Take a trip to Gaoyou and experience a different kind of beauty

Transportation Guide

- External Transportation: You can choose to fly to Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport, then take the airport shuttle bus or a taxi to downtown Gaoyou; alternatively, you can take a train to Gaoyou Station or Gaoyou North Station, then take a bus or taxi to the city center.
- Internal Transportation: Gaoyou’s downtown area is not large, making taxis a convenient and reasonably priced option; you can also choose shared electric scooters to freely and conveniently explore the streets and alleys.

Attractions Introduction

- Historical and Cultural
- Yucheng Post Station: One of the most well-preserved ancient post stations in the country. You can climb the Ming Dynasty Drum Tower to overlook the canal scenery and learn about the operation of ancient post stations.
- Wenyoutai: One of the Eight Scenic Spots of Ancient Qin You. Su Shi and Qin Shaoyou once drank and discussed literature here. The architecture is simple and elegant, with profound cultural heritage.
- Wang Zengqi Memorial Hall: Featuring unique architecture, the hall displays Wang Zengqi’s life and works through photos and manuscripts, allowing visitors to feel his literary charm and the local style of Gaoyou depicted in his writings.
- Natural Scenery
- Gaoyou Lake: One of the largest freshwater lakes in Jiangsu Province, where you can enjoy the lake and mountain views, and experience activities such as the lake’s flower sea (available from March to April) and net fishing.
- Gaoyou Lake Reed Wetland Park: With lush lake grasses and diverse flora and fauna, you can take a small boat to navigate through and get close to nature.
- Religious and Cultural
- Zhenguo Temple: Located in the center of the canal, it features a Tang Dynasty ancient pagoda, a wisteria flower corridor, red walls, and glazed tiles. The scenery is stunning at dusk.
- Pure Land Temple Pagoda: Built during the reign of Ming Shenzong, the pagoda has seven levels and is about thirty meters tall. It is a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

Food Recommendations

- Specialty Dishes: Gaoyou Lake hairy crabs, with plump meat and rich crab roe, are best enjoyed steamed; double-yolk duck eggs, with large yolks and tender whites, moderately salted, can be eaten directly or used in cooking.
- Local Snacks: Pu Bao meat, soft and glutinous with a fragrant aroma, can be served cold or in soup; shrimp roe wontons, with thin translucent wrappers and a soup base enhanced with lard, are fresh and delicious; also worth trying are pepper yangchun noodles and soy sauce mixed noodles featured in Wang Zengqi’s writings.

Accommodation Suggestions

- High-end: Gaoyou Huifu Jinling Grand Hotel, fully equipped with attentive service, offers lake view rooms to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Gaoyou Lake.
- Budget: All Seasons Hotel Gaoyou, with a prime location, convenient transportation, clean and tidy rooms, and high cost performance.
- Unique: You can choose homestays near Wenyoutai that preserve traditional architectural styles, allowing you to deeply experience local customs and culture.

Itinerary Planning

- Two-day Tour: On the first day, after arriving in Gaoyou, visit Yucheng Post Station, then head to the Wang Zengqi Memorial Hall in the afternoon, and stroll along South Gate Street in the evening to enjoy night market delicacies. On the second day, visit Wenyoutai in the morning, taste specialty foods at noon, then go to Gaoyou Lake and Zhenguo Temple in the afternoon to appreciate the lake and mountain scenery and the ancient temple views.
- Three-day Tour: On the first day, explore historical charm by visiting Wenyoutai, the Ming and Qing Canal Old Route in Gaoyou, and Zhenguo Temple. On the second day, experience the water town atmosphere by visiting Reed Wetland Park and Lingtang Hui Ethnic Township. On the third day, appreciate cultural charm by visiting the Wang Zengqi Memorial Hall, enjoy free activities, and select unique souvenirs.