Holiday in Suqian

About Suqian

Suqian is located in the north of Jiangsu Province along the Grand Canal and is the birthplace of two legendary figures in Chinese history: Xiang Yu, the most powerful warlord of antiquity, who overthrew the Qin Dynasty in 206 BC, and Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty. This historical dual significance makes Suqian a pilgrimage site for history enthusiasts. The Xiang Yu Memorial Park (Xiang Wang Guli) is the most significant attraction: The expansive complex at the supposed birthplace of the hegemonic king includes a monumental temple, memorial halls with dioramas of legendary battles, and a classical Chinese garden. The story of Xiang Yu and his tragic end at the Wu River — he refused to return home out of shame before his countrymen — is one of the most famous chapters in Chinese literature. Suqian is China's most important Baijiu region besides Maotai: The distilleries at Hongze Lake produce Yanghe and Shuanggou Baijiu, two of the oldest and most esteemed liquor brands in the country. The Yanghe distillery, with its over 600-year history, offers tours of the historical fermentation cellars and tastings of the famous Dream Blue Baijiu. Hongze Lake (the fourth largest freshwater lake in China) offers a unique ecosystem: Extensive wetlands, lotus fields as far as the eye can see, and stilted fishing villages shape the landscape. In summer, thousands of hectares of water surface transform into a pink sea of lotus buds — a natural spectacle celebrated annually with a festival. The Grand Canal, which runs through Suqian, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014: The millennia-old waterway once connected Beijing with Hangzhou and was the lifeblood of the Chinese empire. In Suqian, historical lock systems and river fortifications are preserved.