Slender West Lake

I love the spring in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, with the bright and beautiful March and April, where good scenery can be found everywhere in the south of the Yangtze River. You can travel from Nanjing, Yangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou to Shaoxing, enjoying countless beautiful views and delicious foods. In Nanjing at this time, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, especially those at the Jiming Temple, which are exceptionally beautiful, making the ancient temple full of spring vitality. While admiring the cherry blossoms, don't forget to taste Nanjing's delicacies, such as duck blood and vermicelli soup, honey lotus root, small wontons, crispy baked buns, vegetarian assorted dishes, sugar taro sprouts; Nanjing's snacks have won my heart. Yangzhou at the end of March and the beginning of April is also lovely, with willows swaying, the green waves of Slender West Lake rippling, and boating on the lake is peaceful and leisurely, a scene that makes one want to write a poem. Yangzhou's cuisine is also not to be missed, with a rich variety of morning tea and the light and delicate Yangzhou dishes. Oh, I really want to live in Yangzhou and be intoxicated with its food. Heading south to the city of Suzhou, with its drizzling rain, the hydrangeas in the Lingering Garden are in full bloom, and the Suzhou gardens are like a dream in the misty rain, too beautiful for words. Suzhou's cuisine is also so exquisite that it's hard to bring oneself to disturb it with chopsticks, with Suzhou-style noodles, pastries, and Su cuisine, so refined they seem not of this world, unforgettable! Shanghai's spring is not only about tulips but also about crabapple blossoms, not only about romance but also about the warmth and brightness of spring. When you come to Shanghai to enjoy the spring, you must also enjoy the food, such as shepherd's purse cakes, shepherd's purse and bamboo shoot buns, shepherd's purse three delicacies wontons; these are all part of Shanghai's spring flavor, how can one word 'fresh' describe it all? From Shanghai to Hangzhou, it's a different scene, with the lakeside full of flowers and willows, Su Causeway in the spring morning, and the thick atmosphere of spring. A cup of Longjing tea before Qingming Festival, a view of Hangzhou's own spring, makes one linger and forget to return. Hangzhou in spring also has its unique delicacies, with oil-braised bamboo shoots at the right time, Longjing tea fragrant Dongpo pork, osmanthus lotus seed cake, all of which are my favorites. The last stop, Shaoxing, is also full of surprises, with tender green leaves, pink flowers, white walls and black tiles, small bridges over flowing water, a beautiful picture of spring in the south of the Yangtze River. Shaoxing's food is impressive, with stinky tofu, wine-marinated chicken, Shaoxing three delicacies, rice cakes, drunken shrimp, all too delicious. At night, a warm pot of yellow wine helps one to sleep warmly and beautifully. I visit the south of the Yangtze River every year, not afraid of the late arrival of spring, just come when it comes~

📍Slender West Lake, where every casual shot is a scenic view. I highly recommend walking in and then taking a boat out. The views from the boat and the shore each have their unique features. 📍Ge Garden, one of the four famous gardens. I have to say that the ancients really knew how to enjoy life. 📍He Garden, the first garden of the late Qing Dynasty. Compared to Ge Garden, I prefer the layout of He Garden. He Garden has a combination of Chinese and Western architectural features. The interior decoration and layout are very different from traditional gardens, which is worth seeing. 📌The morning tea in Yangzhou is very good, but the one in Guangdong is more delicious haha. But I really like desserts. The lotus root starch balls are really delicious. The iced lotus root starch is also very special for the first time. Also, the jasmine-flavored yogurt from Yang University is the best haha. I like places with few people. See you next time, Yangzhou.

My dad hasn't been to Yangzhou for twenty years, and neither my mom nor I have ever been, so this time we took an impromptu trip to Yangzhou with my eighty-year-old parents. After breakfast at the hotel, we slowly walked to the north gate of Slender West Lake. The elderly got free admission, while the adult ticket was 100 yuan each. We took a 20-yuan electric cart per person after entering, which took us through the scenery and explanations until we reached the Wuting Bridge area. It was just after eight o'clock, and there weren't too many tourists yet, but there was already a queue for the boat tour, so we decided to skip it and continue walking. On my suggestion, we took a self-driven electric boat for 200 yuan an hour. The last time I was on it was nearly twenty years ago when I was playing with the kids, haha. My dad was a bit worried if I could drive it , but I told him I'm an experienced driver. So, with my encouragement, we had a joyful hour on the boat~ By the time the boat ride ended, it was almost ten o'clock, and the place had gotten much busier. We quickly left, concluding our morning tour of Slender West Lake

Slender West Lake is characterized by a lake of clear water as its main landscape, featuring the Five Pavilion Bridge, White Pagoda, Twenty-four Bridge, and the Wanhua Garden among other famous garden attractions. It is an important part of the Grand Canal, a World Cultural Heritage site. In 2010, the Slender West Lake scenic area in Yangzhou was awarded the status of a National AAAAA-level tourist attraction by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. On June 22, 2014, as one of the heritage sites of the 'Grand Canal of China', Slender West Lake was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming the 32nd World Cultural Heritage site in China.

Last time I visited Slender West Lake, I didn't experience the 'Three Months of Fireworks in Yangzhou', but this time, seeing the dazzling array of flowers in full bloom, I was thoroughly enchanted. Leisurely admiring the blooming Slender West Lake, what captivated me even more was the swaying posture of the willows along the long causeway, each spot revealing the elegance of the Jiangnan region. It truly lives up to the 'Three Months of Fireworks in Yangzhou'!

Yangzhou, once known as Guangling, may not have the reputation of 'above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou,' but in ancient times, it was as renowned as Gusu and Lin'an among literati and scholars. Although we can't experience the literary charm of ancient Yangzhou, the city today is also remarkably different from the past. With the arrival of the May Day holiday, five days is enough time to comfortably explore Yangzhou. Here are some famous attractions in Yangzhou worth visiting. 1⃣️ Slender West Lake One of only two 5A-rated scenic spots in Yangzhou, the West Lake has its grandeur, and Slender West Lake has its unique beauty. The Twenty-Four Bridge is still there, with ripples on the water and the silent cold moon. It exudes the charm of Suzhou-style gardens, yet it has its own unique aesthetic. Student tickets are half price🎫💰~ 2⃣️ China Grand Canal Museum Larger than the Grand Canal Museum in Hangzhou, it has a unique historical significance. The grand architecture and the heart-stirring historical restoration. The 5D effects offer an immersive experience of the development of the Grand Canal. The food inside is also quite good, with no admission fee, but it's probably necessary to book about a week in advance. 3⃣️ Dongguan Street This is a well-known historical and cultural street in Yangzhou, with a strong sense of history and not so commercialized, featuring elegant architecture and cobblestone alleys. There are many time-honored shops and a concentration of handicrafts. Worth a visit. 4⃣️ He Garden Known as the finest garden of the late Qing Dynasty, it is one of the famous private gardens. Compared to the gardens in Suzhou, it features a blend of Chinese and Western architecture. It seems to be the filming location for 'Marrying the Wrong Bride,' and you can wear Hanfu to take photos here. The winding paths in the Suzhou gardens make for excellent photo opportunities📸. 5⃣️ Pishi Street In the past, it was known as 'Leather Goods Street' and is very close to He Garden. It is filled with Yangzhou's local customs and snacks, and now it has become a must-visit spot in Yangzhou, with unique cultural and artistic shops and great photo opportunities. 6⃣️ Ge Garden Famous since the Ming Dynasty! It is said that the garden contains over 60 different types of bamboo. The admission fee is not expensive, and it is also one of the must-visit spots. 7⃣️ Daming Temple 'In the Southern Dynasties, four hundred and eighty temples, how many towers in the misty rain,' a thousand-year-old temple, the architecture has the style of a royal garden. Inside the temple, there is the Qiling Pagoda, which can be seen from other scenic spots, and from the top, you can overlook the entire city of Yangzhou. 8⃣️ Siwang Pavilion A must-visit spot in Yangzhou, from Siwang Pavilion you can look out over Slender West Lake, admire Cuiping Mountain, and overlook the major historical districts. The sudden appearance of an ancient pavilion with windows on all sides in the quaint old street also has a special feel, which is one of the reasons it has become a popular photo spot.

I've compiled a list of must-visit spots around Slender West Lake, so you can plan your own walking route according to your situation~ In the fireworks-laden March, come visit the garden in Yangzhou, oh! Wuting Bridge The original name of Wuting Bridge is Lotus Bridge. It features five square pavilions with pointed corners, memorable both in design and color. The scenery is beautiful with willows in spring and frosty snow in winter, daylight brings sunshine, and night brings bright moonlight, making it a picturesque sight in all seasons. Here you can buy creative ice cream for a check-in (beautiful for photos and quite delicious with a creamy taste, but it costs 18 yuan!) Diaoyutai The yellow pavilion facing Wuting Bridge in the middle of the lake is Diaoyutai. Its color is vibrant and eye-catching, and it looks great from every angle. Twenty-Four Bridge On a moonlit night by the Twenty-Four Bridge, where is the lady who teaches flute playing? Many people visit Slender West Lake just for this line of poetry by Du Mu. The bridge is located to the west of Wuting Bridge, with its white marble railings elegant and graceful, exuding its own charm. White Pagoda The Yangzhou White Pagoda, modeled after the White Pagoda in Beijing's Beihai Park, has a slender and graceful outline, and compared to the Beihai Pagoda, it possesses more of the delicate beauty of the Jiangnan region. Xiao Jinshan Xiao Jinshan, originally named Changchun Ridge, is a small island surrounded by water in Slender West Lake. Here you can see the Fengting Pavilion, Chuitai Terrace, and Moon Viewing spots. Sitting in the Fengting Pavilion and listening to the wind chimes tinkling at the eaves is truly relaxing. Xu Garden Xu Garden is built on the former site of 'Peach Blossom Dock', located at the north end of the willow-lined causeway of Slender West Lake. It contains the Listening to Orioles Hall, Spring Grass Pond Pavilion, and Shufeng Pavilion, making it a charming garden within a garden. Lakeside Plum Grove Before the cherry blossoms bloom, enjoy the plum blossoms at Slender West Lake. There is a large plum grove on the lake (not far from the north gate), and the flowers are blooming beautifully right now. Miniature Water Garden The closest attraction to the north gate of Slender West Lake, this place has many miniature landscapes, each with its own exquisite beauty. P.S. There's a great spot here to take a photo of the Qiling Pagoda of Daming Temple - any casual snap looks good. I entered from the west gate and exited from the south gate, and by strolling along, I was able to see most of the check-in points. The route from the north gate to the south gate is also OK, with no need to backtrack, making for an easy visit. Slender West Lake is a place where you can enjoy flowers in spring, the moon in autumn, cool breezes in summer, and snow in winter. It's a great place to take a leisurely walk any time of the year. Keep this guide handy, and welcome to Yangzhou~

Following the Jiangnan, it can be called the ceiling of romantic travel in China! Let me share the beauty of this trip down to Jiangnan with you all, with the warmth of spring and blossoming flowers, the heart is moved by the small bridges and flowing water under the blue tiles and white walls. At this moment, who could not love this romantic Jiangnan? 🔻Here are a few lesser-known treasure spots, it's suggested to save them✨ ✅Huzhou • Nanxun Ancient Town Walking on the ancient path beside the Hundred Rooms Building, looking at the buildings on the opposite bank, plus the reflection in the water, it's like traveling in a painting. ✅Shangrao • Chaguan Village A simple and quiet little-known village, shrouded in mist, with an old man leading a water buffalo passing by, it really resembles the scenes from textbooks. ✅Suzhou • Shantang Street You must visit Shantang Street in Suzhou at night~ The moment the lights come on, I seem to see the old city of Gusu. ✅Jiaxing • Puyuan Ancient Town A Jiangnan ancient town that is three times larger than Wuzhen, with fewer people and beautiful scenery, the charm of Jiangnan can be seen everywhere in the residential alleys. ✅Zhejiang • Wuzhen A model of ancient water towns in Jiangnan, with blue tiles, small bridges, flowing water, and hand-rowed boats, every step is a scene, truly the most beautiful water town. ✅Shaoxing • Hometown of the Sage of Calligraphy The hometown of Wang Xizhi and Cai Yuanpei, calligraphy on the walls can be seen everywhere, filled with a strong cultural atmosphere. ✅Suzhou • Tongli Ancient Town Deservedly selected by 'National Geographic' as the most beautiful water town in Jiangnan, experience the Suzhou described by literati and poets. ✅Shaoxing • Lu Xun's Hometown From the Herb Garden to the Sanwei Study, read the master's books, see the master's hometown, and feel the Jiangnan described in the master's writings. ✅Yangzhou • Slender West Lake Full of Jiangnan charm, you can see the endlessly beautiful spring and scenery, it's recommended to go early to avoid the crowds. 🌸Romance is everyone's aspiration, I hope the joy I share can also bring happiness to you!

Visiting Slender West Lake in March is so worth it! The first day in the morning, I went with a tour group. Since it was a drop-in group with many people, we originally went late, and after waiting for others, we entered the park from the West Gate at nearly 10:00. The park was packed with people. We took a boat to Xiao Jinshan and then walked back to the West Gate, covering only about one-tenth of the attractions. The scenery was so beautiful that I was left wanting more! The next day, I bought a ticket online for 90 yuan by myself, entered the park from the South Gate at 7:30 in the morning, and followed the 'audio guide' map tour. I walked, listened, watched, and took photos all the way, fully enjoying the scenery. I exited the park from the North Gate at 10:30, concluding the tour and making up for the regret. The public transportation in Yangzhou is very convenient, allowing access to any scenic spot. For a trip to Yangzhou, going on your own is the best choice!

A summary of the six cities in China that are most suitable for budget travel, delicious, interesting, and beautiful. When spring is in full bloom, students and migrant workers can go for it‼️ ·️ Shaoxing Shaoxing is really worth a thousand visits! The Jiangnan water town from the textbooks, the hometown of Mr. Lu Xun, is the place in my heart that most fits the Jiangnan described in Tang and Song poetry. Recommended spots: Lu Xun's hometown, the hometown of the Sage of Calligraphy, Cangqiao Straight Street Shaoxing's scenic spots are mostly free, and for a 2-day and 1-night trip in Shaoxing, an average of 300 yuan per person is enough ·️ Yangzhou Yangzhou, loved by Li Bai, becomes a painting in the fireworks of March! The ancient prosperity of mountains and waters, Yangzhou is romantically slow. Recommended spots: Slender West Lake, Pishi Street, Dongguan Street, Grand Canal Museum. Cost: Slender West Lake ticket is 100 yuan, 50 for students, others are free, Yangzhou travel for 2 days and 1 night, an average of 300 yuan ·️ Suzhou There are several old tourists in Jiangnan, and my favorite is the city of Gusu. Walk along Pingjiang Road, see Shantang Street, visit gardens on rainy days, climb Tiger Hill on sunny days, the warm and soft city of Gusu, with pavilions and towers. Recommended spots: Pingjiang Road, Shantang Street, Suzhou Museum, Tiger Hill, Humble Administrator's Garden. Cost: Suzhou gardens require tickets, other attractions are mostly free. Suzhou travel for 3 days and 2 nights, an average of 500 yuan ·️ Jinan The soft water town described by Mr. Lao She, with beautiful scenery and relatively low prices, is a city between the boldness of the north and the grace of the south, and the spring water is really too clear! Recommended spots: Baotu Spring, Qu Shui Ting Street, Daming Lake, Shandong Museum, Jing San Road Cost: Baotu Spring ticket is 40 yuan, half price for students, others are free, Jinan travel for 2 days and 1 night, an average of 300 yuan is enough. ·️ Dalian The most precious city I discovered this year! Off-season travel to Dalian is so wonderful.‼️ A sea view room for 100 yuan, a seafood feast for 50 yuan! Blue sea and sky, too comfortable. Recommended spots: Lianjiao Bay, Xinghai Bay, Xinghai Square, Silver Beach, Tiger Beach Fisherman's Wharf Cost: It is recommended to travel in Dalian for 3 days and 2 nights, an average of 400 yuan ·️ Tianjin If you travel to Beijing, you must take the opportunity to visit Tianjin! The architecture of various countries is very European, a paradise for carbohydrate foodies, and the cost-performance ratio of Tianjin travel is too high! The key is that it's delicious, good-looking, and even a filming location! Recommended spots: Jintang Bridge, Beian Bridge, Liberation Front, Italian Style Area, Five Avenues, Tianjin Eye Cost: Tianjin food check-in at the northwest corner, various bridges are free, Tianjin travel for 2 days and 1 night, an average of 200 yuan

When the temperature warms up and flowers bloom in profusion, it's the perfect time to enjoy the spring feast with family and friends! 🌺🌿 Follow this carefully planned guide to discover the charm of the top ten spring paradises! 🌈 🌟 **1️⃣ Jiangsu·Yangzhou** "Misty rain in the south of the Yangtze River, all in Yangzhou", wander through the streets full of ancient charm, pause by the clear-flowing canals, visit ancient temples and gardens, and savor the appropriately rich and delicate beauty of the south. 💫 Recommended attractions: 🌸 Slender West Lake, the Grand Canal Museum exploring the culture of the Grand Canal, the deeply Zen Daming Temple, the culturally rich Yangzhou Museum, and the exquisite and elegant He Garden and Ge Garden. 🌟 **2️⃣ Jiangxi·Wuyuan** Step into Wuyuan in March, as if entering a traditional Chinese ink painting, with boundless rape flower seas set against rolling green hills, and quaint villages picturesque as poems. 💫 Recommended attractions: 🌸 The spectacular terraced fields of Huangling, the fairyland of flower seas in Jiangling, the mysterious Wuyuanzhou, the beautiful Likeng, the poetic Moon Bay, and the tranquil Tan Village. 🌟 **3️⃣ Zhejiang·Hangzhou** April in the world, Hangzhou at its most beautiful, "The beauty of Suzhou and Hangzhou rivals heaven", stroll along the West Lake, listen to the orioles among the willows, every step is a poetic scene. 💫 Recommended attractions: 🌸 Boating on West Lake, praying at the Lingyin Temple and Faxi Temple, exploring the wetland scenery of Xixi Wetlands, the historical mark of Gongchen Bridge, and the ancient style of Qinghefang. 🌟 **4️⃣ Hubei·Wuhan** Wuhan in March, cherry blossoms in full bloom, as if walking into a world like a comic, the romance of Cherry Blossom Avenue and the historical depth of Yellow Crane Tower complement each other. 💫 Recommended attractions: 🌸 Overlooking the whole city from Yellow Crane Tower, the unmissable Wuhan University Cherry Blossom Festival, the East Lake Cherry Blossom Garden for cherry blossom viewing, exploring the culture of Jingchu at the Hubei Provincial Museum, strolling along the river beach, and cleansing the soul at the Gude Temple. 🌟 **5️⃣ Tibet·Nyingchi** Nyingchi "Peach Blossom Land", spring on the snow-covered plateau, peach blossoms blooming under the snow mountains, as if in a fairyland, interwoven with poetry and painting, intoxicated. 💫 Recommended attractions: 🌸 The earthly paradise of Basum Lake, the pastoral idyll of Lulang International Tourism Town, the heart-stirring Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the pilgrimage site of Potala Palace, and the excellent ecological Yani Wetland Park. 🌟 **6️⃣ Jiangsu·Nanjing** Nanjing is full of spring, the delicate beauty of Plum Blossom Hill and the dreamy Cherry Blossom Avenue of Jiming Temple intertwine, presenting vivid spring paintings. 💫 Recommended attractions: 🌸 Green outing at Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, praying at the ancient Jiming Temple, boating on Xuanwu Lake, savoring the scholarly atmosphere at Confucius Temple, tracing history at the Nanjing Museum, enjoying the panoramic view from Zhongshan Mausoleum, strolling through Laomendong, and making a pilgrimage to Niushou Mountain. 🌟 **7️⃣ Yunnan·Kunming** Spring fills the garden city of Kunming, with tulips competing to bloom along the Dianchi Lake wetland park, colorful and vibrant. 💫 Recommended attractions: 🌸 Flower viewing by Dianchi Lake, the geological wonder of the Stone Forest Scenic Area, the beautiful Cuihu Park, a paradise for photography enthusiasts at Dongchuan Red Land, and the underground palace of Jiuxiang Scenic Area. 🌟 **8️⃣ Guangxi·Guilin** Guilin's landscape is as picturesque as a poem, with clouds and mist swirling above the Li River, take a boat down the river to capture the beauty of the countryside. 💫 Recommended attractions: 🌸 The landmark park of Elephant Trunk Hill, the night view of the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas, the poetic Yulong River bamboo rafting, the essence of Li River cruise, and the charming Yangshuo West Street. 🌟 **9️⃣ Chongqing·Mountain City** The spring of the mountain city Chongqing is lazy yet full of vitality, with mountain city trails, light rail through buildings, experiencing the romantic spring in a three-dimensional city. 💫 Recommended attractions: 🌸 The bustling Jiefangbei pedestrian street, the popular Hongya Cave night scene, the popular residential area of Bai Xiang Ju, the light rail through the building at Liziba Station, the thousand-year-old town of Ciqikou, the profound Huguang Guild Hall, and the Three Gorges Museum to touch history. 🌟 **🔟 Sichuan·Western Sichuan** The spring of the Western Sichuan Plateau emerges, with snow mountains, grasslands, and lakes, starting a spring adventure close to nature and basking in the sun. 💫 Recommended attractions: 🌸 The fairy-tale world of Jiuzhaigou, the pure land of Daocheng Yading, the paradise for outdoor enthusiasts Mount Siguniang, the Shangri-La secret realm, the world's high city Litang, and the travertine wonder of Huanglong. At the turn of the seasons in March and April, with a good mood, embark on this spring journey across the north and south, let us meet the most beautiful selves among the blooming and falling flowers, and leave the most touching memories. May each destination bring you a unique experience, let the stories of spring quietly bloom and shine brightly on the journey. 🌍🌸

Upon arriving at Yangzhou's Slender West Lake, I found it shares some similarities with Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden, both borrowing scenery from nearby pagodas; the Humble Administrator's Garden from the North Temple Pagoda, and the Slender West Lake from the Pizhi Pagoda of Daming Temple. I wonder if the latter was built in homage to the former. The framed views from the Five Pavilion Bridge at Slender West Lake are also very pretty (see image three and four). (Image two shows the framed view of Slender West Lake, which changes to the view in image one with a single step + borrowed scenery). I'll include a base image of the Humble Administrator's Garden for comparison, with the rest being the scenery of Yangzhou's Slender West Lake