Jiangdu｜Garden Secret Paths and Huaiyang Delicacies by the Ancient Canal, Loved by All Who Visit

📌Destination: Yangzhou · Jiangdu District (Key Water and Land Hub of Jianghuai)

🏙️City Sketch: A Poetic Dwelling at the Throat of Canal Transport

🏔️Jiangdu, where the Grand Canal meets the Yangtze River, is the landing site of Emperor Yang of Sui’s three visits to Yangzhou. It boasts Yangzhou’s only national-level water conservancy scenic area and the top garden of the late Qing Dynasty. Here, you can hear the resonant echoes of canal boat songs, enjoy the slow life of “morning water delivery,” and discover niche gardens and the freshest river delicacies, making it a “hidden footnote to Yangzhou’s spirit.”

🏞️Must-Visit Attractions: From Millennial Watergates to Salt Merchant Dreams

【Core Canal Culture】

✅ Shaobo Ancient Town (Living Canal Heritage)
Three Highlights:
▶️ Shaobo Ship Lock: A group of six century-old locks where thousand-ton cargo ships pass “elevator-style” (free, viewing platform open until 18:00).
▶️ Ancient Embankment Stone Street: Ming and Qing dynasty stone roads, with an iron forge and old teahouse operating in their original style.
▶️ Douye Pavilion: The place where Ouyang Xiu inscribed poetry, with sculptures of the Seven Sages reflecting the sunset.

🚸Tip: Watch the Shaobo Gong and Drum Festival on the 28th day of the third lunar month (intangible cultural heritage).

✅ Jiangdu Water Conservancy Hub (Heart of Asia’s Pump Station)
Hardcore Activities:
▶️ Visit the exhibition hall to see the model of the South-to-North Water Diversion East Route Project (free, reservation required)
▶️ Photograph giant water pump units on Ginkgo Avenue (golden secret spot in November)
🏔️Hidden Spot: Birdwatching at the wetland east gate of the hub (flocks of egrets and spot-billed ducks).

【Garden Secrets】

✅ Fairy Park (Site of Tang Dynasty Fairy Temple)
Highlights:
▶️ Tang Dynasty Ginkgo Tree (1300 years old)
▶️ Luo Zu Pavilion and Yu King Hall telling the salt transport history
▶️ Curved bridge and lotus pond for summer lotus viewing (free admission, open 6:00-18:00).

✅ Xu Xiaoxuan Former Residence (Red Rock Spirit Landmark)
▶️ Historical Value: Original home of Xu Yunfeng from "Red Rock," with a blue brick courtyard preserving manuscripts and letters (free, closed Mondays).

【Ecological Wild Fun】

✅ Luyang Lake Wetland (Secret Water Forest)
Photo Guide:
▶️ Duckweed boardwalk boating (50 RMB/boat, creates a “matcha lake” effect)
▶️ Birdwatching tower for photographing egrets returning to roost (best time 17:00-18:30)
⚠️Tip: Navigate to “Luyang Lake Wetland Park Parking Lot,” 40 minutes by car from downtown.

🍩Food Guide: Jianghu Style Huaiyang Flavors

【Morning Tea Jianghu】

✅ Kaiyuan Shaobing
Intangible Heritage Technique: Charcoal-fired oven baking, with pepper salt and scallion oil flavors (3 RMB each, sold out by 6:00).
Old Shop: Next to Kaiyuan Temple on Gongnong Road (only one store, no branches).
✅ Shaobo Crayfish (Top Flavor North of the River)
Features: Raised in canal clear water, thin shell and yellow meat.
Styles:
Braised in Oil (recommended “Fengleju,” medium crayfish 78 RMB/jin)
Clear Water Style (recommended “Lao Luxiang,” served with special vinegar sauce)
Season: Best from May to August, smaller after September.

🍪【Hearty Meals】

✅ Fanchuan Pork Intestine:
Pork and yam stuffed, sliced and steamed, dipped in vinegar (35 RMB/serving, “Old Brand Restaurant” in Fanchuan Town).
✅ Sima La Tofu:
Crab roe and soy milk coagulated tofu, served with crispy fried dough sticks (28 RMB, “First Jiangsu Fresh” in Sima Town).

🛍️【Snacks and Souvenirs】

Dinggou Dumplings: Goose soup base with celery-flavored meat filling (raw dumplings can be frozen to take away, 30 RMB/jin).
Xiao Ji Noodle Soup: Chicken broth base, with fish balls and pork liver (vacuum packed 15 RMB/box).

🚙Transportation Guide: Convenient Water and Land Hub

External Transport
🚄High-speed Rail:
Shanghai Hongqiao → Jiangdu Station (2h, 6 trains daily)
Nanjing South → Jiangdu Station (50 minutes)
🚗Self-drive:
Exit “Jiangdu” on Jinghu Expressway (G2), free parking at Shaobo Ancient Town.

Internal Transport
🚎Bus:
Tourist Line: Jiangdu Bus Station → Shaobo Ancient Town (K1 route, 30 minutes per trip)
Luyang Lake Line: Jiangdu West Bus Station → Luyang Lake Village (3 trips daily at 8:00/12:00/16:00)
🛵Electric Scooter Rental: “Daha Travel” covers the urban area (2 RMB/20 minutes).

🏯Accommodation Recommendations: Sleep by the Water and Elegant New Town Stays

✅ Ancient Town Sentiment
Shaobo Canal Inn: Renovated Qing code dock warehouse, window views of the ship lock (breakfast included, from 280 RMB).
Chunjiang Huaye Homestay: Waterside courtyard, lobster night banquet available (from 350 RMB).
✅ Urban Quality Control
Jiangdu Jin’ao Center Marriott Hotel: Yangzhou’s tallest building, cloud pool (from 600 RMB).
All Seasons Hotel (Jiangdu Wenchang Road): Smart room control, near Fairy Park (from 200 RMB).
✅ Wetland Wild Fun
Luyang Lake Houseboat: Detached water villa, firefly watching at night (weekends 500 RMB per villa).

🏞️Itinerary Planning: 2 Days 1 Night Highlights Route

✅Day 1: Canal Code

Morning: Watch giant ships pass through Shaobo Ship Lock → Drink Kuilongzhu tea on Ancient Street
Lunch: Shaobo Crayfish (braised in oil + clear water combo)
Afternoon: Visit Tang Dynasty ginkgo at Fairy Park → Xu Xiaoxuan Former Residence
Evening: Chase the sunset at the Water Conservancy Hub
Dinner: Fanchuan Old Brand Restaurant (pork intestine + crab roe lion’s head meatballs)
Overnight: Canal Inn

✅Day 2: Natural Healing

Morning: Boating on Luyang Lake (arrive before 9:00 to avoid queues)
Lunch: Jiangsu fresh dishes in Sima Town (La tofu + pufferfish with river grass)
Afternoon: Buy dumplings in Dinggou Town → Purchase Shaobing at Kaiyuan Temple
Before Departure: Vacuum-packed Xiao Ji noodle soup

⚠️Pitfall Avoidance and Hidden Easter Eggs

🎫Ticket Tips
Only Luyang Lake charges admission (20 RMB ticket + 50 RMB boating), all other sites are free.
Water Conservancy Hub exhibition hall requires ID registration.
🛣️Off-Peak Secrets
Shaobo Ship Lock sees the most ships passing daily from 14:00 to 16:00.
Luyang Lake’s duckweed is greenest in summer (June-September) but beware of mosquitoes; winter hosts spectacular migratory birds.
⚠️Notes
Kaiyuan Shaobing limited to 10 per person, recommend lining up at 5:30.
Shaobo crayfish medium size (4-6 qian) offers best value; extra-large crayfish are mostly from outside.
Dinggou dumplings should be recognized by the “Wang Ji” blue sign; many counterfeit shops exist.

🗻In Jiangdu, you can touch the ancient dock where Emperor Yang of Sui’s dragon boat landed, witness the national treasure of the South-to-North Water Diversion, row into the green wilderness on the “matcha lake,” and savor a Shaobo crayfish that deconstructs the exquisite soul of Huaiyang cuisine—this is the most vivid chapter of the Grand Canal.