Poetic Inspiration from Jiangnan

Everyone says that Jiangnan is good, while tourists only cater to the elderly in Jiangnan. Spring water is clear in the sky, painting boats and listening to the rain to sleep.

The people by the edge of Lu are like the moon, and their white wrists are frozen in frost and snow. Don't go back to your hometown until you're old. To return home, you must break your intestines.

While teaching her how to read the poem "Bodhisattva Man: Everyone Says Jiangnan is Good" by the Tang Dynasty poet Wei Zhuang, she asked, "Mom, everyone says Jiangnan is good. What kind of good Jiangnan is it?"? Previously, you taught me to read the same sentence in "Memories of Jiangnan: The Beauty of Jiangnan": Jiangnan is beautiful, and the scenery is once familiar. At sunrise, the river flowers are more red than fire. In spring, the river water is as green as blue. Can you not forget Jiangnan?

Poets and poets love Jiangnan so much. Mom, take me to Jiangnan and let me see how good it is?

Let's go as we say, but the scope of the two words "Jiangnan" is a bit too broad. If we answer from a cultural perspective, the answer is actually: the Jiangnan ethnic area, which is the Wu dialect area, or the Wu Yue cultural area. This area belonged to the "Two Zhejiang" and "Jiangsu Zhejiang" administrative regions before the Ming Dynasty, and we can call it "Greater Zhejiang".

But when it comes to taking children on trips, I have always been a bit greedy. I want classic attractions, but the children can't get tired yet. At first glance, one can see the poetic and beautiful scenery, such as the small bridge flowing through the world, and the misty rain boats rowing in Wu's songs. Zhouzhuang is known as the number one water town in Jiangnan, and the small bridge flowing through the water is full of poetic charm.

Let's leave as soon as we say, taking our daughter who has just finished her final exam, we rush to Zhouzhuang, the most beautiful water town in Jiangnan.

List of essential items for travel in Zhouzhuang: In January, the average temperature in Zhouzhuang was 3-6 degrees above zero. In the ancient town of Shuixiang, with pink walls and black tiles, I bought some photography outfits for my daughter in accordance with the ancient style. Unfortunately, it was close to the end of the year, and several stores did not ship them. In the end, only three sets of clothing and a red cape were sent. Of course, these are also enough to leave poetic and beautiful images within Zhouzhuang. (Key point here: Shopping should be done as early as possible after customizing the itinerary)

The winter in Jiangnan is not as gentle as we imagine, and there is also a fierce coldness like a fierce woman. This coldness is like a bone scraping knife, slowly scraping away the temperature on your body and your contempt for Jiangnan winter. Don't underestimate the enemy here. Prepare down jackets, understand? As a friend from Jiangnan, we are warned: wear whatever you wear in Northeast China and Jiangnan, and you will not be frozen and crying.

In order to meet the most beautiful scenery in the most comfortable state, I advise friends who come to Jiangnan in winter to listen to me and wear more clothes. You will be grateful to me.

DAY1- Shijiazhuang - Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Zhouzhuang - Stay at the Chunsi Resort Hotel

DAY2- Zhouzhuang - Shenzhai - Lunch Warm Winter Hot Pot - Zhouzhuang Museum - Dinner Shen Family Banquet

DAY3- Boat Painting Tour Zhouzhuang - Carton King - Green Park - Wansan Winery - Stay in Xiangcun Homestay - Xiangcun Flower Lantern

DAY4- Return

Departure: January 10th is the daughter's final exam. The exam ends in the morning and departs from Shijiazhuang Airport in the afternoon, heading directly to Shanghai Hongqiao. It was already 6:30 pm when I arrived at Hongqiao Airport, and I was queuing up to take a taxi to Zhouzhuang Chunsi Resort Hotel. It was around 21pm, and Zhouzhuang, the most beautiful water town in Jiangnan, welcomed me with drizzling rain, showcasing the gentle poetry of winter Jiangnan in the quiet night.

Chunsi Zhisi Resort Hotel

Amidst the gentle sound of rain, I led my daughter's small hand into the Chuncazhisi Resort Hotel. Outside the door were rows of bamboo, the house was made of blue bricks and tiles, and the walls were painted white. The unique yet integrated architectural style of Zhouzhuang was formed by combining Chinese countryside with the picturesque small bridges and flowing water of Zhouzhuang. The simple and rich Jiangnan style has already caught the eye.

Entering the hotel, there was only a front desk waiter waiting patiently and politely in the quiet lobby to check us in. In the drizzle, the healing Jiangnan region brings comfort to both body and mind.

Entering Zhouzhuang, entering the poetic water town, I love this quiet room. In this winter, Jiangnan walked into my time, pushed open the door of the room hall, and into my eyes is the South Lake of Zhouzhuang. This is the best place to admire the moon in Zhouzhuang, known as the South Lake Autumn Moon.

The rain outside the window, accompanied by the coolness, invaded the room. A painting on the wall, a bouquet of flowers in the corner, and the sound of water flowing under the slate road exuded elegance and tranquility in Jiangnan. In the quiet time, the beauty of winter in Jiangnan is full of charm.

So elegant and quiet, when you open the room window, you can see the most beautiful water town in Jiangnan, Zhouzhuang, the Branstone Resort Hotel, with 33 boutique lake view rooms. Therefore, staying here allows you to better experience the beauty of Zhouzhuang and the beauty of Jiangnan.

Zhouzhuang Shen Mansion

When you come to Zhouzhuang, be sure to visit Shen Ting. The reason why Zhouzhuang was prosperous was entirely due to Shen Wansan. The Zhouzhuang Town Annals record that Shen Wansan's land was abundant throughout the world, with dual connections and a huge capital of billions of dollars. The name "Wansan" is the name of great wealth. In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, Shen Wansan's wealth even made Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang blush, leading to the legend of the Wansan Family Banquet and the Treasure Bowl.

The Shen Hall is located on Nanshi Street, southeast of Fu'an Bridge. It faces east and west, with seven entrances and five gates, and more than 100 large and small halls, covering an area of over 2000 square meters. The Shen Hall was originally named "Jingye Hall" and was later renamed "Songmao Hall" in the late Qing Dynasty.

My daughter is more interested in the Huanhuan table and chairs with support and support in Shen's house. It turns out that in wealthy households, the tables in the hall can only be combined when the male host is at home. If the male host is not at home, the table is divided into two, with half on each side of the hall. The chairs with support and support are seen in the women's hall. In ancient times, the chairs where girls sat did not have a back, symbolizing that there was no marriage, so there was support but no support. On the other hand, the chairs in the women's hall of the Shen Wansan family had backrests, indicating that the Shen Wansan family was a wealthy family, did not marry daughters, but only recruited sons in law.

Nowadays, there is a small shop in the Shen family's courtyard that is open to the public. I bought an oil paper umbrella for my daughter here, and the rain in Jiangnan poured down. Holding an oil paper umbrella, I walked into the past of Zhouzhuang in time.

Fu'an Bridge

After leaving Shen Hall, you can see Fu'an Bridge. Fu'an Bridge is located at the eastern end of Zhongshi Street, crossing the north-south city river in an east-west direction. It is a single arch stone level bridge with poetic charm. Fu'an Bridge resides in the town and is named the General Management Bridge. It collapsed in the Later Yuan Dynasty and was built by the wealthy man Shen Wansan, changing its name to its current name. Next to Fu'an Bridge, there is a very interesting shop called "Soul Pawnshop", which sells delicious food. The people on Fu'an Bridge, which is adjacent to this shop, come and go like poetry and painting. So, holding my daughter's hand, I walked into the water town of Zhouzhuang.

Looking at Zhouzhuang on the Fu'an Bridge, amidst the ripples of water, the houses on the two banks resemble a painting of Jiangnan. There are arched Wukang stone bridge barriers on the Fu'an Bridge, all of which are products of the Song Dynasty, which is enough to prove that Zhouzhuang was a bustling town during the Song Dynasty. This records the most beautiful Zhouzhuang.

Shuangqiao

The residents of Jiangnan Water Town are a mix of bungalows and various mountain walls, forming a landscape of ups and downs on the banks of alleys and waterways. The architectural design is simple and beautiful, with a balance of reality and virtuality. The colors are elegant, facing the river and water, and the spatial contour is soft and poetic. The beautiful sentences of pink walls, black tiles, and small bridges and flowing houses come from this.

At the intersection of the North South City River and Yinzibang in Zhouzhuang Town, there are the Shide Bridge and Yong'an Bridge, known as the "Double Bridges". The bridge deck is vertical and horizontal, and the bridge cave is square and round, resembling the keys of ancient copper locks. Locals call these two bridges "Key Bridges". The Shide Bridge was built in the Ming Dynasty and has been around for four hundred years. It features round stone arches and nine stone columns, making it rugged and rustic. People who come and go here enjoy resting and admiring the scenery, experiencing the poetic tranquility and tranquility of slow time.

Adjacent to Yong'an Bridge is Shiliang Pingqiao, with two bridges connected by stone steps, forming a chain like pattern. Strolling here, I happened to encounter the continuous rain in Jiangnan. Amidst the misty rain, I could hear the sound of dribbling rain on the cobblestone road. The gentle water and cool breeze made the winter Jiangnan still look like my dream.

This beautiful bridge is because painter Chen Yifei painted it into an oil painting and titled it "Memories of Hometown". Through an art exhibition, he became known to the world about Zhouzhuang. It turned out that the idyllic water town, with small rivers, arched bridges, white walls, Daiwa, blue sky, and green trees, was filled with the charm of the water town.

Ancient Stage

"Originally, the colorful scenery bloomed everywhere, as if it were all given to the broken wells and dilapidated walls. How could the beautiful scenery be on a beautiful day? Who would be happy to enjoy the scenery?" We are familiar with so many lines of poetry from "The Peony Pavilion", sighing at the beautiful prayers, and these beautiful lines are well-known to the world because of Kunqu opera.

Taking my daughter to the ancient theater, for a daughter who loves reading and poetry more, listening to Kunqu opera in the rain of Jiangnan, this voice that gives her soul beauty gives her a poetic atmosphere for her growth.

Kunqu opera and classical Chinese literature share the same aesthetic. Originally named "Kunshan Opera" or simply "Kunqiang", Kunqu opera is an ancient Chinese opera voice and genre. Since the Qing Dynasty, it has been referred to as "Kunqu Opera" and is now also known as "Kunqu Opera".

Kunqu Opera is one of the oldest traditional operas of the Han ethnic group in China, as well as a traditional cultural art of the Han ethnic group. Kunqu Opera is highly imbued with the color of classical Chinese poetry, with beautiful melodies and emotional connotations. Kunqu Opera is also an enlightenment education of traditional Chinese culture. When coming to Zhouzhuang, it is important to bring children to the ancient theater to listen to Kunqu Opera. The accumulation of beauty and knowledge sometimes comes from a fleeting glance, but it is engraved in the heart.

Quangong Building Fashion Restaurant - Lunch Warm Winter Hot Pot

After listening to Kunqu opera, the coldness of winter in Jiangnan has poetically invaded my body. Not far from the ancient stage, I saw the fashionable restaurant of Quangong Building, where I had a warm winter hot pot and sat inside the restaurant watching the scenery outside.

Although Warm Winter Hot Pot is not a poetic name, the small hot pot consumed is exquisitely crafted, with enamel mottled colors. At the moment of opening the pot, hot air rises into the air, creating a poetic entanglement and warmth.

There are many dishes to order in small hot pot, including vegetarian and meat dishes. Choose a few dishes that you love to eat, throw them into the pot for delicious food, and eat them for the warm and poetic atmosphere. It is warm and caring, and it is the gentle meaning that Jiangnan gives to tourists in winter.

Zhouzhuang Museum

Every time I take my daughter out, no matter where I go, museums are one of the necessary places to check in. If you want to have a deeper understanding of a place, museums are the best choice. Coming to Zhouzhuang is no exception. If you want to learn about Zhouzhuang, you must visit the Zhouzhuang Museum. This is the correct way to open the thousand year history of Zhouzhuang. The Zhouzhuang Ancient Town Museum is different from other museums. Here, the past of Zhouzhuang is vividly remembered, and museums hold the soul of history and culture. It is the fastest way for us to connect with the past.

The Zhouzhuang Museum was established in 1998 and was originally the residence of Zhu Xianbo. It was built in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, with a total of three entrances, a front hall and a back hall, and two rooms next to it. The exterior was built with a wind and fire wall, and the other was a back garden, with a trapezoidal layout from east to west.

After visiting the Zhouzhuang Museum, my daughter gained her own understanding of the poem "Small Bridge, Flowing Water, and Family". It turns out that ordinary people are just ordinary households, and the most beautiful is the misty rain in Jiangnan.

Zhenfeng Twelve Blocks

I came out of the museum and took my daughter to Zhenfeng Twelve Blocks. There are shops here that mainly focus on handicrafts. Time passes through handicrafts, but there is also accumulation and sublimation in handicrafts. The bustling old Jiangnan style is full of flavors, and after years of polishing, there are many unique handicrafts such as Tubu Fang, Bamboo Weaving Fang, Tofu Fang, and so on. My daughter loves bamboo objects the most, each one is a representation of life, and it is incredibly exquisite.

Every piece of work silently tells the story of the producer as a hidden expert who spent half of his life crafting his own skills to support his family.

Every time I take my daughter out and see a craftsman, she will be amazed. My daughter lacks patience, and I often tell her that some people choose one skill for life, and this persistence is something you must learn at any time.

Cat's Sky City

In winter, there is less greenery in Zhouzhuang, but the strong Jiangnan atmosphere still attracts too many tourists. Strolling in the ancient water town of Zhouzhuang, if you feel a bit tired, come to Cat's Sky City Cafe and take a seat.

Hidden in classical architecture, this is a leisure place with countless exquisite books, various postcards, hand drawings, and more. It is a bookstore and also a coffee shop. The cultural and artistic range of Cat Sky provides you with warm and endless reading time in winter.

Shenting Restaurant - Wansan Family Banquet

As the evening approached, the night of Zhouzhuang gradually approached. In the darkness of the night, one must choose the Wansan Family Banquet for dinner. The Wansan Family Banquet at Shen Ting Restaurant tells the story of a legend between Shen Wansan and Zhu Yuanzhang. The Shenting Hotel is located next to the Fu'an Bridge in the ancient town, and its interior decoration is like a small water town. This hotel has a long history and was formerly known as the Dayetang of Shenting. It is said that descendants of the Shen family often hold banquets and tables here to entertain guests from all over the world with delicious food. The antique flavor of the restaurant also makes people mistakenly think that time has turned back, returning to the old Zhouzhuang.

Speaking of the Shen Family Feast, Shen Wansan is a specially appointed chef who selects authentic food materials to make three thousand family feasts. Among them, eight bowls are the most delicious. They are served in large celadon bowls, including the three flavored dumplings and Wonton, the braised eel tube elaborately made with eels, the stuffed meat of snails stewed with fresh snails and pork leg, and the braised mandarin fish, fragrant fried gold bricks, etc. But among them, Wan San Ti is the most famous. The origin of Wan San Ti is a dish used by Shen Wan San to entertain Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang asked Shen Wan San what the dish was called, but Shen Wan San dared not mention the emperor's name. With a sudden inspiration, he said it was Wan San Ti, and in self deprecation, he overcame the situation. Of course, the dish of Wansanti needed to be cut open, but Shen Wansan couldn't use a knife in front of the emperor, so he used pig hoof bones as a knife to cut open the dish.

A family banquet, but one can see the light and shadows of swords and countless hidden wisdom.

Yezhou Village

After finishing the delicious Wansan Family Banquet, walking out of Wansan Restaurant, the night of Zhouzhuang was already in sight. If Zhou Zhuang in the daytime is still poetic in the drizzle of Jiangnan, then Zhou Zhuang at night is even more charming. There are shops floating over and singing, standing by the water, listening to the gentle sound of the water flowing through. Different lights on the bridge and on both sides embellish Zhou Zhuang's dreamlike beauty.

Night tour of Zhouzhuang originates from the night culture of Jiangnan people. In the original ecological water charm and ancient water towns, light and shadow are used to transform the beautiful scenery that daytime visitors have not seen enough. At night, it transforms into a beautiful night water town. At this time, the water alleys, small bridges, flowing water, homes, ancient streets, ancient houses, and famous temples are decorated with light to create a poetic beauty in front of us.

At night in Zhouzhuang, listen to a night play, enjoy a Kunqu opera on the ancient stage of Zhouzhuang... Whether it's eating a night banquet in Zhouzhuang, listening to the sound of water by a small bridge, watching boats moored in the lights at night, or buying some favorite items along the bustling alleys, Zhouzhuang's night will surprise you and make you addicted to it.

Boat painting tour of Zhouzhuang

The spring water is clear in the sky, painting boats and listening to the rain to sleep. The people by the Lu River are like the moon, and their white wrists are frozen in frost and snow. The beauty of Zhouzhuang lies not only in ancient buildings, alleys, double bridges, and riverbanks. There is also the most beautiful way to appreciate it, which is to sit inside the rowing boat, listen to the sound of water, and let the small boat sway and shuttle through the bridge. The houses on both sides of the Taiwan Strait unfold like a scroll, and the fireworks and picturesque scenery are deeply ingrained in one's mind.

My daughter sat at the bow of the boat happily looking around, telling me that she finally understood the beauty of Jiangnan's poetry, the enchanting charm of the water town, and the countless beautiful words describing Jiangnan's misty rain.

A train made of cardboard boxes will pull people running

Wooden horses made of cardboard boxes, sofas, storage cabinets, and trains made of cardboard boxes that can carry people

What, what are you talking about? The daughter asked the little brother in the same group in surprise, with a look of disbelief on her face, both carrying the innocence of a child and the traditional knowledge structure she had stuck to in her mind. Not to mention that my daughter doesn't believe it, I also don't believe that paper trains can pull people to run.

Without further ado, upon arriving at the second floor of the inn, you can see the paper sofas placed on the lobby. If you don't take a closer look, you really can't see the ones made of cardboard boxes. All these sofas made of cardboard boxes can be used. Do you feel uneasy when sitting here to rest? Afraid that this paper sofa won't support your weight? Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, rest assured to sit here and be very safe. Taking my daughter on a trip, besides traveling thousands of miles and reading thousands of books, is the belief. And make sure she has fun, that's the norm of playing.

Entering the cardboard box king's courtyard, I saw a small train made of paper leaning against the specially designed railway tracks in the park. My daughter happily took photos and kept asking, "Can this paper train really accommodate people?"? Can it really start?

What happened next dispelled all my daughter's doubts. The staff asked the tourists to sit on the train carriage, and the small train started. Circle by circle, the cardboard box king park begins to drive.

After taking a small train in a cardboard box that can run and pull people, my daughter fell in love with the chocolate in the store. She couldn't put it down and flipped through this place to see where the chocolate packaging boxes were very exquisite, with cartoon toys or various learning tools as the outer packaging. After purchasing, you can go to the colorful chocolate store to buy some chocolates you like and put them inside. This is simply a great surprise and satisfaction during the trip.

Green Paradise - A Belonging Place for Children's Fun

The cardboard box king amusement park has already made my daughter laugh uncontrollably, and the green amusement park not far from Zhouzhuang is a good place for children to play. First, I pick up some vegetable leaves from the ground to feed the lambs, and then watch the peacock open its screen to compare beauty. Running back to the green park, various devices kept my daughter playing non-stop.

Take a walk on the land stilt pole on this side, play with the big pendulum on the other side, leisurely swing a POSS in the air cradle, and take a walk on the extended rope lock path. Jump on the large trampoline bed with laughter and joy, and the water pole is also a fun place to challenge courage. The fairytale like cabin on the other side attracts children to float on the water and see if there is a princess living in the house.

The Green Park brings joy to the daughter who has just stepped out of the poetic Zhouzhuang. Located by the White Clam Lake, the Zhouzhuang Green Park is a vibrant amusement park. The outdoor amusement park that unleashes children's natural instincts is also included, including a non dynamic children's playground, the Green Park Nature School, themed restaurants, and so on. It is definitely a good place to take children to play.

Wansan Winery

Coming to Zhouzhuang, Wansan Winery is definitely a representative of Zhouzhuang's liquor culture. The winery we imagine is brewing, and perhaps there is nothing else we can imagine. But Wansan Winery is completely different. Here, the brewing process is presented in the form of a sound wall. By attaching your ears to the sound hole, you can hear various natural sounds during the brewing process, such as singing, fermentation, and pounding rice.

And the fragrance wall makes her daughter reluctant to leave. The brightly colored plants or fruits can emit their strongest aroma, and in such a winery like an exquisite display cabinet, she can smell various natural aromas, as if she is in the most beautiful nature.

Moving forward, you will arrive at the experience area where you can DIY a wine bottle, paint it with your favorite color, and display the homemade wine. This is the best gift from Wansan Winery to visitors.

Of course, during the process of brewing and waiting for fermentation, one can make a leather windchime and become a craftsman.

Xiangcun. Qizhuang - Stay in Xiangcun Homestay

Before I arrived at Xiangcun, I had been listening to my colleagues talk about Xiangcun before seeing the word "Xiangcun". Therefore, I always thought they were talking about "township" villages. After arriving, I realized that it turned out to be "township" and "fragrance".

The beauty of Xiangcun lies in the overall layout of homestays. In the natural landscape of the village, rural scenery is the main melody. Buildings with unique Jiangnan characteristics are transformed into homestays, with unified white walls and black tiles, but each with its own unique decorative style, allowing residents to experience different Xiangcun homestays and different styles of Jiangnan culture.

Walking in Xiangcun, the homestays opened up one by one in my eyes like a scroll painting. Behind every door, there may be your dream home park style. Zhouzhuang Xiangcun Qizhuang is located in Sanzhubang Village, Zhouzhuang Town, Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, only 5 kilometers away from Zhouzhuang Ancient Town. Relying on the ancient town, it presents tourists with the pastoral style of the original water town, and homestays embody the Jiangnan style of folk customs.

Qizhuang, Xiangcun, Zhouzhuang, is hidden in the fields outside the ancient town. In the original ecological village of Jiangnan water town, you can hear the chirping of chickens and dogs, fish, go boating, and be quiet and daydreaming. It is a relaxation and return of the soul.

The parent-child room I live in is spacious and atmospheric. There is a suspended bed on a wooden semi rotating staircase with railings outside. My daughter sleeps on it very happily and reads her favorite books with lights on at night.

There is a sofa next to a large bed indoors, and outside the sofa is a balcony, which offers a panoramic view of Xiangcun. The quiet sleeping and resting space, with a reasonable and comfortable design, makes this night incredibly sweet.

Xiangcun Flower Lantern

Jinli is hosting a fragrant banquet, with orchids blooming in the early years. The red earth is far apart, and the light shines far into the sky. Walking into the fragrant village at night, one never expected it to be a big surprise in the visual feast of lighting. This red light hangs high, symbolizing a bustling scene. The corn shaped lamp is located in a rural area, symbolizing the joy of a bountiful harvest. A colorful heart-shaped long bridge shaped light strip led me to another part of the Kagamura paddy field. In the brilliant lighting, it was brilliant and dazzling, embellishing the beauty of Kagamura's ancient simplicity and modern combination at night.

A pastoral song, with a few yellow heads plowing, a shepherd boy playfully riding on a cow, and various flowers blooming in the bright lights. too beautiful to be absorbed all at once.

DAY4- Return