The sleek towering new black tile and glass lit neon SOS dance club is one of the hottest night life spots in Yangzhou these days. The ancient city of Yangzhou seems a long ways away when you’re inside this sparkling disco. Try heading to the back of the first floor where people congregate around the elevated dance stage. Otherwise mosey through the other three floors of KTV (karaoke), and who knows what else you might happen upon.  

Unfortunately, drink prices just skyrocketed here to a painful 25 yuan for a small bottle of Qingdao and SOS is no longer the bargain it used to be.

The Palace is large, pulsing, and fun. Head upstairs where the music is generally more suited to Western tastes, or ’danceable’, as the crowd usually stays until the wee hours of the morning. Admission is free, but there’s not such luck with drink specials.

To find the Palace (huang gong), head north from the large white Wenchang Pavilion and take a right through the towering red traditional gates. Then head for the undeniably gaudy building.