Jiangsu

Jiangsu is a coastal province in East China. It is one of the leading provinces in finance, education, technology, and tourism, with its capital in Nanjing. Jiangsu is the third smallest, but the fifth most populous, with a population of 84.75 million, and the most densely populated of the 22 provinces of the People's Republic of China. Jiangsu has the highest GDP per capita and second-highest GDP of Chinese provinces, after Guangdong. Jiangsu borders Shandong in the north, Anhui to the west, and Zhejiang and Shanghai to the south. Jiangsu has a coastline of over 1,000 kilometers (620 mi) along the Yellow Sea, and the Yangtze flows through the southern part of the province. Since the Sui and Tang dynasties, Jiangsu has been a national economic and commercial center, partly due to the construction of the Grand Canal. Cities such as Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, and Shanghai (separated from Jiangsu in 1927) are all major Chinese economic hubs. Since the initiation of economic reforms in 1990, Jiangsu has become a focal point for economic development. It is widely regarded as one of China's most developed provinces, when measured by its Human Development Index (HDI). Its 2021 nominal GDP per capita reached CN¥137,300 (US$21,287), becoming the first province in China to reach the $20,000 mark. Jiangsu is home to many of the world's leading exporters of electronic equipment, chemicals and textiles. It has also been China's largest recipient of foreign direct investment since 2006. In 2022, its GDP was more than CN¥12.29 trillion (US$1.83 trillion nominal), which is the sixth-highest of all administrative divisions. If it were a country, it would be the twelfth-largest economy as of 2022 as well as the 19th most populous. Jiangsu is also one of the leading provinces in research and education in China. As of 2022, Jiangsu hosts 168 institutions of higher education, ranking first of all Chinese provinces. Jiangsu has many highly ranked educational institutions, with 16 number of universities listed in the Double First-Class Construction, ranking second after Beijing. As of 2023, four major cities in Jiangsu ranked in the world's top 200 (Nanjing 6th, Suzhou 40th, Zhenjiang 166th and Wuxi 188th) cities by scientific research output, as tracked by the Nature Index.

One-Day Jiangsu Tour Itinerary Recommendations

Theme:

Water Town Charm + Classical Gardens + Gourmet Paradise

Suitable for:

Short trips in Nanjing/Suzhou/Yangzhou, optimal with high-speed rail + walking

Practical Tips

Tickets:

Humble Administrator's Garden ¥70 (book ahead) | Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum free | Slender West Lake ¥100 (free before 7am)

Transport Hacks:

Suzhou Station to Humble Garden: ¥15 taxi | Nanjing Metro Line 2 to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Yangzhou attractions are walkable; e-bikes recommended

Food Secrets:

Suzhou: Mute Shengjian buns, gorgon fruit sweet soup

Nanjing: Beef potstickers, "live pearls" (balut)

Yangzhou: Gaoyou salted eggs, scalded dried tofu shreds

Optimization Tips:

Suzhou alternative: Master-of-Nets Garden night tour (Apr-Oct)

Short on time in Nanjing? Skip Jiangning Textile Museum

Yangzhou deserves overnight stay for misty morning lake views

(Note: Each city offers distinct flavors—Suzhou for gardens, Nanjing for history, Yangzhou for leisure!)

Option 1:

Suzhou Gardens & Ancient Towns

Best for:

Culture lovers, photography enthusiasts

Transport:

Suzhou metro + walking

07:30-09:00 Humble Administrator's Garden

Top of China's Four Great Gardens, admire "borrowed scenery" techniques (arrive at opening to avoid crowds)

09:30-11:00 Pingjiang Road

Take a hand-paddled boat while listening to Pingtan (Suzhou ballad), visit Cat's Blank Bookstore & teahouses

11:30-13:00 Authentic Suzhou Lunch

Recommended: Deyuelou Restaurant (squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, sizzling eel)

13:30-16:00 Zhouzhuang/Tongli (choose one)

Zhouzhuang: Twin Bridges + Shen House | Tongli: Retreat & Reflection Garden + Three Bridges night view

17:00 Jinji Lake Sunset

See "Big Pants" skyscraper reflection at Li Gong Di, dinner at Eslite Bookstore

Option 2:

Nanjing Imperial & Republic Heritage

Best for:

History buffs, Republic-era fans

Transport:

Nanjing metro + bike-sharing

08:00-10:00 Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Climb 392 steps for Purple Mountain views (closed Mondays)

10:30-12:00 Ming Xiaoling Sacred Way

Autumn ginkgo avenue (best in Nov) | Plum Blossom Hill (Feb-Mar)

12:30-14:00 Nanjing Impressions Restaurant

Must-order: salted duck, Meiling porridge, red bean dumplings

14:30-17:00 Presidential Palace + Jiangning Textile Museum

Time-travel from Qing Dynasty weaving to Republic history

18:00 Qinhuai River Night Cruise

Take painted boat under lanterns, try duck blood soup at Laomendong

Option 3:

Yangzhou Slow Living Experience

Best for:

Leisure seekers, foodies

Transport:

Walking + pedicab

07:00-09:00 Quyuan Morning Tea

San Ding buns + emerald shaomai + Kuilongzhu tea ("water-wrapped-in-skin" culture)

09:30-11:30 Slender West Lake

Highlights: Five Pavilion Bridge, 24 Bridges, Xu Garden (spring crabapple blossoms)

12:00-13:30 Huaiyang Cuisine Lunch

Recommended: Yechun Teahouse (bean curd shred soup, lion's head meatballs)

14:00-16:00 Geyuan Garden + Dongguan Street

See four-season rockeries, buy Sanhe Simei pickles

17:00 Traditional Scrub Experience

"Skin-wrapped-in-water" Intangible Cultural Heritage technique (Yangzhou Scrub House)