Changzhou Off The Beaten Path

1 more image

Comb Lane is a market for Changzhou's artistic specialty, carved and decorated wooden combs. It was given the name by Emperor Qianlong and has a lot of history. There is a range of prices from 2RMB to 200+RMB, so you can pick up a beautiful souvenir. Also, nearby is a reconstructed section of the Ming city wall, which is marked on the map that you can get in the bus station. Comb Lane is on the north bank of the lower tributary of the Grand Canal, due west of Hongmei park. From Hongmei park, get off the bus at the stop after you see the statue of the woman on the horse holding up a key (first turn and that's about three or four stops from Hongmei park) and cross the street southward and down to the lower elevation. Walk down to the canal under the bridge and turn left. You will see shops selling these beautiful combs and some as-yet ungentrified Changzhou (2008). Past that is the Ming city wall reconstructed section. I hope Comb Lane isn't all buried under apartment buildings by the time you read this.