An intangible cultural heritage inheritor practices flat-engraving typography. CHINA DAILY

But it was the breakfast tea, or zaocha, that impressed me the most.

Every morning, one would find diners sitting around old-fashioned square tables in a typical local teahouse, enjoying tea and dim sum dishes such as crab-roe soup dumplings, pine-nut dumplings and wu ding bao (or five-diced buns), a steamed baozi stuffed with sliced pork, chicken, bamboo shoots, black fungus and shrimp.

The fact that many customers choose to also buy these dishes for consumption later in the day is an indication of how delectable they are.

In terms of accommodation, Dongguan Street is home to a host of hotels and is conveniently located near the city's popular tourist landmarks and restaurants.

Located east of the Grand Canal, which runs through Yangzhou, Dongguan Street was once the most bustling street in the city. Today, its well-preserved architecture, narrow lanes and wide selection of shops make it a historical arcade for arts and crafts. It's popular with domestic and foreign tourists looking to purchase souvenirs.