Top Things to Do in Jiangsu: Attractions, Itineraries & Tips

Written by Natalia | Updated January 13,2026

Located in the eastern coastal area of China, Jiangsu Province is like a long ink-wash painting. With a rich history and diverse natural scenery, it treats you with a charming journey through time and space. Where can you feel its full charm? Its capital Nanjing used to be the ancient capital of 6 dynasties. Suzhou is renowned as the “city of gardens”. The classic gardens here are famous for their exquisite designs and layouts. Besides, Wuxi and Yangzhou are also popular cultural cities.

Water is the soul of the province. The Yangtze River runs into the sea here. The world’s longest artificial canal, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, stretches from north to south. And the Taihu Lake nourishes the land of fish and rice. Then what are the things to do for tourists in Jiangsu? Follow us to find out the answer.

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Top Travel Destinations in Jiangsu Province
Things to Do in Suzhou (Gardens, Canals & Old Town)
Things to Do in Nanjing (History, Culture & City Views)
Things to Do in Wuxi (Lakes, Nature & Spiritual Sites)
Things to Do in Yangzhou (Gardens, Food & Slow Living)
What to Eat in Jiangsu
Suggested Jiangsu Itineraries
Travel Tips for Visiting Jiangsu
Explore Jiangsu with China Xian Tour

Top Travel Destinations in Jiangsu Province

Cities	Features	Best For
Suzhou	An oriental water city that combines exquisite classic gardens and water town charm perfectly	Cultural Lovers, Aesthetic Lovers and Slow Walkers
Nanjing	An ancient capital of 6 dynasties with plenty of historic attractions	History Lovers Who Want Depth
Yangzhou	The origin city of the Grand Canal, birthplace of Huaiyang cuisine, Slender West Lake	Tourists who pursue a leisurely life and enjoy elegant cuisine
Wuxi	Ancient canal culture, Taihu Lake,	Nature and culture lovers
Nantong	A vibrant city that integrates modern industrial civilization with magnificent river and sea views.	Tourists who prefer niche destinations
Taizhou	Sea island scenery and modern themed park	Nature lovers and families
Xuzhou	Birthplace of Han culture and unique local cuisine	History lovers
Suqian	Hometown of Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu, quiet and beautiful environment	Tourists who are interested in historic figures and tranquil scenery

Things to Do in Suzhou (Gardens, Canals & Old Town)

Explore Classical Chinese Gardens

If you are planning a Jiangsu Garden Travel, Suzhou will definitely be the first choice for every tourist. The classical gardens here are more than beautiful gardens, instead, they are the art masterpieces that integrate natural landscapes, poetic artistic conception and philosophical thoughts. In the limited space, the parks imitate the natural landscapes through the delicate layout.

The architectures, like pavilions, towers and corridors, are scattered among the rockeries, waters and flowers in a harmonious way. Borrowed scenery is the most wonderful design, which brings the scenery outside the park into view. During the tour, you will also find the doors, windows and caves are all natural frames. So, it is the top thing to do in Jiangsu for all tourists. Some top recommended gardens are:

Humble Administrator’s Garden: the largest and most representativewith water as the main theme for the whole park
Lingering Garden:like an architectural art museum with elegant buildings and long corridors
Lion Grove Garden: famous for stone labyrinths, China’s largest ancient rockery clusters

Related reading: Best Classic Gardens in China

Walk Along Canals and Old Streets

When wandering along the ancient canals and old streets, you will feel like living as an ancient person. Pingjiang Road and Shantang Street are the two most popular destinations. Both of them boast the representative small bridges, flowing water and houses, but the experiences are somewhat different.

Pingjiang Road is a serene painting beloved by literati. It basically retains the layout in ancient times. The water and land are paralleled and the rivers and streets are adjacent. You will feel a strong life atmosphere here.

Shantang Street is a prosperous scroll where numerous merchants gather. So it offers a more bustling atmosphere. The most charming moment is when the thousands of red lanterns are lit up together and reflected in the rivers at night. The visual impact is very strong. Do not miss this dreamy scene.

Take a Canal Boat Ride

The Canal and criss-cross water lanes are the soul of Suzhou. Undoubtedly, taking a boat ride is the best way to explore it. Just imagine. You travel through the old neighborhoods with white-washed houses by boat. Meanwhile, the canal life in Jiangsu on both banks unfolds before your eyes slowly. You can also hear the sound of the paddles cutting through the water surface. It is highly recommended to try it during your Suzhou tour. Here are some special boat tours for you.

Pingjiang Road: about 40 minutes, about CNY 40
Shantang River Cruise Route: about 30 – 50 minutes, CNY 50+
Night Cruise on Guantaiwei River: about 35 minutes, CNY 60
Ancient Canal Tour Route: about 80 minutes, CNY 138

Explore Silk and Handicraft Culture

Recognized as the “capital of handicrafts and folk arts” by UNESCO, Suzhou boasts over 3,000 varieties of crafts in 10 major categories and thus can offer you a rich cultural experience in Jiangsu. The silk here is famous all over China. There is also a Silk Museum. Here, the industry chain from sericulture to weaving is displayed completely. If you are interested in the history of the silk industry, pay a visit to the Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory. The old factory buildings are still preserved here. In both places, tourists can also watch the clerk operating the weaving machine on site. Besides the silk, the sculptures, fans and New Year wood-block prints are also representative handicrafts. All of them are suitable as souvenirs for families and friends.

Wander through Water Towns

Wandering around the water towns offers a more immersive experience. Under your feet is the road paved with green slabstones and before your eyes are the traditional residences with white walls and black tiles. Below are the famous water towns near Suzhou.

Zhouzhuang Water Town:renowned as the No. 1 water town in China. At daytime, the sounds of paddles, storytelling and the hustle and bustle of teahouses interweave together, forming a lively atmosphere. At night, the lanterns are on and the river shines like the starry sky, creating a prosperous scene.
Tongli Water Town:Tongli is surrounded by 5 lakes. Every house is adjacent to water and is accessible by boat. What makes it different is the Tuisi Garden situated inside the town, a world cultural heritage.
Luzhi Water Town:this town preserves the most primitive charm and is more tranquil. The most outstanding feature is the large number of ancient bridges. Now, there are a total of 41 bridges, thus reputed as the “capital of bridges in Jiangnan”.

Recommended Suzhou tour

3 DAYS

Suzhou Tour with Classical Gardens

Things to Do in Nanjing (History, Culture & City Views)

Explore Top Landmarks

Nanjing, carrying the memory of the 6 dynasties, boasts many historic and cultural landmarks. Try to explore the past of Nanjing in these landmarks.

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: renowned as the “first mausoleum in the history of modern Chinese architecture”. The architectural complex is built against mountain and gradually rises along the central axis from south to north. When viewed from the sky, it is like a “liberty bell”lying on a carpet.
Ming City Wall: Built in 1366, it is one of the longest, largest and best-preserved ancient city walls in the world. Different from the traditional rectangular layout, this wall is in an irregular shape, and is nestled against mountains and beside water.
Confucius Temple:this architectural complex consists of the temple itself, the academy and the examination hall, so it is one of the centers of ancient Chinese culture. A strong cultural atmosphere can be felt here.

Nanjing Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum — Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Visit Top Museums

Nanjing can be called a “city of museums”. Not only are there numerous museums here, but they also hold a rich collection. No matter you want to have an overview of Chinese civilization or focus on the vicissitudes of modern China, the museums can answer your questions.

Nanjing Museum: it is a national comprehensive Its 430,000 collections range fromancient to modern China, making it the best place to learn about the general history of China.
Presidential Palace:as the location of the government of several historical periods, the architecture itself is the most important cultural relic. Here, you can have an insight into China’s modern history.

Walk Around Qinhuai River

Qinhuai River is the “Mother River of Nanjing”. The “Ten-Mile Qinhuai” is its soul, which refers to the section flowing through the Confucius Temple. The landscapes will be more dreamy and charming when the lights on both banks of Qinhuai River are on at night. Just wander along to explore the surrounding historic streets and enjoy the snacks here.

Night cruise:if you are planning a night tour in Jiangsu, taking a night cruise along Qinhuai River is the top choice for every traveler. The routes mainly consist of the inner Qinhuai River east route and west route and the outer Qinhuai River route. The themes of the three routes are culture, history and natural scenery, respectively, meeting the diverse needs of tourists.
Xuanwu Lake:reputed as the “Pearl of Nanjing”, it is one of China’s largest royal garden lakes. Its beauty lies in the harmonious blend of mountain, river, city, and forest, suitable for walking and cycling.

Discover Nanjing Food

Just like the city history and culture, Nanjing cuisine is also profound and inclusive. It maintains the tradition, meanwhile combining the flavors all over China. The original taste and flavour are preferred by the locals. About the food materials, the duck undoubtedly ranks top. Besides, the seasonal vegetable is also a representative material.

Salted duck:this dish can be considered as the city card. Its history is over 1,000 years. The authentic salted duck is featured by white skin and tender meat. Meanwhile, it is fat but not greasy, and has a well-balanced saltiness and freshness.
Duck blood and vermicelli soup:in this fresh and delicious soup, you will taste the smooth duck blood, firm duck gizzard, chewy duck intestines and refreshing vermicelli.

Recommended Nanjing tour

2 DAYS

Nanjing Culture & Heritage Tour

Things to Do in Wuxi (Lakes, Nature & Spiritual Sites)

Enjoy Taihu Lake Scenery

The most beautiful section of Taihu Lake is situated in Wuxi. And the Turtle Head Isle offers the best view where a painting is formed naturally with long mountains, wide waters and dotted sailboats. The lighthouse and Luding Mountain allow you to catch the panoramic view. Here, you can also take a cruise to feel its vastness from water and get off at Taihu Fairy Island for sightseeing. Another highlight is the Li Garden, an exquisite garden built by the lake.

To facilitate tourists in enjoying the scenery of Taihu Lake, several lakeside walkways have been built around the lake. It will be relaxing to wander or cycle around. The sunset scenery is also very charming. Besides, if you visit here in spring or summer, appreciating the world-famous sakura flower sea and endless lotus is a must thing to do.

Visit Lingshan

Lingshan is one of eastern China’s major religious sites beside Taihu Lake. Below are the three wonders of the mountain. The iconic Lingshan Grand Buddha is an 88-meter-high bronze statue of Sakyamuni. Tourists can take the elevator to the Lotus Throne to clasp Buddha’s feet, a kind of prayer method. Here, you can also overlook Taihu Lake. Lingshan Palace is as large as over 70,000 sq. m. The architecture integrates the Buddhist grottoes art, where you will see delicate wood carvings, murals and glazed wares treasures. In Jiulong Guanwu Square, there are also large dynamic landscapes accompanied by music, which vividly reproduce the sacred scene of the birth of Sakyamuni.

In the evening, head to Nianhuawan Scenic Spot. The splendid night show will feast your eyes. Through a series of light shows, dance shows and drone shows, an aesthetic world full of Buddhist mood is created in the tranquil night.

Wuxi Lingshan Grand Buddha — Lingshan Grand Buddha

Explore Old Town Areas

The old town area is the most lively heartland of Wuxi. Different from the commercialized ancient towns, it is still full of a strong life atmosphere. Only by exploring here can you truly understand the city. Huishan Ancient Town is the essence of the old town area. It is not only a commercial street, but also an open ancient ancestral hall museum and a living exhibition site of Jiangnan garden art. Over 100 ancient ancestral halls gather here, covering several dynasties. Its scale and density are rarely seen in China. Also, do not forget to visit one of the four famous gardens in Jiangnna – Jichang Garden.

Other recommended places are the Ancient Canal Scenic belt and the Living Area near Chong’an Temple.

Things to Do in Yangzhou (Gardens, Food & Slow Living)

Stroll Around Slender West Lake

Slender West Lake is a flowing scroll composed of bridges, pavilions, and walking paths. Every scenic bridge is in a unique design and has its own story. Five Pavilion Bridge is reputed as the most beautiful bridge in China. Why? The 5 pavilions on the bridge resemble a blooming lotus when viewed from the sky. On full moon nights, each of the 15 apertures reflects one bright noon. What a breathtaking scenery! The ancient architectures around the lake are also important parts of the scenery. Some of them carry a long history, such as the fishing terrace, it is said that the Emperor Qianlong once fished here. Wandering along the peaceful walking paths to feel its tranquil beauty has been a recommended thing to do in Jiangsu.

Experience Yangzhou’s Food Culture

Bestowed with the “World Capital of Gastronomy” by UNESCO, the food culture in Yangzhou varies from the state banquet Huiyang Cuisine and the local breakfast culture. Every dish and every cup of tea tells the story of Yangzhou.

Huaiyang cuisine: one of the four traditional cuisines in China. It emphasizes highlighting the original flavor of food material through brilliant techniques. Wensi Toufu, stewed crab roe lion’s head meatball, braised shredded chicken with ham and dried tofu are signature dishes.
Traditional breakfast culture and tea houses:the breakfast culture shows the leisurely life attitude of local people. To experience it, the time-honored brands with an antique style are more recommended, such as Fuchun Tea House. Order a pot of tea and some delicate pastries to enjoy a relaxing morning.

Visit Traditional Gardens

Both Suzhou and Yangzhou are famous for classic gardens. Are there any differences? Suzhou gardens pursue elegance and delicacy to the extreme, while Hangzhou gardens balance the elegance in south and grandeur in north. With the influence of salt merchant culture, it also blends commercial luxury.

Ge Garden: the most amazing feature of this representative garden is the Four Seasons Rock Each one is stacked with different stones to distinguish the season. You will feel like experiencing the four seasons in a short time when visiting the garden.
He Garden: it is a classic private garden architecture. The multi-level corridor is the main architectural art. With a total length of 1,500 m, the corridor connects residences, courtyards, and landscapes in all directions.

Walk Through the Old City

To have a real journey through time, the Yangzhou Old City will not let you down. There are no bustling wide roads, but only over 500 ancient streets and lanes with quiet neighborhoods. When walking around, all the brick walls and black tiles, deep wells and old trees, mottled walls and polished stone-paved roads are telling the prosperity and serenity of the city. The early morning and late afternoon are more charming.

What to Eat in Jiangsu

Beyond sightseeing, what are other travel experiences beyond sightseeing in Jiangsu? Tasting the local food should not be missed. Here are some famous dishes in Jiangsu.

Wensi Tofu: the soft and tender tofu is cut into thousands of strands, which are as fine as hair and thin enough to thread a needle. It will melt in your mouth.
Suzhou sweet-style dishes: the pastries in Jiangsu are sweet, elegant and poetic. Green rice ball, scone with sweet fermented rice, begonia cake and plum cake are all worth tasting.
Yangcheng Lake hairy crab: the most famous seafood in Jiangsu. The crab has fresh, sweet and plump meat and rich crab roe.
Squirrel-like Mandarin Fish: this dish is made with fresh mandarin fish. It got the name because the fish looks like a squirrel after frying. It tastes sweet and sour.

Suggested Jiangsu Itineraries

3-5 Days Jiangsu Itinerary

For a 3-day Jiangxi travel, Suzhou + water town or Nanjing history + Wuxi are the most popular combinations. If you have 5 days, you are lucky to cover the highlights of all three cities.

Day 1: Humble Administrator’s Garden – Shantang Ancient Street – Tiger Hill – Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory
Day 2: Suzhou Museum – Zhouzhuang Water Town
Day 3: Lingshan Grand Buddha – Taihu Lake Turtle Head Isle
Day 4: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum – Xiaoling Tomb – Confucius Temple – Qinhuai River
Day 5: Ming City Wall – Niushoushan Forest Park

Recommended tour

5 DAYS

Jiangsu Highlights Tour to Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi

6-8 Days Jiangsu Itinerary

For tourists with 6 – 8 days, include also Yangzhou. The major tourist cities are all covered, so you will enjoy a more in-depth tour. The recommended route is Suzhou – Wuxi – Yangzhou – Nanjing. So you only need to add a Yangzhou day tour between Wuxi and Nanjing with the itinerary of Slender West Lake – Ge Garden – Dongguan Street.