Planning a Trip

Getting There

The nearest airport is in Nanjing and the closest railway station is in Zhenjiang. Buses serve Zhenjiang (every 15 min. 6:30am-6:25pm; 1 hr.; ¥13/$1.70/85p) and Nanjing (every 20 min. 6:30am-6pm; 1 1/2 hr.; ¥25/$3.25/£1.65) from the West Bus Station (Yangzhou Xi Zhan; tel. 0514/786-1812) in the southwest of the city. Buses to Shanghai (7 daily 6:40am-3pm; 3-3 1/2 hr.; ¥70-¥84/$9.10-$11/£4.55-£5.45) and Suzhou (7 daily 7:15am-4:40pm; 2 hr.; ¥57/$7.40/£3.70) depart from the long-distance bus station (changtu qichezhan) in southeast Yangzhou on Dujiang Nan Lu 27 (tel. 0514/781-3658).

Getting Around

Most of Yangzhou's sights are clustered in the north of town. Taxis charge ¥6 (80¢/40p) for 3km (2 miles), then ¥1 (15¢/10p) per kilometer until 10km (6 miles), after which the price rises to ¥1.50 (20¢/10p) per kilometer. Bus no. 5 (¥1/15¢/10p) runs from the long-distance bus station in the southwest of town up Huaihai Lu to Daming Si.

Tours and Guides

China Travel Service (CTS) at Wenchang Zhong Lu 200 (tel. 0514/734-0524; Mon-Fri 7:30am-8pm) can arrange accommodations, plane tickets, and city tours. English-speaking guides will cost around ¥200 ($26/£13) a day, transportation not included.

Fast Facts

Banks, Foreign Exchange and ATMs -- The Bank of China at Wenchang Zhong Lu 279 conducts foreign exchange Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 11:45am and 3 to 5:30pm. An ATM is located here.

Internet Access -- There's a 24-hour Internet cafe at Liuhu Lu 34. It charges ¥2 (25¢/10p) per hour.

Post Office -- Located at Wenchang Zhong Lu, it is open from 8am to 6:30pm.

Visa Extensions -- The PSB is at Huaihai Lu 100, tel. 0514/703-1111 (open Mon-Fri 8am-noon and 2:30-6pm, 2-5:30pm in winter).