Things to Do in Jiangsu, China: City Guides

Jiangsu is a province in eastern China defined by its waterways, where the Yangtze River, a long Yellow Sea coastline and the Grand Canal shape a landscape of canals, plains and fertile fields. It blends historic capitals like Nanjing and the canal‑famed Suzhou with modern industry, making it a rich destination for culture, cuisine and innovation. Neywo offers a free audio guide for Jiangsu, covering three cities, 95 narrated places and eight walking tours in eleven languages.

Exploring Jiangsu

Yangtze River

The Yangtze flows through Jiangsu’s southern reaches, providing a major transport route that has linked the province to inland and coastal trade for centuries.

Yellow Sea coastline

Jiangsu boasts more than a thousand kilometres of coastline along the Yellow Sea, offering seaside towns and maritime influences that complement its inland water networks.

Grand Canal

Running from north to south, the Grand Canal crosses Jiangsu and has long served as a backbone for trade, agriculture and cultural exchange between east‑west rivers.

Suzhou – Venice of the East

In the south, Suzhou became especially associated with canals, earning the nickname “Venice of the East.” Its waterways, bridges and classical gardens are central to the province’s identity.

Nanjing – historic capital

Jiangsu’s name joins Jiangning (now Nanjing) and Suzhou. Nanjing has served as the capital of several Chinese dynasties and remains the provincial seat today.

Cultural regions – Wu, Jinling, Huaiyang, Xuhuai

Today Jiangsu’s cultural landscape is often described through four broad areas that blend into one another: Wu in the southeast, Jinling around Nanjing, Huaiyang in the centre and Xuhuai toward the northwest.

Kunqu opera

Kunqu began in Kunshan and grew into one of China’s most renowned opera forms, celebrated for its refined music and elegant movements.

Pingtan storytelling

Pingtan blends spoken narration with music and has strong traditions in Suzhou, Yangzhou and Nanjing, offering a lively folk performance style.

Wuxi opera

Wuxi supports its own popular opera genre, adding to the province’s diverse theatrical heritage.

Huaiju opera

Huaiju is associated with the northern part of Jiangsu, particularly around Yancheng, representing another local operatic tradition.

Suzhou crafts

Suzhou is famed for its silk production, fine Chinese embroidery and the scent of jasmine tea, which remains a local specialty.

Yixing teaware

Yixing is noted for its distinctive clay teapots and other teaware, prized by tea enthusiasts across China.

Yangzhou lacquerware and jadeware

Yangzhou’s artisans are known for delicate lacquerware and intricate jadeware, reflecting the city’s long craft traditions.

Jiangsu cuisine and agriculture

The province’s extensive irrigation system supports rice and wheat farming, supplemented by maize, sorghum, soybeans, peanuts, rapeseed, tea, fruit and medicinal herbs. This agricultural base underpins Jiangsu cuisine, one of China’s eight great culinary traditions.

Modern Jiangsu

Though small in area, Jiangsu is the most densely populated province, with nearly 85 million people. Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou act as major economic hubs. Since reforms, the province has attracted leading exporters of electronics, chemicals and textiles and has been China’s largest recipient of foreign direct investment since 2006. The Shanghai‑Nanjing corridor enjoys especially frequent rail services, and several Jiangsu cities operate subway systems. Jiangsu also hosts more institutions of higher education than any other Chinese province, blending strong industry with a vibrant academic scene.

Zhouzhuang – historic water town

Zhouzhuang is recognised as a classic water town, its ancient lanes and canals offering a glimpse of traditional Jiangsu life. On Neywo it currently has no narrated places, but the town remains a popular side‑trip for visitors exploring the province’s water heritage.

Explore Jiangsu with Neywo

Neywo provides free audio guides for three cities in Jiangsu, covering 95 narrated places and eight walking tours, available in eleven languages. As you move through the province, the app tells the story of each site when you reach it, letting you explore at your own pace with no group or schedule. Download Neywo to start your journey through Jiangsu’s waters, history and flavors.