Yangzhou to Heze Road Trip: G310, Scenic Detours, and Best Stops

The Yangzhou-to-Heze drive covers about 520 kilometers, crossing the Huai River and the North China Plain. A notable quirk: much of the route on the G2 expressway passes through a wetland conservation zone near Gaoyou, where speed limits drop to 100 km/h to protect migratory birds.

Given the mix of expressways and national roads, is it worth driving Yangzhou to Heze? For travelers aiming to explore the canal culture and geological oddities of northern Jiangsu, yes.

The fastest road is the G2 Beijing–Shanghai Expressway until Xuzhou, then the G3 and G1511 to Heze. Expect tolls around ¥280 and fuel stops every 40–60 km.

• Fuel: Modern rest areas on the G2 offer 92/95/98 octane; the G1511 has fewer stations, so fill up before Huai'an.
• Rest areas: The Hongze Lake service area is a highlight, with a lakeside walking path.

Current construction on the G310 national road near Pei County causes delays and truck traffic; if you're not in a hurry, the scenic old road via Suqian offers a calmer drive.

For a detailed approach to selecting stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Road quality is generally good, but be aware of the G310 construction zones and potholes on the Suqian cut-through. The expressways have clear signage in Chinese and English. For pets, the rest areas on the G2 are not pet-friendly—pets are not allowed in the indoor food courts, but you can walk them on the outskirts.

Families should stop at the Xuzhou Museum tunnel—an underground gallery near the Han Terracotta Warriors exhibition—which is vacant of traffic and safe for children to explore.

To combat fatigue, plan to rest every 2 hours; the rest areas on the G2 have designated nap zones with recliners (¥10 per 30 minutes). Also, the Hongze Lake service area offers free coffee to drivers who show their license.

Eating: between Yangzhou and Heze, try the 'soft pocket' sesame cakes at a small diner in Baoying, a well-known local staple. For a sit-down meal, the Huai'an city exit has a food street with braised fish head, a regional specialty.

South of the Huai River, the route is dotted with canals and lotus fields around Gaoyou; north, the landscape flattens into wheat and corn fields. The only UNESCO World Heritage Site nearby is the Grand Canal, a UNESCO listing that includes the historical canal sections in Yangzhou and Huai'an—but not directly on the drive.

A hidden off-route spot: Yishan Mountain in Xuzhou, a small volcanic hill with scattered basaltic columns, reachable via a detour of 20 km.

Climate-wise, the region has a warm-temperate monsoon, with summer thunderstorms that can blind drivers visually—reduce speed by 20 km/h during downpours. The best aesthetics are in late October when the cotton fields near Heze bloom white.

Local commerce thrives in Huai'an's old town, where you can buy dried tofu and calligraphy brushes; in Heze, peony-themed goods are ubiquitous in spring.