Yancheng is located on the eastern coast of China, in the central part of Jiangsu Province, facing the Yellow Sea to the east. It boasts a long coastline and vast tidal flats. The city has a northern subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, ample rainfall, warm and humid summers, and cold, dry winters.
Yancheng has a long history. In 119 BC, during the Western Han Dynasty, a county was established here due to salt production. In 411 AD, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, it was officially named Yancheng. Historically known for its salt production, it is an important birthplace of sea salt culture. In modern times, it was a revolutionary base area where the New Fourth Army reestablished its headquarters.
Yancheng's culture is distinctive, with national intangible cultural heritage such as Huai Opera and Jianhu Acrobatics. The local cuisine is mainly Huaiyang cuisine, featuring specialties like Yancheng Egg Pancake, Dongtai Fish Soup Noodles, and Jianhu Lotus Root Powder Dumplings. The area is rich in seafood, with Yellow Sea specialties like clams and prawns.
Modern Yancheng is an important member of the Yangtze River Delta city cluster, vigorously developing industries such as automobiles, new energy, and electronic information. It is home to the Yancheng National Rare Bird Nature Reserve and the Dafeng Milu Nature Reserve, with booming ecotourism. The city has convenient transportation, including Yancheng Nanyang International Airport and a comprehensive high-speed rail network.
The best time to visit 盐城 is Best in spring and autumn, pleasant climate.
Spring (March-May): Temperatures rise, flowers bloom, it's the best time to see red-crowned cranes and milu deer, and great for outdoor activities.
Autumn (September-November): Clear and crisp weather, colorful wetlands, spectacular bird migration, ideal for photography and ecotourism.
Summer (June-August): Hot and rainy, but you can enjoy seaside vacations and wetland water activities; winter (December-February) is cold, but you can see red-crowned cranes in the snow, which has a unique charm.
In 119 BC, during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, Yandu County was established due to the thriving salt industry, marking the beginning of Yancheng's administrative history.
After the Southern Anhui Incident in 1941, the New Fourth Army rebuilt its headquarters in Yancheng, making it the command center of the Central China Anti-Japanese Base.
In 1983, Yancheng Prefecture was abolished and Yancheng was established as a prefecture-level city, marking accelerated urbanization.
Recommended places to visit
Located in Dafeng District, it is the world's largest milu deer nature reserve and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Visitors can observe rare milu deer up close and experience wetland ecology.
Located in Sheyang County, it is a national nature reserve famous for red-crowned cranes and other rare birds. In winter, visitors can watch flocks of red-crowned cranes dancing, a magnificent sight.
Explore rich intangible cultural heritage and traditional crafts
A local opera genre of Jiangsu Province, popular in Yancheng, Huai'an, etc., with beautiful melodies and delicate performances, listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.
Traditional acrobatic art from Jianhu County, with a long history and superb skills, famous for contortion, balancing acts, etc., listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.
A Chinese folk love legend, Dongtai City is one of the birthplaces of the legend, the story is touching, listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.
Must-know transportation for exploring the city
Located in Tinghu District, about 10 km from the city center, with flights to major domestic cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and international routes to Seoul, South Korea.
Depends on route
Located in Yandu District, it is a junction of the Qingdao-Yancheng Railway and Yancheng-Nantong High-speed Railway, with direct trains to Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Qingdao, etc.
Depends on train
Bus routes cover the city center and major attractions, fare 2 CNY, supporting mobile payment. There is also a BRT system for convenience.
2 CNY
Taste the most authentic and popular local specialties
A Yancheng specialty snack with a crispy outer layer and rich filling, usually containing egg, ham, lettuce, etc., a popular breakfast choice for locals.
A traditional noodle dish from Dongtai City, the soup base is made from crucian carp, rich and delicious, with chewy noodles, a must-try in Yancheng.
Located in the city center, it showcases the history, culture, and production techniques of sea salt, the best place to learn about Yancheng's salt culture.
Located in Yandu District, it features a vast lake with beautiful scenery, including reed maze, water park, and other attractions, ideal for leisure and vacation.
Located in the city center, it is the only professional memorial hall for the New Fourth Army in China, displaying a large number of historical artifacts, a classic red tourism attraction.
A traditional dessert from Jianhu County, with lotus root powder as the wrapper and sesame, peanut, etc., as filling, soft and sweet.
Made from Yellow Sea mud snails, marinated in yellow wine, with rich wine aroma and tender meat, a local cold dish specialty.
Produced in Dazong Lake, with full roe and delicious meat, autumn is the best season to enjoy.