China Guide
Jiangsu and Zhejiang
The provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, which today flank the metropolitan area of Shanghai, have played a vital part in the cultural and economic development of China for the last two thousand years. Visiting the region, you find yourself in a world of water. The historic Grand Canal links the Yangzi with the Yellow River and the whole area is intensively drained, canalized, irrigated and farmed, with the rivers, canals and lakes giving the plain much of its character. The powerful commercial cities of both Hangzhou and Nanjing have served as capitals of China, the latter having been Sun Yatsen's capital during the brief years of the Chinese Republic after the overthrow of the Qing dynasty. Hangzhou, the terminus of the Grand Canal, is one of the greenest, most attractive cities in China; its famous lake, Xi Hu, is deservedly rated as one of the country's most scenic spots, and the city is still a centre for silk, tea and paper-making. Suzhou too, should not be missed, for the bustle of life along the canals that crisscross its centre, and the peace of its famous gardens. You'll be hard-pressed to find much that might be classed as countryside in this chronically overpopulated region, however, with the exceptions of the area around Shaoxing, a charming small town threaded by canals; and, above all, the sacred Buddhist island of Putuo Shan, where superb beaches and monasteries are set deep in wooded hillsides.
The area around the Yangzi, despite being low-lying and far from the northern plains, is unpleasantly cold and damp in winter, and unbearably hot and sticky during the summer months when most people choose to visit – Nanjing's age-old reputation as one of the "three furnaces" of China is well justified. If possible, try to visit in spring (mid-April to late May), during which a combination of rain showers, sunshine and low humidity gives the terrain a splash of green as well as putting smiles on the faces of residents emerging from the harsh winter.
Highlights
1 Suzhou A striking medley of tree-lined canals, ramshackle homes, old stone bridges and hi-tech factories.
2 Tongli This quiet, charming town of winding lanes and canals holds some lovely old buildings.
3 Fuzi Miao, Nanjing A bustling consumer cornucopia, hot, noisy and earthy.
4 Xi Hu, Hangzhou You will get great vistas from this beautiful lake, best appreciated by cycling the area.
5 Moganshan An old colonial hill resort that has become fashionable as a summer retreat – it's a great spot for a brisk hike.
6 Shaoxing Charismatic backwater once home to some cultural heavyweights, such as the writer Lu Xun, whose elegant mansion – now a museum – offers a glimpse into a vanished world.
7 Putuo Shan A tranquil island of Buddhist temples and beaches.