The Ancient Canal of Changzhou

　　• You can explore Biji Alley from *Dream of the Red Chamber* on foot or take a boat to enjoy the scenery along both banks.

　　• Attraction Introduction

　　• The Ancient Canal of Changzhou runs eastward across the city from west to east. It is part of the Jiangnan Canal section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. The main areas visited by tourists are between Canal No. 5 Creative Park and Dongpo Park. You can explore sites such as Biji Alley from *Dream of the Red Chamber* on foot or take a boat to admire the canal’s riverside views.

　　• Although some attractions along the Ancient Canal of Changzhou are well-known, many of the buildings are newly constructed in an ancient style. It's suitable for history and literature enthusiasts interested in reliving the past, but those seeking completely authentic ancient charm may find it lacking.

　　• Recommended attractions along the canal include Canal No. 5 Creative Park, Ming City Wall, Biji Alley, Qingguo Lane, Tianning Temple, Hongmei Park, and Dongpo Park. You can combine walking and taking buses for a canal-themed journey.

　　• Canal No. 5 Creative Park was transformed from the former Changzhou No. 5 Textile Mill and is great for photos. Xiyingmen City Wall is the only remaining section of the Ming-era city wall in Changzhou. In ancient times, shops in Biji Alley operated through the night making combs, and “the lights of Biji Beam” was once a famous scenic view of Changzhou. Qingguo Lane is a somewhat old-fashioned alley. Tianning Temple features grand halls, and its Tianning Pagoda displays exquisite Buddhist treasures; Xu Zhimo once wrote the poem *Hearing the Chanting at Tianning Temple in Changzhou*. Hongmei Park has a garden-style layout, and the Wenbi Pagoda within it is the oldest surviving structure in Changzhou. Dongpo Park’s Yizhou Pavilion was once where Su Dongpo moored his boat and disembarked.

　　• The original waterway tour route of the Ancient Canal of Changzhou ran from Canal No. 5 Wharf to Biji Alley to Dongpo Park, with stops allowing boarding and alighting at Biji Alley. Due to ongoing subway construction in Changzhou, the waterway route has been changed to run from Canal No. 5 Wharf to Biji Alley to Baihuang River—a route that blends industrial heritage, historic sites, and the natural scenery of Baihuang River.

　　• Address: No. 32, Biji Alley, Zhonglou District, Changzhou City

　　• Type: River / UNESCO World Heritage Site

　　• Recommended Visit Duration: About 1–2 hours

　　• Opening Hours:

　　• Open all day

　　• Ticket Information:

　　• No admission fee.