An ESL Teacher’s List of the Things to Do in Zhenjiang China

For those living in central China, there are a few hidden gems worth exploring. While living in Suzhou, I took a short train trip with one of my friends to explore the riverside community of Zhenjiang, spending one day on the north banks in Yangzhou and my second day on the south banks in Zhenjiang. The rest of our time (during our three-day weekend) was spent resting in Zhenjiang. Below is a list of activities and attractions we marked in the region.

Yangzhou Attractions (near Zhenjiang)

• Daming Temple
  A beautiful Buddhist temple with ancient architecture and tranquil gardens. It has been a spiritual center for centuries.
• Daming Temple (South Gate)
  The main entrance to the Daming Temple complex offers peaceful views and traditional carvings. It’s a great starting point for exploring the temple grounds.
• Slender West Lake (Shouxi Hu)
  This scenic lake is famous for its elegant bridges, pavilions, and weeping willows. It’s a favorite spot for walking, boating, and photography.
• Yangzhou Ancient City South Gate Relic Site
  This site preserves part of the original city gate from ancient Yangzhou.
• Dongguan Gudu
  An ancient ferry crossing and riverside area with historic significance. It’s a peaceful place to enjoy views of the waterways. It’s part of Yun He Wen Hua Gong Yuan (Yunhe Cultural Park).
• Wang’s Residence
  A restored traditional mansion showcasing life among wealthy merchants. Visitors can explore its courtyards and decorative rooms.
• Shikefa Memorial Hall
  A museum honoring General Shi Kefa, a Ming Dynasty hero. Exhibits highlight his life and resistance during the Qing invasion.
• Tianning Temple
  A quiet temple known for its ancient architecture and serene setting. It’s a lesser-visited cultural spo.
• Si Wang Pavilion
  A historic site with classical Chinese design. It offers quiet views and a look into Yangzhou’s cultural past.
• Choi Chi Won Memorial Hall
  This memorial honors Choi Chi-won, a famous Korean scholar who studied in China. It’s a cultural site symbolizing ancient international exchange.
• Wenfeng Tower
  A well-preserved ancient pagoda offering views over Yangzhou. It’s known for its balanced structure and history.
• Yangzhou Baguai Memorial Hall
  This museum celebrates eight famous scholars and artists of Yangzhou. Exhibits include calligraphy, paintings, and personal artifacts.
• Yangzhou Craft & Art Museum
  A museum dedicated to Yangzhou’s fine arts and handicrafts. It features intricate jade carving, lacquerware, and embroidery.
• Grand Canal Salt Merchant Exhibition Hall
  A museum showcasing the life of salt merchants along the Grand Canal. Visitors can explore restored buildings and trade exhibits.
• Gaomin Temple
  A grand Buddhist temple with striking halls and peaceful courtyards. It’s one of the major temples in the Yangzhou region.
• The Museum of Guangling King’s Tomb in Han Dynasty
  This museum exhibits artifacts from a royal Han tomb. Visitors can view jade burial suits and learn about ancient burial customs.
• Dongmen Relic Site
  An archaeological site preserving part of the ancient city walls and gates. It’s a quiet spot for history enthusiasts.
• Runyang Wetland Scenic Area
  A natural area near the Yangtze River with walking trails and birdwatching. It’s ideal for enjoying riverside ecology.
• Zhong Guo Chang Jiang Sheng Tai Shi Di Gong Yuan
  A large ecological park along the Yangtze River. It focuses on environmental education and wetland preservation.

Zhenjiang Central Area Attractions

• Mengxi Park
  A peaceful city park with walking paths, ponds, and green spaces. It’s a nice spot for locals and visitors to relax.
• Xijindu Ancient Street
  This restored historic street features stone pathways, old homes, and teahouses. It’s a charming place to walk, shop, and explore Zhenjiang’s heritage.
• Dinghui Temple
  A Buddhist temple known for its calm atmosphere and ancient structures. It’s a good place to experience traditional Chinese religious culture.
• 镇江革命历史博物馆 (Zhenjiang Revolutionary History Museum)
  This museum presents Zhenjiang’s revolutionary past through photos, exhibits, and artifacts. It’s especially interesting for those curious about modern Chinese history.
• Zhenjiang Museum
  A local museum with exhibits on regional history, art, and culture. It offers a good overview of Zhenjiang’s development through the centuries.
• Zhenjiang Ancient Canal Historical Culture Exhibition Room
  This small museum celebrates the Grand Canal’s influence on the city. Visitors learn about trade, daily life, and canal engineering.
• Zhenjiang Guchengqiang Relic Site
  The remains of Zhenjiang’s ancient city wall. It’s a quiet historical spot tucked into the city.
• China Zhenjiang Vinegar Culture Museum
  A unique museum dedicated to the city’s famous black vinegar. You can see how it’s made and taste different varieties.
• 宋元古街 (Song-Yuan Ancient Street)
  A lively street lined with architecture from the Song and Yuan dynasties. It’s popular for snacks, souvenirs, and traditional crafts.
• River Dolphin Museum
  A small museum focused on the endangered Yangtze River dolphin (baiji). It offers environmental education and awareness exhibits. The baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) is a possibly extinct species of river dolphin native to the Yangtze river system in China. It is thought to possibly be the first dolphin species driven to extinction due to the impact of humans.

Nanshan Area (South Zhenjiang)

• Nanshan Mountain Bamboo Forest Scenic Attraction
  A scenic area filled with lush bamboo groves and forest trails. It’s perfect for hiking and photography.
• Nanshan National Forest Park
  A large nature park with mountain paths and traditional pavilions. It’s ideal for quiet outdoor exploration.
• Nan Shan Jing Qu
  This broader scenic district includes forested hills and cultural sites. Visitors enjoy peaceful walks with views over the city.

Jinshan Area (West Zhenjiang)

• Jinshan Temple
  Zhenjiang’s most famous temple sits on a hill surrounded by water. It’s known for its stunning views and legendary tale of the White Snake.
• 金山 (Jinshan Hill)
  The hill where Jinshan Temple stands, offering panoramic views of the Yangtze River. It’s a favorite photo spot and pilgrimage site.
• Cishouta (Compassion Longevity Pagoda)
  A tall stone pagoda near Jinshan Temple. It’s a great place for quiet reflection and traditional architecture.

Jiaoshan Island Area (Yangtze River)

• Jiaoshan Scenic Area
  An island park in the middle of the Yangtze River. It includes walking trails, forests, and historical ruins.
• Jiaoshan
  This island is famous for its nature and ancient religious sites. A ferry ride takes you to this peaceful getaway.
• Jiaoshan Forest of Steles
  An open-air collection of ancient stone inscriptions on Jiaoshan Island. History lovers can admire the preserved calligraphy and carvings.
• 万佛塔 (Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda)
  A striking pagoda with rows of Buddha carvings. It’s a unique landmark on Jiaoshan Island.

Outskirts & Natural Parks

• Beigushan Park
  A city park with open lawns, old pavilions, and views of the river. There are many historical attractions here, including Gan Lu Si and overlooks throughout the Beigushan scenic spot.
• Jin Yu Yin Xing Ecological Garden
  A quiet ecological garden. It’s good for nature walks and photography.
• Zhenjiang Shenzhu Ecological Agriculture Tourist Park
  An outdoor ecological area for tourists to experience agriculture.

Conclusion

Overall, our mini-vacation to this region was an excellent visit. There were plenty of items to include on this list of things to do in Zhenjiang. I plan on making another trip in this direction next month to Nanjing, since the train ticket prices are the same. So until then, may harmony find you.