A detailed 3-day off-season travel guide to Yangzhou with my mom, less walking, mom smiled

My mom has limited mobility and can't walk for long periods. So, I researched strategies in advance for our trip to Yangzhou and designed this travel guide featuring in-park transportation, core area visits, and enhanced short-distance transfers to ensure a relaxed and comfortable trip. Mom was very happy with the result. This guide can be used as a reference for those traveling with elderly family members. However, each elderly person's physical condition is different, so it's important to tailor the itinerary to their abilities and avoid pushing them too hard. Overall Trip Principles 1. Full Coverage Transportation: Slender West Lake cruise + sightseeing bus, Ge Garden rickshaw, Grand Canal Museum wheelchair rental. 2. Core Area Selection: Visit only the iconic areas of the attractions, avoiding secondary attractions that require climbing slopes or long walks. 3. Seamless Short-distance Connections: Take taxis between attractions to the nearest entrance to reduce walking distance; choose dining options within the scenic area or near the hotel. Day 1: Slender West Lake Highlights + Immersive Experience at the Grand Canal Museum Morning: Slender West Lake Cruise + Sightseeing Bus Combo Tour. Slender West Lake opens at 6am. Be sure to go early to avoid tour groups. It's best to arrive before 7:30am. Route: Take a painted boat from the South Gate Wharf (Water Tour: Five-Pavilion Bridge → White Pagoda → Twenty-Four Bridge) → Transfer to the sightseeing bus to the Ten Thousand Flower Garden (bus tour of Xu Garden, Small Golden Hill, etc.) Tips: The combined water and land tour requires only about 0.8km of walking, saving 60% of physical exertion compared to walking the entire route. Purchase "cruise + sightseeing bus" combo tickets online in advance to avoid queuing on site. Morning Tea: Qu Yuan Tea House (Slender West Lake Branch) Advantages: Adjacent to the south gate of Slender West Lake, a 2-minute taxi ride away; offers private room reservation service (reservations must be made 1 day in advance by phone) to avoid waiting in line. Recommendations: Pine nut shaomai (soft and chewy), thousand-layer oil cake (low-oil version) Afternoon: Grand Canal Museum (wheelchair accessible tour) Reservations are required 7 days in advance via the mini-program. Route: Rent a wheelchair at the entrance → Take the elevator directly to the 8th Hall on the 3rd floor (Love of the River: Immersive Light and Shadow Show) → 9th Hall (The Forbidden City and the Grand Canal) → 7th Hall (Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition, optional) → Take the elevator to the 3rd Hall on the 1st floor (real-life ancient street) → Take a break at the cafe → 1st Hall (Five Grand Canals) → Exit on the 1st floor Tips: Use a wheelchair throughout (free rental at the entrance), move between exhibition halls via elevators, and limit walking to within the exhibition halls. Dinner: Take a taxi to a Huaiyang restaurant near your accommodation. Recommendations: Wensi Tofu Soup (smooth and warming), Yangzhou Fried Rice (customizable with less oil) Advantages: No need to go out, return to the hotel directly after dinner to rest. Day 2: He Garden Covered Walkway + Ge Garden Rickshaw Tour Morning: He Garden Covered Walkway Core Tour, arrive early to avoid crowds. Route: East Gate → Peony Hall → Covered Walkway (upper corridor, panoramic view) → Yuxiu Building (rest area) → Exit through South Gate Tips: Focus on experiencing the 1500m barrier-free covered walkway, avoiding the rock garden area. Use an audio guide (CNY30/each) to reduce time spent reading signs. Midday Break: Chang Le Inn Garden Afternoon Tea This inn has private rooms with garden views, where you can enjoy Biluochun tea + Huaiyang snacks (Emerald Shaomai, Crystal Meat) while admiring the Yangzhou gardens. Walking is limited to 50m within the courtyard. Afternoon: Ge Garden Rickshaw Tour Route: Enter through North Gate → Take a rickshaw (CNY30/rickshaw, including commentary) → Four Seasons Rock Garden Tour → Get off at the Bamboo Forest area and walk 200m → Exit through South Gate Tips: Rickshaws can travel through the main roads within the garden, requiring only short walks at photo spots in the rock garden. Dinner: Dongguan Street A few minutes' walk from Ge Garden is Dongguan Street. There are many snacks and restaurants on Dongguan Street, so you can stroll around and eat whatever you like. After-dinner Yangzhou Foot Massage Yangzhou foot massage is a unique experience, combining foot therapy and massage. After two days of walking, treat yourself and your mom to a Yangzhou foot massage. Day 3: Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicrafts + Ancient Canal Night Cruise Morning: 486 Intangible Cultural Heritage Zone (seated experience) This place mainly offers intangible cultural heritage experiences. 1. Lacquerware Gilding Experience (worktable height suitable for seniors, chairs with backrests provided) 2. Paper-cutting Template Engraving (no standing required, finished products can be directly framed) Tips: All activities are done while seated, walking is limited to about 100m to enter and exit the venue. Lunch: Jiangjiaqiao Dumpling and Noodle Shop (delivery service) Recommendations: Shrimp Roe Noodle Soup (soup and noodles packaged separately), Fried Pork Dumplings (delivered warm) Advantages: Contact the shop for delivery to avoid queuing at the store. Return in the afternoon. If you have time, you can take a night cruise on the ancient canal. Evening: Ancient Canal Painted Boat Night Cruise (direct access from the wharf) Route: Take a taxi to Dongguan Ancient Ferry Wharf → Take an enclosed painted boat (sofa seats inside) → 40-minute cruise, then take a taxi back from the wharf Tips: Choose a wharf with "barrier-free access" to avoid stairs. Tips: Hotel Selection: Choose hotels close to attractions. Some hotels offer electric cart shuttle services to attractions. Contingency Plan: Carry a folding stool. He Garden's Yuxiu Building and Ge Garden's Bamboo Forest area have rest pavilions for seniors. Weather Adaptation: In April and May, it is recommended to bring a light raincoat (more convenient than an umbrella). If you find this helpful, please give it a like, thank you!