Changzhou Dongpo Park || The Green Wild on the Canal

|| The Green Wild on the Canal. Dongpo Park, also known as Yizhou Pavilion, covers an area of 4.3 hectares. It was first built in 1954 and expanded from the Yizhou Pavilion built in the Southern Song Dynasty. The entire park consists of a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides and a crescent island in the ancient canal. The two islands are connected by the ancient Guangji Bridge from the Ming Dynasty, and the surrounding Jiuhua Zen Temple is connected to the peninsula by the ancient Feihong Bridge. The park's name comes from the great writer Su Dongpo of the Northern Song Dynasty, who visited Changzhou 11 times and spent his final years here. It is said that Su Dongpo disembarked here to enter the city. To commemorate this literary giant, a Yizhou Pavilion was built in the park during the Southern Song Dynasty to express admiration for Su Dongpo. The Yizhou Pavilion is located at the top of the southern hill in the park. Although small, it is exquisitely designed. Emperor Qianlong wrote four poems for this pavilion during his southern tours and personally inscribed the plaque "Yuju Fengliu". The entire Dongpo Park features both ancient architecture and beautiful natural scenery, fully showcasing cultural charm. The Grand Canal flows east around the park, adding to the water town characteristics of Jiangnan. Visitors can not only feel the charm of classical Chinese gardens but also experience the unique style of Jiangnan water towns. 📍 Address: No. 9 Yanling Middle Road, Tianning District, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province 🚘 Self-driving: Navigate to Dongpo Park, parking available 🎫 Tickets: Free 🕰️ Opening hours: 06:00~18:00 🌈 Recommended Check-in Points 1️⃣ Guangji Bridge Guangji Bridge is an ancient bridge in Changzhou Dongpo Park. Originally built in the west of the city, it spans the ancient canal and is one of the oldest three-hole stone arch bridges in Changzhou. Due to the widening of the canal in the west of the city, the bridge was relocated to Dongpo Park and became an important part of the park. 2️⃣ Dongpo Ancient Ferry Su Dongpo visited Changzhou 14 times and once docked here. Emperor Qianlong visited Changzhou four times, twice disembarking here, hence it is also called "Imperial Wharf". 3️⃣ "Love in Changzhou" Sculpture Group The "Love in Changzhou" sculpture group was established to commemorate the deep connection between Su Dongpo and Changzhou. Su Dongpo visited Changzhou many times and eventually spent his final years here. 4️⃣ Yizhou Pavilion Yizhou Pavilion is one of the most famous ancient sites in Dongpo Park, built in the Song Dynasty to commemorate Su Dongpo's docking here. The pavilion has double eaves and nine ridges, built at the highest point of the park, decorated with exquisite brick and wood carvings. The pavilion top features two dragons playing with a pearl, along with patterns of pine trees, cranes, divine dragons, and swimming fish, possessing high artistic value. Emperor Qianlong wrote four poems for this pavilion during his southern tours and personally inscribed the plaque "Yuju Fengliu". 5️⃣ Imperial Stele Pavilion The Imperial Stele Pavilion houses the inscriptions written by Emperor Qianlong during his southern tours. The pavilion preserves six poems written by Emperor Qianlong during his southern tours, with the stone steles leaning against the walls of the pavilion and covered with thick glass for protection. It is said that these inscriptions record the grand occasions of Emperor Qianlong's southern tours and his praise for the great writer Su Dongpo of the Song Dynasty. 6️⃣ Dragon Pavilion The Dragon Pavilion was where Emperor Qianlong summoned local scholars for examinations. It is built by the pond, resembling both a pavilion and a waterside pavilion, a rare combination in Jiangnan gardens. 7️⃣ Inkstone Washing Pool Originally located in the Sun's residence where Su Dongpo spent his final years, Su Dongpo personally planted a wisteria beside the Inkstone Washing Pool. In 1757, during Emperor Qianlong's second southern tour, the Inkstone Washing Pool was moved to the side of Yizhou Pavilion. 8️⃣ Chu Song Pavilion In September 1084, Su Dongpo saw the climate suitable for growing oranges while in Yixing by Taihu Lake and wrote the "Chu Song Post". To fulfill Su Dongpo's wish, a pavilion was specially built for commemoration. 9️⃣ Yangsu Pavilion The upper part of Yangsu Pavilion has an inscription by Tang Bohu, "Yangsu Pavilion", and the lower part has an inscription by Emperor Kangxi, "Poxian Yifan". 🔟 The Great River Flows East East of Yangsu Pavilion, the deepest part of the park is named "The Great River Flows East", a great spot for canal viewing.