Jiangsu
This beautiful 19th-century garden in the east of the old town delightfully translates as the ‘Withdraw and Reflect Garden’, so named because it was the…
Must-see attractions in Jiangsu
Suzhou
Beautifully enhanced by flowering magnolias in spring, this delightful courtyard and former temple contains a pair of sublime pagodas, which don't often…
Nanjing
This underrated park, just south of Xuanwu Lake, has a peaceful world-away feel and a delightful array of statues dotted around its leafy hills. The park…
Suzhou
The Suzhou Silk Museum houses fascinating exhibitions detailing the history of Suzhou’s 4000-year-old silk industry. Exhibits include a section on silk…
Suzhou
One of the lesser-visited gardens around Suzhou is the charmingly small Qing-dynasty Garden of Harmony, which has assimilated many features of older…
Jiangsu
Zhouzhuang's most iconic bridges are this Ming-dynasty pair (双桥, Shuāngqiáo) gracing the intersection of two waterways in the heart of town.
Jiangsu
Across Quanfu Bridge and 400m east of the old town, the Temple of the God of Wealth is housed in the former residence of Shen Wansan, Zhouzhuang's 14th…
Suzhou
Straddling the Grand Canal southeast of Suzhou, and boasting 53 arches, the lovely Precious Belt Bridge was once a Tang dynasty construction, although the…
Jiangsu
In the north of town, quiet Pearl Pagoda dates from the Qing dynasty and contains a spacious residential complex decorated with Qing-era antiques, an…
Nanjing
Near the entrance to the Míng Xiàolíng Tomb, this large copse of plum trees bursts into floral fragrance each spring, drawing crowds. It's the site of the…
Suzhou
The tranquil Couple’s Garden is off the main tourist route and sees slightly fewer visitors than the other gardens, and its pond, courtyards and garden…
Jiangsu
On the 2nd floor of Shen's House and mostly skipped by tour groups, possibly because of the steep staircase. There are some furnished rooms up here and a…
Nanjing
One of the original 13 Ming city gates, renovated in 2001. The gate is located in a small park in the north of town and is connected to Taiping Gate (5…
Jiangsu
In the middle of Shantang Jie, this attractive courtyard complex is known for its intricately carved beams. Look out for wooden impressions of officials,…
Jiangsu
This elegant Ming-dynasty estate in the west of town has 41 beautifully restored halls that have been redecorated with paintings, calligraphy and…
Jiangsu
The old town of Mudu is principally hemmed in by the canal and Xiangxi Xilu. It's a small area to explore, and you only need half a day to do it justice.
Nanjing
This delightfully historic campus is worth a stroll to appreciate its traditional architecture, lovely trees and green spaces.
Suzhou
Literally meaning 'Cold Mountain Temple' and founded around AD 500, Hanshan is famous in China thanks to a Tang-dynasty (618–907) poem that is taught at…
Suzhou
This magnificent temple, with its mustard-yellow walls and gracefully curved eaves, was burnt to the ground during the Taiping Rebellion and rebuilt in…
Suzhou
Jinji Lake lies at the very heart of Suzhou's Industrial Park neighbourhood, home to many of the city's young professionals and expats. At 7.4 sq km,…
Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall
Nanjing
The north section (北馆; ¥40) of this extensive subterranean museum, marked by the stunning reflection pool on Gongyuan Jie, has contemporary displays on…
Suzhou
In an interesting old residential area of Sūzhōu, this quiet, unpretentious historic house has a lovely classical Chinese garden. It belonged to Yu Yue …
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom History Museum
Nanjing
Hong Xiuquan, the Hakka leader of the quasi-Christian Taiping, had a palace built in Nanjing (then named Tianjing or 'Heavenly Capital'), but the building…
Nanjing
The glassy lake in this lovely, verdant 530-hectare park – backing onto the towering city wall – is studded with five interconnected isles scattered with…
Suzhou
This informative little museum, west of the ticket office for the Humble Administrator's Garden, gives an overview of the history, evolution and aesthetic…
Suzhou
Constructed in 1342 by the Buddhist monk Tianru to commemorate his master, who lived on Lion Cliff on Zhejiang’s Tianmu Mountain, this garden's curiously…
Jiangsu
This large and attractive temple originally dates to the 10th century, but has been largely reconstructed (since last being mostly destroyed during the…
Suzhou
Small but charming public park in Sūzhōu's downtown area. Popular amongst local retirees, this is a great place to experience China's outdoor group…
Suzhou
The Grand Canal – its name much grander than its modern-day appearance – passes to the west and south of Sūzhōu, within a 10km range of the town. Hop on…
Nanjing
Peaceful but maudlin Wuchaomen Park is home to the Ming Palace Ruins, and usually filled with locals practising ballroom dancing while saxophonists,…
Jiangsu
This exhibition of more than 1200 crystal dendrites (crystals that form in rock fissures) was collected over a period of 30 years by a husband-and-wife…
Nanjing
Visiting Bridge Park is probably the easiest way to get up onto the Yangzi River Bridge. Catch bus 67 from Jiangsu Lu, northwest of the Drum Tower (鼓楼;…
Jiangsu
A low, forested hill about 13km west of Sūzhōu and famous for its medicinal spring waters, Tiānpíng Mountain is a wonderful place for hiking or just…
Jiangsu
The amber-hued ‘Full Fortune’ temple was originally founded during the Song dynasty, but has been repeatedly rebuilt. The structure you see today is an…
Suzhou
The antique fans on display here demonstrate the skillful painting and embroidery of the art form. Many of the silk fans feature a cat motif; rat-catching…
Jiangsu
This huge, faux–Ming dynasty complex is filled with tourist shops and a couple of exhibition halls. Admission is free and the landscaped gardens, ponds,…
Suzhou
Down a narrow lane, this small museum is dedicated to kūnqǔ, the opera style of the region. The beautiful old theatre houses a stage, musical instruments,…
Suzhou
This delightful pagoda was built in 1004 and overlooks the Pan Gate Scenic Area in the southwest of the old town.
Nanjing
A tree-lined pathway winds around pavilions and picnic grounds in the Míng Xiàolíng Scenic Area and ends at this scenic lake.
