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.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Yangzhou.
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1
Slender West Lake (瘦西湖)
A narrow, willow-lined lake garden in the northwest of the old city, laid out by salt merchants and Qing emperors and the city's best-known scenic area.
Tip: Enter by the south gate (Main Gate) on Dahongqiao Road and exit by the north gate near Daming Temple if combining the two · Buy tickets on the official WeChat mini-program or Trip.com to skip the gate queue · Take the lake boat from Yuhua dock to Wuting Bridge for the classic view of the Five Pavilion Bridge and the White Pagoda · Passport is needed for real-name tickets; foreign visitors can use the staffed counter
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2
Daming Temple (大明寺)
A Buddhist temple on Shugang hill founded in the 5th century, where the monk Jianzhen taught before sailing to Japan, with Pingshan Hall and long views.
Tip: Dress modestly and keep voices low in the halls · Climb to Pingshan Hall behind the main complex for the best views toward the Yangtze · Allow time at the Jianzhen Memorial Hall; key displays have English captions · Combine with Slender West Lake via the north gate walkway
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3
Geyuan Garden (个园)
A Qing salt-merchant garden famed for its four rockery 'seasons' around a bamboo grove, one of China's four great historic gardens.
Tip: Arrive at opening to avoid tour groups in the narrow rockery paths · Walk the four hills in order: spring, summer, autumn, winter · Buy a combo ticket with He Garden if offered on the mini-program · Combine with Dongguan Street, a five-minute walk east
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4
He Garden (何园)
The Qing-era Jixiao Mountain Villa of the diplomat He Zhidao, notable for its two-storey covered corridor and its mix of Chinese and Western architecture.
Tip: Walk the elevated corridor, about 1,500 m, which circles the garden · Look for the Western-style shuttered windows and glass in the east wing · Combine with Geyuan on a half-day walking route · The open-air stage and pavilions are best photographed from the corridor
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5
Dongguan Street (东关街)
A restored 1.1 km stone-paved street of Ming and Qing shops, tea houses and snack stalls running from the Dongguan Gate to the Grand Canal.
Tip: Start at the Dongguan Gate (Dongguanmen) and walk east to the canal · Try Yangzhou baozi and cold noodles at the stalls and shops · Evening lantern lighting makes the street photogenic but crowded · Several workshops show lacquerware and paper-cut crafts
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6
China Grand Canal Museum (中国大运河博物馆)
A national museum opened in 2021 beside the Three Bends section of the canal, telling the history of the 2,500-year-old Grand Canal.
Tip: Reserve through the museum's official WeChat account at least a day ahead; bring a passport · Allow time for the sail-shaped architecture and the multimedia theatre · Combine with a boat on the Three Bends canal section · Closed Mondays; check holiday reservation windows
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7
Yangzhou Museum (扬州博物馆)
The city's main history museum, with Han lacquerware, Tang gold and silver, and a gallery on Yangzhou's Eight Eccentrics painters.
Tip: Reserve on the museum WeChat account with a passport number · Look for the lacquer gallery and the Eight Eccentrics scrolls · English panels are limited, so use a translation app · Pair with nearby Wenchang Pavilion
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8
Wenchang Pavilion (文昌阁)
A 1585 Ming pavilion standing at the crossroads of the old city, now a roundabout landmark that is lit at night.
Tip: Cross using the underpass since the pavilion sits in the middle of a roundabout · Best photographed at dusk when lit · Close to the Yangzhou Museum and the old city lanes · Walkable from Dongguan Street
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9
Xu Garden (徐园)
A small 1914 garden by the lake, built to honour a warlord and long a venue for Yangzhou poetry gatherings.
Tip: Enter via the lake path from the Slender West Lake south gate · Look for the garden's small stage and tea pavilion · Visit on the way to Five Pavilion Bridge · Often used for local poetry and opera events
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10
Shi Kefa Memorial Hall (史可法纪念馆)
A memorial to the Ming general Shi Kefa, who defended Yangzhou against the Manchu army in 1645.
Tip: Visit with the Meihua Ridge garden next door · Look for the display on the 1645 siege · Allow time for the tomb garden area · English text is limited
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks And Scenic Areas
Slender West Lake (瘦西湖)
A narrow, willow-lined lake garden in the northwest of the old city, laid out by salt merchants and Qing emperors and the city's best-known scenic area.
Ancient Grand Canal and Three Bends (古运河与三湾)
A stretch of the Grand Canal where the waterway bends three times, with a wetland park and the museum at its edge.
Religious Sites
Daming Temple (大明寺)
A Buddhist temple on Shugang hill founded in the 5th century, where the monk Jianzhen taught before sailing to Japan, with Pingshan Hall and long views.
Gardens And Parks
Geyuan Garden (个园)
A Qing salt-merchant garden famed for its four rockery 'seasons' around a bamboo grove, one of China's four great historic gardens.
He Garden (何园)
The Qing-era Jixiao Mountain Villa of the diplomat He Zhidao, notable for its two-storey covered corridor and its mix of Chinese and Western architecture.
Xu Garden (徐园)
A small 1914 garden by the lake, built to honour a warlord and long a venue for Yangzhou poetry gatherings.
Xiaopanguoyuan and Zhuoyuan Lanes (小盘谷与逸圃)
A cluster of Qing residences in Dongguan's back lanes, including the Xiaopanguoyuan rock garden and the Yipu garden.
Historic Streets
Dongguan Street (东关街)
A restored 1.1 km stone-paved street of Ming and Qing shops, tea houses and snack stalls running from the Dongguan Gate to the Grand Canal.
Wenchang Pavilion (文昌阁)
A 1585 Ming pavilion standing at the crossroads of the old city, now a roundabout landmark that is lit at night.
Yangzhou Salt Merchants' Mansions (盐商宅第群)
A group of restored Qing salt-merchant houses in the old city, showing the wealth that built Yangzhou's gardens.
Museums
China Grand Canal Museum (中国大运河博物馆)
A national museum opened in 2021 beside the Three Bends section of the canal, telling the history of the 2,500-year-old Grand Canal.
Yangzhou Museum (扬州博物馆)
The city's main history museum, with Han lacquerware, Tang gold and silver, and a gallery on Yangzhou's Eight Eccentrics painters.
Shi Kefa Memorial Hall (史可法纪念馆)
A memorial to the Ming general Shi Kefa, who defended Yangzhou against the Manchu army in 1645.
Historic Sites
Sui Emperor Yang Tomb Site Park (隋炀帝陵遗址公园)
The archaeological park around the tomb of Emperor Yang of Sui, discovered in 2013; he died in Jiangdu in 618.
Wenfeng Pagoda (文峰塔)
A seven-storey Ming brick pagoda on the Grand Canal south of the old city, standing since 1582.
Ping Shan Hall (平山堂)
A hilltop lecture hall founded in 1048 by the poet-official Ouyang Xiu, with a long view over the Yangtze plain.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most gardens and temples open about 07:00-17:30; museums open Tue-Sun about 09:00-17:00 and close Mondays.
- Fees
- Slender West Lake about CNY 100-150 (~$14-21); Geyuan and He Garden each about CNY 45 (~$6); Daming Temple about CNY 45 (~$6); Grand Canal Museum and Yangzhou Museum free with reservation.
- Best Times
- Late March to early May for willows and rapeseed blossom, and October for mild weather; summer is hot and humid.
- Booking
- Book Slender West Lake, the Grand Canal Museum and the Yangzhou Museum through each site's WeChat mini-program or Trip.com; museums need a passport number.
- Transport
- Yangzhou has no metro in the old city; use Didi, taxis, city buses (Alipay or WeChat Pay) or bike-share. The old-city sights are within a 20-minute taxi ride.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Reserve Slender West Lake and museums a day ahead; passport is required
Start with the lake at opening and finish at Dongguan Street for dinner
Carry cash in small notes; some small gardens have weak card support
Use Amap or Baidu Maps; Google Maps is unreliable in China
Closed Mondays: Yangzhou Museum, Grand Canal Museum, Sui tomb park
Frequently asked questions
How many days are needed in Yangzhou?
Two days covers Slender West Lake, Daming Temple, Geyuan, He Garden and Dongguan Street; add a third day for the canal museum and a day trip to Zhenjiang.
Is Yangzhou worth visiting with Suzhou and Nanjing nearby?
Yes. Yangzhou is quieter and cheaper than Suzhou, with a distinct salt-merchant garden style and the Grand Canal story.
What is the best season?
March to May for blossom and willows, and October to November for mild days; July and August are hot.
Is the city good for solo travellers?
Yes. It is compact and safe, with hostels near Dongguan Street and easy Didi access.