National Geographic didn't lie to me: the seriously underrated Gulao Water Town

In Heshan, Guangdong, there is a place known as the "Venice of China" - Gulao Water Town. With over 14,300 mu of fish ponds and farmland, the fish ponds, embankments, and spider web-like network of rivers and streams create a picturesque scene. The formation of Gulao Water Town is related to its geographical environment. Located on the banks of the Xijiang River, the river widens as it flows downstream, depositing large amounts of sediment to form sandbars and alluvial beaches. In the 27th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, Feng Baxiu of Gulao was ordered to build the Gulao embankment, transforming the area from a marshland into a beautiful Lingnan landscape. The area is crisscrossed with fish ponds, farmland, rivers, roads, villages, streams, stone bridges, and ancient banyan trees. Boats sail between the stone bridges and banyan trees, creating a charming scene of "small bridges, flowing water, and homes" everywhere. As the saying goes, "A place's mountains and rivers nurture its people." The beautiful scenery of Gulao Water Town has produced many famous people, such as the 1930s movie star and China's first film queen Hu Die, the Wing Chun master Leung Jan, and the founder of the famous Chinese brand Wanglaoji herbal tea, Wang Zebang. Their hometown is Gulao. The Gulao Water Town natural and cultural boutique route has been rated as a "Guangdong Beautiful Countryside Boutique Route." Today, I visited a long-established restaurant in Heshan - Po Chui Restaurant. First, let's talk about parking. There are paid parking spaces on the nearby roadside, which are relatively easy to find. Secondly, the restaurant is quite affordable, suitable for students and those living paycheck to paycheck to treat themselves occasionally. Tom Yum Soup: A must-try for those who love spicy and sour flavors. Although I still think the Tom Yum Soup at the now-closed Whitebait (a small shop that has closed) is unbeatable, this one ranks second in my heart. The soup base is rich, sour, and spicy, with a good flavor, although the ingredients are not abundant. Mashed Potato Salad: A mountain of mashed potatoes paired with lettuce. It's quite satisfying to eat, and although it's drenched in sauce, it's not greasy. I recommend this dish. Eel Onsen Rice: Personally, I'm not a fan of eel, so I find it average, but university students love it. Eel lovers can give it a try. Pasta: Finally, there's pasta, a staple dish found in every restaurant. It's not a novelty, but it's decent. It's not slow to eat, and it feels similar to other places.