(Xinbei)
While Changzhou is not a top expat haven like Shanghai, Bejing, Guangzhou and even Suzhou it still has a lot to offer for expats who live in this wonderful city.
常州不是北上广那样的大都市，甚至也没有苏州繁华，但是，对于生活在此的老外来说，常州依旧是个非常棒的城市。
Although the Chinese government does not officially define cities into tiers, China analysts frequently do so. First tier are the commercial megacities(Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, etc); second-tier are generally provincial capitals(Nanjing & Chengdu for example); third-tier important provincial cities(like Changzhou and Suzhou).
人们习惯于给各个城市划分级别，比如：北上广这样的商业化大都市被列为一线城市，南京、成都这样的省会城市基本被列为二线城市，最后一些重要的城市被列为三线城市，比如常州、苏州。
While Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu Province, Changzhou is a ‘small city’ of approximately 5million and is located half-way between Shanghai and Nanjing (a mere 45 minutesby high-speed train in either direction). It has a rich cultural heritage, an expat community made up of international students, teachers, corporate workers and entertainers and a world-class infrastructure that includes an airport and a high-speed railway hub. A metro line will open in 2019 connecting north to south with more lines planned in the coming years.
南京市是江苏省的省会，相比常州开起来就只是位于上海和南京中间的小城市了。常州历史文化丰富，老外社群多样，比如国际间的留学生、老师、工作者、艺人等。值的一提的是，常州有一流的基础设施建设，包括机场和铁路枢纽。连接常州南北的地铁线路也将于19年开通，未来几年里还有更多的地铁线路会开通。
Changzhou is 45 minutes to Shanghai by high-speed train.
Changzhou is well-developed, with modern highways and high-speed railway connections (5.5 hours to Beijing, 45 minutes to Shanghai). It is a cycling-friendly city with many other convenient options: taxis; public buses;a metro service; tourist buses.
It is an attractive city by Chinese standards, with leafy boulevards, many, many parks, lakes, brilliant amusement parks and acosmopolitan range of visitor facilities.
Travel Essentials
(Wujin)
Weather
Changzhou does get hot and humid during the summer months, but in this day and age with so many places adequately armed with a/c and even outdoor cooling mist-sprays it makes it so much easier to deal with.
• Spring: March-May. Temperatures gradually warm and humidity increases until the summer furnace hits.
• Summer: June-Sept. Extremely hot and humid with usually 2 weeks of heavy rains somewhere during June and July.
• Autumn: Oct-Nov. Pleasant, cool anddry; can be the best time to visit but there have been months where Oct has been chilly and Nov warm! Evenings do tend to get cool however.
• Winter: Dec-Feb. Cold and humid with occasional snow. Temperatures can drop as low as -7 °C (19 °F) but rarely fall below -0 °C.
(Wujin)
Getting to Changzhou
• By train: there are two main railway stations: Changzhou Station（常州站） in the centre of the city and Changzhou North（常州北）is in the north district of Xinbei. Changzhou Station serves routes to Shanghai, Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Wuxi and Suzhou among others. Changzhou North serves long-haul high-speed trains to Beijing, Shanghai, Xuzhou, Zhengzhou,Zhenjiang, Danyang, Wuxi, Suzhou, Kunshan, Jinan, Tianjin, Wuhan, Hangzhou and Hefei. For those of us traveling toor from Changzhou from Shanghai or Nanjing there is very little difference in which station you choose.
• By bus/coach: overnight coaches connect Changzhou with large hubs such as Beijing and Guangzhou via Changzhou Coach Station near Changzhou Train Station. Other popular bus routes go to Shanghai, Hangzhou, and the nearby provinces.
• By air: Changzhou Benniu Airport is 35km from the city center and offers flights to a selection of cities in China and a number of Asian destinations including Japan &Korean. From the city center, taxis cost around 70 RMB (30 minutes).
More details:【Taxi Book】Travel & Surrounding Cities常州及周边的主要交通
（BRT）
Getting around Changzhou
• Taxi: Taxis can be found all around the city with rush hours being most difficult to hail one down from the street. All vehicles are metered. While taxi drivers do not speak English and drive erratically they are often trustworthy.
• City bus/BRT: The bus is the best way to get around many cities in China, this fact is a no less true in Changzhou. The BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) has it’s own bus lane and is extremely regular and cheap (1 Yuan for any distance). However, it can be extremely crowded during peak hours. Buses run to most areas of the city that are inaccessible by its comprehensive subway system and are very affordable. It is best to bring exact change in order to take a bus or BRT.
• Subway: The subway Line 1 willopen in 2018 and will connect the north train station to Wujin district in the south. Trains run every 6 to 8 minutes and fares are charged by distance, generally between 3-5RMB. Line 2 will connect east to west and is schedule to be completed in 2020. Further lines are also in the works.
• Bicycle: most areas have bike lanes and Wechat/Alipay public bikes are available for rent all over the city. There are several high-end mountain bikes in town and hundreds of places to buy used Chinese bikes for cheap.
(Changzhou Olympic Sports Center)
Money
The Chinese currency is the rénmínbì (RMB)(人民币), the basic unit is the yuán（元）, which is also referred to as kuài（块）. Bills are issued in denominations of ¥5, ¥10,¥20, ¥50 and ¥100.
If landing in Changzhou, you can change most major foreign currencies into RMB at the airport.
In the city, ATMs (usually those operated by the Bank of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Agricultural Bank of China) accept most international credit and bank debit cards to drawout cash.
You can exchange currency at the aforementioned banks with your passport (M-F, 9am-5pm).
(¥1,¥5, ¥10,¥20, ¥50 and ¥100)
Potential dangers
Changzhou is an extremely safe city: violent crime against foreigners is rare, but troubles can potentially arise.
• Theft: pick pocketing can happen on crowded public transport.
• Bike theft: if you have a nice bike, be careful. If thieves can’t cut your lock, they will toss your locked bike into a flatbed.If security guards are posted, expect them to claim ignorance. Say goodbye.
• Taxi scams: while in-city taxis are generally solid, unlicensed taxi operators (from the airport, bus and train stations) will aggressively try to herd newbies away from the official taxi stands to private cars charging triple the price.
Tourist Expenses
• Guest house dorm bed: 250 RMB ($40.00)
• Street cafe meal: 40RMB ($6.50)
• Local draft beer in a restaurant: 20 RMB ($3.20)
• 3-star aircon hotel: 400 RMB ($65)
• Expat restaurant meal: 100 RMB ($16.25)
• Bottle of imported beer: 50 RMB ($8.00)
More details:【Taxi Book】Hotel & Accommodation酒店和住宿
Sightseeing Highlights
Changzhou is a popular tourist town with plenty of easy day-trips to enjoy.
Recommended highlights:
▪ ChinaDinosaur Park（中华恐龙园）
China Dinosaurs Park, (Chinese: 中华恐龙园) also called China Dinosaurs Land is a theme park located in Changzhou, Jiangsu, China. It has been open since September 2000. The park covers more than 600 mu. As it is a theme park about dinosaurs, it is also called the "Eastern Jurassic Park". The museum contains a nearly complete fossil skeleton of the important dinosaur genus Sinosauropteryx as well as large fossils such as those of a Brachiosaurus and a Hadrosaurus.
▪ Hong MeiPark（红梅公园）
Hongmei Park (Chinese: 红梅公园) also called Red Plum Park, is a park located in the northeast of Changzhou City,in southern Jiangsu province. It is one of the largest comprehensive parks in Changzhou, covering an area of 37 hectares and includes gardens and a lake. There is a famous ancient architecture called Hongmei Pavilion and that is why it is named Hongmei.
▪ YanCheng ancient city（淹城）
It is a site of ruins of an ancient town, which occupied a land of 0.6 square kilometer and could be tracked back to the time between the Western Chou Dynasty and theSpring and Autumn Period in China’shistory, almost 3,000 years ago.The ancient town is the oldest and most well-preserved ancient town in China. It is surrounded by three layers of townwalls and moats. The wall is 20 meters high and 25 to 30 meters wide. It protected the town from enemy attacks with aid from the moats.
▪ Nandajie（南大街）
It is a good place for shopping.
▪ Changzhou Museum(常州博物馆)
Worth a trip, plus it's free. Exhibits include artefacts from Changzhou's stone age to a collection of beautiful rosewood furniture. The south side features urban planning models, past and present.
▪ Qingfeng Park.（青枫公园）
Qingfeng Park is an urban forest park integrating the three themes of “Ecology, Science and Energy.” The park was officially opened on May 17th, 2008, which is presently the largest free-admission park in Changzhou, covering a total area of 45 hectares. Qingfeng Park is also considered as Changzhou’s first forest park, plant science education base and youth outdoor activity base." There is a lake there, on its shores there is a real sand beach.
▪ Xin Tian Di Park. （新天地公园）
The park is located in the south near the TV tower.The great thing about this park is that you can sit on the grass and have a picnic. Bus #2 will get you from He ping Lu in the downtown area to the park. I think you can also catch the B11 from Nandajie to the western side of the park.
More details:【Taxi Book】Culture and Tourism文化和旅游
Bars and Restaurants
International Eateries in Changzhou
Tuscany Grill @ The Marriott Hotel
NO. 1509 LongjinRoad, Changzhou 213022, China
With 2 Italian chefs, internationally sourced ingredients and a lovely atmosphere the Tuscany Grill brings real authentic Italian food to Changzhou. Head chef Davide spent four months preparing the menu and sourcing the best ingredients before he opened this newest edition to the Changzhou international cuisine list.
Recommend: the tomahawk steak is not cheap at approx 488RMB for 600g and over 1000RMB for a massive 1200g serving, but it is so cooked to perfection that it is a must try. It is undoubtably the best steak in Changzhou.
CF Cafe
Opposite the TV Tower Xinbei
While Cf Cafe is primarily a bakery with great European style bread, they do offer a menu that includes a selection of breakfast choices (with sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs,baked beans, sautéed mushrooms, and more) they also have excellent pizzas,pastas, soups and salads. I also love the bright decoration and wooden furniture.
Recommend: Their breads must be their highlight. At last Changzhou has a decent bakery! Their chef, Vicki, has also worked for a number of foreign restaurants so she can adjust dishes as per your request.
Indian Kitchen
Xinqu NO. 290-292Yijiang Road, Changzhou 213022
Located in Xinbei on‘Japanese Street’ near Dinosaur Park, this Indian-owned restaurant is a staple for expats wanting to eat authentic Indian cuisine prepared by Indian chefs. While their decoration is looking a little jaded their food is excellent. Prices range from medium to high.
Recommend: veggie samosas & any of their curries.
Jagerwirt Beer Garden
A303, A Qu, XinCheng Shang Jie, Hutang, Wujin District
Great German-style& international food with a large selection of German and international beers, wines & spirits means this restaurant is probably the most popular bar for the expat community in Wujin. The always friendly owners, Claus and YePing have also opened Chocolates Bar & Restaurant offering the same food and drink selection as Jagerwirt.
Recommend: theirsteaks & sautéed potatoes.
Michly French Restaurant
Modern Media Center No.5 Building 3F, Longjin Rd, Xinbei, Changzhou.
Despite seemingly changing their international chef on a regular basis Michly has never disappointed me when I have eaten there. While it’s not some where you would eat on a regular basis it is nice for special occasions. This is high end dining with a high end bill at the end.
Recommend: surf & turf
More details:【Taxi Book】Café and Restaurants常州的咖啡馆和餐馆
(Tianning temple)
Recommended nightlife spots
Changzhou’s nightlife scene in no way compares to the awesomeness of Shanghai’s – on many weekend nights, it’s not unusual to find most places near-empty.
Backstreet booze-ups are most often held in autumn.
An exhaustive list of options is not necessary here. There are a few spots where expats congregate – meet one, and you will be connected. If you are new in town and looking to network, choose among the following and get yourself out there:
• Canal 5 (bar area): it’s a trendy arty area with a selection of bars and a few restaurants. It’s popular with young affluent Changzhou residents. Blank Space is probably the most popular of these venues. They have a house band and often invite touring international & local bands/musicians to perform.
• Jagerwirt Biergarten (Wujin District): owned by Claus from Austria & Yeping/Chocolate from China this is the best bar and restaurant in the Wujin District.
• OK Koala (Xinbei District):
OK Koala has become one of the most popular bars in Changzhou. Owner Craig who hails from Australia is always friendly and welcoming. This is without doubt the best bar for newbies to Changzhou to meet new people. Also, Craig has an excellent range of beers and spirits from around the world.
• Candles Bar (Xinbei): Candles is popular with the German expat community in Changzhou and with a good selection of beers and western style food it attracts a loyal following.
Conclusion: to get connected with local expats, head to whichever spot suits your taste. Sit at the bar, order a drink and start asking questions. It is literally that easy.
(Changzhou word trade center)
Local cuisine
The best way to discover Changzhou cuisine is in the company of a local. On your own, there are plenty of local food shacks near the main barareas. If you lack language skills, make sure the place has picture menus and you’re set.
Easily-accessible things to look out for:
• Duck blood soup: locals use every part of the duck, including congealed chunks of blood served in a thin broth with coriander.
• Roasted duck: the most accessible duck option for foreigners. It is considered a crispier and juicer variation of the Beijing version that is served sliced with plum sauce.
• Jiaozi (Chinese ravioli): Changzhou dumplings are wildly popular and served in carts, shacks and shops all overtown. Filled with ground meat or vegetables, they are most often served inbroth.?
• Baozi (steamed buns):steamed bread with fillings. Famous China-wide, Changzhou varieties include ground pork, tofu mince and steamed greens. These are cheap, filling, andserved out of small shops all over town.
Accommodation in Changzhou (sample) 
(Changzhou north)
Accommodation
Wujin District (Southern District)
XINCHENG GONGGUAN
3 bedrooms，2 living rooms ，2 bathrooms，175sqm
¥8500/month 3Br
It is situated at the south of the Golden Eagle (Emporium) and RT-mart. Facing to the Garden Street，which contains a lot of business lines and various shops. The street is very wide that you dont have to worry about the traffic.Frankly, if you are still worry about the traffic jam，you can choose to take the bus（we call it BRT), at the distance of 5 minutes by foot. The green rate of this housing estate is pretty high, just like a garden in city. The public area is full of styles of constructions from different nations.If you take a walk out of your building in the street, you can find banks, high-class club house, hospital, recreational facilities, gyms,etc
LAIMENG CITY APARTMENT
Apartment in LAIMENGCITY in wujin area well-located, decorated, 2 bedrooms, kitchen, living room, bathroom, next to Golden Eagle and RT-MART
¥2200/month 2Br ID:00001
Xinbei District(Northern District)
LANDSEA
3dedrooms,2bathroom,150SQM, constant temperature and humidity system, air cleaning system
¥10000/month 3BrID:12.07
The greenrate of this housing estate is pretty high, just like a garden in city. The public area is full of styles of constructions from different nations. If you take a walk out of your building in the street, you can find banks, high-class clubhouse, hospital, recreation alfacilities, gyms, etc. Cause it is right behind the WANDA PLAZA. The apartment is on the 11TH floor.
Villafor rent.
400 sq.m, 4 bedroom 1 office 1 home cinema. Central A/C, floorheating, water filter. Big garden with sand.
Yin Feng Yuan
Description: Close to Xinbei Wanda Plaza, gem, good location Property.
3-star motels
Here are some solid basic to 3-star motels that go as cheap as 200 RMB (USD$33). For long-term stays, there are a few cheap student dorms and dozens of agents around town who will help you find a place.
Highlights:
• Super 8 Motels: a cheap and reliable option (rooms start at 268 RMB ($43), with11 locations around the city
• Long-term rentals: budget private accommodation in Changzhou rents for around 2,000 RMB monthly and will require use of an agent (Chinese landlords tend to be very prickly).
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last updated: 30 Dec, 2016
