Population: 5,027,700

Area: 5,793 square kilometers (2,237 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 2 districts (Hailing, Gaogang); 4 county-level cities (Jingjiang, Taixing, Jiangyan, Xinghua)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0523-6839295
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China: 0523-6234588

Location: Taizhou lies in the center of Jiangsu Province, lower reaches of the Huaihe River. It is bordered by Yangzhou in the west, and separated from Suzhou and Wuxi by the Yangtze River in the south.

History: It was named as Haiyang before the Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD) established Hailing County in 117BC. Together with ancient Yangzhou and Nanjing, it had been famous nationwide as one of most prosperous cities in old days. In the Southern Tang (937-975), prefecture was set up here called Taizhou, meaning that the country is prosperous and the people living in peace.

Physical Features: Except one massif standing along in the Jingjiang City, the rest is vast fluvial plain formed by the Huaihe River and the Yangtze River. Generally, the terrain of Taizhou is higher in the center and slopes downward to the north and the south.

Climatic Features: Taizhou enjoys a subtropical humid monsoon climate with clear four seasons and abundant rainfall. Winter is dry and chilly and summer is torrid and damp. Every May to July is the plum rain period, so the weather is overcast and rainy.

When to Go: Spring is the best time to Taizhou.

Local Highlights: Qintong Boating Festival of Jiangyan (April on Qinhu Lake, around the Pure Brightness)

Special Local product: Meilan Banquet, steamed dumpling stuffed with crab yolk, aquatic product from Yangtze River and Qinhu Lake

Scenic Spots:
Qinhu Lake Scenic Area: Not only a wetland eco-tour scenic spot for Milu, but also a holiday resort for water landscape, Qinhu Lake boasts fine scenery and humanistic resources. The ancient water town of Qintong and the boating festival make up the highlights of the scenic area.
Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum: The museum is a combination of exhibition hall for the historical materials of Mei Lanfang and the Mei Lanfang Garden to commemorate this excellent art master of Beijing Opera. The museum contains old buildings of Ming and Qing dynasties and the layout is like the garden in South China.
Shangfang Temple: Floating on the water of Wujindang Scenic Area, the temple is the largest water Buddhist resort in China that rebuilt in modern time.

Tourist Tips:
1.Taizhou's south bus station (the central station) and west bus station undertake the intercity road transportation to some tourist cities around, including Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing and Zhenjiang. The former one is located in the Qingnian Road (South) and the other in Jiangzhou Road (North). The east station in Nantong Road mainly operates bus lines within the city.
2. Almost all the bus stations of Shanghai operate bus lines to Taizhou with three and a half hours' drive. Compared with other cities, Yangzhou is quite near to Taizhou. Yangzhou Long-distance Bus Station is located in the Jiangyang Road (West), where buses can reach Taizhou in one hour and a half. From downtown Taizhou, Nanjing can be reached in about three hours. Visitor can have the aid of the Nanjing Lukou International Airport if traveling by air.