Gaoyou offers a blend of history, natural landscapes, and modern conveniences, providing a refreshing perspective on China beyond its bustling metropolises.
Foreigners often think of China as a country with buildings and lights everywhere. The photos you usually see on social media — shot in big cities like Shanghai, Chongqing, or Shenzhen — showcase China's high-end technology, such as drone light shows, widespread 5G networks, electric vehicles, and AI facial recognition.
But let me introduce you to another side of China — Gaoyou, a smaller city in Jiangsu, which I visited with nine other young people from seven countries on Sept 27 and 28.
On my first day there, I didn't notice much difference between Gaoyou and a big city. It has all the conveniences of modern life. I even told my classmate, "You can probably find anything here. Let's go grab something to eat." We explored the city and discovered that many shops were still open, even though it was already 10 pm. The locals welcomed us warmly and tried to speak some English words to us.
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What really caught my attention was when we wandered down quieter streets. The atmosphere became cozier, and we saw beautiful homes tucked away from the noise of the main roads.
"When I first arrived, I thought it looked very modern and I was quite surprised because I hadn't heard of this city before. I thought it would be a very small village in the middle of nowhere but it turned out to be new and modern and that impressed me," said Zuza Bialas, a 23-year-old journalism student from Poland studying at Tsinghua University.
But Gaoyou is not just about streets and shops — it's also home to magnificent lakes and forests. In fact, out of its 1,963 square kilometers, 788 square kilometers are water, making up about 40 percent of the total area.
"We were very impressed by the lake; it was so vast that at first we thought it was the sea," Bialas mentioned.
Suhard Liya, a 17-year-old pre-university engineering student from France studying at Tongji University, shared with me that the media in France often spread the idea that China is polluted, with concrete and modernity everywhere, and that they don't care about nature.
"But I didn't have this idea because I talked to Chinese natives in France who showed me the real, positive side of China," she said. "When I arrived, my perceptions were confirmed. As I explored Shanghai and Gaoyou — a big city and a smaller one — I found them both really clean."
Gaoyou is a city full of wonders. Its importance stems from its location along the ancient Grand Canal, the world's longest man-made waterway, stretching over 1,700 kilometers.
This vital trade and communication route connected different regions of China, helping the city flourish as a hub for the exchange of goods and cultures over the centuries.
A highlight of our trip was Southgate Street, Gaoyou's "ancient street", where you can enjoy local delicacies and admire the stunning traditional architecture.
Walking along the street feels like traveling back in time. The buildings, with their curved roofs and intricate woodwork, reflect the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), keeping the charm of traditional Chinese design alive.
Gaoyou's history dates back to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC).Actually, the city's name comes from the construction of the gaotai (high platform) and the posting pavilion during the reign of Emperor Yingzheng, who united China for the first time.
Although the city is more than 2,000 years old, I could see how carefully its historical monuments and parks have been preserved.
One of them is the Qin Guan Memorial Hall, dedicated to the Song Dynasty poet Qin Guan (1049-1100). During my visit, I learned one of his most famous and romantic verses: "If the two hearts are united forever, why do the two persons need to stay together — day after day, night after night?"
"Everything is maintained and preserved well," Liya said. "It's heartwarming to see."
We also got to try a few traditional Chinese food-making techniques on the ancient street, like making the famous "salty duck egg" by covering the eggs in salty dirt and rolling them in ashes.
Shop owners along Southgate Street were eager to share the best of their city with us, often inviting us to try local food and drinks. Some were so generous that they refused payment or even offered extra portions. Their genuine pride in Gaoyou was both touching and inspiring.
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"I highly recommend coming here to everyone, if they want something that would combine historical sites, beautiful nature, and add a bit of modern twist," Bialas said.
Gavin Cooley, a 23-year-old American studying culture industry management at Peking University, said he would love to bring his family to Gaoyou if they ever visit China.
"It's got a different vibe than a lot of other cities in China," he said. "Compared to the big cities, you still get all of the super modern architecture, but you also get mother nature — like this beautiful lake. The people are so friendly, and the food is so amazing and fresh. So I'd definitely bring them here."
Written by Alexandre Guery, a 28-year-old French journalism student at Tsinghua University. Previously an IT engineer, he worked in Paris for several years before moving to China. He enjoys exploring new places and cultures, meeting interesting people, and trying delicious food across the country. His diverse experiences enrich his perspective as a journalist.