Explore the best of Yangzhou in spring

Would you fancy to follow the footsteps of poet Li Bai of Tang Dynasty to experience the same beautiful travel route during the third month of the Chinese lunar year as described by him? Yangzhou, the pearl on the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal, is definitely not a destination an experienced traveller should take for granted.

If you can compare a city to a human being, you will find out that Yangzhou is like a charming girl with flowing long hair in spring waving to you as willow catkins float amid misty breeze. Masterfully weathering changes imposed upon by time, it stands young and beautiful; acts moderately elegant. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yangzhou, which came to prominence when it was chosen by the first emperor of the short-lived Sui Dynasty (581- 618 AD) as the imperial capital, is as old as the Grand Canal, the world's oldest and longest man-made waterway running from Beijing to Hangzhou, linking the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. Yangzhou sits handsomely in the south reaches of this mind-blowing UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In history, the famous salt trade center was repeatedly praised by men of letters across dynasties as the place to both visit and settle down due to its beautiful waterways, gardens and the Slender West Lake. Its particular charm during the third month of the Chinese lunar calendar has inspired many poets, writers and composers.

Slender West Lake. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I'm impressed by how the old city, canal and the nature are protected here", said Peruvian ambassador to China Juan Carlos Capuñay (3rd R) during the opening ceremony of the 2015 Flowery March Yangzhou International Economy, Trade and Tourism Festival at the Lining Sports Park,Yangzhou city, on Apr 18, 2015. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

What to do in Yangzhou (April 19 - May 17):

2015 Yangzhou International Economy, Trade and Tourism Festival, Apr 18 to May 17.

- Have a taste of variety of vegetarian cuisines on offer at the 2015 China Yangzhou Cross-Straits Vegetarian Culture & Green Daily Necessities Fair, April 22-26.

Venue: Jianzhen Library

Alternatives for non-vegetarians: roasted Chinese mystery snail, sticky rice-filled lotus root, Luyangchun tea, puffer fish and spring bamboo shoots are all spring specialties in the city.

Yangzhou style Chinese mystery snails braised in soy sauce. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

- Enjoy sea of flowers at the 2015 Yangzhou Flower Festival, Apr 8- May 8.

Venue: Slender West Lake Scenic Area

Highlights from Chinese poems:

Still and cold, the moon hangs upon the rippling water waves, the bridge stood alone,

To whom, may I ask, has the red peonies alongside it blossomed from years ago?

-Jiang Kui [Song Dynasty]

Highlights from Chinese poems:

Across ten miles in Yangzhou, the spring breeze blows where,

Behind the bead curtains, no one to my love could compare.

- Du Mu [Tang Dynasty]

Dongguan Street of Yangzhou, Jiangsu province. 2015 marks the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of Yangzhou city. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Runners start at the starting line for the 2015 Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half-Marathon in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province of China on Apr 19, 2015. The route includes the famous scenic area Slender West Lake in the city. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]