Taizhou in Zhejiang Province: My Home-Away-from-Home

Temperatures have dropped from the hot and humid summer, and rainfall lessens as the typhoon season draws to a close. What follows are shorter days with longer shadows. The cool mornings are especially striking, as the setting moon and rising sun seem to meet, simultaneously greeting and bidding farewell to each other. The sky is clear and bright blue, often decorated with wispy clouds that resemble stretched white cotton wool.

The days are noticeably cooler, true jumper weather, perfect for wearing a light hat and enjoying the simple pleasure of walking to and fro. Evenings are incredible. Although the shorter days bring on dusk earlier, if you can find a pleasant outdoor spot for dining, it is a real joy to sit with a cuppa or a pint and watch the night slowly envelop the lush hills surrounding both countryside and city.

The crisp air makes for restful sleep, with light breezes wafting through open windows, ushering in pleasant dreams. And then, with the dawn of each new day, the magic begins all over again.

I live in Zhejiang Province, in Southeast China. Zhejiang lies south of Taihu Lake, along the coast of the East China Sea, with a coastline stretching more than two thousand two hundred kilometres. It is about a three-hour train ride from Shanghai. The Qiantang River, which flows through the province, gave Zhejiang its name. The province covers over one hundred thousand square kilometres and is home to around fifty million people, including ethnic groups such as Han, She, Hui, Manchu and Miao. Hangzhou, the capital, is a well-known cultural and economic hub.

I live in Taizhou, a smaller city by Chinese standards, though it has nearly eight million residents. I am in a district called Luqiao, which has a population of around six hundred thousand and is just an hour by train from Hangzhou. Taizhou and the broader province are relatively affluent. This is easy to see in the luxury cars cruising the streets, including Teslas, Maseratis, Mercedes-Benzes, Range Rovers and others. Many families here own more than one car and often more than one home. Children frequently travel during school holidays both within China and abroad, and there is a noticeable cultural emphasis on investing in education.

This part of China enjoys a time of abundance, and it is clear that most families here live comfortably. You can see it in the way people dress, with many wearing fashionable brands from the West. Dining out is common; families frequently enjoy meals together in local restaurants. The general atmosphere in my city is one of contentment.

Zhejiang is known for its local specialities, including tea, silk, embroidery and its cuisine. The province is also home to one of the largest fishing ports in the country. Agriculturally, the area produces rice, citrus fruits and bamboo.

Taizhou is a manufacturing powerhouse. It hosts a number of international businesses, such as automaker Geely, and companies involved in plastics, furniture, apparel machinery and shipping, which makes sense given its location on the East China Sea. People here are hardworking and industrious, often building businesses and supporting their families. It is rare to see rough sleepers, and a local friend once explained that people here are keen to work and find opportunities to start small businesses.

An interesting travel note: passport holders from fifty-three countries and regions can enjoy a one hundred and forty-four hour visa-free stay if they transfer internationally through Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport. This policy allows travellers to visit Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Shanghai during their layover.

Zhejiang is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery, cities and historic sites imaginable, none more romantic and often poetically praised than West Lake in Hangzhou. In Taizhou, there are also many local attractions within reach, perfect for a day trip by bike, train or bus.

Wenling District boasts scenic stone houses along the coast in a fishing village that is quite picturesque. Linhai City is home to one of the country’s oldest market streets and features an ancient city wall often referred to as the Southern Great Wall. East Lake in Linhai is another gem, with pagodas and vistas that stay with you long after your visit.

Then there is Tiantai Mountain in the east, the spiritual home of the Tiantai Sect of Chinese Buddhism, including the Japanese and Korean branches, and also the southern school of Taoism. Tiantai is breathtaking, with temples, waterfalls and pagodas nestled within lush landscapes.

As I write this, it is mid-morning on a Friday. I am on the twenty-fifth floor overlooking beautiful Luqiao, beneath a clear blue sky. I work as an ESL teacher, mainly on weekday evenings and weekends, which leaves me with free time to explore my city and province on day or overnight trips. It is incredible, really.

There is so much more to this province and this city that I now call my home away from home, far more than I could ever capture in a single account. But for me, I have truly fallen in love with this place. Zhejiang, and even Shanghai, often remind me of the San Francisco Bay Area where I am originally from: the proximity to the ocean and bay, the lush greenery, the familiar flora. I feel both at home and like an ever-curious visitor, constantly discovering and growing alongside this remarkable place.

Perhaps this is somewhere you would like to visit too. I highly recommend it.