Why Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in central Jiangsu Province, East China. Positioned on a low-lying plain, it shares borders with several regional municipalities, including the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest and Zhenjiang directly across the Yangtze River to the south. The city is widely recognized for its extensive history as a major economic and cultural hub, particularly along the historical trade routes of the Grand Canal. Today, it remains an important scientific research center and vibrant urban area in eastern China.
The geography of Yangzhou is defined by a dense network of natural lakes and artificial waterways. The Grand Canal dissects the area from north to south, with its modern course running along the eastern edge of the urban area and its original channel passing directly through the city center. This inner urban core is surrounded and crisscrossed by connected canals and water bodies, including the City Moat Canal, the Erdaohe Canal, Lotus Flower Pond, and the popular Slender West Lake. Navigable channels allow small watercraft to move between these historical waterways. Additional regional lakes, such as Gaoyou Lake and Baima Lake, further shape the surrounding landscape.
Established around 486 BC with the construction of the early Han Canal and a defensive fortress, Yangzhou grew into one of ancient China's wealthiest trade and administrative centers. It served as a national capital during both the Sui and Song dynasties. Throughout the Ming and Qing periods, the city flourished as a primary trading hub for state-regulated salt, alongside rice and silk. This wealth attracted prominent merchant families, scholars, artists, and poets, who constructed renowned classical gardens. The city also developed a diverse cultural history, featuring longstanding Muslim heritage marked by landmarks such as the Crane Mosque and the tomb of Sayyid Puhaddin.
Following period declines brought on by nineteenth- and twentieth-century conflicts and shifting transport networks, Yangzhou revitalized its economy and infrastructure. Modern visitors to the city can explore its historic urban center surrounded by ancient moats, scenic canal routes, and cultural sites. The region also maintains light industrial sectors, including cotton and textile manufacturing, alongside its legacy as a transportation and commercial market center on the revived waterways.
Yangzhou experiences a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, featuring longer summers and winters alongside shorter spring and autumn periods. Summer brings a rainy period known locally as the plum rain season, which typically lasts from mid-June to mid-July. The city is accessible via the Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport, located in the Jiangdu district, as well as the nearby Nanjing Lukou International Airport. Ground transportation includes direct passenger rail service from the Yangzhou Railway Station on the Nanjing–Qidong railway, along with major roadway crossings like the Runyang Yangtze River Bridge complex.
01 Weather
78°
72°
☔ 84%
74°
71°
☔ 20%
75°
69°
79°
69°
78°
68°
86°
68°