jiangsu travel

Nanjing Confucius Temple, a National 5A Tourist Attraction, is the first national institution of higher learning in China, one of the Four Great Confucian Temples in China, and an important hub of ancient Chinese culture. From a historical perspective, Confucius Temple was not only the educational center of Nanjing during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, but also the leading educational architectural complex among the southeastern provinces.

Jiangsu is like a miniature version of China, a perfect fusion of tradition and modernity. The Yangtze River and Huai River divide Jiangsu into three distinct regions—southern Jiangsu water towns, the Jianghuai plains, and the Yellow Sea coast. The charm of Jiangsu tourism lies in its successful integration of profound historical heritage, refined cultural arts, picturesque natural scenery, vibrant modern cities, and a leisurely philosophy of life. The splendor of Nanjing’s Six Dynasties, Suzhou’s classical gardens and storytelling traditions, Yangzhou’s salt merchant culture, and Xuzhou’s Chu-Han grandeur… any one of these is worth in-depth exploration.

In Nanjing, every scenic spot holds a grand or subtle story, and every building bears witness to the interweaving of history and modernity. To wander through Jinling is to converse with the turbulence of the past or with moments of quiet ease; it is to let the dusty days of bygone times stir up a little ash from deep within the embers. — To the most beautiful mountains and rivers, and to the most beautiful home.

In the mainland China high school entrance examination Chinese-language paper, the classical Chinese reading comprehension passage Record of the Lingering Garden served as a lead-in. The essay topic then extended to “visiting the Lingering Garden and discovering the stories of Jiangnan gardens,” inspiring young people to explore the knowledge behind historical and cultural heritage in Suzhou’s classical gardens.

Nanjing, also known as Jinling, is an ancient capital of six dynasties. The city’s charm paints a magnificent historical scroll. The gently flowing Qinhuai River has nurtured the timeless Jinling, carrying the rise and fall of the ancient capital. A city where the old and new coexist, Nanjing offers endless highlights—countless grand events of Jinling and picturesque landscapes that never cease to amaze.

Wuxi, a “Pearl of Jiangnan” set on the shores of Taihu Lake, weaves together lingering Wu charm, ethereal Zen ambience, and vibrant local life into a distinctive “Wuxi-style lifestyle.” The water here is flowing poetry — at Yuantouzhu, cherry blossom petals fall like rain upon the lake surface; at Liyuan, hydrangea blooms wash the gardens in a dreamlike scene reminiscent of a Monet painting. The streets here are living history books — the 118 ancestral halls of Huishan Ancient Town tell of a thousand years of cultural heritage, while the oar songs and lantern reflections of Nanchang Street sway with the prosperity of the Grand Canal

During the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty, there was an imperial censor named Wang Xianchen. Due to conflicts with powerful officials at court, he retired and returned to his hometown. He purchased the abandoned site of Dahong Temple and built a garden as a place of seclusion. Dissatisfied with the reality of his time, he named it the Humble Administrator’s Garden, inspired by the Jin Dynasty writer Pan Yue’s phrase: “Tending the garden and selling vegetables to provide daily meals—this too is the way of governance for a humble man.”

Yuantouzhu is a peninsula located on the northwestern shore of Taihu Lake in Wuxi City. It is named “Yuantouzhu” because a giant rock juts into the lake, resembling a giant turtle raising its head.

20 years ago, I took advantage of a business trip to visit Suzhou. Although I stayed for less than 24 hours, I had an extremely good impression of the city.