Shanghai, on the estuary of the Yangtze River, serves as a starting point to explore the diverse Yangtze River Delta region. Here are six destinations around Shanghai that are off the beaten track but still well worth a visit.

Nanjing, Jiangsu province - 299 km from Shanghai

• Niushou Mountain (Duration: 2-6 hours)

Niushou Mountain in Nanjing's Jiangning district was named for its twin peaks resembling ox horns. It is rich in Buddhist culture, particularly the Niutou Sect of Chinese Zen Buddhism. The site includes ecological, cultural, and tourism sites, offering a scenic blend of nature, culture, and leisure.

Address: No 18 Ningdan Avenue, Jiangning district

• Nanjing City Wall (Duration: 1-6 hours)

Built during the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Nanjing City Wall, surrounding the capital, holds the top rank  globally for its unprecedented length and size among city walls, both historically and today.

Address: Qinhuai district, Gulou district, Xuanwu district

• Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River Scenic Area (Time: 1-2 hours)

Qinhuai River, which is 5 kilometers wide, is the "mother river" of Nanjing and the cradle of ancient Jinling culture. The scenic area, centering on the ancient architectural complex of the Confucius Temple, integrates nature and culture.

Address: No 53 West Gongyuan Street, Qinhuai district

• Nanjing Presidential Palace (Duration: 1.5 hours)

The Nanjing Presidential Palace, over 600 years old, was the central seat of the Kuomintang government. This historic complex harmoniously blends Western and Chinese architecture, preserving scenic gardens akin to classical Jiangnan-style layouts.

Address: No 292 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu district

• Nanjing Museum (Duration: 4-6 hours)

Nanjing Museum, spanning over 70,000 square meters, is one of China's major museums. Housing over 430,000 unique artifacts, the collection includes items ranging from ancient to contemporary.

Address: No 321 East Zhongshan Road, Xuanwu district

Transit passengers who meet the requirements of the policy can exit from Nanjing Lukou International Airport in Jiangsu province.

Hangzhou, Zhejiang province - 174 km from Shanghai

Hangzhou, a city known for its picturesque landscapes and cultural heritage, offers a plethora of enchanting landmarks and attractions. Explore these places of interest below:

• West Lake (Duration: 0.5-1 day)

Located in the western downtown area of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, West Lake (Xihu) is considered one of China's Top 10 scenic spots. It is a lovely mixture of islands, pavilions, villas, courtyards, boulevards, arched bridges, hills, parks, and museums, with a scenic area on three sides and downtown Hangzhou on the other.

Address: Xihu district

• Lingyin Temple (Duration: 3-4 hours)

Constructed in 326, Lingyin Temple is one of Hangzhou's oldest and most important Buddhist temples. Renowned for its intricate sculptures and legendary history, the temple attracts numerous pilgrims and visitors annually.

Address: No 1 Fayun Lane, Lingyin Road, Xihu district

• Xixi National Wetland Park (Duration: 6-8 hours)

Xixi National Wetland Park, spanning approximately 11.5 square kilometers, uniquely blends farming, cultural sites, and wetlands within the city, earning praise from scholars as an unspoiled haven due to its tranquility and pristine nature.

Address: East district: 518 Tianmushan Road, Xihu district; West district (Hongyuan Garden): Longshezui Entrance of Xixi, Wuchang Avenue, Yuhang district

• Hangzhou Song Dynasty Town (Duration: 3 hours)

Neighbouring the West Lake, Hangzhou Song Dynasty Town is China's largest Song Dynasty cultural theme park. Offering a glimpse into the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), it showcases rich traditional culture through captivating shows, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the daily life of ancient China.

Address: No 148 Zhijiang Road, Xihu district

• Hefang Street (Duration: 2 hours)

Dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Hefang Street is Hangzhou's sole well-preserved ancient street. Focused on Chinese crafts, the street is a classic destination for shopping and dining, offering an immersive experience in captivating Hangzhou.

Address: No 180 Hefang Street, Shangcheng district

Transit passengers who meet the requirements of the policy can exit from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in Zhejiang province.

Ningbo, Zhejiang province - 227 km from Shanghai

Ningbo, steeped in history and modern charm, presents a diverse array of prominent landmarks and attractions. Consider these recommended attractions for a memorable outing:

• Ningbo Tianyi Pavilion & Moon Lake Scenic Area (Duration: 2-3 hours)

Tianyi Pavilion, located next to the scenic Moon Lake, houses one of China's oldest private libraries and stands among the three best-preserved ancient family libraries still in existence worldwide.

Address: No 10 Tianyi Street, Haishu district

• Dongqian Lake (Duration: 0.5-1 day)

Dongqian Lake, Zhejiang's largest freshwater lake and a state-level tourist resort, blends natural beauty with rich history. The 1,200-year-old manmade lake features over 70 historic sites and 200 intricate stone carvings, each with significant artistic and historical value.

Address: Dongqianhu Town, Yinzhou district

Notes: The scenic area is extensive, and it is recommended to use a private car or take a taxi. Electric carts are available for rent within the scenic area.

• Xikou-Tengtou Scenic Spot (Duration: 0.5-1 day)

Xikou and Tengtou were originally two separate scenic areas in Fenghua in Ningbo city, but to improve the quality of the facilities and expand its attraction for tourists the Fenghua government combined the two scenic spots in 2003.

Address: Xikou Town, Fenghua district

• The Old Bund of Ningbo (Duration: 1-2 hours)

The Old Bund in Ningbo, positioned where three rivers converge, is the historic gateway to the city. Dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it remains a bustling port. Today, it blends historical charm with a modern urban vibe, spanning 80,000 square meters and serving as a trendy hub for shopping, dining, and leisure.

Address: No 159 Zhongma Road, Jiangbei district

• Nantang Old Street (Duration: 1-2 hours)

Nantang Old Street in Ningbo, renowned for its restaurants, is lined by centuries-old residential buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). The historic street offers a taste of authentic Ningbo cuisine and a glimpse into the distinctive water town lifestyle of the Jiangnan region.

Address: No 236 Nanjiao Road, Haishu district

Transit passengers who meet the requirements of the policy can exit from Ningbo Lishe International Airport in Zhejiang province.

Changzhou, Jiangsu province - 179 km from Shanghai

One of the earliest cities in China to be opened-up, Changzhou in Jiangsu province is considered by most Chinese people to be an industrial town rather than a tourist destination. But with beautiful natural scenery nearby, historical relics and huge modern theme parks, the city offers many delights for those willing to look beyond the industrial skyline.

Just 40 minutes by car from the city center lies the Nanshan Bamboo Forest, a huge, pristine, natural museum housing a variety of bamboos. You can either take the cable car to the peak of the mountain, which commands an overall view of the sea of bamboo, or take a relaxed stroll through this natural generator of oxygen.

If you are interested in history, Yancheng is worth a visit. The small town might be one of the few places in China that has escaped war, and more importantly, the wrecker's ball, and it is still one of the oldest and most well-preserved ancient towns in China. A boat trip along river can't fail to please, while the marshes and wetlands are home to some unique and endangered species. Just a few steps away from the old town is the vast expanse of the newly built amusement park dedicated to what life would have been like back in Confucius' day. With an investment of about one billion yuan ($159 million), the park is a rather surreal combination of a Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) theme with state-of-art amusement facilities.

Qiandeng Town, Kunshang, Jiangsu province - 63 km from Shanghai

The historical Yangtze River Delta is known for its ancient towns, mostly water towns, where busy urbanites go to experience a slower pace of life. The small, 2,500-year-old Qiandeng Town in Jiangsu province really does offer some relaxing time out from the city, as unlike some of others it is not yet commercialized and it has managed to escape the hordes of tourists that disturb the peace in the other ancient towns.

Qiandeng offers an authentic water-town atmosphere, with its chessboard layout of paved roads and canals. The Qinfeng Pagoda, which is also called the "beauty pagoda" because of its graceful, slender figure, has stood at the center of town for 1,500 years, withstanding storms and war as well as the passing of time.

After years of restoration, the pagoda is now open to the public and as well as offering some lovely panoramic views of the town it is also home to one of the world's largest jade reclining Buddhas. Newly produced and shipped from Myanmar, the statue is 8.9 meters in length and 32 tons in weight.

The petite town is also home one of the oldest and longest and best preserved slab stone streets in East China. Consisting of 2,072 stone slabs, the 800-meter street boasts such a surprisingly effective drainage system that even after a heavy downpour, there are few pools of water on the street.

The town's most famous son is Gu Yanwu, a renowned thinker and scholar of the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) who famously said "everyone should be responsible for the rise and fall of his country". Today his former residence is one of the town's main attractions.

It takes about an hour to get to Qiandeng by car from Shanghai. While there are few restaurants and cafes, the ones there are offer rustic east China cuisine at a reasonable price. After lunch you can spend the afternoon taking a relaxing boat trip or enjoy a Kunqu Opera performance in one of the teahouses.

Qinhu Lake, Taizhou, Jiangsu province - 480 km from Shanghai

The Qingming Festival traditionally involves people paying their respects to their ancestors by visiting their graves. However, at Qinhu Lake in Taizhou, Jiangsu province, people celebrate a tradition that dates back to at least the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Every year the Qintong Boat Festival is staged on the lake. Beginning on the second day of the Qingming Festival, it is a weeklong carnival in which hundreds of skillful boatmen converge on the lake to compete in dragon boat races, there are also a variety of theatrical performances and folk dances.

The festival is becoming the biggest temple fair on water with the support of the local government, so you can expect to bump into other people.

If you really don't want to see anyone, the lake is part of the country's second-largest wetland park, which is home to more than 113 species of plants and 73 species of animals, including some rare species such as red-crowned cranes and rein deer.

Tourists can alternate between a boat cruise and walk to explore the huge park, although it is more usually suggested to explore the park in a vehicle. However, it is more intimate to see the flora and fauna by boat and on foot.