A City of Water, A Basket of Freshness: Welcome to Taizhou

You don't truly know Taizhou until you've tried its morning tea—which is never just a meal here. The most unique experience is savoring it on the water.

This slow-paced lifestyle is nurtured by Taizhou's watery landscape, infused with the history of salt transport shaped by the convergence of three rivers. Here, enjoying tea and scenery go hand in hand.

Taizhou's leisure is steeped in both its rivers and its operatic heritage. Strolling along the Fengcheng Moat, one finds the elegance of Mei Lanfang's water sleeves, the romance of Kong Shangren's The Peach Blossom Fan, and the storytelling rhythms of Liu Jingting's wooden clapper, all blending into the sounds of oars and the glow of lanterns.

The Liufang Teahouse, located by the Fengcheng Moat, is a representative of Taizhou's waterside teahouses. It sits opposite the Mei Lanfang Memorial Hall, with only the water between them.

Seated in a painted pleasure boat, order the classic trio: blanched shredded dried tofu, crab roe buns, and fish soup noodles. The rich aroma, fresh tenderness, and delicate craftsmanship complement each other perfectly.

With a history spanning over a thousand years, the Fengcheng Moat is one of Jiangsu's best-preserved ancient city moats, bearing witness to Taizhou's transformation from a vital water and land transport hub to a renowned cultural city.

For an authentic breakfast on a boat, visit Yizhichun Taiba Yashu Branch in Hailing District. As Taizhou's first boat-based morning tea restaurant, it is located at the site of the nearly 300-year-old Taiba Yashu government office.

Urban morning tea offers elegance and heritage, but rural morning tea serves up a taste of truly local fresh catches.

The "Big Boat Dried Shreds" at Huagang Duocai He'an became popular after being featured in a local writer's prose. Made from locally sourced dried tofu, the shreds boast a rich bean aroma. Paired with pork in aspic made from local pigs, yellow beef slaughtered at dawn, and live river shrimp caught just before sunrise, the dish draws city dwellers from the urban area for a taste.

Further north on Qilin Road lies Lao Ge Fishing Ground, a different kind of retreat. Once a private haunt for anglers, the owner now livestreams daily life without selling products, pointing the camera directly at rustic stoves and the countryside, where food steamers, fish ponds, and country paths have captivated countless online viewers.

The happiness of Taizhou locals lies in the soft texture of blanched dried shreds and the fresh richness of crab roe buns, as well as in every waterside moment bathed in morning sunlight. (Image source: Cyberspace Administration of Taizhou Municipal Committee and Cyberspace Administration of Hailing District, Taizhou)