Yancheng Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 盐城 (yán chéng)
Population: 8,261,500
Area: 16,931 square kilometers (6,537 square miles)
Location: in the central coastal area of Jiangsu Province, east China
Administrative Division: 3 districts (Tinghu, Yandu, Dafeng); 5 counties (Sheyang, Funing, Binhai, Xiangshui, Jianhu); 1 county-level city (Dongtai)
Area Code: 0515
Zip Code: 224000
GDP (2019): CNY 570.226 billion (USD 82.653 billion)

Yancheng is seated in the central coastal area of Jiangsu Province, facing eastward to the Yellow Sea. It neighbors Yangzhou to the west, Nantong to the south and is bounded on the north by Lianyungang, occupying the largest area among the cities in the province. Yancheng literally means the city of salt, which implicates the developed salt industry in the past. Now, Yancheng also has food, textile and machinery industries and has built several seaports to develop industries close to the port. What is more impressive is the Chinese largest tidal wetland along the 582 kilometers (314 miles) long coastline, breeding a lot of creatures and offering ideal conditions for millions of waterfowls to migrate. Several natural reserves are established to protect the rare and wild animals, especially the red-crowned and elks, and they are open to the public. In addition, visitors can enjoy beautiful lake views in western Yancheng.

In the transition area between the south warm temperate zone to the subtropical, the weather of Yancheng has strong features of oceanic warm and humid monsoon climate. It is characterized by distinctive four seasons, abundant rainfall and sunshine. The weather is relatively moderate, but temperature in winter and summer may vary greatly in a year.

 When to Go: Usually, visitor can choose to visit the city according to their own situations. Actually, spring, summer and autumn are all favorable to visit the area.

 History: Yancheng was exploited as early as over 2,100 years ago. The Huaihe River empties into the Yellow Sea in northern part of the city. In Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD), a county named with salt was established here for its salt production, and get its name, Yancheng, in 411 BC.

 Physical Features: The general terrain of the region is flat, and its domain can be divided into three plain areas. Within the city, there are many rivers crisscross forming an intense water network.

 Special Local Food: Steamed bun stuffed with crab yolk (Xie Huang Bao), sugar fried dough twist (Tang Ma Hua), glutinous rice cake of Funing (Funing Da Gao)