We had the chance to see China through a new lens as part of a famil through Jiangsu Province and Hangzhou hosted by MW Tours Australia and Beijing Capital Airlines in partnership with Jiangsu Tourism.
It’s a country that seamlessly blends thousands of years of history with modern vibrancy and genuine hospitality.
Made up 13 cities along China’s Yellow Sea coast, Jiangsu Province is one of the most densely populated areas in the country.
The Yangtze River flows through its southern reaches, bringing life, trade and culture. Autumn proved a comfortable and colourful time to visit.
The region is famous for its cuisine – steamed hairy crab, lion’s head meatballs, squirrel fish and salted duck are just a few specialties. For adventurous foodies, every meal is a new experience and for those less daring, plenty of familiar options are available.
Suzhou – Where Water Meets Culture
Suzhou is shaped by water and steeped in tradition, its canals weave through centuries-old neighbourhoods.
At Shazhou Youhuang Cultural Park, we learned how rice wine was invented – they had a display represented by 110,000 lights symbolising the rice harvest.
Six hundred vats of wine are stored here and, of course, we got to sample the goods over a delicious lunch. The stories of Suzhou’s winemaking history are as intricate and poetic as its gardens.
Zhangjiagang & Shuangshan Island – Where Traditions Ride On
Our visit coincided with the opening of the local bike-riding season, celebrating the region’s natural beauty. We joined the festivities, cycling along scenic paths as honoured guests.
The Marriott Zhangjiagang stood out as my favourite hotel, luxurious yet warm, with the best Chinese-Western breakfast spread of the trip.
We were also lucky to experience the Yangtze River Cultural Festival, with vibrant markets, cultural performances and a buzzing hot-pot dinner beneath a dazzling drone show.
Xinghua – Nature in Full Bloom
In Xinghua, nature takes centre stage and the Qianduo Scenic Area (left) was bursting with colourful blooms.
My highlight came when a troupe of local drummers invited us to join their performance. We laughed, drummed and danced alongside the locals, a true cultural connection.
Later, we cruised through the serene canals of Lizhong Wetland Park in the rain – it is a peaceful, postcard-perfect scene.
Taizhou – Ancient Wisdom & Living Traditions
With its 2,000-year history, Qintong Ancient Town feels like stepping into a living museum. A thousand-year-old locust tree shades cobblestone streets where old world charm meets authentic local life.
At the Taizhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we learned about 361 acupuncture points and 5,000 years of healing practices, a fascinating insight into the roots of wellness tourism.
We also visited the Qiao and Mei Gardens, both perfectly aligned to face south for good feng shui, before ending the evening with a tranquil Fengchen River cruise, a quintessential Jiangsu experience.
Yangzhou – The City by the River
With 2,500 years of history, Yangzhou combines temples, gardens and buzzing street life.
The Daming Temple, home to more than 1,500 years of Buddhist tradition, was particularly moving as monks’ chants echoed through the halls.
Our stay at Slender West Lake Hot Spring Resort was the perfect mix of relaxation and culture. After days of walking, the hot springs were heavenly.
We also explored Geyuan Garden, one of China’s top four classical gardens, famous for its centuries old bonsai and the Five-Pagoda Bridge, the perfect photo spot. We then ate dinner along Dongguan Ancient Street, where architecture meets modern vibrancy.
Nanjing – History, Learning & Legacy
Few cities capture China’s soul like Nanjing. From the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to the Grand Bao’en Temple ruins and NiuShou Mountain (left) where Buddha’s skull relics lie five levels underground, beneath 85,000 shimmering lights.
At the China Museum of Imperial Examination, 100,000 carved characters honour the scholars who once sat the ancient civil exams. Walking the “Sea of Knowledge” floor felt symbolic as in China, to “read 10,000 books is to travel 10,000 miles.”
We also climbed the 600-year-old Nanjing City Wall, said to bring good health to those who walk it, and of course, we couldn’t resist testing that theory.
Hangzhou – The Heart of Modern China
Home to Alibaba and Chinese TikTok, Hangzhou bridges the ancient and the futuristic. Even in the rain, the misty West Lake was memorable, framed by pagodas and distant hills.
At Meijiawu Tea Village, we learned the art of tea. Three pours mean “welcome,” and tapping your fingers three times means “thank you.” A beauty tip worth noting is to mix used green tea leaves with egg white and honey to smooth “panda eyes”!
We finished our journey at Songcheng Park’s spectacular cultural show, then cruised Xixi Wetland Park before a final shopping spree along Hefang Street. Tip: set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go as cash is not readily used.
Final Reflections
China surprised me in every way. Each city revealed a different layer, from ancient wisdom to cutting-edge innovation, from tranquil gardens to lively markets.
For travel agents, Jiangsu and Hangzhou offer endless opportunities from corporate and business travel, wellness and culture, food and nature tours, or a mix of everything.
Beijing Capital Airlines flies directly from Melbourne, making it remarkably easy to reach.
Australian passport holders can now visit China visa-free until the end of 2026 which is another great incentive.
My top recommendation for travel in China is to have an excellent local guide. Ours was invaluable, making every detail, from translation to logistics, completely seamless. Google Translate helps, but nothing replaces an exceptional guide.
China is not just a destination; it’s a journey through time, culture and innovation. If it’s not already on your bucket list, it should be.
