Strolling through Qingguo Lane between history and reality

Qingguo Lane, an ancient street in Changzhou known as "the first lane for famous people in Jiangnan", carries hundreds of years of historical context and the unique charm of the Jiangnan water town. Wandering through it, you can not only feel the vicissitudes of Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture, but also feel the cultural heritage where many celebrities emerged. Qingguo Lane was first built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (around 1581). Its original name was "Qianguo Lane". As it is close to the ancient canal, it was once a distribution center for fruits from the north and south, with many shops. The "Ode to Changzhou" describes it as "peach, plum, apricot and plum of all colors are in full display." Later, because "Qian" and "Qing" in the dialect have similar pronunciations, it gradually evolved into the more poetic "Qingguo Lane". The ancient alley was built along the canal. The canal was once one of the sections of the Jiangnan Canal dug by King Fuchai of Wu, and it witnessed the prosperity of water transport and the exchanges between merchants. Today, the Shihe River still flows, presenting the Jiangnan artistic conception of "people living by the river", and some docks and waterside houses still retain their original appearance. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, more than a hundred Jinshi scholars came out of Qingguo Lane. In modern times, many celebrities such as Qu Qiubai, Zhang Tailei, Zhou Youguang and Zhao Yuanren emerged from Qingguo Lane. It is praised as "half of the history of Changzhou". The Jinshi Archway and the title of "Qingguo Tribe" in the alley are testaments to its profound cultural heritage. There are many former residences of celebrities here. The white walls and black tiles and horse-head walls of the Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings are arranged in an orderly manner. The wood and brick carvings of the Chen House are exquisitely crafted. The houses such as Lihetang retain the characteristics of traditional folk houses. The archway engraved with the Chinese characters "Jinshi" symbolizes the glory of the imperial examination era, and looks even more vicissitudes of life under the lights at night. Standing on the Hongmei Bridge, you can overlook the gurgling water and the picturesque reflections of the old houses on both sides. It is a classic angle for photographing the Jiangnan water village. Qingguo Lane is less than one kilometer long. It is recommended to enter from the east entrance, visit the former residences of celebrities along the main lane, and then go around to the canal to experience the water village style. The surrounding area can be connected to the Qu Qiubai Memorial Hall and the front and back north bank historical and cultural blocks to form a half-day cultural tour. Early in the morning or evening, when the place is quiet and less crowded, it is a good time to photograph the light and shadow of the ancient alleys. At night, the lights are dotted and reflected on the river surface, which is particularly poetic. Walking along Qingguo Lane, every step is in the vein of history, and every corner may overlap with the footprints of celebrities. This place has both the tranquility of bookish atmosphere and the warmth of bustling city life, making it an indispensable page for understanding Changzhou.