Puyuan Ancient Town is a must-visit ancient town.

Puyuan Ancient Town is located in Tongxiang, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province.  History Puyuan Town was originally called Lixu, also known as Yuer, and was built during the Sui Dynasty. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal runs through the town. During the Southern Song Dynasty, Pu Feng followed Emperor Gaozong of Song to the south, and later moved to Youhu. This place became the residence of the Pu family. Pu Dounan, the sixth grandson of Pu Feng, was rewarded for supporting Emperor Lizong of Song, and was given the title of "Puyuan", which later became the name of the town. The ancient town was famous for its "silk produced in the morning and sold in the evening" and was one of the five famous towns in Jiangnan during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Architecture The ancient town is mainly built in the Song Dynasty architectural style, with houses built along the water at different heights. There are quaint stone bridges, waterfronts, stone steps, pavilions, and century-old ginkgo trees. The main attractions include Fushan Temple and its 800-year-old Song Dynasty ginkgo tree, Fushan Pagoda, Shufang Zen Garden, Pu Chamber of Commerce, and Yue Family Courtyard. Culture Since the Song Dynasty, Puyuan has been known for its silk industry, and the town has a strong culture of reading and a prosperous culture. During the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, there were 26 jinshi and 86 juren. In history, literary activities such as the "Ju Gui Wen Hui" were held, and literati such as Bao Xun and Bei Qiong gathered here during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Cultural celebrities such as Song Lian and Lu Kun also have deep connections with Puyuan. Special Events Puyuan Fashion Week is a special event in the ancient town, combining the gentle water town with modern fashion. In addition, you may also have the opportunity to enjoy events such as the National Style Festival. Food Recommendations Puyuan pastries are sweet but not greasy. There are also Jiangnan snacks such as stinky tofu and xiaolongbao. Travel Tips The opening hours are 09:00-22:00. In terms of transportation, it is convenient to drive from Shanghai, Hangzhou, or Suzhou, or you can take a bus from Tongxiang Bus Station.