Yaodi Ancient City, Jinhu

Yaodi Ancient City is a waterside old-town complex on Yongsheng Road in Licheng Subdistrict, Jinhu County, Huai'an, Jiangsu province, China. It is not a beach in the seaside sense; the draw is a themed old town built around canals, with stone-paved lanes, arched bridges and buildings reflected in calm, shallow water. There is no sand or surf, and the water is a quiet urban canal rather than a swimming area. The layout is a compact network of waterways and streets rather than a long open shoreline, and the atmosphere is leisurely and photogenic, suited to families, couples and groups on an evening stroll. It is not a party or swimming destination. Amenities include waterside streets with canals, evening lighting along the water, cafes, snack stalls and souvenir shops, and public toilets and parking. There are no sun loungers or lifeguards. Jinhu County lies about 60-70 km south of Qingjiangpu by road. Visitors can take a coach from the Central Bus Station to the Jinhu County bus station and then a Didi, or take a Didi directly, which takes about 1 hour. Parking is available near the old town. The best seasons are April-May and September-November, when the weather is mild and the evenings are comfortable. Summer is hot and humid, though evening lighting makes later visits pleasant, while winter can be cold. Visitors usually spend two to three hours walking the canals, sampling snacks and watching the lights come on at dusk. It can be combined with the Jinhu Lotus Pond or other county sights for a full day.