Geographic coordinates: E119°26   N32°24

Population:  4.6 m (2008)   

Area: 2,561 sq mi

Average altitude: 30 ft

Average temperature: 58.6 ℉ 

Annual rainfall: 40 in

IDD: 86 – 0514

The city of Yangzhou has been renowned throughout its 2500-year history for its cultural and agricultural prosperity (the Wu rulers had channels dug here in 500 BC which were later incorporated into the Grand Canal). Because of its position at the junction of the Yangtze, the Grand Canal and the Huaihe River, Yangzhou rapidly developed into a prosperous city.

Many foreign merchants, including a community from Persia, lived and traded here, leaving a 12th century mosque and the much-quoted but unsubstained tale that Marco Polo governed the city for three years.

Yangzhou is a relaxing city although nowadays there is an industrial belt stretching around the south and east of the city. But there's still evidence of the cultured past here: the Islamic relics and the renowned scenic places such as the picturesque Slender West Lake, elegant Ge Garden and He Garden and the Daming Temple as well as the Wenfeng Pagoda. Huaiyang cuisine from here is one of the "Four noted cuisines" in China.

Attractions

Shouxihu Lake (Slender West Lake)