Things to do in Taizhou

The rapeseed flowers are especially spectacular when they bloom, and there are many photo spots set up. However, the ladies on the tour boats seem to be trying to earn tips, which is a bit shady. I hope the scenic area will strengthen its management.

The birthplace of the Navy and the mother city of sailors, the 881 Hongzehu replenishment ship (China's first replenishment ship), the 108 Xining guided-missile destroyer (serving as the benchmark ship in the naval parade), the 515 Xiamen guided-missile frigate (Type 053H guided-missile frigate), and the 274 conventional-powered submarine (one of the first attack submarines)—previously only seen on TV, now seeing real warships and submarines is a fantastic visual experience. I sincerely hope that more people will be able to see and learn about them in the future!

Meiyuan Garden, located on the banks of the Fengcheng River on the east side of Taizhou's old city, is a garden commemorating Mei Lanfang. It attracts many tourists during holidays and is one of Taizhou's most visited attractions. Transportation is convenient, with multiple bus lines nearby. The Taizhou Old Street commercial area is directly opposite, offering plenty of food and drinks. There is a parking lot at the entrance, but spaces are limited and are usually full of tour buses during holidays.

Huangqiao Ancient Town is a famous cultural town with a thousand-year history. The ancient streets and alleys and stone bridges here are like an antique painting. You can stroll on the bluestone road in the ancient town to feel the simplicity and tranquility; you can also visit the ancient buildings and houses with a long history to learn about the legendary stories and historical culture of the ancient town.

You must visit Taizhou Old Street. Although it is just a commercial street now, you can see antique buildings everywhere. It is very artistic. The Morning Tea Museum is small but exquisite. It introduces Taizhou's traditional morning tea and bathroom culture. I learned a lot. Taoyuan is also free now. There are many entrances and exits connected to the old street. The ancient salt canal wharf is also very close to the back door of the old street. You can check in together and have fun.

A Study of Qiao Garden in Taizhou: The Paradigm and Legacy of Gardens in Huaihe River Basin Qiao Garden in Taizhou, as the oldest and best-preserved classical private garden in northern Jiangsu, holds significant academic value by providing a crucial regional footnote to the garden art of the "Ming-Qing transition period." This residential garden, originally built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (originally named "Rishe Garden"), underwent changes and renovations by the Chen and Qiao families, witnessing not only the northward spread of Jiangnan garden art but also establishing its academic status as the "First Garden of Huaihe River Basin" through its rigorous spatial logic and unique plant arrangements. Upon entering Qiao Garden, one is immediately struck by its highly condensed "small yet grand" spatial layout. Covering only slightly over 10,000 square meters, the garden constructs a highly dynamic three-dimensional landscape through the progressive development of core scenic areas, secondary scenic areas, and functional residential areas. This layout is not a simple geometric division, but follows the classic pattern of "the hall to the north, a pond in the center, and artificial hills facing each other," cleverly utilizing visual guidance and borrowed scenery to create an infinite landscape atmosphere within a limited physical space. As the renowned garden scholar Chen Congzhou commented, it serves as a regional example in the study of classical gardens and is an indispensable model for studying gardens in northern Jiangsu and even the Huaiyang school. The arrangement of artificial hills and water features, as the core of a garden, is particularly exquisite in Qiao Garden. The artificial hills in the garden are relics from the Ming Dynasty, and their stacking techniques are textbook examples. The craftsmen skillfully used two materials: lake stones and yellow stones. Below the water's surface, a heavy yellow stone base was built, while above the water, delicate and translucent lake stones were used for embellishment. This not only conforms to the principles of geological stability but also satisfies the aesthetic principle of the interplay of solid and void. The stone beams lying across the water and the winding caves concealing rocks within the Nangyun Cave are excellent examples of small caves, showcasing the ancient craftsmen's profound understanding of stone texture and spatial perspective. Compared to the Suzhou gardens' extreme pursuit of Taihu stones, Qiao Garden's rockery art possesses a more freehand and rustic charm. This difference precisely reflects the transitional nature of Huaiyang culture, situated between the North and South. The soul of Qiao Garden largely resides in its vibrant plant arrangement and ancient trees. The garden boasts a 450-year-old cypress, vigorous and upright, revered as a "living relic." This ancient tree is not only a witness to time but also the visual focal point of the garden's composition. Its gnarled branches complement the Sanfeng Thatched Cottage, creating a typical literati painting scene of "towering ancient cypresses and low-hanging old houses." Furthermore, the arrangement of flowers and trees in the garden strictly follows the natural rhythm of the four seasons: spring brings the vibrant beauty of peonies and banana trees; summer offers the cool shade of bamboo groves; autumn brings the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms; and winter showcases the resilience of winter plum blossoms against the snow. This method of defining seasons through plants keeps the garden landscape in a state of perpetual dynamic change, breaking the static feeling of architectural space and embodying the ancient Chinese ecological garden design philosophy of "harmony between man and nature." Strolling through Qiao Garden, the names of each building are imbued with profound literary allusions and philosophical implications. Shanxiang Caotang (Mountain Echo Thatched Cottage) evokes the imagery of "high mountains and flowing water," Songchui Pavilion (Pine Blowing Pavilion) conveys the thought of "pine breeze and crane shadows," and Jiaoyu Xuan (Banana Rain Pavilion) directly references the delicate and graceful poetic realm of Li Qingzhao. These inscriptions are not merely labels for the landscape, but also codes for understanding the spirit of the garden, elevating a simple act of appreciation into a cultural experience and spiritual dialogue. Laiqing Pavilion, in particular, as the highest point in the garden, offers panoramic views of the entire landscape, fulfilling the garden's original design intention of "enjoying the tranquility of mountains and waters without leaving the city, and finding the charm of forests and springs while living in the bustling city." In conclusion, Qiao Garden in Taizhou is far more than just a recreational place; it is a frozen history book of garden design. It records, in tangible form, the aesthetic ideals and philosophy of life of the literati class in the Huaiyang region during the Ming and Qing dynasties. For researchers in architecture, history, and aesthetics, Qiao Garden provides an excellent field research site; for ordinary tourists, it is a spiritual haven where they can temporarily escape the hustle and bustle of the city and return to inner peace. If one wishes to explore the profound and extensive art of Chinese gardens, Qiao Garden is undoubtedly an academic landmark that cannot be missed.

The Carved Building at the Port is located in Gaogang, Taizhou. It's a private residence built during the Qing Dynasty. The building isn't large, but it's covered inside and out with wood and brick carvings. The beams and windows are decorated with scenes from operas and auspicious patterns. The garden has artificial hills and ponds, and a walk around it takes about an hour. The Jinshi Residence and the Sifang Building are also nearby and can be visited together.

The Plum Garden is quite large, with crabapple blossoms in full bloom. It has four exhibition areas, offering a reasonably good experience. The main focus is on the life and achievements of Mr. Mei Lanfang, but the interactive elements are rather limited, resulting in only a mediocre promotional effect for Peking Opera.

You must visit the Plum Garden when you come to Taizhou. The Plum Garden is built by the water, with pavilions scattered in the garden, winding paths leading to a secluded place, and a new scene at every step. The gray bricks and brown tiles, the eaves are flying, and the layout is elegant and quiet. The winding corridors are staggered in height.

Xinghua Old Street is very original, with no outside merchants. There are no specialty shops in scenic spots, and there are very few tourists. You can explore the local customs and customs. There are some traditional workshops in the alley, including iron art, barrel making, woodworking, etc. There are not many other places, including teahouses and dumpling noodle shops. It is the daily life of local people.