Biji Lane

　　    Changzhou has long been famous for making combs and bamboo hairbrushes, earning the prestigious titles "Imperial Combs and Renowned Brushes" and "Changzhou Combs and Brushes Reign Supreme." The entire street was historically home to households engaged in comb and brush production. When Emperor Qianlong visited the south and landed at the nearby Pilin Post to enter the city, he saw workshops and shops lining the street producing and selling combs and brushes, prompting him to name the place “Brush and Comb Lane.”

　　    In modern times, Changzhou’s bamboo hairbrushes and wooden combs won a silver award at the International Exposition in San Francisco and a gold award at the exposition in Philadelphia. In the American film "Star Struck," the female protagonist wore a Changzhou comb as a brooch, and former Indonesian President Sukarno took two Changzhou bamboo hairbrushes back as souvenirs after his visit to China. The Northern Song Dynasty literary giant Su Dongpo once remarked, “Comb your hair over a hundred strokes, then rest your loosened hair and sleep soundly until dawn.”

　　    At the entrance of Biji Lane stands a tall memorial archway bearing three large red characters: “Da Matou” (Great Wharf). As the name suggests, this is the site of the great wharf. During the Ming Dynasty, the Pilin Post was located in this lane, serving as a stop for couriers delivering official documents and for officials passing through who needed to rest, switch horses, or stay overnight. By the Qing Dynasty, the Pilin Post was called the Huanghua Pavilion, which was the second most important post station in southern China, after only the Jinling Post. Beside the Great Wharf lies the Huanghua Pavilion, the highest-ranking of the three official reception pavilions along the Grand Canal in the ancient urban area of Changzhou.

　　    Address: Biji Lane, Zhonglou District, Changzhou

　　    Type: Featured Neighborhood

　　    Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

　　    Opening Hours:

　　    Open all day

　　    Ticket Information:

　　    No admission fee.