Nantong to Liaocheng: A Scenic 620-Mile Road Trip Guide

The drive from Nantong to Liaocheng begins with the world's longest sea bridge—the 32.5-kilometer Chongqi Bridge—which flings you over the Yangtze estuary within the first hour. This road trip is a study in contrasts: from Jiangsu's water towns to the wheat fields of the North China Plain, ending at the canal city of Liaocheng, where the ancient Grand Canal meets the Yellow River's floodplain.

Take the G15 Shenhai Expressway north from Nantong, merging onto the G2 Beijing-Shanghai Expressway after crossing the Yangtze, then switch to the G3 Beijing-Taipei Expressway near Xuzhou before angling northwest on the S1 Jinan-Liaocheng Expressway. This networked route offers well-marked exits and frequent service areas.

• Fuel costs: expect ~¥500–600 ($70–85) for the full tank-to-tank distance, given an average fuel economy of 8L/100km and national petrol prices around ¥7.5/L.
• Tolls: approximately ¥400 ($55) for the entire journey, paid via ETC or cash.
• Rest areas along the G2 and G3 are equipped with 24-hour fuel stations and basic restaurants.
• Road quality: concrete and asphalt in good condition, with occasional construction zones near Huai'an.

For how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, leverage Wayro's own database of verified points of interest along Chinese expressways.

Many rest stops now offer fast-charging stations for EVs, easing range anxiety for electric vehicles.

Infrastructure safety is robust: highways are fenced, well-lit at interchanges, and monitored by CCTV. Speed limits vary from 80 to 120 km/h, enforced by average-speed cameras, so maintain steady speeds.

• Fatigue management: plan a rest stop every 2 hours; major service areas (like Panjin or Huai'an) offer shaded parking and even short-term sleeping pods.
• Family suitability: many rest stops have indoor play areas and clean restrooms with baby-changing tables. The China National Highway 104 section near Tengzhou is known for its many farm-themed restaurants.
• Pet-friendly framework: pets are allowed at most rest areas, but must be leashed; some hotels along the route (e.g., in Xuzhou or Jinan) accept pets—call ahead.

Hidden off-route spots: 20 km east of the G3 near Tengzhou lies Weishan Lake, the largest freshwater lake in northern China. Here, you can ride a boat through lotus fields and visit the historic canal town of Nanyang, which remains off the tourist radar. In Liaocheng itself, don't miss the Guangyue Tower and the ancient Song dynasty canal locks.

Culinary infrastructure: every service area has noodle shops and dumpling stands, but for authentic local fare, exit at Qufu (Confucius's hometown) for a bowl of savory 'Kong family' cuisine, or at Liaocheng for 'Liaocheng danpi'—a delicate sesame pancake filled with spiced meat.

Shortly after crossing the Yangtze, the landscape flattens into the alluvial plain, with fish ponds and rice paddies giving way to wheat and corn fields. Near Huai'an, you'll spot the Grand Canal's ancient towpath, now a scenic strip lined with willows. Farther north, the Yellow River's old course near Fengxian creates a rare elevated ridgeline—a natural embankment formed by centuries of silt deposits.

Local commerce thrives along the route: in Gaoyou, roadside stalls sell double-yolk duck eggs (a regional specialty), while Xuzhou's outskirts offer pottery and stone carvings from local workshops.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Both the Grand Canal (listed 2014) and the Great Wall (in its easternmost section at Shanhaiguan, though far off-route) are associated with this corridor. For this trip, the Grand Canal's heritage section in Huai'an is a must-see—it includes ancient sluice gates and the Qingjiangpu Imperial Granary.

Climatic conditions: Summers (June–August) are hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms; winters (December–February) are cold and dry, with occasional snow flurries north of Xuzhou. Autumn offers clear skies and golden fields, making it the most photogenic season.