Things to do in Yangzhou

2026 Global 50 - Spring Outings

Slender West Lake

"In March when flowers bloom, head to Yangzhou." When visiting Yangzhou in spring, a trip to Slender West Lake is a must. This narrow stretch of waterway offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Stroll along the banks to admire scenic views, explore historic pavilions adorned with classical poetry and paintings, or cruise the lake by boat to experience the leisurely pleasure Emperor Qianlong once enjoyed during his royal visits. The attraction is quite expansive, stretching from the Great Rainbow Bridge in the southeast all the way north along the lake to Guanyin Mountain, passing dozens of attractions along the way. There are four main entrances (east, south, west, and north), with most visitors starting their tour at the south entrance on Great Rainbow Bridge Road. This renowned lakeside garden boasts breathtaking natural views. In spring, the area is shaded by lush willows and adorned with camellias, pomegranates, azaleas, and peach blossoms, attracting visitors from across the country to enjoy the seasonal blooms. For centuries, countless literati have lingered here, composing poetry and creating paintings that left behind numerous artistic treasures and stories. The site also features many landscape structures ingeniously designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings. The Five Pavilion Bridge in Shugang Slender West Lake Scenic Area is the iconic attraction with over 200 years of history. Featuring five wind pavilions atop, each of the bridge's fifteen arches cradles a moon during full moon nights. Another renowned attraction is the Twenty-Four Bridge, inspired by Du Mu's poetic line "Where is the jade-like beauty teaching flute-playing on the moonlit Twenty-Four Bridge?" While the original bridge no longer exists, visitors can admire its reconstructed version today. This was also a stop during Emperor Qianlong's southern tours in the Qing Dynasty. Architectural views like the Great Rainbow Bridge, Slender West Lake Scenic Area's Fishing Terrace, White Pagoda, and the Twenty-Four Bridges' Xichun Platform all bear inseparable historical anecdotes connected to Emperor Qianlong. During summer nights, the illuminated pavilions and moonlit reflections on the lake create a magical atmosphere. The nightlife experience here is entirely boat-based, offering a relaxing way to beat the summer heat while enjoying gentle lake breezes.

No. 15 of Best Things to Do in Jiangsu

Geyuan Garden

Geyuan Garden was built in the Qing Dynasty on the site of the former Shouzhi Garden of the Ming Dynasty. At the time, the garden was planted with bamboo. Because the bamboo leaves were shaped like the Chinese character for “Ge”, the garden was thus called “Ge Garden.” The four rockeries in the garden are very unique; after making it around the garden, it's as if the visitor has experienced spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Geyuan Garden is not large and can be divided into three areas: the northern bamboo viewing area, the central flower garden, and the southern residential area. Compared with other traditional Chinese gardens, the essence of Geyuan Garden lies in the art of the rockeries with the theme of the four seasons. In addition to the rockeries, walking in the northern bamboo forest is a very pleasant experience. Even during hot summer days, walking in the green bamboo forest often feels quite cool.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Jiangsu

He Garden

He garden, originally named Jixiao villa, is the crowning masterpiece among Yangzhou's private gardens. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit and a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, and was named among the first batch of national key parks alongside Beijing's Summer Palace and Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden. The most distinctive architectural feature of He garden is its 1,500 m double-decker corridor, renowned as the "first corridor under heaven," which creates both the convenience of interconnected pathways and the beauty of winding variations. Experts consider it the prototype of China's modern overpasses. Another highlight is the "first mountain under heaven" in Pianshi mountain house, a unique rockery masterpiece created by the great painter-monk Shitao. Famous scholar Yu Qiuyu remarked that in the history of Chinese gardening, Pianshi mountain house is something to look up to. Contemporary experts in ancient architecture and gardens like Tong Jun, Liu Dunzhen, Pan Guxi, Luo Zhewen, and Chen Congzhou have all praised He garden's unique gardening techniques, calling it "a solitary example among Jiangnan gardens." Mr. Luo Zhewen even inscribed it as "the first garden of the late Qing dynasty." Stepping into He garden is like entering a magnificent historical and cultural scroll. It reveals the complex psychological journey of a legendary figure who was simultaneously an official, salt merchant, recluse, and educator. It vividly portrays the rise and fall of an aristocratic family transitioning from feudalism to enlightenment, and it brings to life the rich supplementary stories of China's turbulent modern history.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Yangzhou

Daming Temple

Daming TempleLocated on the central peak of Shugang Hill at the northwest corner of Yangzhou's Slender West Lake, this temple was named after its original construction during the Daming era (457-464 AD) of Emperor Xiaowu of the Liu Song dynasty. The current temple structure dates back to the Tongzhi period of the Qing dynasty. Before the renowned Tang dynasty monk Jianzhen embarked on his eastward journey to Japan, he resided here.Daming TempleThe temple gained fame for imparting scriptures and precepts. The entireDaming TempleThe complex is divided into three sections: the central area features the main temple buildings, the eastern part houses the Qiling Pagoda, and the western part consists of a landscaped rear garden called the West Garden. Visitors can tour the entire site by following the sequence: central → eastern → western sections.Daming TempleClimb up the gentle steps to the hill—only 28m above sea level—and you'll arrive atDaming TempleThe main entrance. There are many vendors selling incense along the mountain path, but do not purchase from them as outside incense is not allowed inside the temple. Incense can be obtained within the temple. The main temple buildings in the central area of the attraction are arranged along a north-south axis in three sections. From south to north along the central axis are the memorial archway, the mountain gate which also serves as the Hall of Heavenly Kings.Mahavira HallOn the west road, the main attraction is Ouyang Xiu. To the south is Pingshan Hall, built when Ouyang Xiu served as the governor of Yangzhou. Later, when Su Dongpo became the governor of Yangzhou, he constructed a memorial behind Pingshan Hall in honor of Ouyang Xiu.Gulin Hallto the north isOuyang ShrineThe abbot's quarters are located on the south side of the east road.Pingyuan TowerTo the north is the Jianzhen Memorial Hall, and to the east of the memorial hall isSutra LibraryAmong them, the Jianzhen Memorial Hall isDaming TempleAn important architectural site. Jianzhen attempted six voyages eastward, bringing Chinese Buddhism and culture to Japan. He presided over the construction of Tōshōdai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan, and passed away there. The Jianzhen Memorial Hall, built in the 1960s–70s, was modeled after Tōshōdai-ji. In front of the hall stands a white marble stele inscribed with "Monument to the Great Monk Jianzhen of the Tang Dynasty." At the center of the courtyard is a stone lantern gifted by the abbot of Tōshōdai-ji, forming a pair with another lantern at the temple. Inside the hall sits a camphorwood statue of Jianzhen in a seated posture, replicating his likeness at the time of his passing as depicted in Tōshōdai-ji. Opposite the memorial hall, the former Clear Sky Pavilion now serves as the Jianzhen Historical Exhibition Hall, where visitors can learn about his life through texts and images. To the east of the attraction stands the Qiling Pagoda, originally built by Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty to celebrate his birthday. The current pagoda is a reconstruction based on the Sui-era design. This nine-story pagoda enshrines Buddhist relics and a camphorwood Buddha statue. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the entire area.Daming TempleOverlooking the scenery of Slender West Lake and Yangzhou city. To the east and west of the Qiling Pagoda are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower respectively, while the Jade Buddha from Myanmar can be seen in the Reclining Buddha Hall to the north of the pagoda. The rear garden in the western part of the attraction, known as the Imperial Garden due to its connection with Emperor Qianlong's southern tours, features typical Jiangnan-style landscaping with rockeries, pavilions, and towers. At its center lies a release pond, with the Qianlong Imperial Stele Pavilion to the east housing three imperial steles. The pond contains the "Fifth Spring Under Heaven," a ranking given by Tang Dynasty writer Zhang Youxin in his work "Notes on Brewing Tea Water." A short walk south of the Qianlong stele leads to the "Fifth Spring" stone tablet and an ancient well.Daming TempleEvery December 31 features a lively "Bell-Ringing Ceremony to Welcome the New Year" with activity duration spanning midnight. Citizens gather in the temple to pray for peace and good fortune in the coming year while listening to 108 bell chimes at midnight. During each Bodhisattva's birthday or memorial day...Daming TempleReligious ceremonies are also held.

No. 10 of Family-friendly Attractions in Jiangsu

China Grand Canal Museum

China Grand Canal Museum, referred to as "Yunbo" and "Yangzhou China Grand Canal Museum" in full, is located on Kaifa East Road, Guangling District, Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province (about 150 meters northwest of Sanwan Wetland Park), covering an area of 200 mu, with a total construction area About 80,000 square meters, affiliated to the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, is a local modern comprehensive museum integrating cultural relics protection, scientific research exhibition, and leisure experience. It is a landmark project for the construction of the Grand Canal National Cultural Park. Nanjing Museum is responsible for the exhibition and operations.

No. 11 of Night Attractions in Jiangsu

Yangzhou Ancient Grand Canal

Yangzhou Ancient Grand Canal refers to the section of the river from Zhuyuwan Scenic Area to Gaomin Temple. The area most sightseers visit lies between Yangzhou's Nanmen Wharf and Bianyimen Square Wharf. Along this section of road there are famous sights such as the Dongguan Street Historic Street and District. You can enjoy the sights on foot or by boat. There are good green areas beside the Ancient Grand Canal, where green willows gentely crept over the water, like poetic descriptions of Jiangnan. At night the riverside is lit up, the night scenery of which is beautiful.

No. 19 of Night Attractions in Jiangsu

Canal Sanwan Scenic Area

Yangzhou Canal Sanwan Scenic Area is one of the five core parks in the construction of Yangzhou park system and one of the top ten ecological centers in Yangzhou. It is located in the central area of southern Yangzhou. The scenic spot is a city park with Sanwan Park as the core, the ancient canal as the axis, and the two ancient cultural temples (Gaomin Temple and Wenfeng Temple) as the endpoints.

No. 3 of Activities in Jiangsu

Garden Tours in Yangzhou

No. 3 of Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Yangzhou

Dongguan Street

Dongguan Street is located in the center of Yangzhou. The main street is made from slates which had been paved piece by piece. Walking along the street, you can often catch glimpses of the salt merchants' courtyards made from blue bricks and gray tiles. The areas where local food and specialties are concentrated add to the fascination for visitors. It is truly worthy of its reputation as a representative historical old street of Yangzhou City. Dongguan Street extends in the east to the Ancient Canal and in the west to Guoqing Road. It is 1,122 meters long in total. The Dongguan Ancient Pier on its eastern end was a bustling terminal of Yangzhou in the Tang Dynasty. The presence of the pier had enabled the development of the trade-intensive downtown Dongguan Street. The current Dongguan Street still maintains its appearance during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Selected for Night Attractions in Jiangsu

Slender West Lake Cruise

The Slender West Lake Cruise was found in the Hanjiang District of Yangzhou City, where you can enjoy the beautiful boat lady, the red Chinese costume, sweet smile, while shaking, while telling the story about the beautiful scenery, as if the beautiful picture also appeared in your mind. Take a cruise ship during the day to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake, and take a cruise ship at night to see the performances on the lake.