【National Geographic】Regret not coming sooner, Jiangsu's seriously underrated niche tourist city

Jiangsu tourism is not just about Suzhou and Nanjing; there are many hidden gem cities in the northern part of the province. Last week, I went to Suqian with friends. It has historical and cultural sites, as well as natural scenery. Even Emperor Qianlong praised this place as 'the best springtime scenery in all the land,' and I regret not coming earlier~ I can't help but share my two-day itinerary, remember to save it! Itinerary Recommendation DAY1: Siyang Station - Mazu Culture Park - Yuelai Temple - Night Tour of Sishui Pavilion Canal Scenery DAY2: Suqian Station - Xiangwang Homeland - Suqian Museum - Roman Park - Luoma Lake Beach Park - Suqian Impression•Yuanjiacun - Return trip Transportation ⛳️Departing from the southern Jiangsu area, you can take the high-speed train to Siyang for a day's visit, then head to Suqian. ⛳️For departures from other provinces, you need to transfer at Xuzhou, then you can go to Suqian first, and then to Siyang. ⛳️There are many high-speed train services from Siyang to Suqian, just a 15-minute ride to one station. It's also very convenient to take a taxi for city tours~ 📍⛳️About the Check-in Spots📸 1️⃣Suqian Impression•Yuanjiacun (P1,P2) Small bridges, flowing water, and fish lanterns, this place has a strong Jiangnan charm, with specialty snacks along the street, suitable for night tours~ 2️⃣Sishui Pavilion (P3,P4) Named after the water, Siyang's Sishui Pavilion is a landmark building here, and the night view is even more beautiful when the lights are on. You can come here in the evening to enjoy the canal scenery and the evening breeze. 3️⃣Xiangwang Homeland - Suqian Museum (P5,P6) Suqian is the hometown of Xiang Yu, the overlord of Western Chu. The entire scenic area is vast, with a grand Chu-Han architectural complex. You can climb the ancient city wall to overlook the whole panorama. Also, don't miss the nearby Suqian Museum to learn about the city's history. 4️⃣Yuelai Temple (P7) Visited specifically for its name 'Yuelai', the yellow wall architecture here is surprisingly photogenic, and locals come here for wedding photos. 5️⃣Mazu Culture Park (P8) Located on a small island surrounded by water on three sides in the canal, the 30-meter-tall Mazu statue stands at one end of the island, sacred and awe-inspiring~ 6️⃣Roman Park - Luoma Lake Beach Park (P9, P10) If time is limited, you can just visit Roman Park, which is free, less crowded, and more photogenic, with a healing lighthouse~ • 🏨Accommodation Recommendation This time we stayed at the Siyang Kaiyuan Mingdu Hotel, which is part of the Daway chain. The hotel has a new Chinese style, with decorative details that showcase Eastern aesthetics. The window offers an unobstructed view of the canal scenery, with a swimming pool and gym, making for a great holiday experience~ The location is convenient, a 3-minute drive to Sishui Pavilion, and 15 minutes to the high-speed train station. Very convenient