Visited Yangzhou five times, here’s a summarized itinerary

Yangzhou is truly amazing! It took me five visits to put together this super practical guide, save it now!

🚗【Transportation Guide】
✈️ Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport: There is an airport shuttle to the city; if you want to go directly, take a taxi, about a 50-minute ride.
🚄 Yangzhou East Station has many train options, about a 20-minute taxi ride to downtown; Yangzhou Station is closer to Slender West Lake but has fewer trains.
For getting around the city, buses reach the attractions but the routes are a bit winding; taxis are convenient; riding shared electric scooters is super fun and great for taking photos anytime.

📅【Day 1: First Impressions of Yangzhou】
Morning: Check in at 📍 Slender West Lake’s Twenty-Four Bridge. Buying tickets online in advance can save some money [Idea]. Stroll along Changti Spring Willows, don’t miss Wuting Bridge, Twenty-Four Bridge, and White Pagoda. Wearing Hanfu for photos creates a great atmosphere [Tiptop].
Noon: Head to Dongguan Street for crab roe soup dumplings, lotus root starch balls... all kinds of snacks to your heart’s content. Eat while strolling and soak in the lively Yangzhou vibe [Chukle].
Afternoon: Visit 📍 Ge Garden, the seasonal rockeries are stunning, every step reveals a new scene: bamboo in spring, stones in summer, maples in autumn, snow in winter (though artificial, the atmosphere is perfect). Truly worthy of a salt merchant’s residence [GoodJob].

📅【Day 2: Exploring Yangzhou’s Ancient Charm】
Morning: Get up early to have dim sum at Quyuan Teahouse or Garden Teahouse (Xingcheng West Road branch). Try San Ding Bao, Thousand Layer Oil Cake, Hot Shredded Tofu—each bite is full of Yangzhou flavor. Arrive before 7 AM or you’ll be waiting in line forever [Like]!
Late morning: Head to 📍 Daming Temple, climb 📍 Qiling Pagoda for a panoramic view of Yangzhou, feel the cultural atmosphere at Pingshan Hall inspired by Ouyang Xiu’s writings, and pray for peace and safety [Idea].
Noon: Have a meal on Pishi Street, then visit trendy bookstores and coffee shops, take photos, and enjoy a leisurely time [Coke].
Afternoon: Visit the China Grand Canal Museum. Book free tickets in advance. The 13 exhibition halls offer a comprehensive experience of canal culture with impressive technology [PushGlasses].

📅【Day 3: Experience Yangzhou’s Slow Life】
Morning: Sleep in [Sleepy], then visit He Garden, a blend of Chinese and Western styles. The winding corridors are like a maze, and the “World’s First Window” is picturesque in every frame [Yeah].
Noon: Try Yangzhou fried rice with egg, ham, shrimp, and green peas mixed with perfectly separated grains of rice. It’s delicious and you can’t go wrong at any restaurant [Love].
Afternoon: Find a Yangzhou scrubbing bathhouse (Ge Garden flagship store) to experience the intangible cultural heritage scrubbing bath. Feel the comfort of “skin holding water in the morning, water holding skin at night” and relax your tired body [CoolGuy].

🍜【Food Recommendations】

✅ Yangzhou Dim Sum: San Ding Bao has rich fillings, Jade Siu Mai is green and translucent, Thousand Layer Oil Cake is soft and sweet, Hot Shredded Tofu is refreshing and appetizing. A great early morning experience.

✅ Yangzhou Lion’s Head Meatballs: Fat but not greasy, melts in your mouth, rich broth, delicious whether stewed clear or braised. A must-try in Yangzhou.

✅ Yangzhou Old Goose: Smooth skin and tender meat with rich marinade aroma. Buy a portion to eat on the go, full of local flavor.

🏠【Accommodation Suggestions】

[One] Near Slender West Lake: Great scenery, you can enjoy beautiful views of Slender West Lake in the morning. Prices are a bit higher, like Yangzhou Slender West Lake Hot Spring Resort, where you can also soak in hot springs.

[Two] Near Dongguan Street: Very convenient for travel, dining, and shopping. Experience Yangzhou’s lively nightlife. Dongguan Street Inn has an antique charm.

[Three] Around Wenchang Pavilion: In the city center with convenient transportation, many hotel options with good value, such as Ramada by Wyndham Yangzhou Wenchang Pavilion.

❌【Avoid Pitfalls Tips】

[One] Don’t take a boat on Slender West Lake; walking is freer and the scenery is just as beautiful.

[Two] Don’t take tricycles around the scenic spots; they overcharge. Riding shared electric scooters is more cost-effective.

[Three] Don’t buy specialties on Dongguan Street in the scenic area; online shopping is much cheaper, like Sanhe and Simei pickled vegetables.