Help! Yangzhou is absolutely, incredibly delicious! A 3-day, 2-night tested guide

Who would've thought! After visiting Yangzhou, I was completely immersed in its charm! The freshness of morning tea, the elegance of gardens, the gentleness of the ancient canal... Even the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus sugar. This heartfelt guide is a must-save, taking you to eat and explore without any pitfalls!

🌿 Must-visit highlights (with hidden gems)

- Slender West Lake (💰Ticket: 100 yuan)
Don't just stick to the main path! Enter from the south gate and head straight to Fishing Terrace. The three-arched bridge perfectly frames the White Pagoda and Five Pavilion Bridge. Arrive before 7 AM to avoid crowds—the willow trees in the morning mist look like a living ink painting 🌿 Opt for a hand-rowed boat (150 yuan/hour); the boatwoman will sing Yangzhou folk songs. When passing the Twenty-Four Bridges, look up—the bridge arch reflecting the blue sky looks like a sapphire!
- Ge Garden (💰Ticket: 45 yuan)
The home of a Qing Dynasty salt merchant is simply stunning! Spring Hill uses bamboo shoot stones to create a rainy bamboo forest effect, Summer Hill hides cool caves, Autumn Hill's yellow stones look like splashed sunset, and Winter Hill's Xuan stones glow in sunlight. Follow a guide to hear stories—each stone hides the clever concept of "the cycle of four seasons."
- He Garden (💰Ticket: 45 yuan)
The No. 1 garden of the late Qing Dynasty is breathtaking! A 1,500-meter double corridor winds around the garden, allowing you to explore the entire place without an umbrella on rainy days 🌧️ Don't miss the "moon in water" at Pianshi Mountain House—view the pond through the window to see two moons (one real, one reflection), creating a scene straight out of a martial arts film.
- Ancient Canal Night Cruise (💰Boat ticket: 60 yuan)
Board at Dongguan Ancient Ferry—the lights make Wenfeng Pagoda shine gold. When passing the South Gate ruins, the shadow of the city wall on the water looks like a flowing painting. Sit at the stern to feel the evening breeze carrying the scent of water while listening to Pingtan music from the shore—you'll instantly understand the meaning of "Yangzhou Dream."

🍜 Red and black list of morning tea + snacks (locals' secrets)
✅ Must-try morning tea list

- Quyuan Teahouse: Enjoy morning tea in a garden by Slender West Lake! The chicken in San Ding Bao is so tender it bursts with juice, and the shepherd's purse filling in Jade Dumplings is slightly sweet. Pair it with Luyangchun tea to cut the richness. Arrive before 8 AM to avoid a 1-hour wait.
- Yechun Teahouse (Hongqiao Branch): The view outside the window is Slender West Lake. Mix dried tofu shreds with shrimp roe soy sauce, and poke a hole in the crab roe soup dumpling to sip the broth—it's so fresh it melts your tongue!
- Huayuan Teahouse (Xingcheng West Road Branch): A budget-friendly local favorite. The shrimp in Da Zhu Gan Si are bigger than coins, and the Thousand-Layer Oil Cake can be peeled into 12 layers. Just 30 yuan per person will leave you stuffed.

✅ Street snack hits

- Jiangjiaqiao Dumpling Noodle Shop: The shrimp roe wonton broth is so delicious you'll want to take it home. The shrimp roe in the dumpling noodles is the soul of the dish—pair it with fried stinky tofu drizzled with sweet sauce for a flavor explosion.
- Simple Tea and Plain Food: Don't miss the osmanthus lotus root starch balls! Bite into sesame and walnut filling wrapped in chewy lotus root starch, paired with warm red bean sweet soup.
- Huangqiao Sesame Cake: Freshly baked savory ones are the best. The toasted sesame seeds are fragrant—add a slice of Yangzhou old goose (with a bit of fat) for carb-loaded happiness.

🏨 Stay in these two areas

- For garden lovers: Stay near Slender West Lake! Recommended: "Yangzhou State Guest Hotel"—step outside and you're at the lake, falling asleep to the sound of crickets. For a budget option, try "Slender West Lake Hot Spring Resort"—soaking in hot springs with lake views is unbeatable.
- For foodies: Stay around Dongguan Street! "Dongguan Street Mercure Hotel" is a 5-minute walk to snack streets, so you can return after night strolls without worrying about missing the last bus.

🚶 3-day, 2-night lazy itinerary
Day 1: Slender West Lake (morning) → Yechun Teahouse for morning tea → Daming Temple (afternoon, climb Pingshan Hall for panoramic views) → Ancient Canal night cruise → Jiangjiaqiao for late-night snacks.
Day 2: Ge Garden → Huayuan Teahouse for morning tea → He Garden (afternoon) → Dongguan Street for snacks (buy Huangqiao Sesame Cakes as souvenirs) → Stay at Dongguan Street.
Day 3: China Grand Canal Museum (morning, book 3 days in advance on WeChat) → Pishi Street for coffee → Depart.

💡 Tips

- Yangzhou summers are scorching! Bring a mini fan if visiting June-August. Gardens are full of trees and mosquitoes—don't forget repellent.
- Didi is cheaper than hailing cabs. The city is small—a ride from Slender West Lake to Dongguan Street costs just 15 yuan.
- Don't buy souvenirs at tourist spots! Visit Da Qilin Pavilion for Jing Guo Fen and Dong Candy—locals shop here.
- Wear comfy shoes—you'll walk a lot in gardens. A cheongsam with cloth shoes is perfect for photos (rent one at Dongguan Street for 50 yuan/day).

Yangzhou is truly a city that slows you down. Walking on cobblestone paths, watching elders wash clothes by the river, and hearing Pingtan music drift from windows—suddenly, you understand why ancient poets said, "Life is only worthy if spent in Yangzhou." Tag your foodie friends and become a Jiangnan beauty this autumn!