Three-Day, Two-Night Travel Guide for Jiangsu

In-Depth Three-Day, Two-Night Jiangsu Travel Guide: 5,000 RMB Budget to Encounter the Autumn Romance of Jiangnan (Seasonal Edition)

Preface:
In golden October, Jiangsu sheds the summer heat and welcomes the most comfortable season. The colorful foliage of Qixia Mountain, the golden ginkgo villages, and the plump hairy crabs... Jiangsu in this season is filled with the joy of harvest and a romantic atmosphere everywhere. This guide is designed for travelers seeking an in-depth experience, with a budget of 5,000 RMB, to unlock the limited autumn scenery and cuisine of Jiangsu.

Itinerary Overview:

Theme: Autumn Charm of Jiangnan · Cultural Flavors
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Budget: 5,000 RMB per person (including transportation, accommodation, meals, tickets, and experiences)
Suitable for: Travelers who love culture, food, and natural scenery
Seasonal Highlights: Qixia Mountain red leaves, golden ginkgo villages, Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs

Itinerary:

Day 1: Nanjing · Autumn Whispers of the Six Dynasties Ancient Capital

Morning:
Arrive in Nanjing and check into a boutique hotel near Xinjiekou or Confucius Temple (recommended: Nanjing Yihe Mansion or Nanjing Night Stop Qinhuai Junting Hotel, about 800 RMB/night).
Visit Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (ticket 70 RMB), stroll along the Sacred Way, and experience the stunning blend of stone carvings and autumn leaves. Climb Baoding Peak to overlook the magnificent, colorful Zijing Mountain.

Noon:
Taste Nanjing specialties: duck blood vermicelli soup, salted duck, osmanthus sugar taro shoots (recommended: Nanjing Da Pai Dang, about 80 RMB per person).

Afternoon:
Tour Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (free), admire the great leader’s legacy, and enjoy the autumn romance along the plane tree avenue.
Visit Linggu Temple (ticket 35 RMB), find the legendary "King Osmanthus of Jinling" in this thousand-year-old temple, and savor the meditative fragrance of osmanthus.

Evening:
Night tour of Confucius Temple Qinhuai River Scenic Area (free), take a painted boat cruise on the Qinhuai River (ticket 80 RMB), enjoy the twinkling lights on both banks, and feel the prosperity and poetry of the "Ten-Mile Qinhuai."
Sample Qinhuai’s eight famous snacks (recommended: Qifangge, about 100 RMB per person).

Day 2: Suzhou · Autumn Fairy Tale in the Gardens

Morning:
Take the high-speed train to Suzhou (ticket about 100 RMB, 1 hour).
Check into a boutique hotel near Pingjiang Road or the Humble Administrator’s Garden (recommended: Suzhou Cultural Tourism Huajian Tang · Tanhua Mansion or Suzhou Pingjiang Mansion Hotel, about 700 RMB/night).
Visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden (ticket 90 RMB), one of China’s four famous gardens, admire the exquisite and elegant autumn garden, and experience the clever design of "changing scenes with every step."

Noon:
Taste Suzhou cuisine: squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, eel in fragrant oil, stir-fried shrimp (recommended: Songhelou, about 150 RMB per person).

Afternoon:
Head to Tiger Hill (ticket 80 RMB), climb the Tiger Hill Pagoda, overlook the ancient city of Suzhou, and feel the autumn charm of the "Number One Scenic Spot in Wuzhong."
Stroll through the historic Pingjiang Road district (free), wander between bluestone paths and white walls with black tiles, and try osmanthus cake, fermented rice balls, and other local snacks.

Evening:
Enjoy Suzhou Pingtan (ticket about 100 RMB), experience the unique charm of Suzhou culture in the soft Wu dialect.
Taste Suzhou’s special late-night snacks: Zangshu mutton, mute pan-fried buns (recommended: Tongdexing, about 80 RMB per person).

Day 3: Wuxi · Autumn Feast by Taihu Lake

Morning:
Take the high-speed train to Wuxi (ticket about 50 RMB, 30 minutes).
Visit Yuantouzhu (ticket 105 RMB), Taihu Lake’s top scenic spot, admire the autumn lake and mountain views, and feel the grandeur and vastness of the "Best Place in Taihu."
Go to Liyuan Garden (ticket 70 RMB), appreciate the exquisite and elegant autumn garden, and enjoy the romantic legend of Fan Li and Xi Shi.

Noon:
Taste Taihu’s "Three Whites": white fish, white shrimp, and silverfish (recommended: Taihu Hotel, about 150 RMB per person).

Afternoon:
Visit Yangcheng Lake (free), savor authentic Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs (about 300 RMB each), and enjoy the freshest autumn flavors.
Depending on time, choose to visit Suzhou Museum (free) or Wuxi Lingshan Grand Buddha (ticket 210 RMB).

Evening:
Return to Nanjing or Suzhou, concluding a pleasant journey.

Budget Allocation:

Transportation: about 500 RMB (high-speed train + local transport)
Accommodation: about 1,500 RMB (2 nights in boutique hotels)
Meals: about 1,000 RMB (specialty dishes + snacks)
Tickets: about 700 RMB (attractions + experiences)
Others: about 300 RMB (souvenirs + snacks)

Seasonal Experiences:

Qixia Mountain Red Leaves: Late October to mid-November, the maple leaves cover Qixia Mountain, the most beautiful autumn scenery in Nanjing.
Golden Ginkgo Villages: November, ginkgo leaves turn golden in Suzhou’s Daoqian Street, Nanjing’s Qingliang Mountain Park, and other places, like a fairy tale world.
Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crabs: September to November, Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs are rich in roe and fat, an autumn delicacy not to be missed.

Travel Tips:

Jiangsu’s autumn climate is pleasant, but there is a big temperature difference between morning and evening, so bring a jacket.
Some attractions require advance booking; plan your itinerary ahead.
Jiangsu cuisine tends to be sweet; adjust according to personal taste.
Respect local culture and customs; travel civilly.

Conclusion:
Autumn in Jiangsu is a feast for the eyes and palate. We hope this guide helps you plan an unforgettable trip to encounter the most beautiful scenery and authentic flavors of Jiangnan in the golden autumn season.