Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Hillside mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China, reached by 392 granite steps on Purple Mountain. Entry is free but a passport-linked timed reservation is required.
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About Jiangsu
Jiangsu lies on China's central-eastern coast, bordered by Shandong to the north, Anhui to the west, Zhejiang and Shanghai to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the east. The Yangtze River crosses its southern half and the Grand Canal runs north-south through it. Its capital, Nanjing, was China's capital under several dynasties and holds the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Purple Mountain, and the Confucius Temple district. To the south, Suzhou's classical gardens and the water towns of Zhouzhuang, Tongli, and Luzhi showcase Jiangnan culture, while Wuxi offers Taihu Lake and the Lingshan Grand Buddha, Yangzhou and Zhenjiang offer canal-side history and food, and Xuzhou and Lianyungang in the north bring Han dynasty relics and coastal mountains. Jiangsu has one of China's densest high-speed rail networks, and Shanghai is under an hour away from Suzhou.
- Capital
- Nanjing
- Largest city
- Suzhou
- Population
- ~85.2 million (end of 2025)
- Languages
- Mandarin Chinese, Wu Chinese (Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou), Jianghuai Mandarin (Nanjing, Yangzhou, Huai'an)
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan
- Time zone
- China Standard Time (UTC+8)
Explore Jiangsu by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Jiangsu
The 20 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
UNESCO-listed tomb of the Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang), founder of the Ming dynasty, approached by the Sacred Way lined with stone camels, elephants and officials.
Nanjing Museum
One of China's largest museums, with a Republican-era main hall and Jiangsu collections of jade, bronze and Ming-Qing art. Free, but entry needs a timed passport reservation.
Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River (Fuzimiao)
Reconstructed Confucian temple complex on the Qinhuai River with lantern-lit lanes, food streets and evening boat rides.
Nanjing City Wall at Zhonghua Gate
Part of the 25 km Ming dynasty city wall; Zhonghua Gate is the largest surviving gate fortress in China, with walkable ramparts and a small museum.
Presidential Palace (China Modern History Museum)
Former Qing viceroy compound, seat of Sun Yat-sen's provisional government in 1912 and later the Nationalist government, now a museum with gardens.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Jiangsu Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Jiangsu, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Jiangsu
- Days 1-2Jiangsu city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Jiangsu
- Days 1-3Jiangsu comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Jiangsu, departure
Where to stay in Jiangsu
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget ¥350 (approx $52)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range ¥900 (approx $134)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury ¥2,700+ (approx $403+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Jinling Hotel Nanjing
Landmark high-rise on Xinjiekou square, opened 1983 and long the symbol of modern Nanjing; connected to the Xinjiekou metro interchange (Lines 1 and 2) and the main shopping district.
Check rates on Booking.comSheraton Nanjing Kingsley Hotel & Towers
350-room hotel on Hanzhong Road about a five-minute walk from Hanzhongmen and close to the Xinjiekou financial and shopping district.
Check rates on Booking.comHilton Nanjing Riverside
Riverside Hilton near the Yangtze in Gulou District, suited to visitors combining the Yangtze River Bridge and Xiaguan area with the city centre.
Check rates on Booking.comUrCove Nanjing Confucius Temple
Hyatt's UrCove lifestyle brand near the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River area, convenient for evening walks along the canal and the Laomendong old-town streets.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Jiangsu
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Nanjing Impressions (Nanjing Da Pai Dang), Fuzimiao
Nanjing Impressions is a chain of Republic-era-styled restaurants with a branch in the Fuzimiao scenic area near the Qinhuai River. Period-costume waiters, open snack counters and a picture menu make it an easy first stop for Nanjing dishes.
Plum Garden (Mei Yuan), Jinling Hotel
Plum Garden is a long-running formal restaurant on the second floor of the Jinling Hotel in the Xinjiekou district. Local families use it for banquets, and its salted duck and Huaiyang set dishes are regarded as reliable.
Jiming Temple Vegetarian Restaurant (Jimingsi Sucai)
The vegetarian restaurant at Jiming Temple serves Buddhist vegetarian food beside one of Nanjing's oldest temples. It is inexpensive and suits vegetarians in a meat-heavy province.
Songhelou (Guanqian Street)
Songhelou is one of Suzhou's oldest restaurants, known for squirrel-shaped mandarin fish. The Guanqian Street branch is a short walk from the pedestrian shopping street.
Deyuelou
Deyuelou is a historic Suzhou restaurant on Taijian Lane, close to Songhelou. It serves Su-style banquet food with a sweeter profile.
Zhu Hongxing Noodle Shop (Guanqian Street)
Zhu Hongxing is a well-known Suzhou noodle house serving the clear-broth noodles and separate toppings the city is known for.
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Getting around Jiangsu
Jiangsu is one of China's best-connected provinces, with Nanjing as the capital and a high-speed rail corridor to Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou. Nanjing Lukou (NKG) is the primary international gateway, while Suzhou relies on Shanghai's airports and Wuxi's Shuofang Airport (WUX). Metro, DiDi ride-hailing and buses cover the cities, and self-drive rental is impractical for most foreign visitors.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in CNY, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ¥150 (approx $22) | ¥450 (approx $67) | ¥1,700 (approx $254) |
| Food (per day) | ¥100 (approx $15) | ¥250 (approx $37) | ¥600 (approx $90) |
| Transportation | ¥70 (approx $10) | ¥120 (approx $18) | ¥250 (approx $37) |
| Activities | ¥30 (approx $4) | ¥80 (approx $12) | ¥150 (approx $22) |
| Daily total | ¥350 (approx $52) | ¥900 (approx $134) | ¥2,700+ (approx $403+) |
Best time to visit Jiangsu
Weather through the year in Jiangsu
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Jiangsu.
Essential travel tips
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with an international card before arrival, since most vendors prefer mobile payment; keep some cash as backup
- Buy high-speed rail tickets in advance through the 12306 app or Trip.com during holiday periods
- Visit Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden at opening time to avoid tour groups
- Visit Zhouzhuang and Tongli on weekday mornings, or stay overnight to see them after day-trippers leave
- Reserve the Nanjing Museum in advance through its official website or WeChat account and bring a passport
Safety information
Emergency numbers in China: police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119, traffic accident 122; the national tourism complaint line is 12301.
Jiangsu is one of China's safest provinces; the main risks are pickpocketing in crowded metro cars and at Fuzimiao, and taxi or boat touts near tourist gates.
Carry the passport at all times; hotels register foreign guests with the local police and museums check the passport at the gate.
Use Didi (available in English inside Alipay) or a metered taxi; insist on the meter (dabiao) and never accept an unlicensed car offered at the station.
Water: drink bottled or boiled water; tap water is not recommended for drinking.
Pollution and summer heat: check the AQI app on hazy days, and carry water in July and August when temperatures reach 35 C (95 F).
During the mid-June to mid-July Meiyu plum-rain season, bring a rain jacket and waterproof shoes.
Many scenic areas require real-name reservations; a missed slot cannot usually be refunded, so confirm timings the day before.
Pharmacies (药店) stock common medicines; for serious care go to a tertiary (三甲) hospital such as Jiangsu Province People's Hospital in Nanjing or Suzhou's Children's/Municipal hospitals with international departments.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Jiangsu?
It depends on nationality. Citizens of about 50 countries, including most of the EU, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days under a unilateral policy currently in effect through December 31, 2026. Nationals of many other countries, including the United States and Canada, can use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit if entering through an eligible port and continuing to a third country or region. Everyone else needs a Chinese visa in advance. Confirm current rules at en.nia.gov.cn before travelling.
What is the best way to get around Jiangsu?
High-speed rail is the easiest way between Jiangsu's cities: Nanjing to Suzhou takes about 1 hour, and Shanghai to Nanjing about 1 to 1.5 hours. Buy tickets on the 12306 app or Trip.com with a passport. Within cities, metro and Didi ride-hailing are cheap and widely available; intercity buses reach the water towns.
What food is Jiangsu famous for?
Jiangsu cuisine is delicate, lightly sweet, and built on freshwater ingredients. Signature dishes include Suzhou's squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, Yangzhou fried rice and Huaiyang lion's head meatballs, Nanjing salted duck, and Zhenjiang vinegar-braised pork. Wuxi is known for sweet spare ribs.
What are the top attractions in Jiangsu?
The top attractions include the classical gardens of Suzhou, Nanjing's Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Purple Mountain, the water towns of Zhouzhuang, Tongli, and Luzhi, Wuxi's Taihu Lake and Lingshan Grand Buddha, and Yangzhou's Slender West Lake.
Explore Jiangsu by city
The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.
Huai'an
Huai'an travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Huai'an, Jiangsu, China.
Kunshan
Kunshan (昆山) is a county-level city in Jiangsu province, eastern China, administered by Suzhou and bordering Shanghai. It is the birthplace of Kunqu opera, the home of the water towns Zhouzhuang, Jinxi and Qiandeng, and one of China's wealthiest manufacturing cities.
Nanjing
Nanjing travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Suqian
Suqian travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Suqian, Jiangsu, China.
Suzhou
Suzhou (苏州) is a canal-laced city in Jiangsu province, eastern China, about 25 minutes by high-speed train from Shanghai. It is famous for its classical gardens, several of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, its whitewashed lanes and stone bridges, and its silk and Kunqu opera traditions. Suzhou has been called the Venice of the East for more than 2,500 years of waterside history.
Wuxi
Wuxi (无锡) is a Jiangsu city on the northern shore of Lake Taihu, about 30-40 minutes by high-speed train from Shanghai. It is known for the Lingshan Grand Buddha, Yuantouzhu lake peninsula, the Grand Canal district at Qingming Bridge and sweet-leaning local cuisine.
Yangzhou
Yangzhou (扬州) is a Jiangsu canal city on the north bank of the Yangtze, about 90-120 minutes by rail from Shanghai and 30-60 minutes from Nanjing. It is known for Slender West Lake, private gardens, the Grand Canal and Huaiyang cuisine.
Yixing
Yixing travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Yixing, Jiangsu, China.