Jiangsu boasts of a remarkable history. A visitor will always be reminded of China’s fascinating past with all the mausoleums, statues and crumbling remains of city walls. There are also sites of cultural interest spread all over Jiangsu which satiates a visitor’s appetite for exciting and interesting areas of historical and cultural significance.

1.Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) – a holy shrine built in 1034 to honor Confucius, the great ancient Chinese philosopher. Through the years, it went through many periods of being destroyed and reconstructed. It was in 1984 when local officials renovated the temple following its original facade. At present, the temples has three sections: the main hall houses the temple, the Imperial Academy is on another section, and the Gongyuan where provincial and national examinations were held in the past.

At night, the Confucius Temple is brightly lit with hundreds of neon lights. It is a scene often enjoyed by tourists when cruising the waters of the Qinhuai River at night.

2. The Humble Admin’s Garden (Zhuozheng Yuan) – It is among the most beautiful private gardens in the country. It was constructed during the Ming Dynasty in 1513 AD when a retired high ranking officer, Wang Xianchen, bought it. With its fifty thousand square ft area, it is the biggest private garden in China. The garden has western, middle and eastern portions. A tour through the gardens is a refreshing treat for the eyes and for the soul. Beautiful Chinese architecture dot the area while trees and flowers abound in a fascinating array of colors and sizes. Clear ponds and lakes create stillness and tranquility when one seeks solitude and respite. The garden also has a perfect view of the distant hills. There are many man-made islands separated by winding streams. Many people go there to savor Mother Nature at its fullest bloom. It is the ultimate place for relaxation while enjoying the culture and the arts of the Chinese people.

3. Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum – Amidst the lush and verdant southern foot of Zhongshan Mountain lies the mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Constructed in 1926, it was designed by the renowned Chinese architect, Lu Yanzhi. The coffin of China’s great revolutionary leader was later moved to the mausoleum in 1929 from Beijing.

4.Huaguoshan Mountain – This top-tourist attraction has been made popular by the Chinese fictional adventure story “Journey to the West”. The story depicts the awesome waterfalls, man-made Buddha sculptures and ancient temples, caves and cliffs. The mountain belongs to the top 50 Chinese tourist attractions for foreign tourists.

5.Xihui Park – is composed of two hills –Hill Xi and Hill Hui—which are separated by the Lake Yingshan. The park is comprised of eighteen major cultural and historic sites including the renowned Second Best Fountain, Huanggong Ravine, Jichang Park, and Foolish Old Man Valley among others. The best time to visit Xihui Park is during the months of May to October. Many night celebrations and festivals abound during these months.

6.Jinshan Temple (Golden Hill Temple) – On top of Jinshan Hill is Jinshan Temple. It was build more than 1,600 years ago to mark the site where gold was found. Its pagoda crowns the summit of the hill and makes it visible even from far away. Many locals and tourists flock up the hill during the Mid-Autumn Festival to watch and enjoy the moon.

7.Zhouzhuang Water Town – The “Venice of the East” is situated between Suzhou and Shanghai. It is a water town with a long and rich history spanning over 900 years. Most houses in this town were built during the Qing and Ming Dynasties.

Jiangsu is one of the thickly populated provinces in China. A substantial portion of the population is comprised of Hui, Manchu, and Han. There are also other minority ethnic groups making up the local population.

The province is famous for its traditional Huai-Yang cuisine. The region’s specialties include “Dazha crab” and the salt-cured and pressed-duck of Nanjing. Its dishes are known for the liberal use of ginger, sugar, soy, and Shaoxing wine.

In Huai-yang cuisine, most dishes are cooked by simmering, braising, stewing, steaming or boiling in covered pot. Many dishes are served as soup.

There are two styles of preparing dishes in Jiangsu--Suzhou-Wuxi style and Zhenjiang-Yangzhou style. The first style is known for dishes that retain their natural flavor in original stock with a sweet and salty taste. The second style is known for soups which are so clear you can see the bottom of the bowl.