'''Zhangjiagang''' (?___`; ''Zh?ngji?g?ng'') is a modern industrial city in Jiangsu province.
Understand
Zhangjiagang was a small rural town until the economic reforms of the mid 1980's brought industry and business to the area. Since, it has developed into prosperous city famous for its large parks, clean and well maintained streets and friendly inhabitants. The city has a population of around 800,000.
Get in
By Bus
Regular buses to Zhangjiagang run from most nearby cities, such as Nanjing, Wuxi, and Suzhou. Fares are RMB 10-30.
By Train
Zhangjiagang has no train service. Wuxi and Suzhou are the easiest places to catch a train.
By Plane
Zhangjiagang has no airport. The normal means of arriving by air is to fly into Shanghai Pudong Airport, and then take a bus or taxi to Zhangjiagang.
By Boat
Though it is an industrial river town, the Zhangjiagang town center is approximately 25 minutes from the river.
Get around
Most of Zhangjiagang is accessible on foot. The streets are clean and well-maintained by Chinese standards. All major roads are marked with signs in Pinyin.
Taxis are cheap and ubiquitous. Flag drop is RMB 7, including distance up to 2 km. Most of the city center is within that range, though far-flung areas may be a bit higher. A few cab drivers speak a bit of English, but the vast majority do not.
There is a city bus service, with RMB 1 fare. However, it is not traveler-friendly, and can be difficult even for the locals.
See
Do
Buy
Shopping District
The biggest shopping area is Walking Street, in the middle of town. It is a half-kilometer pedestrian street lined with many department stores, restaurants, and other attractions. A new mall is being built a few kilometers east of the city center, but it is not open yet.
Big Supermarkets
The best places to go if you are looking for groceries, household goods, or other necessaries. Both are past the west end of Walking Street.
'''Suguo'''
'''Bai Run Fa'''
'''Auchan'''
Eat
The Gray Chef. Best cut of meat I've had in China.
The Small Devil. Italian. Best Pizza around.
Drink
Outside the hotels, there are two main bars in town which cater to foreigners. They have a decent selection of western drinks, and the prices are among the best in town.
'''Malone's Bar''', just west of the Walking Street shopping district, is by far the most popular place for foreigners to drink and network. The girls behind the bar speak enough English to get by, and the many locals who stop in to practice their English are usually willing to help translate. Be sure to try the excellent jiaozi (Chinese dumplings), which the bar girls will order from a shop nearby (the jiaozi shop doesn't speak any English). Most taxi drivers understand "Malone's Bar".
'''Cheers Bar''', also known as Lucy's, has a more relaxed atmosphere, nicer furnishings, and the staff speaks better English. However, it is located far away from most of the other bars. The easiest way to get there is to tell a taxi driver to go to the swimming pool (''you yong chi''). Standing at the front doors of the swimming pool, turn around and look across the street; Cheers Bar has the biggest neon sign nearby.
'''Excellent Bar''', next door to Cheers Bar, is a karaoke bar (instead of a private karaoke room, the standard approach in China). The drink prices are higher than other places and the girls don't speak much English, but they have an extensive selection of English songs.
'''Bistro Champ de Ble''', though a restaurant, is the only place in town to get a pint of draft beer. They have Japanese Asahi on tap.
'''Paramount''', Located behind Malone's 3 floors up. You can't miss the rainbow neons decorating the staircase. This bar features smoke machines, laser effects, loud music, dancers and some friendly staff. It can be on the expensive side, but is one of the best Bar/Club in town definitely worth a visit.
Night Jasmine Lounge. Night Jasmine Lounge. A really nice bar. The newest bar in town. A really chill atmosphere and really good beer. Serves draft Hofbrauhaus, a German beer that is brewed in Jiangyin. From the west end of walking street, head north. It's a couple of blocks, on the west side of the road. Highly recommended.
There are many other bars in town, some of which cater to specific tastes, others of which are quite forgettable.
Sleep
Budget
Mid range
Splurge
Get out