A Budget Trip to Changzhou by a Suzhou Local

Not familiar with downtown Changzhou, choosing a self-drive trip was purely a test of my driving skills—after all, I'm a veteran driver with 20 years of experience[CoolGuy][CoolGuy][CoolGuy] First stop: Tianning Pagoda, the "Divine Land Grand Pagoda." Golden roof, jade-like body, nanmu beams, and inscribed bronze tiles—one word: luxurious. Paid 50 yuan to climb it, totally worth it[ThumbsUp][ThumbsUp][ThumbsUp] Second stop: Hongmei Park next to Tianning Temple. Though it wasn't the season for plum blossoms, the layout was well-designed, making it a great spot for relaxation—especially for seniors' morning exercises. Admission: free. Third stop: Qingguo Lane, a neighborhood blending ancient and modern charm. Clean and tidy, filled with former residences of celebrities and memorial halls. The shops were all reasonably priced. Lunch was local Changzhou cuisine, averaging 80 yuan per person. Fourth stop: Checked into New Century Grand Hotel Changzhou, booked with Trip.com points—almost free! Breakfast and a room upgrade were included, exceeding expectations. Tried Changzhou specialties like tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), sesame cakes, and yinsi noodles—all delicious. Fifth stop: Due to bad weather, we randomly picked a mall to explore and had lunch there (38 yuan per person). Also grabbed a Costa coffee for 21.5 yuan (group discount). As we left, a security guard kindly held an umbrella ☔️ and escorted us to our car 🚗—such unexpected hospitality! Sixth stop: A35·Red Box, reportedly a renovated old building opposite the Cultural Palace. The two structures are super photogenic, and the rooftop offers a perfect view of Tianning Pagoda. At 4 PM, before the evening rush, we left Changzhou and headed back to our cozy home in Suzhou ✌️✌️✌️