Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, is a city of poetry for many visitors, particularly in spring. Its romance not only comes from flowers blooming against the background of traditional Chinese gardens and architecture, but also from its rich cultural heritage. The literati of ancient China had a penchant for spring in Yangzhou, which makes the city a must-visit destination for exploring ancient Chinese literature, culture and lifestyle.

There have also been many well-known historical figures whose legacies are still sources of local pride, including Jianzhen, a Tang Dynasty (618-907) monk who helped propagate Buddhism in Japan, and Italian traveler Marco Polo, who served as a government official in Yangzhou for three years. 

(Text and photos by Li Fangfang)

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

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