Travel to Gaoyou City, Yangzhou, Jiangsu

Gaoyou, Jiangsu — a canal pearl and the hometown of duck eggs, featuring Yucheng Post, Wenyou Terrace, Gaoyou Lake and other characteristic attractions. A 2-day trip perfectly blending water town ecology and humanistic history.

2100+
Years of City History
700+
Years of Yucheng Post History
50+
Fish Species in Gaoyou Lake
30+
Gaoyou Special Foods (types)
Beautiful ancient building complex of Yucheng Post, Gaoyou City
Gaoyou Yucheng Post – Iconic Landscape of Ancient Postal Culture
Gaoyou Yucheng Post is one of the best-preserved ancient post stations in China, famous for its well-preserved post buildings and rich canal culture, known as the 'Living Fossil of Chinese Posts'.

Gaoyou City Two-Day Water Town Cultural Tour

Postal culture, literati gatherings, lake views, food experience

Duration
2 Days / 1 Night
Main Destinations
Yucheng Post, Wenyou Terrace, Gaoyou Lake, Gaoyou Museum, Zhenguo Temple
Suitable For
History and culture lovers, food enthusiasts, family travelers, photography enthusiasts
Budget per Person
¥250 - ¥600
01
Historical Culture Exploration
Yucheng Post · Wenyou Terrace
Highlights

Morning visit Yucheng Post to experience ancient postal culture; afternoon tour Wenyou Terrace to appreciate literati gatherings; evening taste Gaoyou's special duck egg delicacies.

Attractions
Yucheng Post
National key cultural relic protection unit, the best-preserved ancient post station in China. First built in the Ming Dynasty, it was an important post station on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, showcasing the ancient postal system and water transport culture.
Wenyou Terrace
A famous cultural relic in Gaoyou, first built in the Song Dynasty. Renowned because literary figures such as Su Shi and Qin Guan wrote poems here, an important place showcasing Gaoyou's literati culture.
Practical Info
Accommodation
  • Hotels in Gaoyou city center
  • Guesthouses near Gaoyou Lake
  • Characteristic inns in the old town
Food Recommendations
  • Gaoyou Salted Duck Eggs
  • Double-Yolk Duck Eggs
  • Lake Fresh Delicacies
  • Gaoyou Soup Buns
  • Canal Fish Feast
Travel Tips
  • Hiring a guide at Yucheng Post is recommended
  • Wenyou Terrace is great for leisurely appreciation
  • You can experience ancient postal activities
  • Recommended to taste various duck egg products
02
Lake and Mountain Scenery Tour
Gaoyou Lake · Gaoyou Museum · Zhenguo Temple
Highlights

Morning visit Gaoyou Lake to enjoy lake and mountain scenery; afternoon tour Gaoyou Museum to learn about local history; evening visit Zhenguo Temple to experience Buddhist culture.

Attractions
Gaoyou Lake
The third largest freshwater lake in Jiangsu Province, famous for its beautiful lake and mountain scenery and abundant aquatic resources. The lake is vast and the scenery is picturesque, an ideal place for sightseeing, leisure, and tasting fresh produce.
Gaoyou Museum
A comprehensive museum showcasing Gaoyou's history and culture. With rich collections, it presents Gaoyou's development process and local characteristic culture through artifacts, pictures, and models.
Zhenguo Temple
A famous Buddhist temple in Gaoyou, first built in the Tang Dynasty. The temple architecture is simple and elegant, the environment is quiet, an important place to understand Gaoyou's Buddhist culture and ancient architectural art.
Practical Info
Transportation
  • Gaoyou has convenient transportation with a long-distance bus station
  • Bus routes connect the city center to various attractions
  • Taxi or ride-hailing services available
  • Boat tours available on Gaoyou Lake
Ticket Info
  • Yucheng Post: 40 RMB
  • Wenyou Terrace: 30 RMB
  • Gaoyou Museum: Free
  • Zhenguo Temple: 20 RMB
  • Gaoyou Lake Boat Ride: 50 RMB
Travel Tips
  • The museum is closed on Mondays, plan accordingly
  • Boat tour recommended on Gaoyou Lake
  • Zhenguo Temple offers Buddhist cultural experience
  • Recommended to buy salted duck eggs and other specialties

Must-Try Foods in Gaoyou City

Gaoyou Salted Duck Eggs

Gaoyou specialty, made from high-quality duck eggs. The yolk is red and oily, the egg white is moderately salty, a local specialty food renowned nationwide.

Double-Yolk Duck Eggs

Gaoyou's special duck egg, containing two yolks in one egg. Nutritious with a unique taste, it is a famous local specialty product.

Gaoyou Soup Buns

Gaoyou traditional snack, thin-skinned with plenty of filling and delicious soup. Made from local high-quality ingredients, it is a popular local food.

Canal Fish Feast

Gaoyou's special dining experience, using fresh fish from Gaoyou Lake and the canal as main ingredients. Diverse cooking methods, delicious taste, reflecting the water town food culture.

Gaoyou City Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (Mar-May): Pleasant climate, suitable for sightseeing
  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Best lake scenery, great for tasting fresh produce
  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Clear skies, good time for photography
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Experience winter charm of water town
Must-Do Experiences
  • Experience ancient postal culture at Yucheng Post
  • Taste Gaoyou salted duck eggs and double-yolk eggs
  • Take a boat tour on Gaoyou Lake
  • Learn about the history of Su Shi and other literati in Gaoyou
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. 140 RMB
  • Accommodation: 100-200 RMB/night
  • Meals: 60-150 RMB/day
  • Shopping: depends on personal needs
  • Transport: 50-100 RMB
  • Total: 250-600 RMB (excluding shopping)
FAQ
  • How to get to Gaoyou City? → Gaoyou has a long-distance bus station, convenient transportation
  • Which attraction is a must-visit in Gaoyou? → Yucheng Post and Gaoyou Lake are must-sees
  • What are the specialty souvenirs? → Gaoyou salted duck eggs, double-yolk duck eggs, lake fresh products
  • How many days are recommended? → 2 days recommended for water town culture experience

Explore Districts & Counties in Yangzhou

Guangling District
Hanjiang District
Jiangdu District
Baoying County
Yizheng City
Gaoyou City