The poetic scene of "Between Jingkou and Guazhou flows just a river's breadth" turns into the most soothing picture across Nanjing, Zhenjiang and Yangzhou in autumn. Nanjing's maples, Zhenjiang's tea and Yangzhou's soups — three cities strung along the river — hold Jiangsu's coziest autumn wellness secrets, and a two-day weekend is enough to find rest for both body and mind.
Pukou, Nanjing: Maple Flames, Hot Springs and Fresh Crabs
In Pukou, Nanjing, Laoshan Mountain is the first to unfurl its autumn palette. The cycling path of Shuimo Danian winds across the rice fields and bamboo groves. If needed, visitors can take a break in a local farmhouse — where the aroma of chicken soup in an earthen pot mingles with the sweet scent of osmanthus. You can also spend the afternoon learning a set of health-preserving exercises on Laoshan, and as dusk falls, retreat to a cozy courtyard hot spring surrounded by the fragrance of local flowers. While soaking in the private pool as the blossoms quiver and the mountain silhouettes deepen in the distance, just the warm feeling will seep through every pore. Right at that time, freshly steamed crabs will be served on the dinner table of local villagers in side the mountain, — with the rich, golden roe melting softly on the tongue, soothing every nerve.
Zhenjiang: Tea Mountain Adventures and Hot Springs
Crossing the Yangtze River northward to Zhenjiang, you'll find another kind of tenderness hidden in Maoshan's hot springs. Start your morning hiking through the lush trails of Shili Changshan Mountain, filling your lungs with pure oxygen. In the afternoon, you can sit by the window at Jianchashan Tea & Coffee to savor the view of tea-covered hills, where the aroma of coffee and tea blend beautifully. As evening sets in, you can head to Feichi Outdoor Camp for an exhilarating ATV ride; when the stars appear, it will be a good option to gather around a campfire to brew tea. The warmth of cordyceps chicken soup flows down the throat, promising a deep night's sleep. The next morning, a light trek on Jiulong Mountain lets the mountain breeze sweep away all fatigue.
Yizheng, Yangzhou: Bamboo Seas and Ancient Streets with Jianghuai Flavors
End your journey in Yizheng, Yangzhou, where the thousand-acre bamboo sea of Longshan Mountain cleanses the air with negative ions, and the volcanic relics of Nashan Mountain reveal the earth's hidden secrets. The fresh tea leaves plucked gently releases a delicate fragrance between your fingers. In the black pine forest of the Rain Field Manor , time is as if slowed down to the perfect pace for handmade crafts. Before heading home, don’t forget to make a detour to Linze Ancient Street — where there is Tangyang (scalded whole lambs , an intangible cultural heritage), the sweet crystal mooncakes, etc. Paired with a bowl of blanched shredded tofu, you'll taste the authentic Jianghuai flavor vividly described by writer Wang Zengqi.
From Nanjing's fiery maples to Yangzhou's fragrant teas, the charm of Nanjing, Zhenjiang and Yangzhou in autumn is not about rushing from one stop to another. It's about getting rid of fatigue in hot springs and rediscovering joy through food — a slow journey that reveals Jiangsu's truest and most healing spirit.
