The location of Taicang near to the estuary of the Yangtze River means the Jiangsu province city is well-known nationally both for its waterside landscape and rich abundance of seafood and fresh water fish. [Photo/TaicangTourism]

The people of Taicang could be called water people; the Jiangsu province rests on the edge of the great Yangtze River and only a handful of kilometers from the East China Sea. It is no surprise therefore that Taicang citizens have long mastered working rice paddies, catching fish in rowing boats, and developing a fine cuisine based around their fresh and saltwater catches.

The city has built on this reputation by hosting the Taicang Tourism Festival for the past 15 years which welcomes visitors to experience some of the area’s specialties and traditions.

This year’s festival will be launched on March 18 and will last two and a half months with the event set to focus on celebrating travel and food. Highlights include a carnival that will pass through Shaxi old town, a scenic tour to Jincang Lake and Chengxiang town, an Italian culture week, and a vegetarian celebration of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Tongjue Temple.

The Italian culture week is in part a celebration of the Jiangsu province city’s friendship with Macerata, a city in Italy’s central Marche region. The celebration will include Chinese and Italian football matches, a sharing of Italian food, and a trade fair.

The city advertises the ability to enjoy boating, sailing, and eating quality seafood at the festival on its poster for this year’s festival. [Photo/TaicangTourism]

Wang Jianguo, deputy Party secretary and vice mayor of Taicang, gives a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. He pointed out the importance of local food products and tourism to develop and support ancient town. [Photo/TaicangTourism]