Featuring charming, tree-lined streets, a wealth of lush gardens and the famous Slender West Lake (Shou Xi Hu), Yangzhou is a quaint gem nestled in the Grand Canal region of Jiangsu province. Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Jiangsu, Yangzhou has a rich history which dates back to the Tang Dynasty, but maintains a modern reputation as a touristy getaway from urban centers like Nanjing and Suzhou, with its plethora of cultural relics, museums, and tombs.
History
Dating back to the "Spring and Autumn Period" (some 2,500 years ago), Yangzhou possesses a storied past, earning the distinction of being named one of the first Historical and Cultural Cities of China.
In addition to its Tang Dynasty origins, Yangzhou also has a noticeable Muslim influence, as exemplified by the Tomb of Puhaddin (a descendent of Mohammed who traveled to China during the Yuan Dynasty to spread his faith), and once, during the reign of Mongol Emperor Kubilai Khan, claimed Marco Polo as a municipal officer.
During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), Yangzhou was the site of several tumultuous upheavals, including the Ten-day Massacre of 1645 and the Yangzhou Riot (1868), but neither resulted in any serious casualties.
Despite its small size and population, Yangzhou has a celebrated history as an important city during many of China's greatest dynasties.
Climate
With an average annual temperature of 15 °C, Yangzhou, like many cities on the Grand Canal, is humid and moderate during the summer (avg. temperature 27.6 °C). Its yearly rainfall is approximately 1030mm, most of which occurs in June and July. Winters average 1.7°C, but temperatures have been known to drop to -19 °.
Yangzhou food belongs to the Huaiyang cusine which emphasizes broth, high-quality ingredients and meticulous preparation. Dishes incorporate freshwater-food and cooked meats and are delicately braised, stewed or roasted. The most famous dishes include stewed pork ball, stewed fish head, shredded pork in chicken soup, steamed herring, and stewed pig's feet.
Huaiyang dishes also have a pleasing appearance. Usually decorated with lifelike carvings of fruits and vegetables, they are neither too salty nor too sweet, suiting most plates. Huaiyang dim sum is also attractive with steamed buns filled with pork and vegetable or crab roe being the most popular
Getting Around
Taxi
The base rate for taxis is 7 RMB for the first three kilometers (8 RMB between 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) and then 1.6 RMB per additional kilometer. Yangzhou is a small city and usually it will take no more than 10 RMB by taxi from Wenchang Ge to any scenic spot.
Bus
Yangzhou West Bus Station (also the bus center) is located at the intersection of Jiangyang Zhong Lu and Hanjiang Lu. Bus No. 66 can take you to downtown and it takes about 30 minutes to Wenchang Ge. The East Bus Station is relatively small yet nearer to downtown. It takes about 10-15 minutes from here to Wenchang Ge.
There are tour bus lines 1 and 2 at West Bus Station and they stop at the main scenic spots like Slender West Lake, Daming Temple and Heyuan Garden etc.
Pedicab
You may also take the pedicab to travel around at about 5 RMB.
To and From Yangzhou
Air
There is no airport in Yangzhou. Tourists can fly to Nanjing Lukou Airport and then transfer buses to Yangzhou. There are several buses running between Yangzhou and Lukou Airport daily.
Train
Yangzhou Railway Station is located on Wenchang Xi Lu, in the western suburbs of Yangzhou. There are direct trains to Beijing, Shanghai, Hankou, Xian and Guangzhou. Lots of trains run between Nanjing and Yangzhou daily.
The train from Shanghai to Yangzhou usually makes a detour round Nanjing and thus wastes some time. Tourists from Shanghai or Suzhou therefore may take a train to Zhenjiang and then transfer a bus to Yangzhou.
Bus
It takes about four hours from Yangzhou to Shanghai, one hour to Nanjing and 45 minutes to Zhenjiang by freeway.
There are regular buses running between Zhenjiang Railway Station and Yangzhou Bus Station. The whole trip takes about 45 minutes. Inter-civic public buses are in operation and stop at the main scenic spots and shopping centers with the ticket of 10 RMB.
There are buses to Yangzhou from Shanghai Passenger Transport Center, South Bus Station, Pudong Bus Station and Hutai Lu Bus Center.
Ferry
There are ferries running between Yangzhou Guazhou Ferry Teminal and Zhenjiang. Although it's more efficient and comfortable to cross the Yangzi River via Zhenjiang-Yangzhou Bridge, it's still a quite great and different feeling to cross it by ferry.
Compared with the neighboring cities like Nanjing or Shanghai, Yangzhou is not exactly a shoppers’ paradise. Wenchangge features some grand shopping centers, while the Wanjiafu department store, the Golden Eagle Shopping center, and Times Square offer more brand-name selections.
Yangzhou is not exaclty what anyone would refter to as an arts and entertainment hub, but the Yangzhou Museum (YanFu West Road), Jiangdu Museum (Jiangdu Town), and the Yangzhou Hantomb Museum (East, BeiJiaoXiang BieQiao) all offer interesting perspectives on local art.