Yang Zhou, noted for its history and culture, is located in central Jiangsu Province in Southeast China, the convergent point between Yangtze River and the Great Canal of China. It is known as a city of gardens and alleys and a destination that makes a trip to China unforgettable. Yangzhou is a proud retainer of ancient Chinese architecture, art, culture, traditional gardens and parks, cuisine, leisure, and commerce in a beautiful mixture of modernity with its rich 2,500 year history.

Yangzhou was a major trade center on the Grand Canal. It is only an hour bus ride from Nanjing, and three hours from Shanghai. In ancient time, Emperors used to visit Yangzhou by boat to enjoy its distinct architecture and famously beautiful women, among other things. Yangzhou reached its heyday over a thousand years ago as a salt distribution center during the Tang Dynasty. In contrast to neighboring Shanghai and Nanjing, Yangzhou City looks like a small town that has recently begun to prosper. Its central commercial street is lined with various restaurants, teahouses, and barber's shops, rather than skyscrapers and modern shopping malls. It is hard to imagine that 300 years ago it was home to large numbers of rich merchants. These days few local people are willing to work outside Yangzhou, and those obliged to leave their hometown in order to work return as soon as they have made their fortune.

Today, there are an unbelievable amount of tourist activities in this small relaxed city. The willow tree lined Slender West Lake is a huge, must see park, and both He and Ge Gardens make for pleasant visits as well. One can just as easily spend a day exploring the ancient alleys and quiet canal side paths. By night, go for some of Yangzhou's interesting cuisine or go relax at any one of the city's abundant bath houses.