Changzhou Travel Guide

Plan your perfect trip to Changzhou, a city in East China, with our comprehensive travel guide. Discover the best attractions, hiking and biking routes, food and drink scene, safety and health tips, and much more.


Introduction to Changzhou

Changzhou is a city located in the southern part of Jiangsu province, in East China. With a history dating back to over 2,500 years, Changzhou is known for its rich cultural heritage, picturesque natural landscapes, and vibrant modern city life. The city is also the birthplace of many famous Chinese figures, including Wu Cheng’en, the author of “Journey to the West.”

With its excellent transportation links, Changzhou serves as a popular destination for tourists visiting East China. Whether you are interested in history and culture, outdoor adventures, or shopping and dining, you will find plenty of things to do in Changzhou.

List of Places to Visit in Changzhou

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • Changzhou Museum: Explore the history and culture of Changzhou through a vast collection of exhibits, including ancient relics, calligraphy, and paintings.
  • Tianning Temple: One of the oldest and largest ancient temples in China, Tianning Temple is home to many sacred Buddhist artifacts and has a magnificent pagoda that stands at over 50 meters tall.
  • Yancheng Wildlife Park: Discover the eco-system of the Yangtze River Delta and explore the park’s vast array of animals including tigers, pandas and dinosaurs.
  • Wu Culture Park: A cultural theme park that features exhibits and attractions that showcase the culture, history, and achievements of the Wu Kingdom.

Natural Attractions of Changzhou: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Hongmei Park: A vast park that features numerous rivers, lakes, and gardens, it is also home to the 9-dragon statue, which is a great backdrop for photos.
  • Tianning Temple Scenic Area: The scenic area comprises the Tianning Temple, the Tianning Pagoda, and the adjacent Gongyuan, a classical garden that features a lotus pond and over 60 species of bamboos and trees.
  • Tianmu Lake: Located on the border of Jiangsu and Anhui, Tianmu Lake is a picturesque freshwater lake surrounded by green hills, natural hot springs, and a variety of resorts.
  • Dinosaur Park: Boasting life-sized dinosaur models, rides and a 4D cinema, it is the perfect educational and entertainment spot for families.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Changzhou

There are plenty of hiking and biking routes in Changzhou that are worth exploring:

  • Yancheng Ancient Town to Baohua Temple: This route takes you through the beautiful countryside of Yancheng and features a 6-kilometer hiking trail.
  • Tianning Temple to Hongmei Park: This route takes you through the downtown area of Changzhou and passes many attractions including beautiful Chinese gardens.
  • Tianmu Lake to Chao Lake: Chao Lake is approximately two hours drive from Tianmu, and the bike route between the two takes you through scenic countryside, passing quaint villages and ancient towns along the way.
  • Hua Luogeng Park to Dinosaur Park: This bike route takes you past Yangtze river banks and through Changzhou’s downtown.

Best Things to Do in Changzhou: Activities and Tours

  • Chinese New Year Lantern Show: Every Chinese New Year, Changzhou hosts a grand lantern show that features beautiful lanterns, traditional arts and crafts, and live performances.
  • All Star Sports Festival: A 3-day event with various sports activities such as soccer, swimming, and table tennis.
  • Pingtan Performance: A musical performance that combines traditional storytelling and music with contemporary elements for a sublime cultural experience.
  • Shopping at Wuyue Plaza: Wuyue Plaza, located in the downtown area, is a large multi-story shopping mall where visitors can shop till they drop, watch movies, dine, and more.

Week-Long Itinerary for Changzhou

Day 1: Visit Yancheng Wildlife Park and Hua Luogeng Park Day 2: Explore the Changzhou Museum and Tianning Temple Scenic Area Day 3: Hiking/biking Tianning Temple to Hongmei Park Day 4: Go shopping in Nandajie and enjoy the food. Day 5: Day trip to Tianmu Lake, Day 6: Dinosaur Park Day 7: Tour Wu Culture Park and Tianning Pagoda

Food and Drink Scene of Changzhou

Must-Try Dishes

  • Wonton Noodles: A bowl of egg noodles served with steaming hot wontons and a broth of ground pork, dried shrimp, and vegetables. Packed with flavor and is an easy and quick snack.
  • Changzhou Fried Rice: Taking advantage of the Huang He River, this dish is a combination of shrimp, Other seafood and fresh vegetables, making it rich and delicious.
  • Xiao Long Bao: A Chinese steamed bun filled with juicy meat or vegetables along with stock. The process of making this dumpling requires skill to avoid making them too soupy, too doughy or too dry.

Local Beverages

  • Huangjiu: A type of traditional Chinese wine made from rice or wheat and usually has around 15 to 20% alcohol. Changzhou is well known for producing high-quality Huangjiu in different flavours such as honey, Flower and rice wine flavors.
  • Peanut milk: Whereas many western countries are familiar with cow’s milk, peanut milk is a popular alternative for Changzhou’s locals. It is made from fresh peanuts with a sweet and nutty flavour.

Where to Stay in Changzhou: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Whether you’re looking for luxurious accommodation or a budget-friendly option, Changzhou has plenty of choices:

  • Hilton Changzhou: A five-star hotel located in the city center with great views and comes with luxurious amenities like a spa, fitness center, and an indoor pool.
  • Jinling Plaza Changzhou: A four-star hotel that is well-connected, this property is highly recommended for business travellers who are looking to hold conferences or meetings.
  • Vienna International Hotel: A budget hotel chain that has several branches around the city, there are always deals with comfortable and clean rooms at reasonable prices.

What to Buy in Changzhou: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

  • Jinling Brocade: Produced in the Jiangsu province, Jinling Brocade is a deluxe traditional Chinese fabric and is very expensive, but worth it to bring home for a loved one.
  • Tianning Temple Iron Buddhas: Some replicas of iron Buddhas are made from the old iron nails of the Tianning temple, which are unique and are widely popular among visitors as mementoes.
  • Dragon Boat Tea: Changzhou, growing on the rich soil by the Tangtze River, produces quality tea which is sold over China, and Dragon Boat Tea is the one quintessential kind for Changzhou people.

Local Culture and Customs of Changzhou

In Changzhou, people are known for their relaxed and easy-going attitude, and their love for traditional Chinese culture, especially calligraphy and painting.

The locals here celebrate many festivals throughout the year, such as the Chinese New Year, the Tomb Sweeping Day or the Dragon Boat Festival. Traditional yangko, qilu, and xijiang dances can often be seen at these festivals.

Best Time to Visit Changzhou

The best time to visit Changzhou is in the spring (April – May) and Autumn (September – October) when the weather is mild and enjoyable. Spring is the time when beautiful cherry blossoms appear in parks, and the autumn colors of the trees start to turn.

Do’s and Don’ts of Changzhou

Do:

  • Try to learn basic Chinese phrases to make communication easier.
  • Take shoes off before entering someone’s home.
  • Accept offerings of tea and food, Even if you’re not hungry, as it is considered polite.

Don’t:

  • Point at people with chopsticks while eating
  • Talk about sensitive political issues, such as Taiwan, Tibet, or Hong Kong
  • Take photos of people without their permission, especially elders or children.

Safety and Health

Safety in Changzhou

Changzhou is generally considered safe, with a low crime rate in comparison to other major cities.

Health in Changzhou

Water-borne stomach viruses could be a danger, and we recommended drinking bottled water when choosing to drink water instead of tea. In some places, food stalls have a higher risk of selling bad food, so always make sure the food is hot and cooked correctly.

Getting to Changzhou: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Changzhou

Changzhou Benniu International Airport is about 20 km from the city centre and is well-connected to major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Bus Stations Near Changzhou

Changzhou boasts four long-distance bus terminals, which majorly service destinations within the province and also covering trips to Shanghai, Suzhou and Wuxi.

Other Options

  • Train: the railway system in Changzhou is relatively new, and it connects to the major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Yantai.
  • Taxi: Taxi cabs, which are readily available, are a good option to get around and are reasonably priced.

How to Get Around in Changzhou

Means of transportations in Changzhou include subway, bus, taxi, bicycles, and electric sightseeing cars that run through the city center.

Where to Go Next from Changzhou: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

  • Suzhou and Hangzhou: these cities are famous for their beautiful gardens, rivers and lakes, and significant cultural and historic sites.
  • Shanghai: A large cosmopolitan city that has both the historical Shanghai Bund and the modernized skyline of Pudong.
  • Nanjing: well-known for its history and culture, the city boasts the famous Confucius Temple, the Imperial Examination Museum, and the Fuzimiao Night Market.

Conclusion

Changzhou is an excellent destination for East China that has something for everyone to enjoy. Visit historical and cultural sites, hike or bike through beautiful parks and natural landscapes, indulge in delicious food and drink, and experience the easy-going and friendly lifestyle of the locals. Plan your trip to Changzhou now and make unforgettable memories.