Exploring China's Ancient Towns: A Journey Through Time

On the vast territory of China, countless ancient towns are dotted like stars, their dust crossing time and space, appearing leisurely from every brilliant moment in the long river of history, like carefully carved treasures, each emitting a unique and charming light.

Whenever the boat of the soul is exhausted in the hustle and bustle of the city, the ancient town complex hidden deep in the heart quietly awakens, like tender sprouts gently brushed by the spring breeze, yearning to break free from constraints and fly towards that peaceful and far-reaching ancient land.

So, an indescribable longing arose in my heart, longing to escape from the hustle and bustle, step onto the bluestone road of the ancient town, find a peaceful courtyard, stay for a few days, and let my soul receive the most thorough baptism and relaxation in that antiquity and tranquility.

·Spring·

Spring Day The ancient town, cruising amidst a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

Everything awakens in this gentle season, and the ancient town is also dressed in vibrant costumes, bustling with excitement.

Come to ‘Xitang’

The shining pearl of this ancient town in Jiangnan, and the lingering charm of ancient Wu Yue culture converge here.

In the ancient town, the river network is like a woven fabric, with rivers gently winding through the alleys and alleys, and ancient bridges scattered. Each bridge carries a heavy history and rich cultural stories.

Riding on a flat boat, leisurely swaying on the blue waves, the tenderness of the water town and the tranquil beauty of ancient Ming and Qing architecture complement each other, as if time is slowly flowing here.

And the misty rain corridor in Xitang is a bright color in spring.

This corridor, which is over two thousand meters long, not only provides shelter from wind and rain for visitors, but also adds a touch of gentleness and elegance.

As night falls, lanterns gradually light up, and the interplay of light and shadow adds a touch of romance and liveliness to the ancient town. The small bridges and flowing water exude an antique charm, like a flowing Jiangnan ink painting, making people intoxicated.

Come to ‘Shuhe Ancient Town’

This piece of pure land hidden in the side of the Old Town of Lijiang seems to be a mysterious place on the low latitude plateau, which is the Shangri La where the soul can live.

In Naxi language, “Shuhe” means “village under the peak”, which aptly depicts the beautiful scenery of the ancient town nestled by mountains and waters.

As a key town on the ancient Tea Horse Road, although Shuhe has gone through many vicissitudes, it still maintains an indescribable tranquility and antiquity.

The Qinglong River, which passes through the town, is clear to the bottom, and the gurgling water seems to whisper the passage of thousands of years.

Strolling along the bumpy cobblestone road, every step echoes the echoes of history, as if one can travel through time and feel the hustle and bustle of the ancient Tea Horse Road.

There is no hustle and bustle of bar streets here, only the whispers of flowers and flowing water, full of vitality, making Shuhe Ancient Town shine with new vitality in the ancient world, enduring and never fading.

·Summer·

midsummer The ancient town, wandering amidst the vibrant vitality, seeking a touch of coolness and tranquility.

There is no need to travel far into the vast sea or climb the majestic mountains and waters. Just step into the ancient town with flowing water and feel another charm of summer.

Come to ‘Tongli Ancient Town’

This blessed land of Jiangnan has been blessed with favorable winds and rains since ancient times, intertwined with water and land. It was already prosperous during the Sui and Tang dynasties and was known as’ rich soil ‘at that time.

As time passed, it was renamed as “Tongli” in the early Tang Dynasty. By the Song Dynasty, wise people ingeniously dismantled and reorganized the character “fu”, removing some of it and hiding “fields” in “soil”. Therefore, the name “Tongli” emerged, carrying the weight of a thousand years of history and culture.

Tongli Ancient Town is like a delicate Jiangnan bonsai, small and beautiful, with each scenery revealing the unique charm of the water town.

Strolling along, one is greeted by white walls and black tiles, pavilions and towers, small bridges and flowing water, fragrant winds brushing their faces, and towering ancient trees, as if transported back to the poetic Jiangnan era, leaving one feeling refreshed and reluctant to leave.

Although not as magnificent as Xitang, it adds a rare and precious simplicity and authenticity. At noon and evening, smoke wafts from the kitchen, and the grandparents leisurely enjoy the gift of sunshine. This tranquility and harmony are the unique charm of Tongli Ancient Town.

Come to ‘Zhouzhuang Ancient Town’

This place is known as the “crown of water towns”, like a high-quality jade embedded in the land of Suzhou, emitting a clear and transparent light at all times, and Zhouzhuang in summer has a unique flavor.

In Zhouzhuang, time seems to have been endowed with some kind of magic, becoming slow and long.

On the antique architecture, exquisite patterns are carved on the lintels and windows, attracting people to stop and appreciate; Amidst the blue and black tiles, the hanging lanterns sway gently, adding a touch of classical charm to the ancient town.

In the river, the Wupeng boat leisurely moves forward, the boatman lightly shakes the oars, and the soft words of Wu Nong drift away in the wind, making people involuntarily immerse themselves in the beauty of this place called Zhouzhuang.

As night falls, Zhouzhuang displays another charm.

The ancient town in the night, the river shimmering under the moonlight, like a silver ribbon, gently surrounding the ancient streets and alleys.

Step by step, the scenery is picturesque, making people feel like they are in a dreamlike world.

At this moment, Zhouzhuang has shed the hustle and bustle of the daytime, appearing more peaceful and profound, making people feel awe and familiarity.

·Autumn·

autumn The ancient town, every step taken is a prelude to harvest.

In the ancient town, towering ancient trees and branches bear abundant fruits, painting a picture of bountiful harvest with the leisurely white clouds under the deep blue sky, exuding joy and satisfaction everywhere.

Come to ‘Huangling’

The autumn colors of Wuyuan quietly bloom here and slowly end here.

Since August, Huangling has been immersed in the busyness and joy of basking in autumn.

On the long wooden frame, round sun drying plaques are arranged in a staggered manner, with red and yellow interwoven, like the brilliant colors on the earth’s color palette.

Clusters of fiery red chili peppers, like red lanterns hanging in autumn, complement the blue sky and white clouds, embellishing the leisurely and peaceful rural life.

As time passes, the red leaves in the mountains gradually thicken, and the Huangling Mountains, shrouded in morning mist, take on another autumn face.

Under the light mist, the ancient buildings with fiery red branches and distinct black and white colors interweave into a hazy and mysterious painting, which is both romantic and thought-provoking.

The maple trees around the ancient village gradually dyed with colorful autumn colors, complementing the scattered residential buildings and sun drying plaques, allowing people to deeply experience the depth and warmth of homesickness described in the book.

Come to Tengchong

Every November, when most cities have donned their winter silver coats, Tengchong presents itself to the world with its latest and purest autumn colors, leisurely and leisurely.

Looking into the distance from a high altitude, the mountains and village houses are adorned with layers of ginkgo leaves, interweaving bright oranges and golden hues to create a brilliant scene. The whole world seems to be embraced by this warm color.

Entering the village of Tengchong is another fairy tale like scene.

On the Ginkgo Avenue, golden leaves weave into a magnificent yellow corridor, and sunlight shines through the dense leaves, casting mottled light and shadow on the ground.

The autumn breeze gently brushes, and the golden leaves dance like golden butterflies, finally slowly laying a warm carpet, leading travelers into a peaceful and beautiful world.

Strolling along the narrow and winding path, it feels like being in an unknown maze, with each step filled with the joy of exploration.

Occasionally pushing open a quaint wooden door feels like crossing time and space, stepping into an old mansion in poetry.

The aroma of lunch in the courtyard fills the air, and several tables of diners sit together, enjoying the authentic cuisine of Tengchong and the beautiful scenery in front of them. At that moment, they realize that the natural beauty does not need to be carved, and can naturally touch the softest part of the heart.

·Winter·

The ancient town in winter ， Strolling is filled with the flow of artistic conception.

The pure white snowflakes and the gray ancient town complement each other, elevating the beauty of coolness to a new realm, just like an indispensable poetic chapter in life, adding an extraordinary color to ordinary days.

Come to ‘Zhenyuan Ancient Town’

This historical treasure on the the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, after more than 2200 years of trials and hardships, is still shining.

The Wuyang River passes through the city with its elegant “S” - shaped figure, gently dividing the ancient city into the old mansion on the north bank and the old guard city on the south bank. From a distance, it looks like a naturally drawn Taiji diagram, with a long ancient charm that arouses people’s imagination.

Here, there is no hustle and bustle of Miao villages, only the precious tranquility and authentic flavor.

When the winter snow dances lightly and slowly covers the water town, the entire ancient town is draped in a layer of white gauze, with black and white interweaving, highlighting the beauty of simplicity and simplicity.

The Wuyang River flows leisurely, reflecting the snow scenery on both sides, shimmering with waves, as if able to travel through time and space, glimpsing the thousand year old story flowing quietly.

Come to ‘Anchang Ancient Town’

Turning to explore ‘Anchang Ancient Town’, although this name may seem low-key in winter town recommendations, it embodies the profound cultural heritage and folk customs of the ancient Wu Yue region, and is a shining pearl among the four ancient towns of Shaoxing.

In the ancient town, traditional shops and workshops are arranged in a staggered manner, with the Fanxuan arcade being quaint and elegant. The pink walls and black tiles conceal the warmth of the gate dwellings. The stone paved alleys are winding and deep, the stone bridges are colorful and ancient, and the black covered boats shuttle leisurely. Every place is a moving painting.

In winter, Anchang adds a unique sense of heaviness.

Every household has started to get busy, marinating various types of preserved meats. These are not only a pleasure for the taste buds, but also a beautiful scenery in the winter of the ancient town.

If you long to experience the joy of searching for preserved meat in winter, Anchang Ancient Town will surely fulfill your wish.

Choose the right time and go to the right place.

As the Mid Autumn Festival approaches, why not temporarily put aside the busy life and choose a desirable ancient town to embark on a relaxing journey.

There, let the soul truly rest and nourish, and feel the unique charm and allure of the ancient town.