It can't be hidden anymore! This secluded ancient village in Suzhou is an excellent place to escape the summer heat

It can't be hidden anymore! This secluded ancient village in Suzhou, an excellent place to escape the summer heat, is the Xiemabridge Village in Kunshan, Suzhou. Located two kilometers south of Shidang in Qiandeng Town, it boasts a slow life that urbanites envy. Black tiles and white walls are imbued with the quietness of time, and this hidden ancient village is so serene that, in my eyes, it is a real-life version of Shangri-La. The history of Xiemabridge Village can be traced back to the Jianzheng period of the Southern Song Dynasty. It is said that the famous Southern Song general Han Shizhong once rested his troops here, finding the area's lush grass perfect for the horses. To facilitate travel across the Shidang River, a bridge was built, which people came to call Xiemabridge. During the hot summer months, Xiemabridge Village is a great place for a cool and relaxing getaway. Just a 1-hour drive from Shanghai, the 'Magic City', it's a place where I can enjoy the slow pace of life in a water town. Walking into the village, what catches the eye are the rows of tiled houses and the homes by the small bridges and flowing water. The elderly chatting leisurely at their doorsteps, the casually strolling cats, the chirping of cicadas and birds, the trees on the riverbanks swaying in the wind... Far from the hustle and bustle, the tranquil ancient village is so endearing. The village has a lazy teahouse, a fresh riverside café, an elegant Hanfu shop, an artistic handicraft store, and a sweet soup shop... In the Xiaoxin Yichi Garden Café, I tasted their limited summer drinks. At the riverside restaurant, I savored the cuisine of the Jiangnan region. Sitting at a riverside seat, I could easily spend half a day... One day is not enough to slowly explore the ancient village. If you want to stay here, the Heyin Weekend·Banshan Poetry Rain Homestay (Kunshan Xiemabridge) is a good choice. Banshan Poetry Rain is built along the river, with 5 rooms, each with a poetic name: Listening to the Wind, Clear After Rain, Cloud Pause, Flower Shade, Reading Moon, all nestled by the water. The rooms are very thoughtfully equipped with smart toilets, air purifiers, and everything else you might need. On the balcony of the Cloud Pause room, you can see the picturesque scenery of bridges and flowing water typical of the Jiangnan water towns. The Listening to the Wind room has a water-friendly terrace right next to the stone bridge arch, where every snapshot is a masterpiece. Xiemabridge Village, this typical Jiangnan water town village hidden on the border of Suzhou and Shanghai, if you want to experience its tranquil moments, why not stay and wake up to the sound of babbling water, with the poetic charm of the water town all around.