During my recent trip to China's Zhejiang province, I had the pleasure of visiting the prefecture-level city of Taizhou. Located on the central coast of Zhejiang, Taizhou is a scenic region rich in natural landscapes and cultural heritage. In this travelogue, I'll highlight some of the top attractions I enjoyed during my time in Taizhou.
Appreciating the Stunning East China Sea Coastline
Taizhou stretches across a lengthy coastline along the East China Sea. The rivers, wetlands, and harbors that characterize the area create breathtaking coastal scenery. I spent an entire day cycling along the sea dikes and bridges taking in views of glittering blue ocean waters and sky reflecting off the surface. Fishermen boats dotted the harbors, while flocks of seabirds swirled overhead. The fresh sea breeze and crashing ocean waves made for an unforgettable coastal experience.
Hiking the Mystical Tiantai Mountains
No trip to Taizhou is complete without visiting the magnificent Tiantai Mountains, home to Buddhist temples and monasteries. I hiked several of the mountain's trails winding past cliffs, streams, and waterfalls. Deep in the mountains lies the awe-inspiring Guoqing Temple established in 598 AD during the Sui Dynasty. The temple's ancient pagodas and stone staircases shrouded in mist created a transcendent atmosphere for spiritual contemplation. Just as magical was the mountain top view above the clouds at sunrise the next day.
Sampling Delicacies from the Fertile Land
Taizhou and the surrounding area is known as the "land of fish and rice" thanks to its bountiful seas and sprawling rice paddies. I made sure to sample the fresh seasonal seafood like crab, prawns, scallops and abalone. A local favorite is shelled shrimp cooked on skewers over an open fire. The mushrooms grown in Huangyan are also a renowned delicacy that I tried at restaurants in Taizhou city. Sweet tangerines are another regional crop I snacked on between meals. Taizhou's rice and produce enhanced every meal.
Immersing Myself in Centuries of History
In addition to natural beauty, Taizhou also boasts a rich cultural heritage and history dating back thousands of years. At the Taizhou Museum, I admired ancient relics from Neolithic settlements. In the old city quarter, I strolled past historic Qing Dynasty era buildings and merchant houses. On the outskirts, I explored the incredible Hailongtun Archaeological Site containing tens of thousands of Western Han Dynasty tombs complete with relics preserved underground. Wandering through the excavated tomb areas felt like stepping directly into ancient history.
Bargain Hunting at Bustling Local Markets
No trip to China would be complete without browsing the amazing local markets. In Taizhou I had fun hunting for bargains and souvenirs at several bustling bazaars. The Jiaojiang Dongjie Market had narrow alleys overflowing with vendors hawking clothing, crafts, produce, and household goods. At the antiques market, collectors can find ancient books, paintings, and porcelain. For a more modern shopping experience, Taizhou is also home to large malls and shopping districts filled with both international and domestic brands.
Finding Tranquility in Classical Gardens
Taizhou's classical gardens provided the perfect oasis from busy city life. The sprawling Taizhou Wang Garden was meticulously designed to create an ideal scholarly retreat, with pavilions, ponds filled with koi fish, pine trees, and rock formations all linked by winding pathways. Strolling through its grounds filled me with a deep sense of tranquility. The Yugong Yishan Garden was equally serene, transporting me to a utopian landscape buffered from the outside world.
In all, I found Taizhou to be a destination full of natural splendor, cultural insights, and delicious regional flavors overflowing with character. The city and surrounding region offer something for every type of traveler, from rugged outdoor adventurers to history buffs like myself. I departed Taizhou feeling spiritually refreshed, intellectually enriched, and eager to someday return.