Chu-Han Legacy
The Chu-han Contention is one of Northern Jiangsu’s defining historical periods-a bitter stalemate between Xiang Yu’s Chu State and Liu Bang’s Han State. Its legacy is a plethora of cultural and historical sites left by both warring states, including archaeological sites, mausoleums, stone carvings and terracotta warriors, scattered across Fengxian, Suqian and Huai’an.
Journey to the west
References to the celebrated 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West are peppered throughout Northern Jiangsu. The book’s author, Wu Cheng’en, was born in the ancient town of Hexia, Huai’an, and his home has been turned into a museum, which is a good starting place to learn more about his famous tale. You can also visit coastal Liangyungang and pay homage to the novel’s Monkey King character at his fabled birthplace of Mount Huaguo.
Yellow Sea
With a coastline of more than 500 miles, the Yellow Sea has plenty of opportunity to interact with Jiangsu’s wild coastline. The sea’s name derives from the hus it assumes after the Subei Irrigation Canal and Sheyang River have deposited their rich sands into it. That’s why Jiangsu’s coastal farmlands are so fertile and picturesque destinations.
As China’s most densely populated province, Jiangsu wouldn’t be the first place you’d expect to have three national nature reserves. Yancheng National Natural Reserve for Coastal Reserve lie in close proximity to each other, allowing you to spot Pere David’s deer and red-crowned cranes. Hongze Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve is also home to diverse vegetation and endangered birds, including the graceful , white tundra swan.
