Enjoy a cozy winter tour in Yangzhou

Yangzhou in East China's Jiangsu province promoted its winter tourist destinations and travel routes in Shanghai on Dec 7, seizing the opportunities brought by the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta.

The Lianyungang-Huai'an-Yangzhou-Zhenjiang railway line, scheduled to start operation this month, is expected to cut travel time between Shanghai and Yangzhou to about 1.5 hours from the current 4-hour driving time, according to Ji Peijun, director of the Yangzhou cultural radio, television and tourism bureau.

Ji said that Yangzhou will organize a series of events this winter lasting until next February, especially during the New Year and Spring Festival holidays.

As this year's winner of the "UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy" title, Yangzhou will host several food festivals featuring numerous flavors and health benefits which can fortify visitors against the cold as well as whet their appetite.

Several annual wintertime hot springs festivals will be held as well, allowing tourists to explore the city's beauty, taste its cuisine and take a refreshing hot-spring bath.