[2025 Changzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Yizhouting (Updated May)

Changzhou is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province, located in the Yangtze River Delta. It has a long history and profound cultural heritage, and is known as the "Dragon City". As an excellent tourist city in China, Changzhou combines the elegance of the Jiangnan water towns with the vitality of modern cities, and has rich natural landscapes, historical sites, and distinctive cuisine. Recommended attractions 1. Historical and cultural sites Spring and Autumn Yancheng Tourist Area The most complete Spring and Autumn period city site in China, known for its "three cities and three rivers" layout, including the site protection area, the Spring and Autumn Paradise, and the wildlife area, showcasing more than 2,800 years of history. Tianning Temple One of the four major Buddhist temples in Jiangnan, built in the Tang Dynasty, it is known as the "No. 1 Temple in Southeast China". The Tianning Pagoda is 153.79m high and is the tallest Buddhist pagoda in the world. Its chanting music has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Jiaoxi Ancient Village A typical Jiangnan water town, preserving ancient Ming and Qing buildings. It was selected as a Chinese historical and cultural village because of its "small bridges, flowing water, and waterfront residences". 2. Natural scenery Maoshan Scenic Area The birthplace of the Shangqing School of Taoism. The main peak, Damao Peak, is 372.5m above sea level. It is characterized by "beautiful mountains, sacred Taoism, and unique caves". It also has red resources such as anti-Japanese war sites and the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall. Tianmu Lake Tourist Resort A national 5A-level scenic spot, combining lake and mountain scenery with hot spring resources. The core attractions include the Landscape Garden, Nanshan Bamboo Sea, and Yushui Hot Spring, suitable for all seasons. Songjian Lake One of the four major lakes in Changzhou, with well-preserved wetland ecology, suitable for bird watching and boating to experience the wildness of nature. 3. Theme parks China Dinosaur Park A national 5A-level scenic spot with the theme of dinosaur culture, with a dinosaur gene research center, dinosaur museum, etc., known as the "Oriental Jurassic Park". Global Animation Play Valley An animation and game theme park that combines virtual reality technology, suitable for parent-child interaction and trendy play for young people. 4. Canal culture Qingguo Lane "The No. 1 Lane in Jiangnan", adjacent to the ancient canal, more than 100 celebrities have emerged from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, such as Qu Qiubai and Tang Jingchuan, with both historical and artistic atmosphere. Dongpo Park Built to commemorate Su Dongpo, the Yizhou Pavilion, Xiyan Pond and other attractions in the park reproduce Dongpo's footprints and show the cultural heritage of the canal. Food recommendations Changzhou cuisine is a branch of Jiangsu cuisine, characterized by "emphasizing the original flavor and matching meat and vegetables". The "Top Ten Changzhou Delicacies" officially selected in 2018 are the most representative: Tianmu Lake Casserole Fish Head Selected Tianmu Lake gray carp head, the soup is milky white, fresh but not fishy, ​​is the top brand dish in Changzhou. Radish Dried Fried Rice Changzhou radish is salty, sweet, crisp and tender, matched with local rice and soy sauce, simple but full of the atmosphere of daily life. Fragrant Distiller's Grains Braised Pork Made with Erhualian pork and Changzhou distiller's grains, it is fat but not greasy, and has a strong aroma of distiller's grains. Silver Noodles The noodles are as thin as silver threads, and the soup base is clear and fresh, reflecting the exquisite craftsmanship of Changzhou pasta. Stir-fried Liyang White Celery White celery is crisp, tender and slag-free. It is a specialty of Liyang, reflecting Changzhou's attention to seasonal ingredients. Osmanthus Sweet Taro Seedlings Made from Jintan red fragrant taro, with osmanthus syrup, it is sweet, soft and glutinous, and is a classic dessert. Red Soup Baiye Hengshanqiao Baiye is soft and tough, and the red soup base is spicy and delicious, which is the favorite of Changzhou people for breakfast. Other special snacks: Dama Cake, Net Oil Roll, Tofu Soup with Douzhai Cake, Zhaiqiao Old Goose, etc. Recommended recent events (May Day holiday in 2025) China Dinosaur Park: Installation art exhibition, aerospace exhibition and fantasy parade to create an immersive experience. Tianmu Lake: Bamboo Sea Art Exhibition, Aromatic Hot Spring Healing Activities, integrating nature and art. Spring and Autumn Yancheng: Intangible cultural heritage of iron fireworks, national style juggling and light and shadow show, reproduce the charm of the ancient city for thousands of years. Oriental Salt Lake City: Nezha drone fireworks show, comedy flash mob, suitable for parents and children and young people.

——An immersive journey of cultural roots and garden aesthetics in 2025 Changzhou Dongpo Park, a garden named after the Northern Song Dynasty literary giant Su Dongpo, carries the millennium cultural heritage and the elegant spirit of Jiangnan gardens. This place is not only the place where Su Dongpo spent his last years, but also a cultural palace where poetry, inscriptions, the ancient canal and flowers of the four seasons are intertwined. In the spring of 2025, the author visited this place, measured history with his footsteps, and had a dialogue with Su Dongpo with his heart. He condensed what he saw and felt into this article to reveal the hidden beauty of this classical garden to travelers. 1. The Soul of the Garden: Symphony of Dongpo Relics and Classical Architecture The core charm of Dongpo Park lies in its unique temperament of "the garden is famous for its people and the scenery is famous for its culture". As the place where Su Dongpo retired and spent his last years, every building in the park is closely connected with Dongpo's life, creating a tour experience of "every step and every scene tells a story". 1. Mooring Pavilion: The Poetry of a Thousand Years of Mooring The Mooring Pavilion is a landmark building in the park and is said to be the place where Su Dongpo moored his boat and landed. The three characters "舣舟亭" are engraved on the stone tablet in front of the pavilion with vigorous brushstrokes. The ancient canal beside the pavilion is sparkling, and it seems that you can still hear Su Dongpo's sigh of "I will buy land in Yangxian when I am old." In spring, if you look out from the railing here, the shadows of the canal boats and the weeping willows on the bank complement each other, just like a dynamic "Along the River During the Qingming Festival". 2. Dongpo Inkstone Pool: A cultural relic filled with the fragrance of ink The bluestone beside the pool is mottled, and it is said that Su Dongpo once washed his brush and inkstone here. The water in the pond never dries up all year round. There are several ancient plum trees planted by the pond. In winter, their subtle fragrance floats in the air, and together with their reflections in the pond, they create the artistic conception of "sparse shadows slanting across the clear water". Men of letters and scholars often stop here to appreciate the elegance of writing that has spanned thousands of years. 3. Guangji Bridge and Imperial Stele Pavilion: Dialogue between the Royal Family and the People The Guangji Bridge in the park is one of the oldest existing stone arch bridges in Changzhou. The bridge is covered with vines, showing its vicissitudes of life. The Imperial Stele Pavilion beside the bridge preserves a stele with poems written by Emperor Qianlong during his southern tour. The royal demeanor and Su Dongpo's literati style form a subtle contrast here, reflecting Changzhou's "inclusive" urban character. 2. The Four Seasons: The Poetics of Nature in the Sequence of Flowers and Trees The garden aesthetics of Dongpo Park lies not only in the exquisiteness of artificial carvings, but also in the gift of nature and time. The flowers of spring, the green shade of summer, the red maple leaves of autumn and the snow shadows of winter constitute a visual feast of different seasons. 1. A guide to spring flower viewing: from plum blossoms to peonies - Looking for plum blossoms in February: The plum forest on the north side of Baoyue Hall at the east gate is a mixture of red and white colors with a subtle fragrance. The contrast between the old trunks and twisted branches and the newly built Song Dynasty-style pergola creates a sense of dialogue between the past and the present. - March: The belt of jasmine flowers along the bank of the ancient canal cascades down like a golden waterfall, forming a visual spectacle of "gold inlaid with jade" with the clear waters of the canal. - Peonies in April: The peony garden next to Yangsu Pavilion on Half Moon Island is full of purple and yellow peony flowers in full bloom. The park has set up a special Hanfu rental point where visitors can wear Song Dynasty costumes and experience the magnificent scene of "the capital city moves when flowers bloom". 2. The beauty of autumn maples and the charm of winter snow Most of the maple trees in the garden are concentrated on the west side of the inkstone washing pool. In late autumn, the forest is full of colors, forming a strong color collision with the white walls and black tiles. After the winter snow, the Guangji Bridge turns into a jade belt and the snow on top of the Imperial Stele Pavilion is like a crown, recreating the elegant taste of "Dongpo sweeping snow and brewing tea". 3. Cultural Experience: Immersive Dialogue that Blends the Past and the Present The park revitalizes history through creativity, transforming static relics into dynamic cultural experiences, and realizing the modern cultural tourism concept of "letting cultural relics speak." 1. Ancient Canal Cruise: A Flowing Space-Time Corridor Board the boat from the park's pier and sail along the ancient canal. For 40 yuan one way, you can enjoy the scenery on both sides of the canal. The route passes by scenic spots such as Bijixiang and Xiyingli Ming City Wall. The boatmen sometimes sing Changzhou folk songs, telling the stories of water conservancy projects, canal transportation history and poetry and legends. 2. Traditional craft workshop: cultural heritage in handcrafts - Stone inscription rubbings: Under the guidance of professional instructors, visitors can personally rub the stone inscriptions of Su Dongpo's poems, such as "Chu Song Tie" and "Qi Changzhou Residence Table", and take away a unique cultural souvenir. - Liuqing Bamboo Carving Experience: On-site teaching by Changzhou intangible cultural heritage inheritors. Using a knife as a pen, carve Su Dongpo's portrait or famous quotes on bamboo slips, and feel the "literati spirit under the knife". 3. Night Tour Light and Shadow Show: A poetic expression enabled by technology The "Dongpo Night Tour" project, newly added in 2025, uses 3D projection technology to interpret famous works such as "Red Cliff Fu" and "Water Melody" on ancient buildings. The moonlight, lights and holographic images are interwoven to create a dreamlike environment where one feels as if they were in the past. 4. Taste of Changzhou: A food tour from gardens to the streets Dongpo Park is not only a cultural holy place, but also a great starting point to taste the flavor of Changzhou. The food map inside and outside the park connects the "literati's taste" with the "busy life of the market". 1. Teahouse in the garden: Enjoy poetry and wine in your prime The Half Moon Island Tea House serves "Dongpo Cakes" (shortbreads baked with sesame and icing sugar) with Biluochun, which is in line with Dongpo's artistic conception of "trying new tea with new fire". The teahouse regularly hosts poetry salons where visitors can improvise and win limited edition cultural creations. 2. Jinling Middle Road Food Street: A Taste of Changzhou A ten-minute walk from the park will take you to the food court, where you can try the following dishes: - Claypot fish head: Made with mackerel from Tianmu Lake, the soup is milky white, fresh and mellow; - Changzhou Braised Pork with Wine Grains: The wine lees are tasty, fatty but not greasy, and can be called a "magic dish to go with rice"; - Sesame candy and water chestnut crisps: produced by the century-old shop "Rui He Tai", they are sweet but not greasy, and suitable as souvenirs. 5. Practical Guide: A Complete Guide to Visiting the Park in 2025 1. Traffic navigation - Bus: Take bus No. 7, No. 25, or No. B12 to Dongpo Park Station. Get off at the North Gate. - Self-driving: North Gate parking lot (5 yuan/hour) or free parking in front of Tianshun Yuheyuan shop. 2. Tickets and opening hours The park is open to the public free of charge (05:00-21:00), and secondary consumption items such as boat trips and workshop experiences require additional payment. 3. Best Tour Route Half-day highlights route: North Gate → Mooring Pavilion → Dongpo Inkstone Washing Pool → Guangji Bridge → Peony Garden → Ancient Grand Canal Cruise → Jinling Middle Road Food Street. One-day in-depth tour: Add inscription rubbing experience, green bamboo carving workshop, and night tour light and shadow show. Conclusion: Contemporary Echoes of Dongpo’s Spirit Walking in Changzhou Dongpo Park is like stepping into a three-dimensional scroll of Song Dynasty style. Every pavilion and bridge here is not only a historical relic, but also a carrier of cultural regeneration; every flower and tree not only follows the natural sequence, but also carries humanistic feelings. Just as Su Dongpo said, "Wherever my heart is at peace is my hometown", this garden, with its unique inclusiveness, achieves a perfect balance between classic and modern, poetry and life. If travelers in 2025 can slow down their pace here, or sip tea and listen to the rain, or go boating on the canal, they will be able to feel the literati spirit that has lasted for thousands of years but remains fresh. Dongpo Garden

Su Dongpo's two most famous relics in Changzhou are the Su Dongpo Memorial Hall, where he passed away at the old Tenghua Pavilion, and Yizhou Pavilion, which has now been transformed into Dongpo Park. The entire scenic area consists of a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides and a crescent island in the ancient canal. It is not large, but it is serene and quiet, with free admission. The entire scenic area is meticulously designed to express the Changzhou people's admiration for Mr. Dongpo. The door rings, roof ridges, and dragon child door guards are all decorated with the seven sons of the dragon, Bixi, and the nine sons, Chiwen. Upon entering, there is the 'Three Su Garden' and the 'Snow Wave Stone'... The most impressive sights in the garden are the Yizhou Pavilion and Dongpo's Inkstone Washing Pool. 'Yizhou' means to moor a boat, possibly reflecting Mr. Dongpo's Sichuan dialect. When he arrived in Changzhou by boat, he would moor his boat here, tie the ropes, and go ashore. The people of Changzhou built Yizhou Pavilion to commemorate this great literary figure who visited Changzhou 14 times and spent his final years here. The Inkstone Washing Pool was relocated from the courtyard of the old Tenghua Pavilion where Mr. Su Dongpo once stayed. It is 1 meter long, 0.5 meters wide, and 0.5 meters deep. It is a must-see attraction in Dongpo Park. The 'Fish Calling Pool,' located in front of the Imperial Stele Pavilion in the park, is derived from the timeless love story of Su Shi and Wang Fu's 'Fish Calling Romance.' Dongpo Ancient Ferry, where Su Dongpo docked his boat during his 14 visits to Changzhou, later became known as Dongpo Ancient Ferry. Emperor Qianlong visited Changzhou four times, twice disembarking here, hence it is also called the 'Imperial Wharf.' The Dragon Pavilion, where Emperor Qianlong admired Mr. Dongpo's literary talent, visited Yizhou Pavilion, and summoned local scholars to present their poems and essays. The Dragon Pavilion was built by the pool. This place is vastly different from the Yizhou Pavilion in my memory. It is filled with traces of Dongpo, and the ancient architectural relics tell the deep emotional connection between Mr. Dongpo and Changzhou. The natural scenery is also winding and secluded, incredibly beautiful. Along the river corridor, Mr. Dongpo's famous words and phrases are carved, allowing visitors to slowly appreciate and gently recite them... Yizhou Pavilion

|| The Green Wild on the Canal. Dongpo Park, also known as Yizhou Pavilion, covers an area of 4.3 hectares. It was first built in 1954 and expanded from the Yizhou Pavilion built in the Southern Song Dynasty. The entire park consists of a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides and a crescent island in the ancient canal. The two islands are connected by the ancient Guangji Bridge from the Ming Dynasty, and the surrounding Jiuhua Zen Temple is connected to the peninsula by the ancient Feihong Bridge. The park's name comes from the great writer Su Dongpo of the Northern Song Dynasty, who visited Changzhou 11 times and spent his final years here. It is said that Su Dongpo disembarked here to enter the city. To commemorate this literary giant, a Yizhou Pavilion was built in the park during the Southern Song Dynasty to express admiration for Su Dongpo. The Yizhou Pavilion is located at the top of the southern hill in the park. Although small, it is exquisitely designed. Emperor Qianlong wrote four poems for this pavilion during his southern tours and personally inscribed the plaque "Yuju Fengliu". The entire Dongpo Park features both ancient architecture and beautiful natural scenery, fully showcasing cultural charm. The Grand Canal flows east around the park, adding to the water town characteristics of Jiangnan. Visitors can not only feel the charm of classical Chinese gardens but also experience the unique style of Jiangnan water towns. 📍 Address: No. 9 Yanling Middle Road, Tianning District, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province 🚘 Self-driving: Navigate to Dongpo Park, parking available 🎫 Tickets: Free 🕰️ Opening hours: 06:00~18:00 🌈 Recommended Check-in Points 1️⃣ Guangji Bridge Guangji Bridge is an ancient bridge in Changzhou Dongpo Park. Originally built in the west of the city, it spans the ancient canal and is one of the oldest three-hole stone arch bridges in Changzhou. Due to the widening of the canal in the west of the city, the bridge was relocated to Dongpo Park and became an important part of the park. 2️⃣ Dongpo Ancient Ferry Su Dongpo visited Changzhou 14 times and once docked here. Emperor Qianlong visited Changzhou four times, twice disembarking here, hence it is also called "Imperial Wharf". 3️⃣ "Love in Changzhou" Sculpture Group The "Love in Changzhou" sculpture group was established to commemorate the deep connection between Su Dongpo and Changzhou. Su Dongpo visited Changzhou many times and eventually spent his final years here. 4️⃣ Yizhou Pavilion Yizhou Pavilion is one of the most famous ancient sites in Dongpo Park, built in the Song Dynasty to commemorate Su Dongpo's docking here. The pavilion has double eaves and nine ridges, built at the highest point of the park, decorated with exquisite brick and wood carvings. The pavilion top features two dragons playing with a pearl, along with patterns of pine trees, cranes, divine dragons, and swimming fish, possessing high artistic value. Emperor Qianlong wrote four poems for this pavilion during his southern tours and personally inscribed the plaque "Yuju Fengliu". 5️⃣ Imperial Stele Pavilion The Imperial Stele Pavilion houses the inscriptions written by Emperor Qianlong during his southern tours. The pavilion preserves six poems written by Emperor Qianlong during his southern tours, with the stone steles leaning against the walls of the pavilion and covered with thick glass for protection. It is said that these inscriptions record the grand occasions of Emperor Qianlong's southern tours and his praise for the great writer Su Dongpo of the Song Dynasty. 6️⃣ Dragon Pavilion The Dragon Pavilion was where Emperor Qianlong summoned local scholars for examinations. It is built by the pond, resembling both a pavilion and a waterside pavilion, a rare combination in Jiangnan gardens. 7️⃣ Inkstone Washing Pool Originally located in the Sun's residence where Su Dongpo spent his final years, Su Dongpo personally planted a wisteria beside the Inkstone Washing Pool. In 1757, during Emperor Qianlong's second southern tour, the Inkstone Washing Pool was moved to the side of Yizhou Pavilion. 8️⃣ Chu Song Pavilion In September 1084, Su Dongpo saw the climate suitable for growing oranges while in Yixing by Taihu Lake and wrote the "Chu Song Post". To fulfill Su Dongpo's wish, a pavilion was specially built for commemoration. 9️⃣ Yangsu Pavilion The upper part of Yangsu Pavilion has an inscription by Tang Bohu, "Yangsu Pavilion", and the lower part has an inscription by Emperor Kangxi, "Poxian Yifan". 🔟 The Great River Flows East East of Yangsu Pavilion, the deepest part of the park is named "The Great River Flows East", a great spot for canal viewing.