Major city · China
Dongtai东台
Half a day for the pagoda and salt history, or skip if you are short on time: Dongtai is a quiet coastal city with a few cultural sites, best as a stop between Yancheng and Nantong.
Dongtai sits on the central Jiangsu coast, known historically for salt production. The main draw is the Haichunxuan Pagoda, a national-level protected site, plus several Ming and Qing-era buildings. Most travellers pass through on the way to Yancheng or Nantong; the city itself is compact and quiet.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid)
- Airports
- YTY · NTG
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Dongtai110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Dongtai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyDongtai is a safe city.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYTY Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport (About 1.5 h drive; limited domestic flights).
- Getting aroundTaxis and ride-hailing (DiDi) are the main options; buses cover the centre but are infrequent.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealBowl of noodles¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerLocal beer (bottle)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi ride within city¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Museum or sight ticketEntry to Haichunxuan Pagoda¥20–30 (≈ US$3–5) (check)
- Budget bedBudget hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥150 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥250 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedBudget hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥400 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥350 (≈ US$50) · High CN¥600 (≈ US$85)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YTY Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport (About 1.5 h drive; limited domestic flights) · NTG Nantong Xingdong International Airport (About 1.5 h drive; domestic and some international)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Dec (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dongtai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis and ride-hailing (DiDi) are the main options; buses cover the centre but are infrequent. Walking is fine for the core sights.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or train, about 1 h
Yancheng has wetlands and a nature reserve.
Door to door: About 2 h
Bus or train, about 1.5 h
Nantong has a riverside promenade and museums.
Taizhou (Jiangsu)
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or train, about 1 h
Taizhou is known for its ancient streets and food.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre (near Haichunxuan Pagoda)
Walking distance to main sights and local restaurants.
Dongtai Railway Station area
Convenient for arrivals/departures, fewer dining options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ¥400 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel double room1 × 1 night × CN¥250 | CN¥250 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥350 | CN¥700 |
| Train from Nanjing to Dongtai, second class2 × CN¥120 · check | CN¥240 |
| Local bus ride2 × CN¥2 | CN¥4 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥119 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥657 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,313≈ US$190 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bowl of noodles | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Local beer (bottle) | ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Taxi ride within city | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Entry to Haichunxuan Pagoda | ¥20–30 (≈ US$3–5) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Few English signs; have your destination written in Chinese.
- Taxis may not use meters; agree on a price before getting in.
- The pagoda opening hours are not always posted; check locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Dongtai东台
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Dongtai Railway Station → city centre: about ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) by taxi
- City centre → Haichunxuan Pagoda: walking distance, about 10 min
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shǎo qián?)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?)
- 我不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ bù dǒng)
Download a translation app before arrival; English is not widely spoken.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Dongtai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Haichunxuan Pagoda and the Ming architectural complex with verified opening hours.
- Eat pages for local salt-baked chicken and river fish.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for Dongtai Railway Station.
Sources
Ask about Dongtai
Loading…
Was this useful?