Yangzhou—2,500yo "Canal City" & "World Food Capital"!
Yangzhou is a 2,500-year-old "Canal City" and "World Food Capital" located just 2.5 hours by high-speed train from Shanghai, making it a perfect getaway.
Why Yangzhou?
- Slender West Lake + Geyuan/Heyuan gardens → Jiangnan's best
- Famous morning tea & yangzhou chao fan (fried rice)
- Grand Canal cruises (night views are magic!)
- Less crowded than Suzhou/Hangzhou
Top 1-Day Route
Slender West Lake (9:00-12:00) → Yechun Tea House (lunch: soup dumplings) → Geyuan (14:00-16:00) → Dongguan Street (snacks) → Canal night cruise (19:00)
Must-Eat
Morning tea: Dried tofu shreds, shrimp roe dumplings
Dishes: Pork meatballs, shredded tofu soup
Snacks: Osmanthus lotus root starch balls
Quick Tips
- Best time: Oct-Nov (autumn leaves + crabs)
- Get around: Rent a bike/take taxis
- Near Nanjing (1.5hrs train) → easy 2-day trip
Key Spots
- Slender West Lake: 7:30-17:30
- Grand Canal Museum: 9:00-17:00 (closed Mon)
Credit: Meili He
