The temple fairs of Huai'an, the salt rituals of Yancheng and the boat training of Taizhou — three cities along the Huai River and the Yellow Sea — unfold the liveliest winter folk customs in Jiangsu. In just three days, you can immerse yourself in the festive spirit of local traditions.
Huai'an: Temple Fair Amid the Winter Chill
Early morning at Qingjiangpu Scenic Area, red lanterns are already hung everywhere. As the gongs and drums of the Canal Transport Temple Fair begin to sound, the streets will be filled with people rushing to the fair. Following the crowd into the fair, you'll see dough figurine masters shaping Sun Wukong with nimble fingers and sugar painting artists drawing dragons and phoenixes with spoons. Holding a sugar rabbit in your hand, its sweet aroma mingles with the lively scents of the fair. In the morning, visitors can watch the Canal Transport-themed live performance. Actors in Ming and Qing dynasty costumes recreate the bustling scene of "boats passing through the lock," with cheers echoing throughout. In the afternoon, you can wander into the snack street. Freshly fried tea crisps crumble in your bite; sesame-coated deep-fried dough sticks paired with a bowl of spicy soup, the warmth of pepper driving away the winter chill.
Yancheng: Sea Salt Cultural Heritage
visitors can join intangible cultural heritage inheritors to learn salt drying. Also, it’ll be fun to bury ceramic jars in the salt fields and watch seawater evaporate under the sun, crystallizing into salt grains. With salty crystals on your fingertips, you can almost feel the pulse of a thousand years of salt culture.
Taizhou: Spring Festival in Qintong Ancient Town
In winter, it's worth it to visit Qintong Ancient Town's New Year market. Freshly steamed Qinhu Lake Eight-Delicacy Cake exhales warmth; a bite reveals the rich taste of fish and shrimp. Together with the ginger tea, you will feel the warmth in the stomach.
Through interaction, you will experience cultural heritage; through lively celebration, you will discover the festive spirit—this journey preserves the most vivid memories of Northern Jiangsu's winter traditions.
