TOUR IN JIANGSU

Welcome to Jiangsu Province, dear friends! Welcome to a land of prosperity and culture in East China!

Sprawling cosily by the Yellow sea, facing the tip of Korean Peninsula and Japan's Kyoshu Island, Jiangsu province is richly bestowed by nature. The breeze from the Pacific brings plenty of rainfalls favorable for growing rice. Its clear lakes, winding and calm rivers(including the lower reaches of the Yangtze), canals, and exquisite gardens were inspirations for countless poets, writers, and even emperors!

Now, close your eyes, and imagine yourself riding on a boat along one of the numerous rivers or on the famous Taihu Lake. The rice field on both sides are like green carpets, with whitewashed farmhouses dotted here and there. Everything around is peaceful and leisurely, including the gentle breeze and the swaying reeds. The Grand Canal , runs north-south through the whole province. On the lower reaches of the Yangtze River , the Yangtze Delta is especially famous for its prosperity.

Jiangsu was a kingdom called Wu during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC to 476 BC).The province was set up in Qing dynasty. It now produces varieties of agricultural products, such as rice, vegetables, fruits and fish. It also has well-developed silk and handicrafts industry. Some of China's loveliest cities, with their exquisite gardens, are located here.

Suzhou was an ancient capital founded in 514 BC. Crisscrossed by many canals, the city is called the Oriental Venice. It is one of the prettiest cities in China with its tree-lined streets,carved arch bridges, tiny whitewashed houses and classical gardens. The gardens are typical south China style. With fancy-shaped rockeries, curled-roof pavilions painted in soothing and harmonious colors, gentle lotus flowers and elaborately paved winding walkways, the gardens concentrate landscapes into an area of one or two acres. The most famous ones are Lion Grove, Wave Pavilion, Lingering Garden, Master of Nets, and Humble Administrator's. The Tiger Hill, with a Leaning Tower, is also attractive. Cold Mountain Temple and West Garden Temple have a lot of interesting stories to offer. There are Grand Canal Boat Tours. Suzhou is the ideal place to buy silk garments, sandalwood and silk fans. Its embroidery, called Su Embroidery, will surely win the hearts of many ladies by its rich colour and elegant style.

Yangzhou, 20 km north of the Yantze on the Grand Canal, is 2400 years old and is also famous for its gardens and pavilions. Emperors tired of work and strict court rules used to come here by pleasure-boat for a change. Relax yourself and enjoy the view of its ancient architecture when you are there. Or take a boat ride along the Slender West Lake, which is 4.3 km long, and immerse your mind with the tranquility of the watercolor-like scenes on the bank. The Five Pavilion Bridge in full moonlight brings back nostalgic memories of the good old time. The Daming Temple, founded in the 5th century, has 18 3-meter-high Buddhist statues. Its Jian Zhen Memorial Hall was built in honour of Jian Zhen, an abbot who introduced Buddhism, Tang literature, medicine, architecture and other arts to Japan. Guang Ling is the only place in China where you can see the Song dynasty printing process. The lacquerware, jade carving, paper cuts and potted landscapes made in Yangzhou are fine arts and crafts. Oh, yes, one thing I must tell you, the dumplings are delicious!

Nanjing (South Capital) is a port on Yangtze River. It was a capital intermittently for hundereds of years. In 1842, the Treaty of Nanking was signed here ending the 1st Opium War. In 1937, during the tragic Massacre of Nanjing, 300,000 Chinese were killed by the Japanese army. A museum was built to commemorate this event. Nanjing today is a city with broad avenues thickly lined with sycamore trees. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is on an 80,000-square-meter site. Dr. Sun Yat-sen was China's 1st president. He fought the Manchu emperor who was unable to fend China from the invasion of foreign powers. Vally of the Soul Temple is located on a beautiful, wooded area. Ming Tomb is the Mausoleum of the 1st Ming emperor. There are also Botanical Garden, Xuanwu Lake, Purple Gold Mountain with the Observatory, Nanjing City Wall and Drum Tower, Rain-Flower Martyr's Memorial Park and Sorrow- Free Lake Park. These are all places full of legends and moving stories from history.

Zhenjiang is a city where the Grand Canal meets the south bank of the Yangtze. Many battles were fought here. Toward the end of the 1st Opium War, it was the only city that strongly resisted the foreign powers. It is bound on three sides by hills and on the north by the Yangtze River. From its three hills, you can get magnificent views of the Yangtze.

Wuxi, one of the oldest cities in China, was founded over 3000 years ago.Its Taihu Lake is where many of China's best gardens, including the Summer Palace, get their rockeries. Its classical Chinese gardens are small but lovely. The Li Garden, Plum Garden, and Relaxing Garden, once private gardens, now attract millions of tourists each month. On the 2213-square-meter Tai Lake are islets, temple and pavilions. Locally made are delicate clay figurines, freshwater pearls and silk.