Okay, let's be honest about Gaoyou.
April is a great time to travel, with its gentle spring breezes and flourishing nature. Gaoyou, a small city full of poetry and down-to-earth charm, exudes a unique appeal in April. Follow this guide and embark on a romantic journey to Gaoyou!
I. Where is Gaoyou Located? 📍
Gaoyou is located in the central part of Jiangsu Province and is a county-level city under the administration of Yangzhou. It has a long history and is a world heritage city and a famous national historical and cultural city. It was born and prospered because of the postal service, and everywhere hides traces of time and the warmth of life.
II. Transportation Guide 🚗
External Transportation
✈️ Airplane: The nearest airport to Gaoyou is Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport. The airport has a direct airport bus 🚌 to Gaoyou city, which is very convenient. If you choose to take a taxi, it takes about 1 hour to arrive, which is convenient but more expensive.
🚄 Train: Gaoyou has Gaoyou Station and Gaoyou North Station, and many cities have direct trains. After arriving, you can take a bus or taxi to the city center.
Internal Transportation
🚕 Taxi: Gaoyou's urban area is not large, and taking a taxi is a convenient way to travel, and the price is reasonable.
🚲 Shared Electric Bicycle: This is definitely a great choice for visiting Gaoyou! Riding an electric bike, shuttling through the streets and alleys, with the breeze blowing on your face, you can stop at any time to explore the surprises on the roadside.
III. Itinerary 📅
Day 1: Exploring Historical Charm
🌅 Morning: After arriving in Gaoyou, go to Wenyoutai. This is one of the eight scenic spots of ancient Qinyou. Great writers such as Su Shi and Qin Shaoyou used to drink and discuss papers here. Stroll through it, feel the cultural heritage of thousands of years, and admire the simple and elegant architecture.
🍜 Lunch: Try local specialty noodles, such as Yangchun noodles and fish soup noodles. The noodles are strong and the soup is delicious, making people want more.
🌆 Afternoon: Visit the Gaoyou Ming and Qing Canal Relic Site, which is a World Heritage Site. Walk along the canal embankment, look at the wide river surface, and feel the prosperity of the Grand Canal. After that, go to Zhenguo Temple, an ancient temple built in the Tang Dynasty, which is like a bright pearl in the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, quiet and solemn.
🥘 Evening: Go to the Beichengzi River Scenic Belt, enjoy the night view, and taste Gaoyou Lake hairy crabs 🦀, which is the most famous local delicacy. The crab meat is full and the crab roe is rich, making people unable to stop.
Day 2: Experiencing Water Town Customs
🌅 Morning: Go to the Reed Marsh Wetland Park. Take a boat through the reeds, listen to the birds singing, and watch the reeds swaying, as if you are in a green ocean. The air here is fresh and it is a great place to get close to nature.
🍱 Lunch: In the restaurant in the wetland park, taste the lake fresh banquet. The fish, shrimp and other ingredients are all taken from Gaoyou Lake, which is extremely fresh. There are various cooking methods, retaining the original flavor of the ingredients.
🌆 Afternoon: Come to Lingtang Hui Township, which is the only ethnic minority township in Jiangsu Province. Experience the unique Hui customs, visit the mosque, and feel the integration of different cultures. Taste Hui specialty foods, such as beef soup, fried dough twists, etc.
🎇 Evening: Return to the city and stroll around Yucheng Post. It is the largest and best-preserved ancient post station in the country. Under the illumination of the lights, it is quaint and full of mystery.
Day 3: Appreciating Humanistic Charm
🌅 Morning: Visit Wang Zengqi Memorial Hall. Wang Zengqi is a cultural celebrity in Gaoyou. His works are full of love for life and nostalgia for his hometown. Here, through pictures and manuscripts, you can deeply understand Wang Zengqi's life and creation.
🍚 Lunch: Try the delicacies written by Wang Zengqi, such as pubao meat and salted duck egg tofu, and feel the perfect combination of literature and food.
🌆 Afternoon: Free activities, pick some Gaoyou's special souvenirs, such as Jieshou dried tea, double-yolk duck eggs, etc., and bring the beautiful memories of Gaoyou home.
IV. Accommodation Guide 🏨
🏨 Upscale: It is recommended to stay at Gaoyou Huifu Jinling Hotel. The hotel has complete facilities, thoughtful service, and beautiful lake view rooms, allowing you to enjoy the magnificent scenery of Gaoyou Lake while resting.
🏨 Economy: All Season Hotel Gaoyou is a good choice. The hotel has an excellent location, convenient travel, clean and tidy rooms, and high cost performance.
🏨 Featured: You can consider staying in a homestay near Wenyoutai. Most of these homestays retain the traditional architectural style and are full of quaint atmosphere, allowing you to better experience the local customs of Gaoyou.
V. Food Recommendations 🍖
🦀 Gaoyou Lake Hairy Crab: This is Gaoyou's signature delicacy. Although April is not the best season for eating crabs, you can still taste the fresh and tender crab meat. Steaming is the most classic way to eat it, which can retain the crab's umami to the greatest extent.
🥚 Double-Yolk Duck Egg: The eggshell is cyan in color and has a round and smooth appearance. The yolk is large, bright in color, the egg white is fresh and tender, and the saltiness is moderate. Whether it is eaten directly or used for cooking, it has a unique flavor.
🥘 Pubao Meat: Mix pork and starch evenly, put them into a pubao bag, and cook. It tastes soft and glutinous, with the unique fragrance of pubao. It can be sliced and mixed cold, or cooked in soup.
VI. Must-Experience in Gaoyou 🎈
✨ Participate in the Opening Lake Ceremony: If you happen to be there for the Opening Lake Festival in April, don't miss the Opening Lake Ceremony. The lively scene and traditional customs allow you to feel the fishermen's awe of nature and their expectation for a good harvest.
✨ Listen to Gaoyou Folk Songs: Gaoyou Folk Songs are a national intangible cultural heritage. The melody is beautiful, the lyrics are simple, and they are full of strong local flavor. Find a teahouse, order a cup of tea, listen to a folk song, and feel the unique charm of Gaoyou.
✨ Take a Boat Trip on the Lake: Take a boat and float on Gaoyou Lake, enjoy the lake and mountains, and experience the life of people on the water, which has a unique flavor.
Gaoyou in April is waiting for you to unlock its beauty. Pack your bags and embark on this poetic journey 💕!