Yechun Garden is located at the confluence of Yangzhou’s moat and Yudai River, just 400 meters away from the Slim […]
Yechun Garden is located at the confluence of Yangzhou’s moat and Yudai River, just 400 meters away from the Slim West Lake to the west. The main attraction for tourists here is to have breakfast at Yechun Teahouse, an activity many guides call a must-do when visiting Yangzhou. After the meal, visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the moat in the ancient-style garden.
Yechun Garden was originally the private garden of Qing Dynasty poet Wang Yuyang, but the original structures are no longer traceable. What is seen today is a later construction, not on the original site, yet it is an exquisite replica of a Jiangnan garden. Yechun Teahouse, located in this area, has a history of over 200 years and is one of the ‘Three Springs of Yangzhou’, alongside Fuchun and Gonghexin Teahouses.
There are three restaurants named ‘Yechun’ in the vicinity of Yechun Garden. The main Yechun building in the center of the garden offers dining options but is not a teahouse. The Eastern Yechun Teahouse, known colloquially as Dong Yechun, is located in the thatched-roof building of Shuihui Pavilion and enjoys a riverside location with a pleasant environment. The Western Yechun Teahouse, now renamed Lvyang Village Teahouse, is outside Yechun Garden and can be reached by crossing the Wen Yue Bridge.
It is the original century-old shop that was later moved outside the garden. In summary, for ambiance, head to Dong Yechun; for the authentic ‘century-old shop’ experience, go to Xi Yechun. Both establishments are equally popular, and during holidays, it is advisable to arrive by 6:30 AM to secure a seat. The baozi, especially the hairy crab soup dumplings and sanding bao, as well as the dazhu gansi, are delicious.
After a satisfying meal, one can take a walk in Yechun Garden, which runs east to west with southern riverside structures such as Shuihui Pavilion, Xiangying Corridor, and Yuyuanxuan, among other ancient-style buildings. There is a covered, arc-shaped corridor connecting Shuihui Pavilion and Xiangying Corridor, and beyond Xiangying Corridor, there is a parking lot followed by a riverside green belt encircled by white marble railings with stone tables and stools for resting when tired.
On the small square to the north of Yuyuanxuan, one can observe locals exercising in the morning. To the north of Yechun Garden, from east to west, there are ancient-style buildings such as Fengshi Multi-story Building, Yechun Main Building, Yuxiang Flower House, Yinhui Hall, and Wen Yue Mountain House. The Fengshi Multi-story Building serves as the kitchen, and through the first-floor windows, one can see chefs skillfully making Yangzhou baozi.
Exiting Yechun Garden to the west leads to Slim West Lake, and to the east is the Yangzhou Buddhist Culture Museum (including Tianning Temple and Chongning Temple). The Imperial Dock, just 30 meters from Tianning Temple and adjacent to Dong Yechun Teahouse, is said to be the place where Qianlong disembarked during his southern tour. It is now the starting point of Qianlong’s water tour route, with painted boats traversing Slim West Lake all the way to the foot of Daming Temple, mainly serving tour groups. Operating hours are 8:30-16:30, with a reference price of 2580 yuan per boat, which can accommodate 10 people.
Opening hours: Open from 6:45 to 20:00 all year round.
