Changzhou is a relaxed, prosperous city on the Yangtze River Delta, sitting midway between Shanghai and Nanjing in the heart of Jiangsu province. With a history stretching back more than 2,500 years, it blends willow-lined canals, ancient temples and classical gardens with a thriving modern economy and one of the friendliest, most affordable lifestyles in eastern China — a favourite of teachers who want big-city convenience without big-city stress.
Changzhou has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, wet summers, cool winters and pleasant springs and autumns. It is home to a welcoming, growing international community, with English widely used in its universities and international schools. Mandarin is the language of daily life and a few words go a long way, while a low cost of living, an excellent high-speed rail link (Shanghai is barely an hour away) and a compact, easy-going feel make it a wonderfully comfortable place to settle in.
Location Info
- Friendly, affordable city with a relaxed pace and a growing expat scene
- Very safe, with low street crime day and night
- Compact metro, cheap buses and high-speed trains to Shanghai in about an hour
Top Experiences
China Dinosaur Park
Changzhou's blockbuster theme park, nicknamed the "Oriental Jurassic Park," pairs white-knuckle roller coasters with a serious dinosaur museum — one of the most popular attractions in the whole region.
Tianning Temple & Pagoda
Climb the world's tallest pagoda of its kind, a 154-metre, 13-storey golden tower at this 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple, for sweeping views over the city.
Hongmei Park & the Canals
Wander the willow-fringed lakes, pavilions and plum blossoms of Hongmei Park, then follow the ancient Grand Canal that has threaded through the city for centuries.
Yancheng Spring & Autumn Land
Step back to the Spring and Autumn period at this sprawling cultural park built around genuine 2,500-year-old earthen city walls, complete with shows, gardens and a moat cruise.
Dinosaur Valley Hot Springs
Soak in a maze of open-air thermal pools tucked among rocks and bamboo — the perfect antidote to a long teaching week, especially on a crisp winter evening.
Local Food & Night Markets
Graze on Jiangsu specialities — soup dumplings, sesame cakes and sweet river fish — then explore the buzzing snack streets and lakeside bars after dark.
Getting Around
Changzhou is compact and easy to navigate. Its growing metro is clean and cheap, backed by an extensive bus network and shared bikes on every corner, while Didi (China's ride-hailing app) and metered taxis cost very little. Best of all, the high-speed rail station puts Shanghai, Nanjing and Suzhou all within an hour or so. Almost everything is paid for by phone with WeChat Pay or Alipay, so it's worth setting these up soon after you arrive.
When to Go
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most pleasant, with mild, comfortable days ideal for the parks and canals. Summers are hot, humid and rainy, while winters are cool and damp rather than freezing — bring a warm coat and you'll be fine for sightseeing year-round.
Good to Know
- The Chinese yuan (CNY/RMB) is the currency, and Changzhou is very affordable to live in.
- Mandarin is the official language and everyday English is limited, so a translation app is invaluable.
- Almost all payments are by phone — set up WeChat Pay or Alipay early.
- A VPN is needed for many Western sites and apps, so arrange one before you arrive.
- Changzhou is extremely safe, with very low rates of street crime.
- The whole country runs on China Standard Time (GMT+8).
