Changjing Ancient Town Cultural Tourism Area

Changjing Ancient Town Cultural Tourism Area

Changjing Ancient Town Cultural Tourism Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The origins of Changjing Old Street date back to the Xianhua era of the Ming Dynasty (1465–1487), when the prominent Xia family from Xili Village settled in Jingli. They dredged the East Jing River, West Jing River, and the Market River, eventually merging the three into a single waterway known as the Jing River. Gradually, streets developed along both the northern and southern banks of the river. By the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1573–1620), "the town took on a grand scale and the population flourished," becoming a major market town in southeastern Jiangyin. In the second year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1663), Jingli was officially named Changjing Town.

Changjing Old Street

To facilitate traffic between the north and south streets, starting from the establishment of the market town in the Ming Dynasty, Xia Ximing first built the Xingshun Bridge. His son, Xia Lianghui, later constructed the Xingfu Bridge. Subsequently, local notables and the government built additional stone arch bridges such as the Xingshou Bridge, Xinglong Bridge, Xingding Bridge (originally the East Wooden Bridge), and Dafu Bridge (a silkworm farm bridge that has since been demolished). These bridges spanned the water like rainbows, creating a spectacular sight.

Changjing Old Street is divided into a northern and southern section, each stretching 1.5 kilometers in length, collectively referred to as the Kilometer Stone Street. The southern section runs from Xingfu Bridge to Chen Datong Rice Shop, extending to Niuyao Dam; the northern section extends from Dafu Silkworm Farm to Xingshou Bridge (now Hongqiao). The street is lined with numerous shops and storefronts, all housed in two-story wooden buildings. Many residences feature second-floor verandas and waterside pavilions, with stone steps leading down to river docks along the Jing River. Public docks along the river are all designed as ingot-shaped platforms, featuring a central flat area flanked by stone steps on either side for drawing water, washing, and loading/unloading goods.

The stone slabs used in the old street are all mountain granite, uniform in size and specification. Each slab measures 1 meter in length, 40 centimeters in width, and 20 centimeters in thickness, with a serial number engraved on each. The slabs are laid horizontally in a north-south orientation, bordered by blue bricks, with drainage channels beneath. After rain, the streets remain clean—an exceptionally scientific and rational design. Thousands of these stone blocks form the street and create a scenic historical landmark, each one a symbol of history and an imprint of ancient architecture. The north and south sections of the old street connect to various alleys and lanes, including Miaonong Lane, Caojia Lane, Yangshu Lane, Wangjia Lane, Houjie, Xiangdong Lane, Nanxiangmen, and Nanjie Lane. Each alley is also paved with stone slabs and equipped with underground drainage.

The fronts of the buildings along the old street serve as storefronts, while the rear sections function as living quarters, often consisting of three to five courtyards. Courtyards are adorned with flowers and plants, while living rooms display calligraphy and paintings. The upper floors resonate with the sounds of musical instruments and the fragrance of books and artwork. Preserved structures include the Zhang Hall, Song Hall, Li Hall, Wang Hall, Huangshi Mountain Wall (former residence of Zhang Dalie), and the Five-House Gate (a Ming Dynasty building). Each ancient structure is intimately connected to the stone-paved old street, forming an inseparable part of it—each being an elegant and classic note in the symphony of the old street, and a rustic, profound scroll painting within it.

Changjing Old Street is the accumulation and extension of history; it is an artistic masterpiece jointly created over centuries by merchants, residents, and notable figures of the town. Through the trials of time, the southern section underwent significant changes in 1974 when the Jing River was widened. However, the northern section remains unchanged—retaining its ancient charm, ambiance, and timeless appeal. Recent renovations have revitalized its youthful spirit.

Changjing Town: Once known as Dongshuncheng, Changjing is an ancient town in the Jiangnan region, boasting a long history, abundant talent, and profound cultural heritage. It is one of the birthplaces of Wu culture. Research indicates a history spanning over 7,000 years, with more than 5,000 years of civilization and 2,500 years of recorded history. The town covers an area of 54 square kilometers, with a registered population of 56,000, and administers 12 administrative villages and 1 community residents' committee.

Changjing Town is under the jurisdiction of Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, and is located at the geometric center of the Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou economic zone in the Yangtze River Delta. It borders the Yangtze River to the north and Taihu Lake to the south, enjoying an exceptionally advantageous geographic location. The area experiences distinct seasons, … Changjing Town Detailed Information++