Yancheng

Yancheng is a large coastal prefecture city in northern Jiangsu whose name literally means 'Salt City', a nod to its centuries as a major salt-producing centre. Its greatest treasure today is nature: the Yancheng coastal wetlands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most important stopovers for migratory birds, protecting red-crowned cranes and the rare Père David's deer. The city has also become a manufacturing base, notably for automobiles and new-energy industries. With its own airport and high-speed rail, Yancheng offers a rare mix of eco-tourism and modern industry.