Jiangsu, an eastern Chinese province, has over 1000-kilometer (620 miles) coastline along the Yellow Sea. There are two great rivers flowing through the whole province: Yangtze River from west to east and Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from north to south. Its population totals 73.54 millions. With an annual average temperature ranging from 13 C to 16 C, the climate in Jiangsu is semi-humid and subtropical. The best time for a visit should be in spring and autumn.
   Nanjing, one of the six ancient capitals of China, is also the administrative center of Jiangsu Province. Known as the Capital City of Six or Ten Dynasties in China's history, it has a brilliant cultural heritage.

Tourism
Dr.Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum
  Covering an area of 80,000 square meters (about 20 acres), Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum is located in the Zhong Mountain Scenic Area in the east suburb of Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. As the mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the father of the Republic of China, it is considered the Holy land of Chinese people both home and abroad. With deep historical significance, magnificent architecture and beautiful scenery, it is a must see when traveling in Nanjing.The majestic mausoleum's construction was started in 1926 and completed in 1929.
  Qin Huai River, a branch of the great Yangtze River, is 110 kilometers (about 68 miles) in length and covers a drainage area of 2,631 square kilometers (about 1,016 square miles). Qin Huai River is the largest river in the Nanjing City area and is the 'life blood' of the city.
  There are many famous sites of interest along the banks of the Qin Huai River , including Confucius Temple, Zhanyuan Garden, Zhonghua Gate, and the sights along the Taoye Ferry ride to Zhenhuai Bridge.

Confucius Temple
   South of the city center, the Confucius Temple in Nanjing is located on the bank of the Qinhuai River. Built in Song Dynasty, it is the place of worshipping and offering sacrifices to Confucius. Now it becomes the center on commerce and tourism with the Jiangnan (southern bank of the Yangtze River) Ming and Qing Dynasty's architectural characteristic after its recent expansion, renovation and restoration.

 

Culture
   Jiangsu is rich in cultural traditions. Kunqu, originating in Kunshan, is one of the most renowned and prestigious forms of Chinese opera. Pingtan, a form of storytelling accompanied by music, is also popular: it can be subdivided into types by origin: Suzhou Pingtan (of Suzhou), Yangzhou Pingtan (of Yangzhou), and Nanjing Pingtan (of Nanjing). Xiju, a form of traditional Chinese opera, is popular in Wuxi, while Huaiju is popular further north, around Yancheng. Jiangsu cuisine is one of the eight great traditions of the cuisine of China.

 

Dining
Duck Blood Soup
   The name of this dish may sound odd to foreigners who might wonder how the blood and soup is combined. The cook collect the blood of a freshly killed duck or goose and stir, then seal and refrigerate until ready to use. The result is blood cakes. The soup is seasoned with salt, pepper, and subtly spicy undertones. Simmer gently for several minutes and serve with eggs, noodles and caraway. This food is the top of all travelers' recommendations. The cheap stalls at Fuzimiao dining street sell the best at 3.5 yuan.
Fried Spring Onion Pancake
   This is a kind of fried pastry that is filled with shallot, meat and other ingredients and usually covered with a pastry crust. It is also a popular breakfast snack. The best place to taste it is Liu Feng Ju.

 

Shopping
Salted Soup Duck
  The delicious vacuum-packed Salted Soup Duck and Pressed Duck are two musts for travelers who want to buy gifts for families or friends. The noted brands include Gui Hua, Lu Hua and Bai Lu. Pay attention to the production date.

Cloud Brocade
   Named for artistic cloud pattern weaves, Cloud Brocade is a traditional silk product originally from China's Southern Dynasties (420 - 589). In the Qing period (1644 - 1911), cloud brocade production reached its height when a brocade and embroidery production institute called "Jiangning Zhizao" was established in the city. Fantastic brocade clothes were produced for emperors and royal families. Today, cloud brocade products include costumes, ethnic clothes, cushions, quilt covers, carpets, wall hangings and other craftworks.
Wooden Carvings
  The fine wood carving artworks presenting animals, floral plants, Chinese legendary and mythical figures and stories are eye-catching in shop windows. The rosewood works often depict dignified religious figures such as arhats and Buddha whereas the bright boxwoods usually depict lively animals and legendary figures.

Transportation
Air
   CAAC have regular air connections to all major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hangzhou and so on.The flight time from Beijing to Nanjing is a little less than two hours and one hour by air from Shanghai.
   Lu Kou International Airport (NKG) in Nanjing is located to the southeast of the city, 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the city center. Getting there by the 29-kilometers (18-mile) Airport Highway takes about 45 minutes.
Water
   Bordered by the Yangtze River, Nanjing has a developed water transport network. Passenger cruise ships can take travelers to Zhenjiang, Yangzhou and Nantong in Jiangsu Province or downstream along the great Yangtze to Shanghai and upstream to Wuhu, Anqing, Jiujiang and Chongqing and other ports of call.

   Suzhou is located in the center of the Yangtze Delta, in the south of Jiangsu Province, Since 42% area of the city is covered by water, including a vast number of ponds and streams, Suzhou is praised as the 'Oriental Venice'. Suzhou belongs to the monsoon ocean climate zone with slightly cold winter and humid summer. The best time to travel is during the spring and autumn seasons.

 

Tourism
The Humble Administrator's Garden
  Located in northeast Suzhou, it is the largest private garden in the city. It's a more traditional "outdoors" garden with streams, ponds, bridges, and islands of bamboo forests. It was constructed in the 1500s in the Ming Dynasty by Wang Xianchen, an imperial censor. The complex consists of four parts: the eastern, central, western parts and a dwelling quarter.

    A famous Song Dynasty poet, Su Shi said, 'It is a lifelong pity if having visited Suzhou you did not visit Tiger Hill.' Tiger Hill, known also as Surging Sea Hill, is a large hillock covering some14100 square metres (over three acres) and is 36 metres (118 feet) in height. Climbing the hill, you will find a number of historical sites some of which can be traced back over 2500 years to the founding of Suzhou. Although the hill is relatively small it has rich history.

Culture
  Suzhou is the birthplace of the flourishing Wu Culture which has had immense influence in the regions embracing Taihu Lake, west of Shanghai, southeast of Nanjing, northwest of Zhejiang and south of Yangzhou and Huaiyin.
   The historic Wu Culture has left Suzhou City with a series of attractive heritages, including the classical gardens and water townships, the melodic rhythm of Kun Opera and Ping Tan (Suzhou ballad), the Wumen Fine Arts School, the Suzhou handcrafts and the Jiangsu Cuisine.

 

Dining
   Suzhou has been called the 'land of milk and honey' since ancient times and Jiangsu cuisine, of which Suzhou cuisine makes up one important part, is one of the eight famous culinary arts in China. Derived from local time-honored culinary skills, Suzhou cuisine attains its unique sweet flavor from strictly selected materials, an elaborate way of cooking, and a unique color, aroma and shape.

   Suzhou snacks are also worth trying since they are no less famous than Suzhou cuisine. Just like the authentic Suzhou dishes, pastries and confectionery in Suzhou are also eaten according to season. Scones with sweet fermented rice in spring and moon cakes stuffed with fresh meat in autumn will certainly satisfy your appetite.

 

Shopping
Su Embroidery
  Su embroidery is one of the four major styles of Chinese Embroidery. Vivid depictions of animals, people, landscapes and flowers are popular themes of Su embroidery. Traditional embroidery is blended with fashionable contemporary elements, yielding a style of embroidery that is appreciated by both Chinese people and foreigners.
Song Brocade
  From ancient times, the silk produced in Suzhou has been considered among the best in China. As its name implies, Song Brocade, which is woven from the outstanding silk of Suzhou, is made in the style of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Song Brocade, which is made in a variety of styles and serves many functions, is always elegantly designed and colored.
Biluochun Tea
Biluochun green tea is produced in Wu County, Suzhou of Jiangsu Province. It is one of the ten famous Chinese Teas and is noted for its smooth shape, fresh color, fragrant aroma and mellow taste. The best Biluochun tea leaves are picked during March and April, and the prepared tea leaves are curled like screws and covered with white fuzz.

 

Transportation
 Air
   Despite being an important tourist destination, Suzhou does not have its own international airport at present. It is best to use the airports of nearby Shanghai. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) and Pudong International Airport (PVG) are used frequently by domestic and international visitors.
Hongqiao Airport (SHA) is 86 kilometers (about 53 miles) away from Suzhou. Every day shuttle buses run between SHA and Suzhou. The whole journey takes about one hour and forty minutes.
Train
   Almost all the trains running on the Hu-Ning (Shanghai-Nanjing) Railway stop at the Suzhou Railway Station. Suzhou is the terminus and starting station for five trains to and from Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Ganzhou (Jiangxi Province) everyday. The rest of the trains are bound for Shanghai from Beijing, Chengdu, Xian, Qingdao, Xining and Nanjing, etc., but stop in Suzhou. Usually, at least two trains to Shanghai stop in Suzhou each hour. 
Bus

   Buses leave regularly from the Shanghai Bus Station adjacent to the railway station for some destination and from the South Bus Station for many buses in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The journey is usually about 2hrs 30mins from Shanghai. Hangzhou is about 2.5 hours by car to/from Suzhou.
Boat
   Between Hangzhou and Suzhou there is an overnight ferry on the Grand Canal, which departs at 5:30pm and arrives around 7:00am.