Destination Travel Guide
Welcome to Jiangsu, China
If Beijing is the seat of power, Jiangsu is the soul of culture. Located in the fertile Yangtze River Delta, this province is a masterpiece painted in water and ink. It is the land of “Fish and Rice,” where ancient canals thread through white-washed towns and world-class gardens hide behind unassuming walls. China Explorer Tour invites you to slow down and savor the sophistication of the South. Imagine sipping green tea in a pavilion built by a Ming Dynasty scholar, drifting on a hand-sculled boat through a water town that predates Venice, or tasting cuisine so delicate it was served to emperors. Our curated China travel packages peel back the layers of this wealthy region, taking you from the tragic history of Nanjing to the ethereal beauty of Suzhou’s canals. A comprehensive Jiangsu travel guide is your invitation to a world of refined elegance and timeless romance on your China vacation.
Top Destinations in Jiangsu: Cities to Explore
The magic of Jiangsu lies in its water. The Grand Canal, the world’s longest artificial river, runs through the entire province; a boat tour in Yangzhou or Suzhou offers a glimpse into this ancient engineering marvel. Taihu Lake (shared with Wuxi) is a scenic gem, particularly in spring when the cherry blossoms bloom at Yuantouzhu. For a quintessential water town experience, China Explorer Tour recommends Tongli or Zhouzhuang; staying overnight here allows you to see the lanterns reflect in the water after the day-trippers have left—a magical moment on a China adventure.
Most popular Jiangsu tour package
If you want a mix of comfort, local insight, and a well-planned day, China Explorer Tour offers tailored tours with friendly guides.
8 Days China Group Tours: Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai
3-Day Shaoxing Tour: Lakeside Culture & Yellow Wine Heritage China Tour Package
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park One-Day Tour: Avatar Mountains, Tianzi Mountain & More
Destination Travel Guide
1. Nanjing
Nanjing is a city of colossal history and tree-lined avenues. It carries the weight of the past with grace. Walk the Ming City Wall, the longest in the world, or pay respects at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum nestled in the purple mountains. It is a city of resilience and remembrance, essential for understanding modern China on a Nanjing tour.
Destination Travel Guide
Suzhou is the aesthetic peak of China. Famous for its UNESCO-listed Classical Gardens (like the Humble Administrator’s Garden) and silk industry, it is a maze of canals and stone bridges. It is the epitome of “Jiangnan” beauty and a top priority for any China cultural trip.
Destination Travel Guide
3.Yangzhou
Yangzhou is where life slows down. Once the wealthiest city due to the salt trade, today it is famous for its Morning Tea culture and the Slender West Lake. It is a city of poets and leisure, perfect for a relaxing China holiday.
Destination Travel Guide
4. Changzhou
Changzhou offers a modern twist. It is home to the China Dinosaur Park, a massive attraction for families, and the serene Tianmu Lake. It blends ancient history (Yancheng Ruins) with high-tech fun.
Destination Travel Guide
5.Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang sits where the Grand Canal crosses the Yangtze. It is famous for its aromatic Vinegar and the Jinshan Temple, the setting for the legendary “Legend of the White Snake.” It is a city of myths and hillside temples.
Destination Travel Guide
6.Kunshan
Between Shanghai and Suzhou lies Kunshan, the richest county in China. But its soul is Kunqu Opera, the “mother of all Chinese operas.” It is also home to Zhouzhuang, the most famous water town in China, known for its twin bridges and gondola rides.
Destination Travel Guide
7. Lianyungang
Far to the north on the coast is Lianyungang. It is the setting for the classic novel Journey to the West. Huaguo Mountain (Flower and Fruit Mountain) is said to be the home of the Monkey King. It offers a mix of mountain hiking and seaside views different from the south.
Most popular China tour package
If you want a mix of comfort, local insight, and a well-planned day, China Explorer Tour offers tailored tours with friendly guides.
Tailored China Tours for Global Travelers
Our diverse team brings rich experiences from both sides of the East/West, and they can understand precisely what international visitors want in a China tour.
Real Local Experiences in China
Our best China tours go beyond sightseeing and make you like a local to explore hidden treasures, taste authentic flavours, and participate in daily activities.
Curated Social Connections
We design various types of tours to China carefully, which are tailored to meet the diverse needs of families, couples, friends, and solo travellers.
Transparent Pricing
We promise to provide high-quality China tours plan with no hidden costs. And you'll enjoy worry-free travel with clear pricing and great value for money.
ROUTES
COUNTRIES EXPLORERS
YEARS EXPERIENCE
HAPPY TRAVELERS
What to Eat in Jiangsu - Food Lover’s Guide
Jiangsu cuisine (Su Cuisine/Huaiyang Cuisine) is one of the Four Great Traditions, known for its knife skills, sweetness, and presentation. A culinary-focused China travel package is a banquet of elegance. You must try the Lion’s Head Meatball, a giant, fluffy pork meatball stewed in clear broth or soy sauce. Yangzhou Fried Rice is the global standard, but tasting it here with sea cucumber and shrimp is a revelation. In Nanjing, Salted Duck is the local obsession. But the king is the Soup Dumpling (Tangbao); in places like Jingjiang, they are so full of soup you need a straw to drink them! Trust our Jiangsu food guide and let China Explorer Tour book you a table during Hairy Crab Season (Autumn) for the ultimate delicacy.
How to Get Around Jiangsu: Transportation Tips
Jiangsu has the densest High-Speed Rail network in China. You can zip between Nanjing, Suzhou, and Shanghai in minutes. Nanjing Lukou Airport is the main international gateway. However, the water towns (like Zhouzhuang) are often not directly on the train line. A private transfer from China Explorer Tour is the most comfortable way to connect the dots. We can drive you from your Suzhou garden hotel directly to the waterside entrance of Zhouzhuang, handling your luggage so you don’t have to drag it over cobblestone bridges.
Best things to do in Jiangsu
The best things to do in Jiangsu are refined. A Night Cruise on the Qinhuai River in Nanjing is non-negotiable; seeing the lighted pavilions is like traveling back to the Ming Dynasty. Listening to a Kunqu Opera performance in a tea house in Suzhou or Kunshan is a cultural immersion into high art. We also recommend hiking Purple Mountain in Nanjing to see the mausoleums and the observatory. In Spring, a Boat Ride on Slender West Lake in Yangzhou is the definition of leisure. With China Explorer Tour, your Jiangsu trip is a lesson in the art of living.
What and Where to Shop in Jiangsu
Shopping in Jiangsu is legendary. Suzhou is the silk capital; it is the premier place in your China travel package to buy Silk Scarves and Qipao (traditional dresses). Visit a silk factory to see the worms and looms. Nanjing Cloud Brocade (Yunjin) is a UNESCO heritage craft, weaving gold and silver threads into fabric—once reserved for emperors. Nearby Yixing is famous for Purple Clay Teapots, the best vessels for tea in the world. Zhenjiang Vinegar is also a popular, practical souvenir. As your Jiangsu travel guide, China Explorer Tour advises buying silk from reputable institutes to ensure it is 100% mulberry silk.
Essential Jiangsu and China Travel Tips
Here are must-know tips to make your China trip smoother
FAQ's
Find answers to your questions before joining a tour so that you can find out exactly what you want to know. If you have more question please feel free to reach us via contact form.
Yes. Especially in Suzhou and Wuxi. Dishes like Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish (Squirrel Fish) are famous. If you don’t like sweet savory food, stick to the salty/fresh dishes or tell your China Explorer Tour guide.
Yes. It’s only 25 minutes by train. But to see the gardens and a water town properly, we recommend at least 2 days.
Zhouzhuang is the most famous (and crowded). Tongli is more authentic. Luzhi is quieter. We help you choose based on your preference for crowds vs. atmosphere.
Yes! The Humble Administrator’s Garden and Suzhou Museum are extremely popular. Tickets often sell out days in advance. We secure these for you.
It is damp and chilly (0°C-5°C), but it doesn’t have central heating like the north. It feels colder than the temperature suggests. Pack warm layers for a China winter tour.


















