Ancient town style: Qibao Ancient Town

One-day tour experience of Qibao Ancient Town in Shanghai Qibao Ancient Town, located in the south of Minhang District, Shanghai, is an ancient water town with profound historical and cultural heritage. This ancient town is famous for its well-preserved ancient buildings, ancient cultural relics and traditional Jiangnan water village style. Qibao Ancient Town not only attracts a large number of local tourists, but also becomes a must-visit place for foreign tourists to explore Shanghai's traditional culture. This one-day trip to Qibao Ancient Town allowed me to appreciate a water town scenery that blends the ancient and the modern, and gave me a deeper understanding of the traditional culture of Shanghai, a modern metropolis. Morning: Walking into the historical corridor of Qibao Ancient Town In the morning, with the gentle morning light, I set out from downtown Shanghai and took the subway to Qibao Ancient Town. After getting off the subway, you will reach the entrance of the ancient town in about 10 minutes' walk. Qibao Ancient Town is famous not only for its long history, but also because it is close to downtown Shanghai, making it a great place for many people to relax on weekends. Qibao Ancient Town has a history of nearly a thousand years, dating back to the Song Dynasty. When I walked into the ancient town, the first thing that caught my eye was the long, narrow street lined with quaint shops and old-fashioned wooden buildings, as if time had stopped here. I walked on the street and slowly moved along the alleys, surrounded by various ancient buildings. Most of these buildings retain the style of the Jiangnan water towns, with white walls and black tiles, exquisitely carved wooden doors and windows, and a strong sense of history. Morning: Feel the charm of Jiangnan Water Town The most distinctive feature of Qibao Ancient Town is its ancient canal. The river runs through the ancient town, with densely packed shops and residential houses on both sides. The water was clear and the boats were floating leisurely on it. As I strolled along the cobblestone path by the river, I could hear the sound of water gently lapping against the shore, which made me feel particularly relaxed. Walking along the canal, I met many tourists wearing traditional costumes and taking photos. These people were savoring the romance of this Jiangnan water town. There are many small shops on the streets of Qibao Ancient Town, selling a variety of handicrafts and local specialties. The decoration of these shops is mostly in traditional Jiangnan style, and the interior furnishings are also full of ancient charm. I walked into a small shop that sold traditional Qibao delicacies and handmade accessories. The owner enthusiastically introduced me to the local specialties, among which I was most interested in the "Qibao Xiaolongbao". The filling of this snack is delicious and juicy, and the bun skin is thin and elastic. After tasting it, I couldn't help but feel extremely satisfied with this authentic Shanghai snack. Afterwards, I visited another famous attraction in Qibao Ancient Town - Qibao Pagoda. This seven-story tower is a landmark building in Qibao Ancient Town. The Qibao Pagoda was built in the Song Dynasty and has a history of nearly a thousand years. The tower has layers upon layers and looks majestic. Climb to the top of the tower and overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire ancient town. Looking from the top of the tower, the roofs of the entire ancient town are staggered, and the surrounding green trees and waterways are intertwined, presenting a quaint and natural picture of the Jiangnan water town. Under the Qibao Pagoda, I carefully observed the appearance of the pagoda and found that there were many exquisite Buddha statues and Buddhist stories carved on its outer walls. These carvings show the profound religious culture of the Jiangnan region. This tower is not only a representative of ancient Jiangnan architectural technology, but also contains profound culture and beliefs, which allowed me to have a better understanding of the history of Qibao Ancient Town. Noon: Taste the authentic food of Qibao At noon, I decided to have lunch at a local restaurant in Qibao Ancient Town. Most of the restaurants in Qibao Ancient Town serve local specialties, and the dishes are mostly light and exquisite. The restaurant's decoration style is simple but has a Jiangnan flavor, with wooden tables and chairs and calligraphy and paintings hanging on the white walls, creating a leisurely atmosphere. I ordered some local signature dishes including "Qibao Xiaolongbao", "Red Braised Pork" and "Steamed White Fish". Each dish is full of local flavor, especially the Qibao Xiaolongbao, with its delicious soup and tender meat, which makes people want to eat it one bite after another and can't stop at all. The braised pork has a bright red color, rich flavor, and melts in your mouth. Steamed white fish retains the freshness of the fish meat, making it tender and delicious, and both the color and taste are satisfying. These delicacies not only showcase the food culture of the Jiangnan region, but also gave me a deeper impression of the delicious food in Qibao Ancient Town. Afternoon: Stroll along the ancient streets and experience the slow time of Qibao After the meal, I decided to stroll along the old streets of Qibao Ancient Town. The old streets of Qibao Ancient Town retain many ancient buildings and traditional shops, which sell a wide variety of souvenirs and handicrafts. I entered a shop selling handmade bamboo weavings. The owner was a young girl who showed me her handmade bamboo items, including bamboo sticks, bamboo baskets, bamboo mats, etc. Each piece is carefully crafted, revealing a strong flavor of handmade art. At the end of the old street, I came to a small bridge, under which a stream flowed with clear water. Standing on the bridge and looking around, you can see alleys, ancient buildings and waterways intertwined together, forming a picturesque scene of the Jiangnan water town. This quiet and leisurely atmosphere makes people slow down and enjoy the slow time in this ancient town. Conclusion: The charm of Qibao Ancient Town The one-day tour of Qibao Ancient Town not only allowed me to feel the unique charm of the Jiangnan water town, but also to experience the integration of this ancient town and the modern city. The ancient buildings, ancient streets, ancient culture and food here all demonstrate the style of Jiangnan. The simplicity, tranquility and long history and culture of Qibao Ancient Town made me linger and gave me a deeper understanding of the traditional culture of Shanghai, a modern city. If you come to Shanghai, Qibao Ancient Town is undoubtedly a tourist attraction not to be missed.