Things to do in Yizheng

The museum is beautiful, with many exhibits and exhibits, and some of the interactive exhibits are very interesting. Director Ge's explanations were excellent, covering everything from antiques and historical sites to canal technology, giving us a deeper understanding of canal culture.

The Yangzhou Grand Canal Three Bends Scenic Area, situated on the banks of the ancient Grand Canal, is an extension of the Grand Canal near the Slender West Lake. Originally a series of sharp bends in the canal, it has been cleverly transformed, turning the engineering marvel of "three bends equaling one dam" into an ecological and cultural landscape. From its vantage point, one can view the iconic China Grand Canal Museum, with the Lingbo Bridge and Silhouette Bridge arching across the water like rainbows. Together with the wetland boardwalk and birdwatching huts, they form a beautiful picture of urban-canal coexistence, blending the ancient and modern, making it a model for showcasing the ecological civilization of the Grand Canal and the charm of Yangzhou's cultural tourism. Admission is free.

Xijindu's ancient street starts uphill from Changjiang Road, with tire tracks in the middle of the stone-paved road. The brick and stone houses are old and worn, and the steps are quite steep. The Zhaoguan Stone Pagoda stands in the middle of the road, and you can pass underneath it. From the hilltop, you can see the dock and the Yangtze River; at night, the river reflects the lights. There are some old shops on both sides selling pot-lid noodles and braised pork; you can sit down and have a bowl when you're tired from walking. It's less crowded than Shantang Street, but still lively on weekends.

The entertainment value was decent, but the lighting along the way seemed rather unremarkable, somewhat detracting from the ticket price. However, it's true that the actors worked very hard, considering the heat, the costumes, and the lighting – adding insult to injury. Thumbs up to these hardworking actors!

Dongguan Street in Yangzhou is one of the city's most representative historical streets, stretching approximately 1122 meters. It begins at Dongguan Ancient Ferry in the east and ends at Guoqing Road in the west, traversing the core area of ​​Yangzhou's Ming and Qing dynasty city. Originally built in the Tang dynasty, it became a main thoroughfare in the Song dynasty and flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties due to the influx of salt merchants, earning it the reputation of being a microcosm of the "Number One Commercial Port in Southeast China." The street retains its "chessboard" layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with cobblestone paving, blue brick and gray tile roofs, and shops interspersed with residences. In 2010, it was jointly awarded the title of "One of China's Top Ten Historical and Cultural Streets" by the Ministry of Culture and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, and in 2013, it was upgraded to a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. Dongmen Ruins Square (East Gate of the Song Dynasty City): The earliest discovered double-barbican structure in China, with walls overlapping from the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. A restored Dongguan gate tower, built according to the *Yingzao Fashi* (Building Standards), stands atop the wall, offering panoramic views of the ancient Grand Canal and Dongguan Ancient Ferry. Historical relics of Dongguan are displayed free of charge inside the gate tower. Ge Garden (one of the four famous gardens): The former residence of Huang Zhijun, a salt merchant during the Qing Dynasty, renowned for its bamboo, rocks, and seasonal artificial mountains. A side gate is located in the middle section of Dongguan Street, where tickets can be purchased for entry. Yi Garden, Jienan Study, Hu Garden, and Hua Garden: A series of interconnected salt merchant residences, featuring brick-carved gate towers and Hui-style firewalls. A combined ticket for 45 yuan allows in-depth visits to any six smaller attractions. Dongguan Ancient Ferry & Canal Night View: One of the oldest sections of the ancient canal. After dusk, the water is illuminated by lights, and you can take a painted boat for a night cruise at the dock. A 28-meter bronze sculpture, "The Grand Canal Through the Ages," stands on the bank. Intangible Cultural Heritage Mini-Theater: Encounter Yangzhou storytelling, Yangzhou opera, and guqin performances at any time on the streets. Puppet shows are added on holidays, allowing you to experience the dual facets of Yangzhou: a "World City of Gastronomy" and a "Hometown of Folk Arts." Dongguan Street is the "living room of Yangzhou Ancient City". You can see the canal, salt merchants, gardens, folk arts and morning tea in one street. It is suitable for leisurely strolling and eating, and feel the urban life and thousand-year cultural heritage of the famous city of Huaizuo.

We were very fortunate that our top guide today was Ms. Dong Ling. Her professional expertise was solid; she didn't just recite from memory. She eloquently explained the stories and archaeological backgrounds behind each of the museum's treasures, making dry history vivid and easy to understand. My son and I deeply experienced the thousand-year history of Nanjing. Highly recommended!

One of the most worthwhile attractions in Nanjing Garden Expo Park is the "Thirteen Gardens of Suzhou Charm," showcasing the unique garden styles of thirteen cities in Jiangsu Province. Of course, this is geared towards experts; ordinary visitors will find it difficult to appreciate the differences. The park is home to many cats, all residing in the thirteen gardens. The Nanjing and Changzhou gardens have particularly numerous and adorable cats, prompting the park to develop a cat-themed area. The park also features interactive NPCs representing famous figures from Jiangsu Province to enhance the visitor experience. However, when we visited, there were few tourists, and the NPCs seemed rather tired, resulting in the cancellation of many small performances and interactive activities. While the gardens are enjoyable to stroll around casually, they can become somewhat uninteresting if you come specifically for them.

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area, located on Zijin Mountain in Nanjing, is the tomb of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and a national 5A-level scenic area. Admission to the mausoleum is free. As the core of the Zhongshan Scenic Area, it is not only a memorial site but also a masterpiece of modern architectural art. Its unique architectural style: the overall plan is shaped like a "Liberty Bell," symbolizing the awakening of the people. There are 392 stone steps from the archway to the tomb chamber, symbolizing the 392 million people in China at that time. The core attractions are concentrated here: the Bo'ai Archway, the mausoleum gate, the stele pavilion, the sacrificial hall, and the tomb chamber. Surrounding these are auxiliary buildings such as the Music Stage, the Liuhui Pavilion, and the Meiling Palace.

Tangshan Fangshan National Geopark in Nanjing is the largest and most important ecological forest reserve in Jiangning District, Nanjing, named for its unique ecological environment and long history. While many people associate Tangshan with hot springs, it offers much more. Tangshan Fangshan National Geopark is the oldest place in Jiangning and even the entire city of Nanjing. The ancient Nanjing Man, dating back 300,000 years, originated here, and there is a site where the Nanjing Man excavation was conducted that can be visited. Currently, Tangshan Fangshan National Geopark offers several well-developed resorts and tourism and cultural projects for visitors to experience.

The Confucius Temple and Jiangnan Examination Hall along the Qinhuai River in Nanjing offer stunning nighttime views. A stroll through them in the gentle autumn breeze is incredibly pleasant. There are free performances and some attractions that charge admission, so you can choose what to do. In short, anyone visiting Nanjing should definitely check them out.