Jiangsu Attractions
Jiangsu extends along the east coast of China, around the lower course of the Changjiang. It lies between 116°21'-121°54'E and 30°46'-35°08'N.
17 per cent of the surface area of the province is taken up with waterways and lakes, while the rest consists of plains broken up by isolated hills. The region includes the low-lying alluvial plain of the Changjiang and the old estuarial area of the Huanghe (diverted in 1863), a flat coastal region criss-crossed by canals. The mud brought down by the two rivers has in the course of thousands of years pushed the coast several kilometers out to sea, at the same time causing the formation of large lakes (Taihu, Gaoyou Hu, Hongze Hu).
The climate shows considerable variations: while the south has a moist temperate climate, the north is cooler. The annual rainfall, which decreases as one goes northwards, is about 1000mm/39in. In summer and autumn the area is subject to typhoons.
Up until the 6th C BC the region belonged mainly to the Wu Kingdom. When the Mongols conquered northern China in the 12th C, the Song dynasty fled to the south, causing south Jiangsu to develop into an economic, cultural and political center. The province, whose name is derived from its two prefectures, Jiangning and Suzhou, was set up in 1667 by the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty. Between 1839 and 1842 the English advanced into the Changjiang delta area and during the Japanese War (1931-45) Japan occupied Jiangsu, which suffered considerable damage as a result.
Since 1949, besides the traditional textile and food industries, machine engineering, motor vehicle and chemical industries have also gained prominence. In the agricultural sector vegetables, cereals, cotton and rape should be mentioned. In addition salt is extracted in the coastal region. Wuxi and Suzhou are centers of silk production, which has made Jiangsu famous both in China and abroad.
17 per cent of the surface area of the province is taken up with waterways and lakes, while the rest consists of plains broken up by isolated hills. The region includes the low-lying alluvial plain of the Changjiang and the old estuarial area of the Huanghe (diverted in 1863), a flat coastal region criss-crossed by canals. The mud brought down by the two rivers has in the course of thousands of years pushed the coast several kilometers out to sea, at the same time causing the formation of large lakes (Taihu, Gaoyou Hu, Hongze Hu).
The climate shows considerable variations: while the south has a moist temperate climate, the north is cooler. The annual rainfall, which decreases as one goes northwards, is about 1000mm/39in. In summer and autumn the area is subject to typhoons.
Up until the 6th C BC the region belonged mainly to the Wu Kingdom. When the Mongols conquered northern China in the 12th C, the Song dynasty fled to the south, causing south Jiangsu to develop into an economic, cultural and political center. The province, whose name is derived from its two prefectures, Jiangning and Suzhou, was set up in 1667 by the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty. Between 1839 and 1842 the English advanced into the Changjiang delta area and during the Japanese War (1931-45) Japan occupied Jiangsu, which suffered considerable damage as a result.
Since 1949, besides the traditional textile and food industries, machine engineering, motor vehicle and chemical industries have also gained prominence. In the agricultural sector vegetables, cereals, cotton and rape should be mentioned. In addition salt is extracted in the coastal region. Wuxi and Suzhou are centers of silk production, which has made Jiangsu famous both in China and abroad.
Cave of Hidden Kindness
The Cave of Hidden Kindness (Shanjuan Dong), some 85km/53mi southwest of Yixing, is divided into four sectors on three different levels. Visitors will walk about 800m/2400ft in all. In the upper, spiral-shaped section the temperature is about 23°C (73°F) all the year round. At the foot of the caves a waterfall cascades down from a steep rock-face. The cave was probably discovered as early as the 9th C because a stone was found with an inscription from AD 850. Together with the other two caves described above it forms the ''Three Wonders of Yixing''.
Cave of the Valley of the Gods
The Cave of the Valley of the Gods (Linggu Dong), 12km/7.5mi southwest of Mr Zhang's Cave, was discovered by a Tang poet in the 9th C. Numerous visitors from the 10th C onward have left inscriptions on its walls.
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Mr Zhang's Cave
According to legend these caves 20km/12.5mi south of the town were inhabited by Zhang Guolao, an Immortal Taoist from the Tang period (618-907). The cavern goes down 1000m/330ft and contains 72 caves with numerous stalactites and stalagmites.
Yixing, China
Yixing lies in the extreme south of Jiangsu province, near its border with Anhui and Zhejiang, to the west of Lake Taihu.
The town is one of the largest and oldest centers of Chinese ceramic production, which is still important today. For the most part everyday articles are made, such as teapots, beakers and flowerpots, frequently decorated with plant and animal patterns.
The town is one of the largest and oldest centers of Chinese ceramic production, which is still important today. For the most part everyday articles are made, such as teapots, beakers and flowerpots, frequently decorated with plant and animal patterns.
Yixing - Pottery Museum
The Pottery Museum (Taoci Chenlieguan) exhibits old and new china as well as equipment for making it.
Yixing - Residence of the Taiping King
In Heping Jie Street stands the Residence of the Taiping King, where originally a court official of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) lived. During the Taiping Uprising (1851-64) one of the leaders chose it as his residence. Today visitors can still see some wall-paintings from that period.
