{"id":19010,"date":"2019-02-15T03:00:36","date_gmt":"2019-02-15T02:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saporedicina.com\/english\/?p=19010"},"modified":"2022-03-14T15:03:34","modified_gmt":"2022-03-14T14:03:34","slug":"travel-to-jiangsu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saporedicina.com\/english\/travel-to-jiangsu\/","title":{"rendered":"Traveling to Jiangsu: The Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Tongli\"A glimpse of the canals of Tongli – Photo by Matteo Bosi<\/span><\/p>\n

A thriving region in the east of Great China, Jiangsu<\/strong> is in the history books for the fundamental events that belong both to Imperial China and that of the republic. Various dynasties have chosen this central area for their capital; but when Sun Yat-Sen named Nanjing the capital of the republic<\/a> for the thirty years that it lasted, and sadder still, after the famous Rape of Nanking<\/a>, Jiangsu entered into modern history.<\/a><\/p>\n

The region is currently among the richest and most developed; because of this, it’s the destination for migrants and internal movements of the poorer bordering regions, such as Anhui.<\/a> Just think in terms of dimensions – it’s the smallest region but most densely populated of them all. <\/p>\n

The capital city of Jiangsu is Nanjing.<\/a> Shanghai was once included in part of the territory until its independence at the beginning of the last century; actually the recent history of Shanghai differs much from that of Jiangsu. However, the metropolis’s influence has helped the southern part of the region to increase economically and in terms of tourism: Suzhou is the surrounding area that most benefits from its vicinity to Shanghai. <\/p>\n

Of all the characteristics of this province, the most noteworthy is certainly the massive presence of water. Not only does the infinite Yangtze flow right through Jiangsu, Shanghai and Zhejiang, in its enormous delta,<\/a> but there are also several lakes. <\/p>\n

And obviously, the eastern coast faces the sea. This abundance of aquatic resources has resulted in\u2026rice and fish, a staple of the local diet. It has also earned the title of \u6c34\u4e61 (shu\u01d0xi\u0101ng “land of water”), especially when referring to Suzhou and its surrounding towns as the Venice of the East.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Today, while still a land of fishermen and farmers, which are fundamental economies to maintain the big cities, IT and heavy industries are widespread. This at the cost of the cleanliness of the air and water aquifers.<\/p>\n

\"FuzimiaoThe Fuzimiao neighborhood in Nanjing during the Festival of the Lanterns – Photo by Matteo Bosi<\/span><\/p>\n

Why visit Jiangsu<\/h2>\n

If you’re looking for the China of ethnic diversity and genuine traditions, then perhaps this isn’t the best place. It is the place for those wanting to come into contact with cutting edge China<\/strong>, which runs swiftly along the highway of change – the one wherein a few years everything changes and little villages become modern cities. <\/p>\n

Here you can appreciate a rich and efficient lifestyle that’s still cheap; you’ll find luxury hotels and spas<\/a>, perfectly functioning transportation connections, and exaggeratedly large museums.<\/p>\n

Click here to discover the easiest way to book a hotel in China<\/a><\/strong><\/center><\/p>\n

Next to this, a historic glow survives, especially between Nanjing and Suzhou, which you’ll want to see: check out our specific guide to the city for a better idea.<\/a><\/p>\n

Other than its services, remember what I said – it’s a very crowded place: so the traffic and people are a common denominator that you’ll have to get used to quickly. Personal distances vary, the rules of the road are more easily determined by the number of cars, pedestrians, and bikes throughout the city. So don’t be too surprised, nor expect to find the same customs as back home, since the habits are (culturally) different; so tolerance and an open mind is the best strategy.<\/p>\n

\"YangzhouA Bridge on Yangzhou Slender West Lake – \"Creative<\/a> Five Pavilion Bridge<\/a> by drumbrake (2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

How to get to and around Jiangsu<\/h2>\n

Transportation connections are absolutely a strong point for the region. That’s not just for air connections, but also for high-speed rail: a fundamental section of the north-south route passes through here (Beijing-Shanghai).<\/p>\n