She also wanted to point out the convenience in traveling from Beijing to Yangzhou as passengers travel by night, "Yangzhou has become an important destination for residents of Beijing to get away from the city life. There are inter-city trains that depart in the > evening and arrive in the morning, which makes it very convenient for Beijingers to get to Yangzhou, if only for a weekend."

Yangzhou is known for its rich cultural heritage, harmonic environment as well as beauty. Approximately 1500 years ago it was seen as a leading economic and cultural center and major port of foreign trade and external exchange from the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and Huaihe rivers. This historical period had left Yangzhou a large number of treasures, including valuable architectures and arts, splendid culture and well-known celebrities. Marco Polo is also said to have served there as a municipal official in the late 1200's.

-- (Shanghai daily, Mar.16, 2009)