Jiangsu
Go to Jiangsu for Suzhou's walled classical gardens, Nanjing's Ming-era sites and water towns along the canals.
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Jiangsu is a coastal province in eastern China, on the lower Yangtze and north of Shanghai. Its capital, Nanjing, was the seat of several dynasties and later the capital of the Republic of China. Long stretches of the Ming city wall still stand, and the tomb of the Hongwu Emperor lies on the slopes of Purple Mountain. Suzhou, a short train ride from Shanghai, is known for its classical gardens, many built in the Ming and Qing dynasties by scholars and merchants.
The Grand Canal and the Yangtze shape much of the province. Water towns such as Zhouzhuang and Tongli, near Suzhou, have canal-side lanes and old stone bridges, and day-trippers fill them at weekends. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking, while summer is hot and humid and winter is damp and cold. Plan four to five days for Nanjing and Suzhou at a relaxed pace, with a day trip to a water town.
Jiangsu in five
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arriveShops, taxis and food stalls often take only phone wallets. Check whether your foreign card can be added to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly, and carry some cash as a backup.Money and costs
- Get a mobile data plan before you landGoogle Maps and many foreign apps are not available on mainland networks without a VPN. Download offline maps in Amap or Baidu Maps before you leave the airport.Phones and eSIM
- Book trains on the 12306 appHigh-speed trains link Nanjing and Suzhou, and the official 12306 app sells tickets with your passport number. Book ahead for weekends and public holidays.Getting around
- Carry your passport for hotel check-inHotels register foreign guests from the passport at check-in, so bring the original and not only a photo of it.Visas and entry
- Save your hotel address in Chinese charactersDrivers find a Chinese address easier to follow than an English one, even when you use Didi. Save the name and address in Chinese on your phone or print them.
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Jiangsu, the full guide
Nanjing
- Price band: $$
Suzhou
- Price band: $$
Need to know
- Currency
- Renminbi, yuan (CNY)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; check the NIA site before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire, 120 ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, damp
- FebruaryCold, Lunar New Year
- MarchMild, showery
- AprilMild, blossom
- MayWarm, pleasant
- JunePlum rain, humid
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberWarm, clear
- OctoberGolden Week, busy
- NovemberCrisp, clear
- DecemberCool, grey
Right now in Jiangsu
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 60%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 88%
Nanjing
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today18°14°88%Tuesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Wed18°15°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu20°14°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri21°12°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat18°12°82%Saturday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Sun13°12°86%Sunday: Rain. High 13°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 86%.
Updated 04:27 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Suzhouabout 1 to 1.5 hours by high-speed trainClassical gardens, canals and the old town, a short high-speed ride from Nanjing.Read the guide
- Wuxiabout 1 hour by trainThe Lingshan Grand Buddha on a hill, and the shore of Lake Taihu.
- Yangzhouunder 1 hour by high-speed trainSlender West Lake and the Grand Canal, known for its food.
Before you go to Jiangsu
Rules for Jiangsu, checked
- Check visa-free eligibility and entry rules on the National Immigration Administration website before you fly.Source
- Hotels register foreign guests from the passport, and police may ask to see it, so carry the original at all times.
- Declare cash and goods above the limits on the customs form when you arrive.
- Drug offences carry heavy penalties in China, including long prison terms and the death penalty for serious trafficking.
- Do not photograph military sites, and ask before photographing people.
Plan around Jiangsu
Ming city walls, the Qinhuai district and the Nanjing Museum
Read the guideSuzhou travel guideClassical gardens, canals and the old town
Read the guideAll of ChinaCities, rail and entry rules across the country
Read the guideTrains between citiesHigh-speed rail, metro and taxi apps
Read the guideMoney and payment appsCash, phone wallets and typical prices
Read the guideVisas and entry rulesVisa-free rules and what to check before you fly
Read the guideJiangsu FAQ
Is Jiangsu worth visiting?
Yes, for Nanjing's history, the classical gardens of Suzhou and the canal towns nearby. Nanjing and Suzhou are the two main bases, and high-speed trains make travel between them easy.
How many days do you need in Jiangsu?
Four to five days covers Nanjing, Suzhou and one day trip to Wuxi or Yangzhou. Two days in each of the two main cities gives time for the main sights without rushing.
How do you get from Nanjing to Suzhou?
By high-speed train, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Book on the 12306 app or at the station with your passport.
Can I pay with a foreign credit card in China?
Foreign cards work at some hotels and larger shops, but many small vendors do not take them. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive and carry some cash.
Is Suzhou better than Nanjing?
They suit different trips. Suzhou is about gardens and canals, while Nanjing is about history, museums and the Ming city walls, so pick the one you want more of.
Do I need a VPN in China?
Many foreign apps and sites are blocked on mainland networks. Download offline maps and check the current rules on VPN use before you travel.