Yancheng · Anfeng Town
With a history of 1200 years, Anfeng town was originally named as “Dongtao”, then changed to “Anfeng” in the Song dynasty, which means life and work in peace and be well-fed and well-clothed.
Anfeng began to thrive with the development of the salt business. During the Qing Dynasty, merchants gathered with brisk trade, and Anfeng developed a seven-mile-long street, of which the present Anfeng Town is a section.
Walking through the old streets and alleys, history is recorded and carved on the bricks and tiles of Anfeng town. By stepping into the Bao’s compound, you can listen to the legendary stories of the merchants. After two hundred years, the buildings are still showing its simple and understated style. Winding lanes and the Wu family ancestral hall highlight the strength of poet character; singing and playing outside the cloisters and pavilions tell so many touching stories from the past to the present.
Xuzhou · Ancient Buildings of Hubushan
Hubushan is located in the south of Xuzhou’s ancient city, also known as South Mountain (Nanshan in Chinese). In ancient times, Xuzhou was frequently flooded, so the rich people scrambled to build houses and settle on Hubushan near the city, which gradually formed an ancient architectural complex over the centuries.
The ancient buildings are built on the mountain, and they have formed a unique architectural style by combining the neatness and uniformity of northern dwellings and the beauty of southern architecture. Today, there are about 600 ancient residential compounds, among which the “Eight Families of Hubushan” are the most famous. The Xuzhou Folk Museum was built on the basis of the Yu Family Courtyard and the Zhai Family Courtyard, where various folklore relics are displayed, and activities such as local opera performances and folk crafts are held.
Wuxi · Huishan Town
Wuxi is a pearl on Taihu Lake, and when you come to Wuxi, you have to mention the ancient town of Huishan, which is known as the “out-of-door history museum”. Located at the foot of Huishan Mountain, it is a cultural treasure trove of ancestral halls, tea springs, and clay figures. There are more than 100 ancestral halls in the town, with different architecture and various kinds of pagodas and stone monuments, inheriting the history and culture of more than 100 family names.
Stroll through the town and enjoy the scenery of Jiangnan gardens. Two small rivers, one vertical and one horizontal, simple and clear. There are many tearooms on both sides of the river, and when you are tired of walking in the tearoom to rest, just order a pot of good tea, and taste the unique lifestyle here.
