Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province

Yangzhou, a city in Jiangsu province, is located on the lower reaches of the Yangti River and the Huaihe River. It was a major ancient economic and cultural center in eastern China. The city¡¯s history dates back to 486 BC, when a long ditch called the Han Ditch was dug. This project later led to the construction of the Grand Canal that stretched over 1,000 miles to link the fertile south with Beijing. 

The famous monk, Jianzhen, sailed from here to take Buddhist doctrine to Japan during the Tang Dynasty. Puhaddin, a 16th-generation descendant of the prophet, Mohammed, came to Yangzhou on a religious mission in the 13th century, and was buried on his own wish in the city. Marco Polo served as the city's governor general for three years.

Yangzhou has many historical sites. Among them are the 1,500-years-old Daming Temple, the Fajin Temple built partly to commemorate the monk, Jianzhen, and ruins of temporary palaces used by several emperors for some 3,000 years. 

The most interesting scenic spot in the city is perhaps Shou Xihu, or Slim West Lake, which is so named because it resembles the West Lake in Hangzhou in terms of natural beauty, but is narrower and more twisted.