although it is an artificial lake built during the Qing Dynasty, the surrounding sceneries and gardens are said to be comparable to the West Lake in Hangzhou and the gardens in Suzhou. Visitors may consider taking a boat ride to enjoy the fabulous views.
- Geyuan Garden
Owned by an important salt merchant during the Qing Dynasty, the garden is filled with bamboo groves. Since the shape of the bamboo leaf looks like the Chinese character "Ge", the merchant named his garden "Geyuan" (Yuan meant garden in Chinese). Its well known artificial rockeries miraculously reflects the four seasons of the year, which continuously amaze the garden visitors.
- Heyuan Garden
Constructed during the late Qing Dynasty, the intricately designed garden is a masterpiece of Yangzhou-style gardening. It is rated as one of the most important cultural relics in the area and is currently under state protection.
With a history of 2,500 years, Zhenjiang was an important military base in ancient times. Current visitors are attracted to the area due to its natural beauties and the famous Zhenjiang vinegar.
- Jinshan Hill
44 meters in height, Jinshan Hill scenic spot is the most notable in Zhenjiang. Visitors may visit the Jinshan Temple, Cishou Pagoda, the White?Dragon Den, and Fahai Cave.
- Jiaoshan Hill
Floating in the middle of the Yangtze River, the Jiaoshan Hill looks similar to a floating jade. Temples in the area are worth visiting, as well as the notable Tablet Forest, which contains 400 distinctive carved tablets from the past dynasties.
- Ancient Xijin StreetThis thousand-year-old street contains special wooden and stone architectures that are worth seeing. Legend said that Marco Polo visited the area during his stay in China.
With a historical background of 900 years, this ancient water town is surrounded by gorgeous rivers and stone bridges. The best way to explore the town is to get on a boat tour.
- Shen Residence
The residence of the rich Shen family during the Qing Dynasty, the house is large in size and contains more than one hundred bedrooms with rare cultural relics on display. Visitors may consider dinning at the Shen's Restaurant next door to sample the delicious Shen family's Feast, which includes reputable dishes, such as pork knuckle in special gravy, clams with green leeks, etc.
- Zhuzhuang Museum
It is the best place to obtain information and details regarding the history and development of this ancient water town.
- Nanhu Garden
Known as the Pearl of Zhouzhuang, the garden is built by the Nanhu Lake and is divided into four sections: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Interestingly enough, the Quanfu Temple is located inside the garden and is surrounded by water lanes instead of walls; that is why the temple is also called the "Buddhist Kingdom in the Water".
Located 18 kilometers away from Suzhou and situated near Zhouzhuang, Tongli is another ancient water town with most bridges in China (49 stone bridges in total) that connected all sections of the town together, thus Tongli is also known as the town of bridges. Besides, the town is also known as the "Museum of Ming and Qing Architecture" as 40 percent of the houses and temples there are in the spectacular Ming and Qing style.