Explore Zhangjiagang with 5000 RMB: A 3-day, 2-night Jiangnan Water Town + Food + Culture Complete Guide

✔️ Cycling on Shuangshan Island + Fresh River Delicacies ✔️ Jiyang Lake Night View + Garden Check-in ✔️ Sha Zhou You Huang Cultural Park Tipsy Experience ✔️ Easy to enjoy within budget

📅 Day 1: Slow Life on Shuangshan Island + Fresh River Feast
🚗 Transportation: Self-drive/taxi to Shuangshan Island Ferry Terminal (Ferry 20 RMB/person round trip)
🏨 Accommodation: Shuangshan Island Homestay (about 400 RMB/night, recommend riverside room)
🌉 Morning: Cycling around Shuangshan Island

Bike rental: Bicycle 30 RMB/day, electric bike 80 RMB/day
Recommended activities:
✅ Reed marsh photo spots (beautiful in autumn)
✅ Golf experience (practice range 50 RMB/person)
✅ Crossing the Yangtze River Battle Memorial Hall (free, red tourism check-in)

🐟 Lunch: Old Wharf Fresh River Restaurant

Must-order dishes: Knife fish wonton, pufferfish with rice seedlings, shad fish
Per person: 150 RMB (fresh river delicacies are a bit pricey but worth it!)

🌇 Afternoon: Island slow life

Free activities: Walk along the riverbank, strawberry picking (seasonal)
Evening: Watch the Yangtze River sunset from the homestay terrace

🍲 Dinner: Homestay farmhouse dishes

Recommended: Braised river eel, taro braised pork
Per person: 80 RMB

💰 Today's expenses: About 1100 RMB (including accommodation + meals + transportation)

📅 Day 2: City Cultural Check-in + Jiyang Lake Night View
🚢 Transportation: Return to city (taxi about 50 RMB)
🏨 Accommodation: Boutique hotel in city (about 350 RMB/night, recommend near pedestrian street)
🏯 Morning: Sha Zhou You Huang Cultural Park

Ticket: 60 RMB (includes yellow wine tasting)
Recommended activities:
✅ Yellow Wine Museum (learn about century-old brewing techniques)
✅ Wine cellar tasting (free tasting of 5-year aged wine)
✅ Popular bear wall photo spot

🍜 Lunch: Pedestrian street snacks

Recommended: Tuo Lu Bing (baked flatbread), crab tofu, duck blood vermicelli
Per person: 40 RMB

🌿 Afternoon: Tianzhuang Ancient Town + Phoenix Mountain

Tianzhuang Ancient Town: Free, Ming and Qing dynasty stone slab roads + Top Scholar’s Mansion (ticket 20 RMB)
Phoenix Mountain: Free hiking, panoramic view of Zhangjiagang

🌃 Dinner: Jiyang Lake Music Fountain Night View

Recommended restaurant: Lake View Fish Village (100 RMB per person)
Fountain show time: 19:30-20:00 (free)

💰 Today's expenses: About 900 RMB (including accommodation + meals + tickets)

📅 Day 3: Xiangshan Scenic Spot + Return Trip
🚗 Transportation: Taxi to Xiangshan Scenic Area (about 30 RMB)
⛰️ Morning: Xiangshan Scenic Area

Ticket: 60 RMB
Recommended activities:
✅ Xiangshan Temple (Tang Dynasty ancient temple)
✅ Meiling Flower Viewing (plum blossoms are stunning in winter)
✅ Glass plank road (additional 50 RMB)

🍵 Lunch: Scenic area vegetarian restaurant

Recommended: Vegetarian chicken, mushroom soup
Per person: 50 RMB

🛍️ Afternoon: Shopping and return

Recommended purchases: Sha Zhou You Huang yellow wine, Phoenix honey peaches (seasonal)
Cost: Souvenirs about 500 RMB

💰 Today's expenses: About 800 RMB (including meals + tickets + shopping)

💡 Money-saving tips:

Ferry on Shuangshan Island is free after 5 PM, plan your trips accordingly.
Free admission to Sha Zhou You Huang Cultural Park with purchases over 200 RMB.
Buy Xiangshan Scenic Area tickets online 1 hour in advance to save 10 RMB.

📝 Total budget (for 2 people):
✅ Transportation: 600 RMB (taxi + ferry)
✅ Accommodation: 750 RMB (2 nights)
✅ Meals: 1200 RMB (6 full meals)
✅ Tickets + experiences: 800 RMB
✅ Shopping: 1650 RMB (yellow wine + specialties)
💰 Total: 5000 RMB (2500 RMB per person, deep Jiangnan experience!)

🌟 Suitable for: Family trips, culture lovers, foodies
📸 Best seasons: March-April (plum blossoms), September-November (fresh river delicacies at their best)