Taizhou: Jiangsu's Most Relaxing City – The Perfect Getaway When You Need a Break

In China, there is such a city:

When Marco Polo came to China,

he praised it: "This city is not very large,

but it abounds in all the happiness of the mortal world."

It has been rated as China's happiest city.

Yet it is also widely recognized as a city of leisure,

where time slows down the moment you arrive.

It lacks the bustling crowds of Suzhou and Hangzhou,

but its waterways cover a quarter of its area,

and though not as globally renowned as Yangzhou, the world's culinary capital,

it embraces the slow-paced lifestyle of

"morning tea in water, evening bath in water."

Its morning tea and delicacies are countless,

and the best crab roe soup dumplings are found here!

It may surprise you—

this "ancient water town," this "auspicious and peaceful land": Jiangsu·Taizhou!

"Taizhou is too beautiful, smooth sailing and flowing water,"

a place that radiates harmony and contentment,

a place that will leave you in awe!

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Taizhou, Taizhou, the Auspicious Land!

In Jiangsu, Taizhou seems to be a

blank spot—when listing the most low-key cities in Jiangsu,

it sits by Yangzhou, beside the Yangtze River,

yet is overshadowed by Yangzhou in every way;

as if it devotes more effort to living life with care.

Be a Taizhou local and enjoy a few days of slow-paced water-town life:

admire the scenery, stroll through old streets, savor morning tea, slurp soup dumplings…

Slow down in the serene composure nurtured over 2,100 years.

The ancient city of Taizhou boasts a long history and rich cultural heritage.

Over the centuries, this city has preserved

countless historical relics and humanistic stories.

Those ancient buildings and historical sites

still stand "unshaken" through millennia of wind and rain.

Be sure to take a walk along Taizhou’s Old Street.

A seemingly simple and unadorned lane,

yet it encapsulates the essence of Taizhou.

A mere 600 meters long—not much,

but enough to evoke memories for Taizhou locals.

©Tuchong Photographer Tomrrey

An old residential area dating back to the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties,

It has not been destroyed or submerged by urban development,

Preserving the cultural heritage of the city.

©Tuchong Fabio Nodari

©Tuchong Frank_Sheu

Be sure to visit the ancient towns of Taizhou.

With 60,000 square meters of ancient architecture,

The town features secluded alleys, cobblestone streets, and old courtyard wells.

On one side of the ancient town is a bustling old street,

While the other side has narrow, winding cobblestone alleys, deep and interlaced.

Leading into the simple and tranquil former residence of an academician.

Not as famous as Zhouzhuang or Wuzhen,

But the Huangqiao sesame cakes here are exceptional,

Only then will you know what real sesame cakes look like.

The ancient town is composed of "five streets and seven alleys,"

Yet it boasts its own unique pride.

Regarding the four old streets—east, west, south, and north:

Need money? Go to East Street—pawnshops and banks,

Need clothes? Head to South Street—general merchandise and fabrics.

For comfort, head to West Street — Bathhouse Inn,

For delicious food, go to North Street — culinary delights.

Slow down in the Confucian charm of cultural richness.

Countless elegant figures have shaped Taizhou.

▲ Mei Lanfang’s Former Residence, Mei Garden © Tuchong Chenglin666

Stories from the past come flooding in~

Feel the majesty of "Taizhou’s Cultural Pulse."

© Tuchong Frank_Sheu

Step into the life of this legendary figure.

© Tuchong Frank_Sheu

Experience the incense that has lingered for millennia.

"The scenery of Hailing is said to be nine temples and thirteen shrines."

Perhaps in the unending smoke of a thousand years,

The people of Taizhou are serene—uncontentious, fearless, angerless,

Worry-free, desireless, unattached, ungreedy, and unyielding.

The Buddha’s true relic is enshrined in the temple.

Generations of eminent monks have gone forth from here to the world.

Slow down in the picturesque scenery of the millennia-old water city.

She is a city embraced by the Yellow Sea, Huai River, and Yangtze,

A quarter of the city is water—water is her soul.

The waters of Taizhou have shaped this unique water city,

and also forged Taizhou's gentle, serene, and exquisitely beautiful character.

You can take a stroll around the Fengcheng River.

While most city centers are filled with towering skyscrapers,

Taizhou's urban core boasts the Fengcheng River,

an ancient city river with a water area of 838,000 square meters.

Most are located around the Fengcheng River,

which connects over 30 riverside attractions into one,

showcasing Taizhou's four distinctive cultural features: history, opera,

folklore, and commerce.

© Tuchong Photographer Tomrrey

At night, take a boat tour along the Fengcheng River,

and the riverside scenery will unfold before your eyes.

When the boat passes the Stone Boat and Mei Garden,

you can also enjoy actors performing classic operas.

Drifting on the water, accompanied by Kunqu opera along the way,

it feels like an artistic journey through history and culture.

The night cruise route: Taoyuan—Wanghai Tower—Wenchang Pavilion—Yingchun Bridge—Gulou Bridge—Pozijie, entering Taizhou's bustling commercial district.

You can visit the Qianhuang Rapeseed Flower Fields.

Known as the world's most beautiful rapeseed flower fields,

Renowned worldwide for its unique "raised fields" terrain,

Each isolated plot resembles islands floating on water,

Earning the title "Land of Ten Thousand Islands."

Golden rapeseed flowers bloom across the raised fields,

The peak blooming period is around Qingming Festival, making it the ideal time to visit.

You can explore Lizhong Water Forest.

It is the largest artificial ecological forest in Jiangsu,

Home to over 100,000 bald cypress and pond cypress trees.

Immersed in this scenery, one feels refreshed and joyful.

© Tuchong WaitforLight

You can visit Qinhu Wetland.

The first national wetland park in Jiangsu Province,

And the second national wetland park in China.

Known as the "Hometown of Milu Deer."

It embodies the vibrant local life of Taizhou residents.

Taishan Park, People's Park, Taixing Park,

Tiande Lake Park, Ancient Ginkgo Park…

All offer quick immersion into the local lifestyle.

As you wander, you become part of the scenery.

Slow down and savor the leisurely pace of Taizhou life.

The people of Taizhou have their own interpretation of "slowness",

"water-wrapped skin in the morning, skin-wrapped water in the evening",

"listening to storytelling after meals, enjoying leisurely operas at night",

have long embodied this leisure and comfort,

truly illustrating the earthly happiness described by Marco Polo.

Like Yangzhou, the "water-wrapped skin" morning tea culture,

imbues the city with an aura of "slow living",

which is simply a leisurely morning.

A bowl of fish soup noodles, a steamer of crab roe buns,

these are the classic trio of Taizhou's morning tea essentials.

Morning tea without dried tofu shreds is soulless!

Crab roe buns are also a signature dish of Taizhou,

It is said that the most delicious crab roe soup dumplings in China are found in Taizhou,

and the best crab roe soup dumplings in Taizhou are in Jingjiang.

"A bowl of fish soup noodles rivals the longevity of an immortal." Taizhou's fish soup noodles feature a rich broth,

© Tuchong Time Archives - Liu Jikun

"Listening to storytelling after meals, enjoying leisurely operas at night",

is part of the daily pleasures of Taizhou's residents.

From dawn to dusk, one can often see many opera fans in costumes,

practicing their vocals or singing arias in Taizhou's major parks.

Take a boat across Taoyuan and enjoy the Kunqu opera "The Peach Blossom Fan."

Sway your head and listen to a performance on the stage.

© Tuchong Frank_Sheu

All are "steeped" in delicious flavors.

Even though this city may not have a strong presence,

Taizhou undoubtedly holds its own place.

Although Taizhou was separated from Yangzhou in 1996,

the millennia-old culinary culture of Yang-Tai remains inseparable.

As one of China's four major cuisines—

Taizhou encompasses almost all the finest dishes of Huaiyang cuisine.

Along with the connected "skin-wrapped water" morning tea culture,

it also imbues the city with a "slow-living" vibe.

Taizhou is worth a visit just for the food!

Taizhou is the largest crab-producing region in China,

and also the city that knows best how to enjoy crabs.

© Tuchong Eric_sheng

Dried tofu shreds have always been a staple on Taizhou dining tables—

whether for morning tea or main meals.

© Tuchong andsonwang

Collectively known as the "Eight Delicacies of Qin Lake."

Taizhou: One of the must-try local dishes.

Stroll through the old streets, take a night cruise on the city river,

Listen to traditional tunes, savor the local delicacies...

Taizhou Tips:

2. Haitang Chun Tea House: Offers a wide variety of dishes with decent flavors.

3. Huibin Lou: A time-honored restaurant serving morning tea and Huaiyang cuisine.

4. Jinyue Lou: Affordable prices with high cost performance.