The Changzhou Ancient Canal stretches from west to east across the city, forming part of the Jiangnan Canal section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. The main tourist area is concentrated between the Canal No. 5 Creative District and Dongpo Park, where visitors can walk through scenic spots such as Bi Ji Alley, depicted in the classic novel ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’, or take a boat to appreciate the scenery along the canal banks.
Although some of the attractions along the Changzhou Ancient Canal are well-known, many of the buildings are newly constructed in ancient styles, making it suitable for tourists interested in history and literature to reminisce about the past. However, for those seeking the authentic ancient charm, there might be some shortcomings. Recommended attractions along the canal include: Canal No. 5 Creative District, Ming City Wall, Bi Ji Alley, Qing Guo Alley, Tianning Temple, Hongmei Park, and Dongpo Park. You can combine walking with public transportation for a canal journey. The Canal No. 5 Creative District is transformed from Changzhou’s fifth textile mill and is ideal for photography. The Xiying Gate City Wall is the only remaining site of the Ming City Wall in Changzhou. Shops in Bi Ji Alley used to produce combs all night long in ancient times, and ‘Bi Liang Lanterns’ was once a famous scene in Changzhou. Qing Guo Alley is a somewhat old and worn street. Tianning Temple’s halls are very magnificent, and the Tianning Pagoda inside displays exquisite Buddhist treasures. Xu Zhimo once wrote ‘Hearing the Chanting Sounds at Changzhou Tianning Zen Temple’. Hongmei Park features a garden style, and the Wenbi Tower inside is one of the oldest existing structures in Changzhou. Dongpo Park’s Yizhou Pavilion was once the place where Su Dongpo moored his boat and disembarked. The original water route of the Changzhou Ancient Canal tour was from Canal No. 5 Wharf to Bi Ji Alley to Dongpo Park, with the possibility to embark and disembark at Bi Ji Alley. Due to the ongoing construction of the subway in Changzhou, the water route has been changed to Canal No. 5 Wharf to Bi Ji Alley to Baidang River, which is a mixed route featuring industrial heritage, historical sites, and the natural scenery of Baidang River. The opening hours are all year round, open all day.Changzhou Ancient Canal
The Changzhou Ancient Canal stretches from west to east across the city, forming part of the Jiangnan Canal section of […]
