Ge Garden, named after the shape of a bamboo leaf, is believed to be home to more than 20,000 bamboos of 60 different varieties. It also has four rock gardens, for the four seasons.
The architecture of He Garden is unique with a second-floor corridor overlooking the entire garden. Over time, the garden was adapted into a school.
A stroll through the garden will give visitors an idea about the life and changing fortunes of a senior official in the late Qing period. Both gardens must have cost a fortune to build during the Qing Dynasty, when the city was flushed with money from the thriving salt business.
Another popular scenic site is Shou Xi Hu, or the Thin West Lake, with its many pavilions, trees and flowers, set around a beautiful river. Its island of egrets offers good photo opportunities.
It is also worth taking a walk in the evening along the beautifully illuminated old canal. A copper statue of Emperor Sui Yangdi stands at the site, who directed the construction of the canal. Just opposite the ferry lies the ancient city of Dongguan, lined now with shops and restaurants.
While in Yangzhou, be sure to try Huaiyang cuisine, one of China's four most famous cuisines. Most guides will take you to either the Ye Chun, or Fu Chun Tea Restaurants, which are known for their dim sum breakfast.
On offer are a variety of delicious stuffed buns - including a "soup bun". Other delicacies include dried chicken, marinated mushroom, sauted shelled shrimp, and dried bean curd slices in soup.
The breakfast is best rounded off with a tasty bowl of "spring noodles", cooked in chicken broth, with side dishes of spinach and black fungus.
As in other historical cities, the popular tourist destinations of Yangzhou are probably not the best places to see the true face of the city. For this, take a walk into some ancient hutong.
Yangzhou is also known for offering the country's best back massage, and bath rubs. But to enjoy this, plan for more than the one-day stay that I did.
By Ye Jun (China Daily)
Editor: Shi Liwei
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