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Yangzhou—2,500-Year-Old "Canal City" & "World Food Capital"
Yangzhou is a 2,500-year-old "Canal City" and "World Food Capital" located 2.5 hours by high-speed train from Shanghai, making it a perfect getaway destination.
Why Yangzhou?
- Slender West Lake and Geyuan/Heyuan gardens offer Jiangnan's best landscapes
- Famous for morning tea and yangzhou chao fan (fried rice)
- Grand Canal cruises with magical night views
- Less crowded than Suzhou and Hangzhou
Top 1-Day Route
- Slender West Lake (9:00-12:00)
- Yechun Tea House (lunch: soup dumplings)
- Geyuan (14:00-16:00)
- Dongguan Street (snacks)
- Canal night cruise (19:00)
Must-Eat Dishes
Morning tea: Dried tofu shreds, shrimp roe dumplings
Dishes: Pork meatballs, shredded tofu soup
Snacks: Osmanthus lotus root starch balls
Quick Tips
- Best time: October-November (autumn leaves and crabs)
- Get around: Rent a bike or take taxis
- Nearby connection: Nanjing is 1.5 hours by train, making a 2-day trip easy
Key Spots
- Slender West Lake: 7:30-17:30
- Grand Canal Museum: 9:00-17:00 (closed Monday)
Credit: Meili He
