Off-peak travel: Anchang Ancient Town, Shaoxing

Anchang Ancient Town in Shaoxing is an ancient town located by the water. It has buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties on both sides and quaint bridges connecting the two sides of the river. Each bridge tells a story. If you travel during off-peak hours, there will be fewer people on the bridge, making it ideal for photography. There are mostly residential houses on the south side of the river, and mostly shops and workshops on the north side of the river. The bluestone roads, the mottled bridges, the grey and white walls that show age, time seems to slow down here. 🌟Highlights: There are many small delicacies in the ancient town. I had a bowl of Shiye wontons, a piece of plum blossom cake, a portion of osmanthus wine, another portion of stinky tofu, and Anchang seal cake to take home. After walking along this half of the river, my stomach was full. Touring the ancient town is free, but visiting the exhibition hall requires payment. 👍Most Recommended: Renchang Soy Sauce Factory, a century-old soy sauce factory, still makes its soy sauce using traditional methods. The neatly arranged rows of sauce jars are still quite shocking. I missed the opportunity to buy some soy sauce to take home, which is a bit regrettable. If you are tired from walking, there are many teahouses along the river where you can stop and rest. I like coffee. I buy a cup at Starbucks, take a rest by the river, watch the peonies blooming in the teahouse next door, and watch the black-sailed boats shuttling back and forth. Traveling is not about rushing. Leisurely and comfortable are the most important things. For attractions near the ancient town, we recommend the Keyan Scenic Area; for hotels near the ancient town, we recommend the Junlan Shaoxing Jianhu Hotel.