7 Days in Taizhou (Jiangsu)

Take the evening moat cruise when the lights come on; Wanghai Tower has the best roof view, and Old Street's snack alley warms up after dark.

1. Fengcheng River Scenic Area
2. Wanghai Tower
3. Taizhou Old Street

The opera master's memorial opens early; Qiao Garden is the oldest garden north of the Yangtze, and the museum's Ming costumes pair well in the afternoon.

1. Mei Lanfang Memorial Hall
2. Qiao Garden
3. Taizhou Museum

Boat through the wetland reed maze, then wander Qintong's Ming-Qing lanes; April visitors catch the famous boat festival.

1. Qinhu National Wetland Park
2. Qintong Ancient Town

In April the raised field islands turn gold — view them from the wooden walkway or a small boat; the water forest is best by flat-bottom boat.

1. Xinghua Qianduo Rapeseed Fields
2. Lizhong Water Forest

Market breakfast of Huangqiao shaobing, an afternoon in the teahouses, then one last moat cruise to close the loop.

1. Taizhou Old Street
2. Fengcheng River Scenic Area

About an hour by rail — Slender West Lake and Daming Temple fill a day; return to Taizhou for a late dinner.

1. Yangzhou
2. Slender West Lake

Roughly 1.5 hours on high-speed rail — museum in the morning, the Ming city wall in the afternoon, back by evening.

1. Nanjing
2. Nanjing Museum