Changzhou Travel Guide

Changzhou is a historic city in southern Jiangsu, almost midway between Shanghai and Nanjing, with a canal running through it. Its history is traced to the Spring and Autumn period, and it long prospered from water transport. The center is flat, with old canal-side streets and new buildings side by side.The Tianning Temple in the center is an ancient temple whose founding is traced to the Tang dynasty, ranking among the most distinguished Buddhist temples of Jiangnan. North of its grounds rises the Tianning Pagoda, a 153.79-meter, 13-story tower, among the taller Buddhist pagodas in China. From the top, the city and canal spread out below.On the outskirts, the Yancheng ruins preserve the ramparts and triple moats of a Spring-and-Autumn walled settlement, listed as a nationally protected cultural relic. The surroundings have been developed around the ruins, dotted with facilities that recreate the world of period drama. The China Dinosaur Park, a dinosaur theme park, is a large leisure attraction popular with families.Along the canal, old streets such as Qingguo Lane survive, their stone lanes and waterways recalling the past. Shops serving Jiangnan flavors — crab-filled xiaolongbao and damagao pastries — are easy to find. A short train ride from Shanghai or Nanjing, it is a city that pairs Jiangnan history with entertainment.