Okay, I'm happy to introduce Gaoyou to you.

Gaoyou, a county-level city under the administration of Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, is located in the Yangtze River Delta and the lower reaches of the Huai River. It gets its name from the **high platform built and postal station established here during the Qin Dynasty by Emperor Qin Shi Huang**, making it the only city in China named after 'you' (postal/post), earning it the reputation of 'Oriental Postal Capital'.

Gaoyou is a famous historical and cultural city with over 7,000 years of civilization and more than 2,000 years of urban history. It boasts not only a long history but also the beauty of a water town and the richness of a land of fish and rice. Unlike some bustling popular tourist cities, it holds profound historical heritage and unique charm.

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**Core Highlights and Features**

1. **Ancient Canal Post, Oriental Postal Capital**
* Gaoyou was born and thrived because of its postal heritage. **Yucheng Post Station** is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient post station relics in China, an important station on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, witnessing Gaoyou's glorious history as an ancient transportation hub.
* Related to this are the **China Philatelists Museum**, **Postal Culture Museum**, and more, which are very suitable for tourists interested in postal history and philatelic culture.

2. **Watery Wonderland, Gaoyou Lake Scenery**
* **Gaoyou Lake**: Jiangsu Province's third-largest lake and China's sixth-largest freshwater lake. The lake surface is vast and misty, with magnificent scenery, a natural ecological treasure trove. The lake is rich in various aquatic products, especially famous for **Gaoyou Salted Duck Eggs**.
* **Zhenguo Temple Pagoda**: Built in the Tang Dynasty, it stands on a small island in Gaoyou Lake, known as the 'Buddhist Kingdom on the Lake'. It is Gaoyou's most iconic landmark. When the sun sets, the pagoda's reflection shimmers in the lake, creating a breathtaking view.

3. **Hometown of Celebrities, Long Cultural Heritage**
* **Qin Guan, a Song Dynasty poet**: Also known as Shaoyou, he was a master of the graceful and restrained ci poetry style, and Gaoyou was his hometown. Within the city, **Wenyoutai** was built, said to be where literati like Su Shi and Qin Guan once drank and discussed literature, symbolizing Gaoyou's cultural lineage.
* **Wang Zengqi, a modern writer**: This writer, hailed as a "lyrical humanist," filled his works with deep affection for the people and customs of his hometown, Gaoyou. Exploring Gaoyou, following in Wang Zengqi's footsteps to experience local life, offers a unique flavor.

4. **Delicacies on the Tip of Your Tongue**
* **Gaoyou Salted Duck Eggs**: Absolutely Gaoyou's most brilliant culinary calling card! "**Poke it with a chopstick, and the red oil oozes out with a sizzle**" is Wang Zengqi's vivid and mouth-watering description. Gaoyou Salted Duck Eggs have tender whites and oily, sandy yolks of superior quality.
* **Other delicacies**: Double-yolk eggs, Pubao Rou (pork wrapped in reed leaves), Gaoyou Yangchun Noodles, Jieshou Chagan (dried tofu), Canal Green Shrimp, and more, all possess strong local characteristics.

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**Recommended Main Attractions**

* **Yucheng Post Station**: A must-visit to experience the living fossil of ancient postal culture.
* **Zhenguo Temple and Zhenguo Temple Pagoda**: An ancient pagoda in the lake, a paradise for photographers. You can take a boat to the island.
* **Wenyoutai**: Ascend to reflect on history and feel the elegance of Song Dynasty literati.
* **Gaoyou Lake Reed Marsh Wetland Park**: Take a boat deep into the lake to admire the reed marshes and wetland scenery, and taste fresh lake produce.
* **Gaoyou Ancient City (including North and South Streets)**: Stroll along the bluestone paths, see old pawnshops and shops, and experience the old city charm described by Wang Zengqi.
* **Wang Zengqi Memorial Hall**: With its modern architectural style, it offers a comprehensive understanding of Wang Zengqi's life and literary world, a pilgrimage site for literature enthusiasts.
* **China Grand Canal (Gaoyou Section)**: Walk along the old canal routes from the Ming and Qing dynasties (such as Cheluo Section, Pingjinyan Weir) to feel the tranquility and profoundness of the canal heritage.

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**Travel Tips**

* **Best Travel Time**: **Spring** and **Autumn**. You can enjoy lotuses in Gaoyou Lake in summer, but the weather is hot; autumn offers crisp air and plump lake produce, making it a good season to taste hairy crabs and various lake products.
* **How to Get There**:
* **High-speed Rail**: Gaoyou has two high-speed rail stations, **Gaoyou Station** and **Gaoyou North Station**. It takes about 15-20 minutes to reach Gaoyou Station from Yangzhou East Station, making transportation very convenient.
* **Self-driving**: From Yangzhou, drive north along the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway, about a 1-hour drive.
* **Itinerary Suggestions**: Gaoyou is very suitable for a **1-2 day** in-depth tour or a **day trip** from Yangzhou.
* **One-day itinerary**: Morning: Visit Yucheng Post Station → Wenyoutai; Noon: Taste Gaoyou's local delicacies (salted duck eggs and Pubao Rou are a must); Afternoon: Visit Zhenguo Temple Pagoda → Gaoyou Lake Reed Marsh; Evening: Watch the sunset by the lake.
* **Special Experiences**:
* Buy some authentic Gaoyou Salted Duck Eggs as souvenirs.
* Search for the foods and places mentioned in Wang Zengqi's novels in the ancient city.
* Quietly watch a sunset by Gaoyou Lake.

**Relationship and Differences with Yangzhou**

Gaoyou is a county-level city administered by Yangzhou City, and its culture belongs to the Huaiyang cultural circle, but there are different focuses in travel experiences:
* **Yangzhou**: More international, centered around **Slender West Lake, gardens, exquisite Huaiyang cuisine, and the "Three Knives" culture**, offering a "refined urban tour."
* **Gaoyou**: More ecological, centered around **postal culture, Gaoyou Lake, ancient town charm, and authentic local snacks (especially duck eggs)**, offering a "deep cultural tour" and a "water town nature tour."

In summary, Gaoyou is an underestimated treasure of a small city. It boasts a profound history no less than that of famous cities, and even more unique postal culture, magnificent lake views, and unforgettable cuisine. If you are tired of crowds and want to find a quiet, story-filled place, Gaoyou is definitely an excellent choice.