YANGZHOU
同福祥盐旗
Extremely hidden, deep inside the Guangling (广陵) heritage architecture complex, it’s a maze of century-old houses and courtyards that now restored and transformed into cafés, flower shops, bakeries, tea rooms etc. It’s part of a thoughtful urban renewal project to revive the traditional southern Chinese courtyards in a modern commercial take.Very easy to get lost on the way, but the momoment we stepped in, we were in awe: two floors, giant banana trees in centre of its own courtyard, Chinese inspired coffee, tea and nibbles. Beautifully restored and very graceful. Many wandering cats around for hugs and strokes.
Best to come early or during off-peak hours as it of course gets busy!!
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GLAZE GARDEN HOTEL 冰瓯馆
Once the private residence of a salt merchant in the late Qing dynasty, now beautifully restored into a serene garden hotel. Tucked deep in the Dongguan Streets, hidden in the alleys, its surroundings are historic but super lively — especially in the evenings. 2-3 room share a private courtyard with space to lounge outdoor; rooms are spacious, interiors are super modern and thoughtfully designed for convinience. There’s also a small restaurant for breakfast, as well as a coffee house just on site.
A perfect cultural retreat! Plus it’s around 100 GBP per night... unbeatbale location with unmatchable price price anywhere else.
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CHANGLE HOTEL 长乐客栈
Also located inside Dongguan Street, not far from the Glaze Garden Hotel. Changele is one of the most well-known places to stay here in Yangzhou. We attended the most surreal, beautiful wedding of my best friend here.The hotel is housed within protected heritage architecture, renovated from several historic residences including the former General’s Mansion and former civil servant estates, basically condensses the essence of ancient Yangzhou’s old town here in one place.
Comparing to the Glaze Garden, Changle is more formal, proper, and significantly larger. Though it sits right in Dongguan Street bsdies the lively shops, the moment you step inside everything quiets down. Grey bricks, tiled roofs, rock gardens, pavilions, and a small green lake with drifting boats.. With the famous Ge Yuan Garden just next door. There are several dining spaces inside for authentic Su cuisine.
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GEYUAN GARDEN 个园
One of the four most famous traditional gardens fof China. Also tucked away in the Dongguan Street heritage architecture complex, Ge was residence of a wealthy salt merchant in the Qing dynasty - turned into a community club for creatives and artists in the late Qing. Very large in size, Ge Garden is all rockeries and bamboo gardens. One of the few classical gardens that let you walk through the four seasons.Map
HEYUAN GARDEN 何园
Slightly less famous than Ge Garden, but more preferred by me. Built in the late Qing dynasty by a salt official / merchant / scholar, He Garden reflects the hybrid identity of Yangzhou’s elite at the time, in political power, commercial wealth and cultural refinement.It feels less rigid, more graceful in its layout, and notably includes European influences in spme of the interiors, a sign of the family’s familiarity with Western culture which is quite remarkable for the time. It was very interesting to see how each family memberdesigned their spaces to their own taste. The daughter’s room sits beside a study with books and a piano, and even includes a whisky bar in the bedroom; the grandmother’s room is next to a small shrine, with a balcony made for moon-viewing..
Truly worth a visit.
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DONGGUAN STREET 东关街
THE high streets of ancient Yanzhou city, the oldest and most vibrant streets remained here. Dongguan Street can be traced back over a thousand years to the Tang and Song dynasties, lined with salt merchants’ mansions, teahouses, shops, and ancestral halls.Most of the remaining architectures today were from late ing dynasty, now housing boutiques, tourist shops and street foodssnack shops, tea houses, craft stores etc. Although now a very touristy desitination. the stone-paved paths and wooden-walled storefronts still offers a glimpse into the commercial life of ancient Yangzhou. Can’t be missed.
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