Stayed at a hotel of a lifetime in Zhenjiang, and the after-effects are profound.
🚗 Shanghai 2h+ | Underrated Zhenjiang, so comfortable for a road trip...
I always thought Zhenjiang was just a "city to pass through." This time, driving from Shanghai, I discovered – it has mountains, rivers, ancient temples, and just the right amount of relaxed charm. It's not as refined as Suzhou, nor as bustling as Nanjing, but it's the kind of place where you'll feel very comfortable staying for a couple of days.
About the Itinerary: Departed from Pudong on the afternoon of May 2nd, aiming to avoid peak travel, but still spent nearly 5 hours on the road to the Sheraton Hotel. The return trip on the afternoon of May 4th took almost 6 hours to get home. The G2 Wuxi section was as congested as ever during the holiday.
About Accommodation and Dining: This Sheraton is currently the only Marriott property in Zhenjiang (Suning Marriott will be added soon). The hotel is a bit old, and the usual price is around 400-500. The advantage of the Sheraton Hotel is the abundance of dining options nearby, with Wanda Plaza right next door. My wife chose a local restaurant, Huangqinlou Zhenjiang Local Cuisine. The dishes were very authentic and portions generous. Another place worth mentioning is Youjia Restaurant · Intangible Cultural Heritage Zhenjiang Local Cuisine (Jiefang Road Branch), which we ate at after visiting Beigu Mountain on May 4th. We went at 11:30 AM to get a queue number and waited 45 minutes to get in. After finishing, we saw many more people still waiting outside. Their specialty is salted goose, and overall, the food was very authentic.
About Attractions: Zhenjiang's attractions can be summarized as "Three Mountains and One Ferry Crossing." From Jinshan Temple in the west to Jiaoshan in the east, it's about 8 kilometers, with Xijin Ferry and Beigu Mountain interspersed in between. Buying the 99 yuan combined ticket is more cost-effective.
🏯 First Stop - Jinshan Temple
At first, I thought Jinshan Temple was just a "famous temple." But when I actually walked up, the pace immediately changed. There were many people; some were praying earnestly, some were looking up at the pagoda, and some were just following along. You suddenly realize: this isn't just for tourists; it's a place many people have truly visited. The legends, the incense, the sounds – they aren't just told stories; they're mixed in the air. It's a bit lively, but not an empty kind of liveliness.
🧱 Second Stop - Xijin Ferry
Xijin Ferry is quite magical. It's not stunning, and at first glance, it might even seem ordinary. But once you walk in, you slow down. The stone paths are a bit old, and the shops aren't uniformly refined. But precisely because of this, it feels more like a "place that truly existed." You won't think of taking pictures and leaving; instead, you'll keep walking. Some people are sitting, some are daydreaming, and the pace is very relaxed. That feeling isn't "beautiful," it's comfortable.
🌿 Third Stop - Jiaoshan
If there's one place that surprised me the most, it's Jiaoshan. The Imperial Stele Pavilion, the tree shadows, the small paths – many things are there, but none of them demand your attention. You unconsciously slow down. There might even be a short period where you do nothing at all. But that moment is the most relaxing. Some places are better when they're lively; Jiaoshan is just the opposite.
🌊 Fourth Stop - Beigu Mountain
Beigu Mountain isn't tall. But when you stand on it and look at the river, you'll feel a bit lost in thought. On May 4th, the wind was light, and the river was wide. You suddenly think – many years ago, someone else stood here, looking at the same river. They were thinking about bigger things, while you're just daydreaming. But in that moment, it feels like time hasn't broken.
Accommodation
🏨Zhenjiang Runyang Bridge Hotel
A luxurious business hotel featuring ecological health and wellness, conference facilities, an indoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts, garden sunsets, and a villa complex.
🏨Huazhu She · Lihu Courtyard B&B (Jurong Lunshan Lake Resort Branch)
A mountaintop manor with a pool villa, where the vast, calm waters of Lunshan Lake stretch out before you, offering breathtaking views and a highly designed lake-view retreat.
🏨Zhenjiang Shanshuijian Youjian Fuyu B&B
Located halfway up Nanshan Scenic Area, with lush greenery outside the window, combining Jiangnan garden style with modern simplicity, featuring large floor-to-ceiling windows in natural wood tones.
🏨Shuxiang Fudi Hotel (Zhenjiang Xijindu Ancient Street Museum Branch)
Within the Xijindu Ancient Street scenic area, a century-old courtyard with Republic of China charm, where history and modernity perfectly blend.
---
Other visitors' reviews of Jiaoshan Mountain
Show More ReviewsJiaoshan Scenic Area is well worth a visit. Standing majestically in the middle of the river, it is known as "Jade Floating in the River." Take a boat to the island and experience the tranquility of the mountain forests and ancient temples; the sound of the bells at Dinghui Temple brings peace of mind. The most breathtaking sights are the Stele Forest and cliff carvings, especially the Six Dynasties stone inscription "Epitaph for the Buried Crane," a must-see for calligraphy enthusiasts. Climb the Wanfo Pagoda for a panoramic view of the Yangtze River flowing eastward, a truly awe-inspiring experience. Here, you'll find not only the exquisite beauty of Jiangnan gardens but also the profound weight of history and culture, a perfect blend of nature and humanity.