Jiaoshan Scenic Area

Zhouzhuang Ancient Town

In 1984, Chen Yifei's painting *Memories of My Hometown* made the whole country aware of this gentle water town hidden in beautiful Jiangnan. Since ancient times, Zhouzhuang has been known as the “Land of Waterways,” floating on the water like a lotus leaf. The most exquisite part of this “lotus leaf” is its bridges, and beside them stand riverside homes. Together they form the classic Jiangnan scene of “small bridges, flowing water and households.” Listening to a Kunqu opera and sampling Ah Po tea (阿婆茶) here adds a special charm.

Jinshan Scenic Area

Jinshan has long been known as the 'Mountain of Myths'. The famous scene of 'Flooding Jinshan' in the classic Chinese folk tale Legend of the White Snake originates here. Jinshan is home to a wealth of scenic spots and historic sites, which are found at every turn. Jinshan Temple is an ancient temple that has attracted poets and travellers for centuries. Zhonglingquan Spring, already famous across the land in the Tang dynasty, is hailed as the 'Best Spring Under Heaven'.

Peak season ¥65; off-season ¥50 · 2–4 hours

Zhenjiang Museum

Zhenjiang Museum was founded in 1958. Its architecture is in the East Indian style; the building was originally one of the earliest British consulates built along China's coastal and riverside areas. The historic building lies at the foot of Yuntai Mountain to the west and adjoins Xijin Ferry Ancient Street to the east. Though it has weathered a century of wind and rain, it retains its graceful bearing. The museum holds more than 30,000 artifacts and sets, along with nearly 100,000 volumes of ancient books. Its collection is particularly strong in bronze ware from the State of Wu during the Western Zhou and Spring and Autumn periods, celadon from the Six Dynasties, gold and silverware from the Tang dynasty, and Ming and Qing paintings and calligraphy.

Free admission · 2–4 hours

Maoshan Mountain

The name “Maoshan Taoists” is known at home and abroad, with lineages passed down in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries, a rare feat in the history of Chinese Daoism. Setting aside the many famous Daoist priests who cultivated here and the calligraphy left by generations of scholars and poets, the chance to glimpse the sacred light on the summit of Maoshan, the “Heavenly Lantern” (天灯), is reason enough to visit.

Peak season: ¥100, with sightseeing shuttle ¥35; off-season: ¥80, with sightseeing shuttle ¥25 · 1 day

Baohuashan Mountain

Baohua Mountain is famous for its “four wonders”: beautiful woodlands, graceful peaks, deep caves and ravines, and misty scenery. Forest cover reaches as high as 92%, and the mountain has nearly a hundred ancient trees over a thousand years old. In spring, the hillsides bloom with yellow flowers of breathtaking beauty. The mountain's Longchang Temple has stood for more than 1,500 years and is currently China's largest ordination site for monastic precepts, which is why Baohua Mountain is known as the “Number One Mountain of the Vinaya School.”

¥50 (includes Qianhua Ancient Village and Longchang Temple)

Nanshan Mountain

Nanshan Scenic Area is home to three ancient temples from the Eastern Jin period, Zhaoyin Temple, Zhulin Temple and Helin Temple, as well as three famous springs: Tiger Run Spring, Deer Run Spring and Pearl Spring. The area is vast, encompassing 16 surrounding peaks. Nanshan has now added many new attractions, making it a popular self-drive destination for the surrounding region.

¥40 (the Nanshan scenic area currently requires advance booking for entry, which can be done through its official WeChat public account) · 1 day