Taking the Caidao Waterway Cruise

Zhouzhuang, known as the "number one water town in Jiangnan", was once a fiefdom of Prince Wu Shaozi Yao during the Spring and Autumn Period. It was named Zhenfengli and was also known as the "City of Yao". In the later years, Zhang Han, a literary scholar from the Eastern and Western Jin dynasties, as well as Tang dynasty poets Liu Yuxi and Lu Guimeng, all lived here.

Since it's the New Year coming to Zhouzhuang, of course we need to take a cruise ship, pray for blessings and good luck along the way, savor the New Year's flavor of the first water town in Jiangnan among the rivers, and bring along our financial luck.

As the saying goes, "Water is the master of wealth." Follow the God of Wealth on a precious boat, and may the God of Wealth bless you with abundant wealth. It can also be considered as fulfilling the beautiful wish of receiving blessings and accumulating wealth all the way.

The scenery on both sides is like an ancient ink painting.

Stopping the boat and going ashore, passing through the winding and winding alleys, the water town shimmered with warm light in the faint dawn.

In the winter of Jiangnan, the sun lazily rises higher and lower in the old houses, casting deep and shallow light and shadow on the winding corridor by the shore.
On the slate road, I took a deep breath. This is a small town that dreams even when smelling the wind.

Searching for Treasures and Tasting Treasure Tea

Traditional customs are an indispensable sense of ceremony during the Spring Festival in water towns. Drinking wealth tea, pasting window decorations, making cakes, buns, and dumplings with grandma, and listening to grandma's conversations about family matters.

Since I am celebrating the Chinese New Year in Zhouzhuang, I have to drink Grandma's tea and listen to Pingtan in the Jubin Building. A stack of melon seeds, a plate of Dim sum, a bowl of green tea, listening to the string zither cong zheng, melodious, very pleasing. The countless twists and turns of the strings cannot fully capture the beautiful melody of Wu Nong's soft language.

The warm taste of the year is the most beautiful memory of the water town.
A ceremonial atmosphere during the Chinese New Year brings back memories of childhood.

After drinking Grandma's tea, he turned around and went to the God of Wealth small shop.
On the first day of 2022, be sure to shake the money tree.
Various coins and ingots were hung on the tree, and with the vigorous shaking, the various gold and silver treasures on the tree also made a clanging collision sound.
It's both fun and funny.
My colleague shook a cute hand companion, and I shook a lucky cat, which indicates that I will definitely make a lot of money this year, and I am very happy.

Since we just won the Lucky Cat, we need to go to the Shen Hall to gather wealth.

If you don't come to Shenting in Zhouzhuang, it can be said that your itinerary is soulless.

The name "Zhouzhuang" was originally coined during the Northern Song Dynasty when a Di Gonglang surnamed Zhou believed in Buddhism and donated 200 acres of farmland to Quanfu Temple as temple property. The people felt grateful for his kindness, and this piece of land gave him his name - Zhouzhuang.
As Emperor Gaozong of Song migrated south, the population of Zhouzhuang gradually became dense.
The development of Zhouzhuang from a small market to a commercial hub is inseparable from the contributions of Shen Wansan and his son.

I don't need to introduce Shen Wansan's name too much. Throughout history, among the wealthy merchants, the first few must have their place. The legend of the treasure trove is widely circulated among the people, and the story of Shen Wansan's game with Zhu Yuanzhang is also talked about by the world.

The "Shen Hall" on Nanshi Street on the south side of the east pier of Fu'an Bridge in Zhouzhuang is the representative building of Zhouzhuang. Originally named Jingye Hall, it was renamed Songmao Hall in the late Qing Dynasty and was built by Shen Benren, a descendant of Shen Wansan, in the seventh year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty.

Shen Wansan took advantage of the advantage of connecting the Jiangxi region with the Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal and the Liuhe River to the east, and vigorously developed sea trade, turning Zhouzhuang into a hub and trading center for grain, silk, and various handicrafts, promoting the rapid development of Zhouzhuang's handicrafts and commerce.

In the fifth entrance of the Shen Hall, there is a seated statue of Shen Wansan, and in front of him is a glittering treasure pot. People always like to use coins to smash Shen Wanshan's gold ingots for good luck. It is said that hitting it can attract wealth and treasure.
Unfortunately, I smashed it many times but didn't hit it. Just leave a thought, I will come back next year!

Among the many popular stories in Jiangnan, there has always been a legend about "Ten Thousand Three Hooves".

In the early Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, so the whole country avoided talking about pigs (Zhu). Once Zhu Yuanzhang visited Shen Wansan's house and had a pig's hoof at a banquet. Upon seeing it, Zhu Yuanzhang deliberately made things difficult for Shen Wansan and asked him how to eat it. If Shen Wansan used a knife to cut open, Zhu Yuanzhang could convict him rightfully. However, Shen Wansan had a clever idea and pulled out a bone from his hoof arm, using it to cut meat and solve Zhu Yuanzhang's problem. He also developed the traditional way of eating his hoof arm.

Zhu Yuanzhang thought it was delicious and asked Shen Wansan what the name of this dish was. Shen Wansan thought it couldn't be called pig's hoof, so he patted his thigh and said, "This is Wan San's hoof." That's why Wan San hoof was named.

The financial path of Shen Ting depicts Shen Wansan's life. Here, you can listen to the legendary story of the richest man in Jiangnan, worship the God of Wealth, touch the treasure pot, throw copper coins, hang wishing cards, and also purchase financial souvenirs such as gold ingots and abacus from the Wansan Legend Story Museum.

Climbing to the second floor of the Zoumalou, one can take a different perspective to view the various courtyards of the Shen Hall, and also see the young lady's boudoir. It is quite interesting to peek at the main hall, Songmao Hall, from the dark window.

Thinking back to the time, the owner could easily push open the window and witness the meticulous and beautiful brick carvings on the opposite side, just like admiring flowers and scenery, which was refreshing and delightful.

Walking in the quaint courtyard, it feels like passing through time.

When Shen Ting comes out, he is Shen Ting's kitchen - Shen Ting Restaurant.

Pincaiwei Shenting Restaurant

"When there is a banquet at home, there must be crispy hooves." For thousands of years, "Wansanti" has become a symbol of prosperity and good luck, and has become the main dish for festivals and weddings in Zhouzhuang. It is also a delicacy for entertaining distinguished guests. And the "Wansan Family Banquet" at that time also became the first choice for Zhou Zhuang people to entertain guests.

At Shen Ting Restaurant, the inheritance site of Shen family culture, you can taste the most authentic banquet of the former richest family in Jiangnan.
Among them, the thick red sauce and crispy meat of "Wan San Ti" were the "C" of that historical dinner.

The "snail stuffed meat" wrapped in pig meat filling does not have the earthy smell of ordinary snails, and the taste is very rich.

My favorite "fragrant fried golden brick" (Stinky tofu) tofu, which is crisp outside and tender inside, is very soft and delicious, which is my favorite flavor.
…

A table full of New Year's Eve dinner can be said to be full of food and drink.
This is also the most beautiful time for the night view of the ancient town.
It's really enjoyable to enjoy the night view of the ancient town while eating.

If the day is the time to appreciate the scenery, then the night is the time to experience the ancient charm and artistic conception of Zhouzhuang.

Strolling in the romantic and beautiful "Flower Alley" and "Rain Alley". Light and shadow bloom on both sides of the alley, the lights are shrouded in shadows, and the flower rain in the thin veil shadow screen is dreamy and charming.
Every step has a different scenery, and every glance stays deeply in the mind.
What deserves it here is only a qipao, a fan, and a small poem.
Before I came to Zhouzhuang, my friend specifically instructed me to take a walk in the Flower Alley, so that I could have a good luck. Although I said I don't need peach blossom luck, I still came and got drunk here.

The stories of ancient and modern literati in the water towns of Jiangnan are projected onto the mottled walls.
"Holding an oil paper umbrella, wandering alone in the long, lonely rain alley."
...
The poetic wall design seems to be waiting for the lilac girl.

The "Rain Alley" created by the projection of image lights displays the visual effect of raindrop ripples on the ground
On the mottled ancient wall, there are oil paper umbrellas scattered in height
There is also a dedicated space next to the oil paper umbrella for tourists to take photos and clock in

At the end of the Flower Alley and Rain Alley, a brand new light and shadow show called "The Joy of Fishing" is playing on the shore of the fish pond.
The ancient streets and alleys have transformed into sparkling lakes, traversing them like drifting in water alleys, as if transforming into a dream of fish diving into the water town.

On the wooden door of the ancient window, divine fish leap, and the mottled walls and gentle blue water tell the memories of the water town in the light and shadow.
Light and shadow converge on the wall to form a pool, lightly touching the "water" surface, schools of fish jump, and flowers on the ground follow like shadows!

Under the starry sky, at the corner of the alley, ripples shimmer on the bluestone slabs. Carps and fishing boats emerge from the walls, creating a vivid 3D light and shadow.

Crossing time and space, experiencing the immersive light and shadow show in Flower Alley, Rain Alley, and Fish Pond Bank, I decided to experience the Night Zhou Village under the sound of oars and the shadow of lights, after all, this is the soul of Night Zhou Village.

The moonlight is getting darker, and the moonlight is like water, pouring down on the old houses and stone roads in the ancient town.
In the distant room, only a dim outline was visible, and the polished stone slabs shimmered with a faint light.
The lanterns under the eaves emit warm light in the dark night, making the ancient town more peaceful.

Unlike the bustling city nights, the nights in Zhouzhuang are not as bright, and the semi dim lights have a serene and tranquil charm. Looking across the river, the ancient and simple buildings in the daytime are covered in a layer of illusion by dim lights, as if half of them are in history and half in reality.

From Spring and Autumn to Han, from Jin to Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing, Liu Yuxi, Lu Guimeng, and Shen Wansan have all left their marks on the land and water in the reflection of the rippling waves of Zhouzhuang. On the night when the lanterns are lit, the lights in the ancient town light up one by one, row by row, gradually. On both sides of the river, the lanterns on the boats are strung one after another, reaching an invisible end.

The ship is next to the ship, and the lights are holding the lights, far and near, lingering back and forth. In the clear glow of a full moon, the blurred lights reflect the warmth of the water town.

The ripples stirred by the swaying oars spread out in the gentle sound of the water, seemingly adding a touch of vitality to the picturesque river and old houses.

Zhouzhuang is surrounded by water on all sides, with the town's waterways crisscrossing and providing transportation. Apart from boats, it is also a bridge. The charm of the water town lies in this.
The gentle light sprinkled on the water surface, clearly extinguished in layers of ripples.

The night in Zhouzhuang not only has a unique ancient charm, but also retains modern vitality.
The colors of antiquity and modern fashion blend perfectly here.
Everywhere exudes a intoxicating and gentle aura.

It's better to stay overnight than indulge in the night of Zhouzhuang.

Tonight, I choose to settle in the thoughts of the sea bass.
This is an ancient Jiangnan mansion with black tiles and white walls, embodying the flavor of time and the unique cultural heritage of Zhouzhuang.
As the autumn wind rises, I think of Wu Zhong's wild vegetables, water shield soup, and sea bass cutlet, which is called the thought of water shield and sea bass.

The interior design of the hotel is full of sense, with a simple and elegant appearance and a fashionable decoration style, one inside and one outside, one static and one dynamic, creating a natural atmosphere.

The space in the guest rooms is very spacious, and the wooden decoration style is permeated with a touch of antique atmosphere.

The thought of staying overnight with a sea bass naturally led me to choose to enjoy dinner at the hotel.

"People come and go on the river, but they love the beauty of sea bass." Fan Wenzheng's poem has aroused many people's homesickness. Here, water shield vegetables and sea bass are not only delicious food, but also a place for wanderers to miss their hometown.

This water shield and sea bass soup is their signature dish.
Chopped diced sea bass and water shield vegetables are cooked together for a delicious taste.

Wan San Ti is always an unavoidable dish in Zhouzhuang.
The meat is crispy and rotten. You can use one of the bones as a knife to cut it, which is very delicious.

Special recommendation for their "freshly made river shrimp"
Freshly salvaged and carefully selected shrimp, cooked with a special broth
That's called a fresh one.

A full table
Beauty and taste are comparable to five-star hotels.

Today's itinerary can be described as a full day, and I also experienced the financial culture of Zhouzhuang.
I drank wealth tea in the Jubin Building, shook the money tree in the God of Wealth small shop, gathered wealth in the Shen Hall, tasted the taste of wealth at the Shen Hall restaurant, and took a boat on the water path of wealth to get involved in wealth.
Finally, in the thoughts of the sea bass, accompanied by poetry and the sound of flowing water, I dreamt of entering Zhouzhuang. Remembering the mystery and confusion of the night in Jiangnan on the first day of 2022.

Zhan Caiyun Zhenfeng Cultural Street

On the second day in Zhouzhuang, I woke up naturally from a nap in the morning. Today I decided to experience the intangible cultural heritage of Zhouzhuang.
In Zhouzhuang, there is a street that gathers 12 traditional folk handicraft workshops, and it is called Zhenfeng Cultural Street.

Here, you can experience traditional workshop scenes and craftsmanship in Jiangnan. Grass weaving craftsmen use their nimble hands to weave rough plants into exquisite artworks.

Traditional spinning and weaving techniques allow you to buy various types of clothing made from various colored finished fabrics and adobe fabrics here.

……

Year after year, generation after generation, these intangible cultural heritage have not disappeared into the long river of history due to the persistence of these traditional craftsmen. Now, they have regained their new charm.

Today I decided to change my taste and have lunch at the "Quangong Building" restaurant next to Quangong Bridge.
This is a Hong Kong style fashionable tea restaurant culture and Chinese cuisine culture, leaning towards a young and fashionable restaurant.
If you're tired of traditional cuisine, you can come and try this restaurant.

The overall design style of the restaurant integrates the characteristics of water town architecture with the style of Hong Kong style tea restaurants.
The Tiffany blue seats, warm colored lighting combining Chinese and Western styles, romantic and beautiful decoration style, exuding a unique water town atmosphere.

The key is that every dish in their house is simply a work of art.
Whether it's color, style, or taste,
It makes people drool and their fingers move!

Vegetable salad pumpkin
It looks very delicious (I'm sorry to say, I didn't have this dish because we have so many people and it's so popular)

Flame salt shrimp
As soon as they appear, there is a strong sense of ceremony. The pebbles are surrounded by flames, which can further enhance the aroma of shrimp and leave ample opportunities for taking photos and taking photos.
Shrimp meat with a hint of salty flavor is even more delicious.

Surfing bass
Freshly cut sea bass slices paired with tomatoes, cucumbers, and other ingredients, topped with chef's specially prepared broth. Once the broth boils down, it can be served. The meat is fresh and tender, and the fish soup is delicious. I highly recommend this dish!

Baked eel tube pot, the aroma of the dish emanates from the high-temperature clay pot, which can be smelled from afar. Eating it gives it a fresh and authentic taste.

Bread Chicken in curry sauce
The rich curry flavor is overwhelming, and the sauce is wrapped around the fried chicken. If you like curry, you will definitely have no resistance.

Dim sum is a swan cake with rabbit
This design and platter are extremely exquisite.
My friends all said they couldn't bear to eat, so it's all up to me. I killed two swan pastries in one bite, and my mouth was full of tempting durian flavor, satisfying.

Creative Cantonese cuisine is served one by one, exquisite to every detail.

The noon time was enveloped in the aroma of food and gently dissipated.
This trip to Zhouzhuang is also considered complete. It's time to pack up the story and emotions and move on to a different place.

If Zhouzhuang is the starting point of China's water town dream, and Xiangcun Qizhuang, 7 kilometers away from the ancient town, is the water town hometown cherished by Zhouzhuang.

Xiangcun Qizhuang is like a picturesque water countryside with peaceful years.

Xiangcun was originally Sanzhubang Village in Zhouzhuang Town, bordered by Tianhua Dang to the east, Xiaodian Lake to the west, Taishi Lake to the south, and Chenghu Lake to the north.
Generations of cultivation, born in the abyss, is a typical Jiangnan village.
The Village History Museum showcases the agricultural culture and historical changes of Xiangcun.

The first important thing to do in Xiangcun is to follow the aunties in the pastry shop to make pastry buns and dumplings, which are the imprints of traditional Chinese customs.
Since you're here, you need to experience the authentic water town New Year flavor.

I saw my aunt waiting at the door from a long distance.
She has prepared the necessary materials for filling the cake balls in advance.

First, pull off a small dough, knead it into a nest, use chopsticks to bend a large piece of Red bean soup, wrap it up, make it into a small hill shaped bag, and then steam it for ten minutes on a hot pot. After a while, the steaming green dough and cake will be out of the pot.

Looking at the steaming pastry dumplings that I learned to make with my aunt, I felt a sense of accomplishment. Taking a bite, they were soft, sticky, and sweet, making me feel warm all winter. It seems like I have returned to the scene of the Chinese New Year when I was a child.

Eating dumplings during the Chinese New Year is a custom in many places in Jiangnan, and it is also a necessary New Year flavor during festivals. Small dumplings carry the strong family affection of Jiangnan people, as well as the beautiful blessings and hopes of their families.

After finishing the group, I took a walk around and unknowingly arrived at the Xiangcun Bookstore at the entrance of the village.
The environment here is very quiet, and if it were spring, it should be even more beautiful.

There are a few rabbits by the bookstore, grab a handful of vegetable leaves, and they will come over to beg for food gently. The children really like it.

If you only want to stay and daydream, you can sit in an elegant courtyard, brew a pot of Longjing with mountain spring water, a person, a book, a cup of tea, a curtain of dreams, and a leisurely time.

Thousands of mountains are like paintings, and a hundred waters are like poetry. Time is light, and here, the "poetry and the distance" in my heart are within reach. Time has given me the refinement and simplicity of passing after the sedimentation of life, allowing me to feel the pastoral warmth and pure rural flavor of Xiangcun.

There are 9 homestays with themed decorations from different eras in the village, all of which are transformed from idle houses of local villagers.

There are different rural houses from the 1960s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, each with a different sentiment.

My favorite is still this 90s Shanghai style homestay. The owner is probably a fan of motorcycles, and the homestay houses limited edition motorcycles from around the world and many old items from many years. Very reminiscent of the Feel from the Republican era, which was once popular in the American pastoral retro style.

The homestay has a kitchen, living room, 4 rooms, and two large courtyards, which can accommodate up to 11 people. It is very suitable for a family, a group of friends to vacation or have a party.

The last dinner of this trip was at the Hefengli Restaurant in Qizhuang.
This is a good name, "The bright moon does not startle magpies, the clear breeze chirps cicadas in the middle of the night. The fragrance of rice flowers speaks of a bountiful year. Listen to the sound of frogs."

It's still an authentic Jiangnan scenery, and the color of the Wan San hoof stewed in a large iron pot is very tempting. It's fat but not greasy, and it melts right into the mouth.

The chicken soup in the pot is still emitting a rich aroma, and fresh seasonal vegetables are absorbing the sweet taste. This sense of satisfaction can probably last until spring when flowers bloom. A hazy water vapor separated from reality, outside the window is fragrant village, inside the window is happiness, simple yet warm.

If you are tired of the fast-paced life and yearn for the leisurely slow time in the southern mountains, then come to Xiangcun Qizhuang and cross the bustling sea of people, allowing you a peaceful and comfortable life.

Conclusion

Finally, in the cold wind, we set off a fireworks display to celebrate the arrival of 2022.

Let's make new wishes in the new year.
May this epidemic go away soon, may the world remain lively, and may I still be myself.