Located on the southern bank of the Yangzi River, Jiangsu's Changzhou is conveniently situated between Nanjing and Wuxi. Known mostly for its high-tech, textile, and agricultural industries and nationally acclaimed universities, Changzhou is yet another city positioned on China's Grand Canal.
Initially developed as a shipping port due to its geography, Changzhou has slowly grown into an important mid-point between two of China's more economically advanced cities, Shanghai and Nanjing. Also known as the "Dragon City," Changzhou additionally boasts distinction for its famous "royal combs" and other handcrafts.
History
Initially founded in 221 B.C., during the Western Zhou dynasty, Changzhou (previously named Changchou, Yanling, Lanling, and Jinling) rose to prominence around 609 B.C. as a canal port for shipping locally-grown grains, tea, fish, and bamboo.
During the Taiping Rebellion of the 1850s, and also during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai in the 1930s, Changzhou became as safe haven for displaced peoples, both Chinese nationals and foreigners respectively.
Climate
Changzhou, like much of the rest of Jiangsu province, is extremely hot and humid during the summer months of July and August. Its subtropical ocean monsoon climate is mild and temperate, with a yearly average temperature of 15-degrees Celsius and 1074mm of annual rainfall. The spring and autumn seasons are by far the best times to visit Changzhou.
Changzhou has a wide range of accomodations from budget hotels to chic, five-star facilities. Most hotels in Changzhou are quite reasonable priced; you can find many four and five-star rooms for under RMB 300.
Changzhou is well known for its delicious snack foods like Dried Radish, Sesame Candy, Sweet Glutinous Rice Flour Dumpling With Fermented Glutinous Rice and Silver Thread-like Noodles. Bei Dajie and Nan Dajie are the hubs for local dining.
Getting Around
The base rate for taxis is RMB 8 for the first three kilometers and then RMB 1.8 per additional kilometer. RMB 1 will be charged for fuel per time.
To and From Changzhou
Air
Bus No. 4 can take you from Jiangnan Shopping Center to Benniu Airport. There are also shuttle buses leaving from Civil Aviation Mansion at No. 35 Boai Lu and Changzhou Grand Hotel at No. 65 Yanling Xi Lu for the airport, the ticket is RMB 10 per person. There are flights to and from Beijing, Chengdu, Dalian, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shenyang and Urumqi etc.
Railway
Nearly all the trains running along Shanghai-Nanjing Railway take a stopover at Changzhou. Besides, there are also direct trains to Beijing.
Bus
Changzhou Bus Station is located at No.18, Xinfeng Jie, not far from the railway station. Shanghai-Nanjing Freeway and National Highway 312 both go by the city. Around every 30-50 minutes, there are buses leaving for Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Danyang and Hefei.
Although Changzhou is not a real center for nightlife, there are a few Chinese-style nightclubs, including the Joint Changzhou Phoebe City Nightclub (10-1 XiHeng Street, Zhonglou District) and the Liyang Culture Shop Ri Yue City Nightclub (LiCheng Town). There are also several local museums like the Changzhou Museum (24 QingLiang Road) and the Wujin Museum (Hutang Town, Wujin). Anyone looking to catch some local theater can head over to Changzhou Hongxingda Theater Dance Place (99 YanLing West Road, Zhonglou District) or Changzhou Qingxixiao Theater (374 QingTan Road).