Walking tours of Gaoyou - North Loop
The Gaoyou CWI, Gaoyou Lake, & Renmin Park
This walk is roughly
2½ to 3 miles in length and, like the first one virtually, flat. It
passes through Gaoyou’s shopping districts, outdoor markets, by the
Gaoyou CWI and through Renmin Park.
To get started, take
a left out the front door of the hotel, and walk across the parking lot
to Haicho Lu, turn left again and continue west down the broad avenue.
If you are out walking in the morning, you may notice a side street
where local vendors have set up an impromptu market. It is worth a walk
through this market as you may see interesting sights you won’t soon
forget.
The Gaoyou Post Riders Monument in the Town Center. Click for larger image. C. Day Photo
About ½ mile west of
the hotel, on Haichao Lu, is the large roundabout that is the town
center, or square. In the island at the center of the roundabout is
famous sculpture of two men on horses, along with a third rider-less
horse. The monument, a Gaoyou icon, represents the hard riding ancient
postal carriers. On the far side of the monument is a grocery store
where you can pick up snacks and bottled water.
As you continue west
from the roundabout, Haichao Lu becomes Fuqian Jie. Continue along
Fuqian Jie for another ½ mile or so, then take a right on Zhongshang Lu. The first street
on the left is Gaogongqiao Lu, where you’ll find the Gaoyou CWI about a
hundred yards down this street on the north side, and the Gaoyou
Gymnasium across the street, a little farther to the west.
Following Gaogongqiao Lu to the end will take you up on the Grand Canal dike for
views of the canal. From here, you’ll also see, just to the north, the
“Second Bridge over the Grand Canal at Gaoyou”. A short walk over the
bridge will give you views along the canal and of Gaoyou Lake just on
the other side.
As you head east
back across the bridge you will be looking down another major Gaoyou
street, Tonghu Lu. Loop under the bridge and proceed east on this
street. The first intersection you come across will be Zhongshang Lu
again.
If it is still in
the AM, and you have time, you can take a left on Zhongshang Lu and walk
the short distance to the Beimen Market. The market is empty in the
afternoon, but in the morning is full of vendors selling wonderful
produce, meat, and other goods. With many homes in China lacking
refrigerators, families buy fresh food daily for their meals. I find
these farmer's type markets are a great insight into the lives of
Gaoyou residents.
After backtracking
to Tonghu Lu, continue east a short distance, watching for the entrance
to Renmin Park (see pg. 18). A gate, set back from the street a little
ways, on the left (south) side, marks the entrance. The park is a nice
place to duck for a break from the chaos and noise of the city. If you
like jade, check out the jewelry store next to the gate, it has a large
selection.
Back on Tonghu Lu,
continue on until you see the KFC (the only American place in Gaoyou).
This street is Yucheng Lu, a very busy shopping area with lots of small
shops selling clothes and shoes. This is a great place to buy shoes for
the kids at $3-$5 a pr. There is also a bakery with great baked goods.
Continuing south on
Yucheng Lu takes you back to the Post Rider Monument, where you can bear
left, and follow Haicho Lu back to the hotel.
North Tour Map
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