The hometown of Zhang Jian in Nantong, the opera echoes in Taizhou's Mei Lanfang Park , and the poetic waters of Slender West Lake in Yangzhou — these three cities unfold along the north bank of the Yangtze River, holding Jiangsu's richest cultural secrets. In just two days, you are as if travelling a thousand years back, learning all the stories of the architecture.
Nantong: Following the Footsteps of Zhang Jian Beside Haohe River
Morning mist veils the ancient bridges of Haohe River. On its banks, the former residence of Zhang Jian — Haonan Bieye — still preserves its century-old western-style windows. In the morning, you can follow the tour guide and visit the site of the Dah Sun Cotton Mill founded by Zhang Jian; the old photos beside the loom models are telling the stories of early modern industry. For lunch, you can try huojiao (pan-fried dumplings) on Si Street — it is crispy on the outside and juicy inside. In the afternoon, you can visit Guangjiao Temple on Langshan Mountain and look out over the Yangtze River flowing east. When the evening breeze rings the temple bells, the air is filled with the calm of history.
Taizhou: Morning Tea and Local Opera in Mei Lanfang Park
Taizhou’s morning tea time starts at as early as 5 a.m. In the Pibaoshui (referring to “local morning tea”) restaurants, the tables are fill with blanched shredded tofu, soup dumplings with crab roe and fish-noodle soup. One bite of a soup dumpling and its rich broth will surely delight you with impressive freshness. In the morning, you can go to Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum[M帐5] to appreciate the master's costumes and records. In the afternoon, a good choice would be to enjoy the Huai Opera performance at Tao Garden — the melody of "The Blue Bridge Meeting" circles the old stage again and again. By dusk, you can board a painted boat along Fengcheng River to watch the lights turning on along both banks. In the meantime, the ancient city walls shimmer faintly in the night —full of the soft grace of Jiangnan region.
Yangzhou: Ancient Elegance of Slender West Lake
Autumn at Slender West Lake is pure poetry. The maples at Twenty-Four Bridges glow crimson, and boats glide under Wuting Bridge as the boatwoman recounts tales of Emperor Qianlong's southern tours. In the morning, you can visit Geyuan Garden to admire its rockeries — the "Four-Season Rockery" reveals the art of Jiangnan garden design. For lunch, it’ll be great to have a Huangqiao Shaobing (Crispy Sesame Pastry) stuffed with braised pork meat on Dongguan Street — savory and flavorful. In the afternoon, you can walk up to Daming Temple , where golden ginkgo leaves carpet the steps around the Jianzhen Memorial Hall. As the evening bell tolls, the thousand-year-old temple exudes a deep serenity that reaches the soul.
From the cotton mill relics of Nantong to the ancient temple bells of Yangzhou, the old towns of Nantong, Taizhou and Yangzhou are more than cold relics from the past. Taste everyday life in morning tea, feel bygone days in opera verses — this journey will guide you through heritage and reveal Jiangsu's deepest cultural soul.
