https://nz.trip.com/moments/detail/kunshan-77-133130103?locale=en-NZ
OliverFitzgeraldSingapore

Southern Fujian Meets Jiangnan! A Magical Town Just 0.5h from Shanghai

Quanzhou too crowded? This hidden gem is just 25 minutes by high-speed rail from Shanghai, where Fujian's red brick houses frame Jiangnan's blue-tiled roofs, and you can explore a thousand-year-old water town for free! Tested for 2 days - you won't want to leave 👇 🚶‍♀️ Day 1: A Magical Journey Through Southern Fujian 📍 Xiemaqiao Village Hydrangeas bloom wildly by white walls! Navigate to "Duiyin Tea House" – a century-old mansion turned teahouse. Sit on the terrace overlooking small bridges and flowing water, sipping Biluochun tea with crabapple cakes, instantly transported into an ink painting 🖼️ > 📸 Photo Hotspot: Stone arch bridge at the village entrance + waterside café windows, wear Hanfu for stunning shots! 📍 Huiju Temple East China's largest Mazu temple! Stunning golden dragon-carved pillars and glazed eaves glitter under sunlight – a lavish Southern Fujian ancestral hall experience. Get a blessed charm amid incense smoke, free admission is incredibly generous ✨ 📍 Another Treasure Island Village Right next to the temple! A replica of Taiwan's old streets: neon signs, betel nut stalls, pink scooters... so few people you'll have the place to yourself! Try "small sausage in large sausage" as grannies cheer "So pretty!" (Key point: prices are half of Taiwan's!) 🚤 Day 2: Free Ancient Town Trilogy 🌅 Zhouzhuang · Sunrise Free Entry Hack Arrive before 7am! Twin Bridges look like a painting in morning mist, watch grannies row across emerald waters. By the time crowds arrive, you'll be feasting on Wansan pork knuckle at "Shen House Restaurant" 🍖 🛶 Jinxi Ancient Town A living fossil connected by 10 ancient bridges! Don't miss "Wenchang Pavilion" with red lanterns reflecting on Lingdang Bay. Buy crispy sock-sole biscuits to snack while strolling. Old teahouses offer unlimited refills for ¥2 while listening to grandpas' pingtan singing~ 🏮 Qiandeng Ancient Town Bursting with local flavor! Stone-paved streets packed with fried fish stalls and fermented rice shops. Visit "Gu Yanwu's Former Residence" to touch 400-year-old ginkgo trees. Must-see at night: thousands of lanterns lighting up the riverbank, their reflections shattering like gold foil!
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Posted: Jun 19, 2025
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Jinxi Town

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Zhouzhuang

🏞️ Zhouzhuang 周庄 — China’s Most Famous Water Town Often dubbed the “Venice of the East,” Zhouzhuang (周庄) is everything you’d imagine a Jiangnan water town to be — serene canals, arched stone bridges, whitewashed houses, and wooden boats drifting under red lanterns. I visited Zhouzhuang on a quiet weekday, and the slower pace was such a refreshing break from the city. Walking along the narrow alleys, I passed century-old mansions, tiny family-run shops, and locals chatting by the riverside. My favorite part? Taking a boat ride through the canals while the boatwoman sang a traditional Wu dialect folk song 🎶 — it felt like stepping into a Chinese ink painting. 📍 Getting there: • From Suzhou: Take a direct tourist bus or Didi (~1 hour) • From Shanghai: Tourist buses depart from Shanghai Stadium or Hongqiao, ~1.5 hours 🎫 Tickets: • Entry ticket (~100 RMB) includes access to key sites like Shen House (沈厅) and Zhang House (张厅), which give a glimpse into the lives of wealthy merchants in Ming and Qing times. 📌 Tips: • Come early morning or late afternoon to enjoy the quieter side of Zhouzhuang • Boat rides are an extra fee, but totally worth it • Stay for sunset — the golden light on the water is unreal • Try Wansan pork shank (万三蹄膀) — a local specialty Whether you’re here for the canals, culture, or just to slow down, Zhouzhuang is pure old-world charm. #summervacay #Zhouzhuang #WaterTownChina #江南水乡 #古镇慢游 #苏州周边游 #中国旅行 #CanalVibes #古镇摄影 #WuzhongStyle #SlowTravelChina #VeniceOfTheEast

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