I don't recommend visiting Yangzhou in February.
"Of the three parts of the moonlit night, two parts are in Yangzhou." Yangzhou, a city full of poetry and romance, has a unique charm in winter. Gone are the spring flowers, the summer heat, and the autumn colors. Winter in Yangzhou is quiet and simple, like a light ink painting. Every corner has a story to tell, waiting for travelers to discover.
1. Why visit?
Yangzhou is a poetic city with a unique Jiangnan water town style. In February, winter is fading and spring is in the air. Yangzhou is quiet in winter, but you can feel the stirrings of spring. The trees in the gardens begin to sprout, and the flowers begin to bloom.
2. Best time to visit
In February, the temperature in Yangzhou gradually warms up, with an average temperature of around 5–10°C. This is a good time to visit Yangzhou, as it is not peak tourist season and there are fewer tourists, so you can better enjoy the city's beauty. The sun is warm during the day, making it suitable for outdoor activities, gardens, and historical sites. The temperature drops at night, so be sure to keep warm.
3. Must-see attractions
1. Slender West Lake
Why visit: Slender West Lake is a landmark of Yangzhou, famous for its beautiful lake and mountain scenery and exquisite garden architecture. In February, the willows by the lake begin to sprout, and the red plums begin to bloom, creating a picturesque scene.
Highlights: The Five Pavilion Bridge in the lake is unique, like a lotus flower blooming on the lake; the Twenty-four Bridge is full of poetry and ancient charm.
2. Ge Garden
Why visit: Ge Garden is one of the four famous gardens in China, famous for its rockery art. In February, the plants in Ge Garden begin to revive, contrasting with the various rocks.
Highlights: The four-season rockery in the garden creates different landscapes for each season through different materials and layouts.
3. He Garden
Why visit: He Garden is known as the "First Garden of the Late Qing Dynasty" and has a unique architectural style that combines Chinese and Western elements. In February, you can feel the tranquility and elegance of the garden.
Highlights: The corridors and pavilions in the garden are exquisitely designed, and the double corridors are known as the "First Corridor in the World."
4. Dongguan Street
Why visit: Dongguan Street is the most representative historical street in Yangzhou. In February, Dongguan Street is bustling with the atmosphere of the New Year.
Highlights: There are many old shops on both sides of the street, such as Xie Fuchun Perfume Shop and Yangzhou Paper-cutting Shop, where you can buy special souvenirs.
5. Ancient Canal
Why visit: The ancient canal is the mother river of Yangzhou. You can take a boat tour of the canal and enjoy the scenery on both sides of the river and the ancient wharf buildings. In February, the lights on both sides of the canal are lit at night, creating a unique atmosphere.
Highlights: Along the way, you can see iconic buildings such as Wenfeng Tower and feel the historical changes in Yangzhou.
6. Daming Temple
Why visit: Daming Temple is a famous ancient temple in Yangzhou with a long history. In February, the plum blossoms in Daming Temple are in full bloom, adding a touch of tranquility.
Highlights: The Pingshan Hall in the temple was built by the Northern Song Dynasty writer Ouyang Xiu and has a rich cultural heritage.
4. Itinerary
Day 1
Morning: Arrive in Yangzhou and head to Dongguan Street. Stroll along Dongguan Street, taste lotus root balls, Yangzhou fried rice, and other delicacies, feel the lively atmosphere of the old street, and buy special souvenirs.
Afternoon: Walk from Dongguan Street to Ge Garden, visit the four-season rockery in Ge Garden, enjoy the garden scenery, and taste Yangzhou lion's head at a restaurant near Ge Garden.
Evening: Take a boat ride on the ancient canal and enjoy the night view of the lights on both sides of the canal. You can taste salted goose along the way.
Day 2
Morning: Head to Slender West Lake, visit the Five Pavilion Bridge, the Twenty-four Bridge, and other attractions, enjoy the lake and mountain scenery and the blooming flowers in February, and have lunch near Slender West Lake to taste Yangzhou's special snacks.
Afternoon: Visit Daming Temple, feel the tranquility of the ancient temple, enjoy the blooming plum blossoms in the temple, and taste the vegetarian food in Daming Temple.
Evening: Have dinner at a restaurant near Daming Temple and return to the hotel to rest.
Day 3
Morning: Visit He Garden, enjoy the Chinese and Western architecture of He Garden, especially the double corridors and other special landscapes, and taste boiled dried tofu around He Garden.
Afternoon: You can arrange your return trip according to your itinerary or continue shopping in Yangzhou.
5. Transportation
1. External transportation
If you choose to fly, you can arrive at Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport, which is about 30 km from Yangzhou. There are airport buses that go directly to downtown Yangzhou, and the journey takes about 1 hour.
If you take the train, you can arrive at Yangzhou Station or Yangzhou East Station. Yangzhou Station is located near the old city, while Yangzhou East Station is relatively new and has convenient public transportation connections to some attractions.
2. Internal transportation
Bus: Yangzhou's bus network covers most attractions, and the fare is generally 1–2 yuan. You can use Alipay or WeChat to pay.
Taxi/ride-hailing: It is convenient to take a taxi or use a ride-hailing service in downtown Yangzhou. The starting fare for a taxi is about 7 yuan.
Tricycle: In the old city, tricycles are a special means of transportation. You can try them, but be sure to negotiate the price in advance.
6. Food recommendations
1. Yangzhou morning tea
Yangzhou morning tea has a wide variety of dishes. It is recommended to try the three-ding bun, which is filled with chicken, pork, and bamboo shoots. The bun is soft, and the filling is fresh and fragrant. There is also the thousand-layer oil cake, which is layered and sweet but not greasy.
2. Wensi Tofu
This is a famous dish that tests the chef's knife skills. The tofu is cut into hair-thin strips and placed in a clear soup, then shrimp, ham, and other ingredients are added. The soup is fresh and delicious.
3. Yangzhou pickles
Yangzhou pickles are crisp and tender, with a variety of flavors, such as pickled cucumbers and pickled radishes. They can be served as appetizers or as gifts.
7. Clothing recommendations
The temperature in Yangzhou is low in February, so it is recommended to wear a thick coat, such as a down jacket or a thick sweater. Since you will be walking for a long time, choose comfortable sneakers or casual shoes. If you want to take beautiful photos on the boat at night, you can wear a scarf to add a touch of style.
8. Accommodation recommendations
1. Yangzhou Guest House
Yangzhou Guest House is located on the shore of Slender West Lake, with beautiful surroundings, luxurious facilities, and attentive service.
2. Hanting Hotel (Yangzhou Dongguan Street)
Conveniently located, close to Dongguan Street, convenient for sightseeing.
3. Ji Hotel (Yangzhou Slender West Lake)
The hotel is close to Slender West Lake and has convenient transportation.
9. Best photo spots
1. Five Pavilion Bridge at Slender West Lake
The Five Pavilion Bridge has a unique shape, and you can take beautiful photos from different angles. You can take photos of the reflection in the lake from the bridge or take photos of the Five Pavilion Bridge and the surrounding scenery from the other side of the lake.
2. Under the ancient archway on Dongguan Street
With the ancient archway as the background, take photos of the bustling crowd and the ancient shops on Dongguan Street to capture the historical charm of Dongguan Street.
3. Four-season rockery in Ge Garden
Take photos of the rockery and the surrounding plants, especially the plants that are just beginning to turn green in February, to show the unique garden art of Ge Garden.
10. Tips
1. Most of Yangzhou's attractions are relatively concentrated, but it is still necessary to arrange your time reasonably to avoid a tight schedule.
2. When tasting Yangzhou morning tea, many popular tea houses need to book seats in advance to avoid waiting in line.
3. When taking a tricycle, pay attention to safety, especially on the narrow streets of the old city.
4. The weather in Yangzhou is changeable in February, so it is recommended to carry rain gear with you.
Winter in Yangzhou is a quiet and beautiful encounter. Here, you can slow down and feel the poetry of life and the unique charm of this historical and cultural city. We hope you have an unforgettable winter trip to Yangzhou.