Jinshan Temple • Beigu Mountain • Vinegar Capital
Zhenjiang (镇江), "the Guard of the River," is a historic city on the south bank of the Yangtze River. It's the birthplace of Journey to the West (西游记), famous for its ancient temples, beautiful mountain scenery along the river, and the "vinegar capital" of China.
✅ 2026 Updates for Foreigners
• New Ferry Service: Yangtze River ferry between Zhenjiang and Yangzhou now accepts foreign passports
• English Guides: Jinshan Temple now offers English audio guides (¥30)
• Visa-Free: 54 countries enjoy 30-day visa-free entry - Payment guide
What makes Zhenjiang special:
Best for: Buddhist culture, panoramic views, legend of Journey to the West
1,700-year-old temple famous as the place where monk Tang Sanzang became a monk in Journey to the West. Golden temple hall with intricate architecture. Stunning views of Yangtze River. Allow 2-3 hours.
¥65Best for: Yangtze River views, ancient history, poetry
Known as "the most poetic mountain in Jiangnan." Famous for its tres (刘备试刀石), ancient temple, and the "first mountain under heaven" (天下第一江山) inscription. Panoramic Yangtze views. Best at sunset.
¥45Best for: History, archaeology, ancient artifacts
Excellent museum with 30,000+ artifacts. English descriptions available. Highlights include ancient bronzes and the story of Zhenjiang's canal history. Free admission.
FreeBest for: Food culture, traditional brewing, tastings
Learn about 1,400 years of Zhenjiang vinegar history. Traditional brewing vats, interactive exhibits, and free tastings. Souvenir shop with artisan vinegars. About 30 min from city center.
FreeBest for: History, architecture, evening atmosphere
1,400-year-old riverside street. Preserved Tang and Song dynasty architecture. Best visited late afternoon to see sunset over the Yangtze and lit-up buildings at night.
Free (some areas ticketed)Best for: Temple, natural scenery, hiking
Island mountain in the middle of Yangtze River. Ancient Buddhist temple (定慧寺), China's largest cliff inscription, and peaceful hiking paths. Reached by ferry (included in ticket).
¥55 (includes ferry)Zhenjiang cuisine (镇江菜) is part of the Huaihai cuisine family but has its own distinctive character - lighter, fresher, with a focus on river seafood and the famous local vinegar:
The signature dish - clear soup with fresh fish, shrimp, tofu, vegetables. Dip in Zhenjiang vinegar for the authentic taste. Found at riverside restaurants near Jinshan Temple.
¥80-200 per person
Crispy fried mandarin fish in sweet and sour sauce. Jiangsu classic. The vinegar glaze is the signature. Best at 宴春酒楼 or 金山饭店.
¥120-200
Smooth, thin noodles in clear broth with shrimp and vegetables. Lighter than northern Chinese noodles. Try at morning (7-10 AM) at local shops near Jinshan Temple area.
¥15-30
Famous local pastry shop (百年老店) near Xijindu. Try the茉莉花茶饼 and枣泥酥. Traditional Jiangsu-style pastries, not overly sweet.
¥10-30
The city's famous export. Aged in clay pots for up to 5 years. Available everywhere - try it on everything! Buy at the Vinegar Museum or supermarkets as souvenirs.
¥20-100 (bottles)
Best for: Steamboat hotpot, river views
Riverside restaurants with fresh catch
Best for: Evening dining, atmosphere
Traditional buildings, modern restaurants
Best for: Local breakfast, chain restaurants
Central area, convenient
20-30 minutes by HSR
¥40-50 second class
2 hours by HSR
¥150 second class
25-35 minutes by bus
¥15-25 (across river bridge)
Tourist buses connect major attractions. Lines 8, 17, 25 useful for tourists. Very cheap.
¥2
Didi works well. Taxis are cheap and plentiful.
¥8-20 within city
Ferry to island mountain included in ticket. Runs every 15 min.
Included with ¥55 ticket
The Yangtze River crossing is now easier with two options:
Best for: Hiking, temple visits, pleasant weather
15-25°C. Comfortable for Beigu Mountain hiking. Cherry blossoms at temples. Less crowded.
Best for: River views, photography, food
15-28°C. Best Yangtze River views. Clear skies. Perfect for Xijindu sunset photos. Comfortable for all sightseeing.
Note: Hot, good for river activities
28-38°C. River breeze provides relief. Evening boat tours popular. Rainy season (July).
Note: Cold, quiet, few tourists
0-10°C. Some attractions have reduced hours. Hot steamboat perfect for cold weather. Very few foreign tourists.
🏯 Jinshan Temple: Arrive early (8:30 AM) to avoid tour groups. The temple is huge - allow 2-3 hours. English audio guides available at entrance. Combine with nearby Beigu Mountain (10 min walk).
⛰️ Beigu Mountain: Best visited late afternoon for sunset over the Yangtze. The western viewing platform has the best river views. Combine with Xijindu Ancient Street evening walk.
🍲 Steamboat Hotpot:
Ask locals for restaurant recommendations - the best steamboat places don't have English menus. Point to what looks fresh. The vinegar dip is essential to the dish!
🏺 Vinegar Museum: Allow 1-2 hours. Free tastings at the end. The vinegar shop sells artisan vinegars not available elsewhere. Good souvenirs.
⚠️ Payment: Smaller restaurants only accept Alipay/WeChat Pay. Some accept cash. International cards rarely work outside hotels. Have mobile payment ready.
⚠️ Transport: Zhenjiang is smaller than Nanjing/Suzhou but attractions are spread out. Bus + taxi combo works well. E-bikes are popular but less useful for tourists.
Best for: First visit, temple visits. Views of temple from many hotels.
Best for: Evening atmosphere, history. Boutique hotels in historic buildings.
Best for: Convenience, transportation. Newer hotels, central location.
Zhenjiang is famous for Jinshan Temple (金山寺), where the famous Journey to the West legend was set, Beigu Mountain (北固山) overlooking the Yangtze River, authentic Huaihai cuisine (淮海菜), and Zhenjiang vinegar (镇江香醋) - one of China's most famous vinegars.
From Nanjing: 20-30 minutes by HSR (¥40-50) or 50 minutes by bus (¥30). From Yangzhou: 25-35 minutes by bus (¥15-25) across the Yangtze River. Zhenjiang has Zhenjiang Station and Zhenjiang South Station.
Zhenjiang has produced vinegar for over 1,400 years. Zhenjiang vinegar (镇江香醋) is one of China's four famous vinegars, known for its rich, mellow flavor. The Zhenjiang Vinegar Industry Museum is a popular attraction where you can see the brewing process.
Best time is April-May and September-October. Spring has pleasant weather for hiking Beigu Mountain. Autumn offers beautiful Yangtze River views. Summer is hot but good for boat tours.
1 day is sufficient for Zhenjiang. Can cover Jinshan Temple, Beigu Mountain, and Huaihai cuisine lunch. Easy to combine with Yangzhou as a 2-day trip from Nanjing.