Jiangsu has been a tourist paradise ever since ancient times. Nanjing, Suzhou, Yangzhou, Zhenjiang, Changshu, Xuzhou and Huaian are famous historical and cultural cities. Twenty-one cities in the province have been entitled “China Top Tourist City”, including Nanjing, the capital of six dynasties, and Suzhou, the Paradise on the Earth. There are 3 major tourist centers in Jiangsu, namely the Yangtze River Area, the Lake Taihu Area and the Xuhuai (Xuzhou and Huaian) Area. There are now 20 well-known scenic spots, 23 forest parks, 6 tourism and holiday resorts and 461 historical sites under state and provincial protection. Nine classical gardens in Suzhou are listed as world cultural heritage by UNESCO Heritage Committee.

Nanjing was the capital of six Chinese dynasties and contains a variety of historic sites, such as the Purple Mountain, Purple Mountain Observatory, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Dynasty city wall and gates, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (The mausoleum of the first Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang), Lake Xuanwu, Jiming Temple, the Nanjing Massacre Memorial, Nanjing Confucius Temple (Fuzi Miao) and Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge.

Suzhou is renowned for its classical gardens, as well as Hanshan Temple, and Huqiu Tower. Nearby is the water-town of Zhouzhuang, an international tourist destination where Venice alike waterways, bridges and dwellings have been preserved over centuries.

Yangzhou is known for Slender West Lake (Shouxihu), which is named after Hangzhou's famous West Lake. This long and narrow stretch of water which meanders through Yangzhou's western limits is a very famous scenic spot.

With the history of around 3,000 years, Wuxi has been called the Pearl of Lake Taihu, which is the third largest freshwater lake in China. It is also known for being the home of the world's tallest Buddha statue.

In the north, Xuzhou is designated as one of China's "eminent historical cities". Xuzhou Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Han Dynasty is another significant discovery after Xian Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Dynasty. There are also many other Han treasures in the Xuzhou Museum.