Yangzhou Tourist Attractions
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The origins of Yangzhou go back some 2400 years, to the Spring and Autumn period, but it really came into prominence in the 6th C when the Sui Emperor Yangdi ordered the Grand Canal to be dug.
Geyuan Garden
Geyuan Garden, in Dongguan Jie Street, dates from the Qing period (1644-1911); beautiful bamboo groves are its distinguishing feature.
Narrow West Lake
Narrow West Lake lies in the northwest of the town; actually, it is not a lake as such, but rather a section of a stream which was widened first under the Sui (581-619) and then under the Tangs (618-907). It is as beautiful as West Lake in Hangzhou, but smaller and narrower - hence its name. The whole has been made into a public park.Of interest to visitors are the Little Mountain of Gold (Xiao Jinshan), surrounded by water, and Angel Square (Diayo Tai), at the foot of the mountain where - according to folk-lore - Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736-96) used to fish.West Garden (Xiyuan) was laid out in 1751 in the traditional style.
Bridge of the Great Rainbow
The Bridge of the Great Rainbow (Dahong Qiao) was originally built of wood and painted red and so was then called ''Great Red Bridge''. It was replaced by a stone arched bridge in the Qianlong period (1736-96).
White Dagoba
The White Dagoba (Baita), similar to that in Beihai Park in Beijing, also dates from the reign of the Emperor Qianlong (1736-96).
Bridge of the Five Pavilions
The Bridge of the Five Pavilions (Wuting Qiao) was built in 1757 by salt dealers to welcome the Emperor Qianlong. Five pavilions line its 55km/180ft length.
Fuzhuang Island
On Fuzhuang Island, reached by a zig-zag bridge, can be seen some pavilions and covered walks.
Temple of Heavenly Peace
At the foot of the Mountain of the Plum Blossom (Meihua Ling) in the north of the town stands the Temple of Heavenly Peace, built in the Jin period (265-420). Here in 418 a Nepalese monk translated the Buddhist scriptures. In 1757, on the occasion of the visit of Emperor Qianlong, a villa, a garden and an ''imperial'' mooring berth were built.
Mausoleum of the Sui Emperor Yangdi
This mausoleum is in Leitang, on the northern outskirts of Yangzhou. The Sui Emperor Yangdi came to Yangzhou in 605, 610, 612 and 618. During his fourth visit to the town he was taken prisoner by some rebel army officers, hanged and buried in a remote grave. In 622 his body was brought here, but it was 1802 before the mausoleum was built.
Heyuan Garden
In the southeast of Yangzhou lies the Heyuan Garden, which was purchased and extended by the government official He at the end of the 19th C. The individual buildings are connected by a covered walkway.
Pavilion Looking in Four Directions
The Pavilion Looking in Four Directions, located further north, dates from the year 1559.
Pavilion of the God of Literature
In the west of Yangzhou can be found the Pavilion of the God of Literature, which goes back to 1585.
Xiaopangu Garden
This garden in the southeast part of the town dates from the Qianlong era (1736-96). It is built in the Classical style.
Wenfeng Ta Pagoda
Wenfang Ta Pagoda in the south of the town dates from 1582.
Surroundings
Of particular interest in the Yangzhou surrounding area is the Temple of Daming Si.
Temple of Daming Si
The Temple of Daming Si, 4km/2.5mi northwest of Yangzhou, is 1500 years old; however, the present buildings are replacements built in the second half of the 19th C. Before the monk Jianzhen (688-763) went to Japan to spread the Buddhist gospel he lived and worked here for many years. As a result, all Japanese monks attach considerable importance to this temple.
Sumptuous Hall of the Great Hero
In the main temple building, the Sumptuous Hall of the Great Hero (Daxiong Baodian), stand three statues of the Buddha, 18 figures of Luohan and a sculpture of Guanyin.
Jianzhen Memorial Hall
To the east of the main building stands the Jianzhen Memorial Hall, built between 1963-67 with Japanese financial aid. Here can be seen a wooden statue of the monk and a stone tablet bearing an inscription by Guo Moruo.
Hall Level with the Mountains
The Hall Level With The Mountains (Pingshan Tang), located to the west of the Temple of Daming Si, was built in the middle of the 12th C by the writer and historian Ouyang Xiu.
Guilin Tang Hall
Near the Ouyang Xiu Memorial Temple (Ouyang Xiu Ci) stands Guilin Tang Hall, built by the poet Su Shi (1037-1101) in memory of his teacher Ouyang Xiu. Paintings and specimens of calligraphy work are exhibited in the building.
Map of Yangzhou Attractions
Map - Yangzhou
