Qingguo Alley
Known for its reputation as “the first alley for celebrities in the south of the Yangtze River,” Qingguo Alley is the most well-preserved and prestigious ancient street. The building along the alley can date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Republic of China era, including famous residences, ancient temples, bridges and stele, pavilions in the woods, and ancient wells and piers.
For centuries, over 100 scholars from this alley thrived in the Imperial Examinations in the dynasties, including Tang Jingchuan, Qu Qiubai, Zhao Yuanren, Liu Guojun, Zhou Youguang, and Shi Liang. As a result, locals often say that “Qingguo Alley is relevant to half of the Changzhou history,” which recognizes the alley’s status as “the living fossil” of the famous historical and cultural city.
Biji Lane
Previously known as Flower Market Street, Biji Lane had long been a stop for the imperial post. Meanwhile, it is famous for its hair decorations and wooden combs production. In fact, the exquisite woodworks for hair decoration here were popular among official and celebrity classes, making it the home of the best combs and hair decorations in Changzhou. Therefore, today’s Qingguo Alley is ancient and simple, and full of historical relics, ancient charms, anecdotes, and legends.
This alley, which is only a few hundred meters long, remains the landmark for the historical city that contains several historical relics, including the Ming City Wall, the Imperial Post Station, Biliang Lights, and the Moonlight on Wenheng Bridge, boasting of the culture and history of the city.
When night falls, visitors can either enjoy the magnificent lights and scenery in the alley, for example, “Biliang Lights”, “the Moonlight on Wenheng Bridge”, or appreciate the view along the Great Canal on a cruise, both full of ancient charm.
The Old Street in Benniu
As one of the three ancient towns in Wujin, Benniu has a history of more than 2,100 years. The Benniu Town section of the Grand Canal, with a total length of 11.6 kilometers, remains the part of the canal within Changzhou with the relatively well-preserved historical appearance.
Benniu houses over a dozen intangible cultural heritages. For example, along Old Street, there are still buildings with the Republic of China style, which are of preservation and revival value. The over 1,000 meters long street forms a “7” shape, where scattered old wells, ancient bridges, wooden gates, walls with blue bricks and black tiles, and residences and gardens behind high walls. The crisscross of streets and alleys seem to stretch beyond time, allowing the stories to be recalled and remembered.
Apart from the construction of the ecological corridors on the north and south sides of the Benniu section of the Great Canal, projects such as the first estuary park of the Canal and the revival of the old streets will also be planned and accomplished, to create a famous canal cultural town that retains nostalgia and ancient charm.
Source: Jiangsu Micro Tourism
