Things to do in Changzhou

The hotel stay was great! The lobby had a retro feel, and there were even educational activities to participate in. The butler provided a travel guide! I had a very satisfying time following the guide! Special praise to Ms. Lu Xiaojie, she was very attentive!

The tranquil lake and bamboo forest are breathtaking. After visiting the panda enclosure, I also watched a lion dance performance up close for the first time. Climbing the highest peak in Wu and Yue provinces, one can stand with one foot in three provinces. Nanshan Bamboo Forest is highly recommended.

There were too many people during the holidays. It's quite a large place to walk around. I couldn't get on the mini train because the queue was at least 2 hours long. The fireworks show and light fountain at night were pretty good, and the performances in the public square were also quite nice.

We went on October 5th. The weather was great, and the environment on the mountain was lovely. However, many attractions required an additional fee, such as the thrill ride, family go-karting, and paintball. If you plan to do these, you might want to check if you can buy a combined ticket. Rafting cost 150 yuan per person, and even with raincoats, you'd get completely soaked, especially your shoes. Luckily, the staff warned us, so we didn't go rafting. The sightseeing train was 39 yuan per person, which wasn't cheap, but you had to wait at each stop, and there was no one to guide the queue; you had to grab your own spot, which was quite frustrating. The restaurants near the entrance were also mediocre. I thought Chinese food wouldn't be too bad, but I was proven wrong.

At first, I thought it was just one tower and it would cost fifty yuan, but once inside, I found there were many exhibits, quite exquisite and beautiful. Climbing to the top and enjoying the panoramic view of Changzhou was quite nice; you should definitely allow plenty of time!

The Immortal City was so much fun! There were tons of NPCs and so many shows; one day wasn't nearly enough. I even missed the parade. I'll definitely go again next time. The afternoon I went, the entire Maoshan Mountain was shrouded in mist, like a fairyland. It truly lived up to the saying, "A mountain is not famous for its height, but for the immortals who dwell there."

When visiting Changzhou, Qingguo Lane is a must-see. It's known as "One Qingguo Lane, Half the History of Changzhou," and also called the No. 1 Lane of Jiangnan Scholars. The old houses in Qingguo Lane are built along the river, with white walls and black tiles, exuding the charm of a Jiangnan water town. Here are some must-see spots in Qingguo Lane: **East Entrance Archway:** The three characters "Qingguo Lane" are very eye-catching, perfect for a photo opportunity. Also, past the archway to Zhuochu Bridge, there's a chinaberry tree that's the highlight of Qingguo Lane; its reflection in the river is incredibly photogenic. **Qingguo Lane Memory Museum:** A must-visit treasure trove, free to enter. This four-courtyard complex is filled with the historical memories of Qingguo Lane, offering many photo opportunities. It's closed at night, so be sure to go during the day! **Tang Jingchuan Memorial Hall:** A national cultural relic protection unit, it houses Changzhou's largest nanmu wood hall. Taking photos of the gatehouse of the three-courtyard complex with a telephoto lens is absolutely stunning! Zhou Youguang Library: The former residence of the father of Pinyin, the courtyard is tranquil and full of cultural atmosphere. The pond at the west entrance: The most photogenic spot in the neighborhood, the pond reflects the white walls and gray tiles of traditional Jiangnan houses, a popular spot for taking pictures. Overall, Qingguo Lane has a rich historical and cultural heritage while maintaining a lively atmosphere, making it a pleasant place to stroll and worth spending half a day exploring.

The Spring and Autumn Period Yancheng Tourist Area, located in the central urban area of ​​Wujin District, is a scenic area themed around the Spring and Autumn Period culture. Archaeological evidence confirms that the Yancheng site dates back over 2700 years, renowned for its unique "three cities and three rivers" city layout. It is the best-preserved surface city site from the Spring and Autumn Period in China to date, and is hailed as a "living fossil of Spring and Autumn Culture." What is "Yancheng"? One theory is that during the late Shang and early Zhou dynasties, the ruler of the Yan state migrated south, and the Yan ruler led his people to build a city here. In ancient times, "Yan" and "Yan" were interchangeable. Another theory is that during the late Spring and Autumn Period, Ji Zha, a prince of the Wu state, built a city in his fiefdom of Yanling to demonstrate his determination to remain there.

I went on a weekday during the summer holidays, and the experience was better than expected – fewer people and more animals. Be careful of the sheep in the drive-through area; they'll kick your car with their hooves. Keep your distance and just throw food at them from a distance. The predator area is quite thrilling as you can feed the animals. The grand circus is worth seeing, and the red pandas and monkeys are very adorable.

I had a wonderful time at Yushui Hot Spring during the National Day holiday! Soaking in the hot springs amidst the bamboo forest is incredibly relaxing, and we happened to be there during the National Day celebrations, which included releasing sky lanterns – a really fun and atmospheric experience. Luckily, it wasn't crowded that day, the water was quite clean, and the service was excellent. I felt completely refreshed after my soak.