Yangzhou and Slender West Lake

Yangzhou is a historic canal city in central Jiangsu, China, and the Slender West Lake (Shouxihu) at 28 Da Hongqiao Road, Hanjiang District, is its best-known scenic area. The narrow, winding lake was shaped by Qing-dynasty salt merchants who built gardens, pavilions and bridges along its banks to impress visiting emperors. Highlights include the Five Pavilion Bridge, the white pagoda on Lotus Mound (Lianxing Temple area) and the Twenty-Four Bridge, set among willows and tea-house gardens. From Huai'an the trip is straightforward: a high-speed train runs from Huai'an East to Yangzhou East on the Lianyungang-Zhenjiang line, after which a taxi or city bus reaches the lake, and coaches also run from Huai'an Central Bus Station at 69 North Huaihai Road. Check timetables and fares on 12306 or Trip.com. A one-day arc works well with an early train, reaching the lake in the morning when crowds are lighter and the light is good for photography. A slow walk or boat ride along the lake takes most of the morning. Lunch is a chance to try Huaiyang cuisine, with dishes such as lion's head meatballs, Yangzhou fried rice and dumplings, and the old-town tea houses serve breakfast-style dim sum. The afternoon can be spent at the Ge Garden or in the Dongguan Street old quarter before an evening train back. The best windows are March to May, when spring blossoms and willows are at their best, and September to November, when the weather is clear and mild. Summer is hot and humid and peak holiday weekends bring heavy crowds. Plan to arrive by mid-morning and allow around five hours at the lake itself.