Jiangsu is a developed province in China with a well-developed economy, complete industrial categories, high urbanization level, and the smallest north-south gap. Its GDP is second only to Guangdong Province and ranks second among provincial-level units in the country. Meanwhile, Jiangsu is also a very magical place, such as the misalignment of cities. This time, let's take a look at two mismatched cities in Jiangsu. One is located in the south of the Yangtze River but has the grandeur of a city in the north, while the other is located in the north of the Yangtze River but has the poetic charm of a city in the south. I think everyone can guess which two cities these are, right? you 're right! They are Zhenjiang and Yangzhou!

Yangzhou is located on the north bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, with scenery similar to that of Jiangnan, showcasing a strong poetic and picturesque atmosphere everywhere. Compared to Zhenjiang on the south bank, Yangzhou is more poetic and picturesque. In ancient times, there were countless love songs and poems about Yangzhou. I believe many people, like Shanye Jun, come to Yangzhou thinking that it is a Jiangnan city, beautiful and elegant, beautiful and petite, and beautiful and low-key! Shouxi Lake is famous for its magnificent scenery, just like Hangzhou West Lake.

In Yangzhou, whether it is in Shouxi Lake or on the streets and alleys, it has the same scenery as Suzhou and Hangzhou. I think many people may wonder why Yangzhou, a city in the north of the Yangtze River, has the same scenery as Jiangnan? This reason can actually be traced back to a period of history during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Next, Shanye Jun will briefly introduce it.

Zhenjiang, which is only separated from Yangzhou by the Yangtze River, although located in the south of the Yangtze River, is not as beautiful as Yangzhou. Zhenjiang is filled with the atmosphere and magnificence of the north everywhere. Walking through the streets and alleys of Zhenjiang, one always thinks they have arrived in a northern city, because Zhenjiang is too much like a northern city, especially in terms of architecture. Yangzhou, a city in the north of the Yangtze River, has the charm of a city in the south of the Yangtze River, while Zhenjiang, a city in the south of the Yangtze River, has the atmosphere of a city in the north. These two cities that are so mismatched are so magical. Is there a certain story behind them?

Xijin Ferry is a historical and cultural representative of Zhenjiang, witnessing the population migration and administrative changes of the city from south to north and from north to south. Whether it's the bluestone or the walls, they are all imbued with the atmosphere of northern cities. Zhenjiang, a Jiangnan city, really has a bit of northern atmosphere. Isn't it interesting to be in Jiangnan but with a northern vibe, which is completely opposite to Yangzhou?

Since Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty designated Shezhou as Huizhou, the history and culture of Huizhou have only been discovered by the world. A culture that truly represents thousands of years of pure Chinese culture was originally hidden in the mountainous areas of Huizhou. Many people in Huizhou are descendants of royal families and high-ranking officials, and their theories of scholarship, governance, and business have become models of Chinese feudal society. From a land of fish and rice to a commercial market town, the Huizhou merchants can be regarded as pioneers in the Su Lake region, from the initial extensive agricultural culture of "Su Lake is ripe for the world" to the commercial economy of no business without a town.

Born in Huizhou without cultivation in the past life and thrown away at the age of thirteen or fourteen, this is a true portrayal of the people of Huizhou back then. Although Huizhou, with its beautiful mountains and clear waters, is very good, its land resources are limited, transportation is extremely inconvenient, and coupled with the rapid population growth, eating has become the biggest problem in Huizhou. Therefore, people from Huizhou began to venture out and explore. Yangzhou, located on the north bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, has a convenient inland transportation system, so the first stop for Huizhou merchants was Yangzhou and Hangzhou. With the arrival of Huizhou merchants, many Huizhou people lived in Yangzhou. The construction and development of Huizhou merchants forcibly transformed a Jiangbei water city into a picturesque Jiangnan city. This is the main reason why Yangzhou is more like a Jiangnan city!

Gardens originated in the Western Han Dynasty and reached their peak during the Sui and Tang dynasties. Huizhou has comprehensively preserved the most complete garden design and construction techniques from the Han and Tang dynasties. After Huizhou merchants came to Yangzhou during the Ming and Qing dynasties and expanded their business, they began to construct gardens on a large scale. After several generations of research and development, specific Yangpai gardens and Yangpai bonsai art have been formed in Yangzhou. The Tang Dynasty was a time when many countries came to court, and the Japanese admired Tang culture the most. Gardens and tea art absorbed many elements from the Tang Dynasty in China, so many people feel that Japan and Yangzhou have many similarities in many aspects, and this is indeed the case. Japanese culture and Yangzhou culture share the same lineage and are both microcosms of the Tang Dynasty. The only difference is the way of dissemination. Japan introduced it through the Tang envoy, while Yangzhou was built through Huizhou merchants.

Now everyone knows why Yangzhou is like a city in Jiangnan, right? Now let's talk about Zhenjiang. As early as the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Zhenjiang was still a true Jiangnan cultural city, but it underwent significant changes during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The capital of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was Jiankang, which is now Nanjing. Zhenjiang, which is dozens of kilometers away from Nanjing, naturally became the sub center city of the capital. This small Jiangnan city was influenced by northern culture and gradually gained the atmosphere of a northern city. Whether it's language, cuisine, or architecture, they all have the shadow of northern cities.

Compared to Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Yangzhou, Zhenjiang is indeed a Jiangnan city that resembles northern cities, especially in terms of architecture. Although influenced by northern culture, Zhenjiang resembles a northern city, but influenced by Huizhou culture and Wuyue culture, Zhenjiang combines the characteristics of northern and southern regions. Zhenjiang is still a city in the south of the Yangtze River, but it is more like a northern city compared to Yangzhou, as it is located on the south bank of the Yangtze River.

Zhenjiang, located in the south of the Yangtze River, resembles a northern city, while Yangzhou, located in the north of the Yangtze River, resembles a southern city, and the two cities are only separated by a river. Do you all know the historical reasons for this? Whether it is Jiangbei Yangzhou with a strong Jiangnan flavor or Jiangnan Zhenjiang with a northern charm, they both have their own urban scenery and taste. Which one do you prefer between Zhenjiang and Yangzhou?