Yancheng boasts a thriving handicraft industry. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, a host of local crafts gained great fame across the Jianghuai region. These included iron smelting by the Zhou family and firecracker making by the Li family in Jianhu; wood carving by the Cao clan, hair embroidery and feather fans by the Tang family in Dongtai; clay painted sculptures in Binhai; Xituan hair embroidery in Dafeng; and hibiscus wood textiles from Anfeng, Dongtai.

In addition, Yancheng features a variety of local snacks. Tourists may pick up some specialties according to their preferences, such as Yancheng fried sugar twists, Yangwu sausages, Funing rice cakes and Gewu tender ginger slices.

Embroidery artisans at Dongtai Arts and Crafts Factory have carried forward traditional techniques. They adopt stitching methods including rolling, winding, linking, overlapping and blending shades. Using human hair in shades of yellow, grey, ochre and white as colored threads, they match hues to patterns and integrate painting with embroidery. The resulting works feature a unique charm where colors emerge from ink, and ink blends into colors.

Yangma Town is a time-honored Hometown of Chinese Medicinal Herbs. Chrysanthemums are known for clearing the liver, improving eyesight and refreshing the mind, drawing numerous tourists every year.

Also known as Jade Belt Cake, it is a specialty of Funing, Jiangsu Province. It is elaborately made from high-quality glutinous rice, pure white sugar, refined oil and premium candied fruits in precise proportions. Sweet and delicious with rich nutrition, it is suitable for people of all ages. Note that it cannot be stored for a long time.