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My trip to Yangzhou coincided with Qingming (Tomb Sweeping) Festival in April and I was worried about the crowds.
It's best to visit Yangzhou in spring, when the gardens and parks are blooming, even if the place is crowded, Zhang Yue discovers.
I've never been a big fan of scenic spots during holidays because in most cases you will find yourself surrounded by elbows, trying to find a way out.
Luckily, my two-day trip to Yangzhou, in Jiangsu province, was filled with pleasure.
My interest in Yangzhou was aroused by a Tang Dynasty poem written by Li Bai about 1,300 years ago - "Sailing to Yangzhou in March when blossoms curl like smoke on the river".
Obviously, I was not the only one who wanted to enjoy spring's first exhalations in this picturesque city.
When I called up the hotel one day before my arrival I was told that 95 percent of the rooms had been booked.
"You really should have called earlier," hotel staff told me. "Spring is the best time to visit Yangzhou."
Spring painted the city in brilliant colors, with flowers blooming at every turn. Many buildings, including garment stores, banks and cafes, schools and restaurants, are built in a traditional style, with gray and green tiles on rooftops, and white walls.
People say some parts of the lake are so narrow you can hear what others are saying on the other bank. It's a joke, I guess, as I wasn't even able to hear what my friend was saying to me because of the crowds.
My friend and I took a bus from Yangzhou train station to the downtown area, where our hotel and most of the scenic spots are located.
For centuries, the city has been graced by literati such as the poet Li Bai, and dignitaries like the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Emperor Qianlong.
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