One of the finest of the water towns within easy day-trip range of Shanghai or Suzhou, Zhouzhuang boasts a stock of Ming, Qing and even Yuan Dynasty buildings that comprise some 60% of its total architectural heritage. Willow-lined canals flow past houses with whitewashed walls shaded by grey-slated roofs and carved, curving wooden eaves. From the right vantage points, the view isn't all that different from what Marco Polo might have seen on his visits to this part of China. A small place, Zhouzhuang is worth a leisurely day of strolling through its cobbled lanes, taking a boat tour of the canals and visiting centuries-old treasures like the merchant villas the Zhang Residence (Zhang Ting) and Shen Residence (Shen Ting); Quanfu Temple (Quanfu Si); South Lake Garden (Nan Hu Yuan); and Chengxu Temple (Chengxu Daoyuan). There's also a fine museum featuring examples of tradition... more >>

Located about 15 minutes by train from Changzhou and an hour by bus from Nanjing, Zhenjiang, which literally means "Garrison of the River," is a small prefecture-level city located on the Grand Canal, currently known for its production of Xiangcu vinegar. Also known as the former Chinese home of Pulitzer-prize winning author Pearl S. Buck, Zhenjiang's profile has dropped a bit since its heyday as Jiangsu's capital (1928-1949), but today is home to a rather busy domestic port, serving as a trade hub between Anhui, Jiangsu and Shanghai. Its latest claim to fame is as 2009 host of the MIDI rock festival, usually held in Beijing. more >>

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. more >>

Located in scenic northwestern Jiangsu Province, Xuzhou (Xúzhōu, 徐州) is known for its historical military and geographical importance, and the abundance of Han Dynasty relics that have been found there. Situated midway between Beijing and Shanghai, today Xuzhou is one of China's most important transportation hubs—its railway station is one of the largest in China and serves as a connecting point for the Jinghu, Longhai and Hasan railways that serve every corner of the country. The city itself is rather small and nondescript, but an afternoon of strolling the old downtown neighborhoods or by the river will take you deep into the heart of small town China with bustling wet markets, old men playing Chinese chess, butchers hacking up their wares on the streets or fotune-tellers ready to read your future—if you can understand th... more >>

Wuxi is best known as a convenient base for visitors to Tai Hu (Lake Tai), which is located a mere five kilometers from the center of town. While there isn't much to see in the city itself, it lies in the heart of Jiangsu Province, sharing the region's long and interesting history. The Grand Canal runs straight through town and the local hills provide great views of the "Grand" Lake. Wuxi's location, just upriver from Shanghai, places it directly in the region's industrial and agricultural heart. It thus lies in the middle of both scenic, fertile lands and an environmental travesty in the making. The waterways that bring life through Wuxi, and to the entire central east coast of China, have been exploited for over three thousand years and while the lakes, rivers and canals still attract tourists, their days of fueling a heartland with safe and cle... more >>