Have a moment of Leisure in Looking for an Ancient Town

Some people say that when you step into the ancient city Shaoxing, a dream of Jiangnan starts. Many people have been looking forward to visiting Jiangnan where thousand-year old ancient town is hidden in the water town, where the folklores can be heard in everystreet and lane. The ancient town and the folklores are so unique that they can be found nowhere else and leave a deep impression on people.

Shaoxing is reputed as Town of Wine, Town of Bridge,Town of Celebrities and Town of Water”.Known as a birthplace of Shaoxing ricewine, Dongpu,boasts 500 tavernsin history. Being a famous historical and cultural town in China,Dongpu is distinctive by combining the charm of the water town with the core cultureof the rice wine.

Entering the small town, what comes into your sight is picturesque scenery with water rippling, willows swaying gently in the wind. Everything is vigorous. There are 216 ancient stone bridges in the town. The locals live a simple life by the river for generations. The white walls and black tiles along with corridors encircling the river, shows the unique style of the ancient water town.

On the lake, Wupeng boat cuts through the water on its way. Here, you are free from hustle and bustle. All is quiet and slow. Here, you feel leisurely and calm.

The historical sites in Dongpu are well preserved, including Recheng School, Xu Xilin's Former Residence, Zhou Zhongbing Mansion, Lu You's Former Residence,Xu Xilin's Cenotaph, Chen's Ancestral Hall, Shen’s Ancestral Hall, Wen Chang Pavilion, Lu Taifu AlchemyWell and more.

Xu Xilin’s Former Residence

Bricks and tiles constitutes a beautiful picture. It is the history that makes the miracle. The creak from the boat and paddle soundslike a sweet song. It is the time that brings such pleasantness. How enjoyable it is to setfoot on the path paved with blue flagstone, follow the familiar creak of the Wupeng boats and take a walk in the poetic ancient town of rice wine. Deep in memory, the charm of the water townis irresistable.

Graphic editor: Xu Zheyu, Ping Fangyuan

（The pictures in this article are all from the Internet)