As autumn arrives in Xinghua, a county-level city in Taizhou, Jiangsu province, the city takes on a quieter seasonal charm. This two-day guide covers the Qianduo Scenic Area and Lizhong Water Forest Park, with an overnight stay in Dongluo village.

The Xuma Wetland area in Qianduo town, Xinghua, Jiangsu province, was once so sparsely populated that locals referred to it as Xumahuang, or "Xuma the Wild". After years of restoration, the wetland now attracts throngs of visitors.

The Qianduo Scenic Area in Xinghua, Jiangsu province, opened its crab-tasting and chrysanthemum-viewing event on Sept 19, inviting visitors to enjoy a seasonal combination of flowers and river crabs.

Xinghua morning tea is best known for fish soup noodles and dazhu gansi (braised shredded tofu). The tradition dates back more than 2,000 years in Xinghua, a water town in Jiangsu province.

The old city in Xinghua, Jiangsu province, is not a museum piece but a living city that is being repaired and renewed.

A local painter, Jin Lei, 58, has opened a themed studio in Shagou town, Xinghua, Jiangsu province, where he exhibits more than 100 ink-wash cartoons that capture the town's landscapes and folk customs.

In Xinghua, residents beat the summer heat with a daily menu of local delicacies, ranging from morning tea to late-night snacks.

Here is a handy guide to help you escape the heat in Xinghua, Jiangsu province, during the sanfu period, the hottest part of summer.