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Jiaxing is an important revolutionary base mentioned in many textbooks. It is the highest representative of Jiangnan water towns, a famous place for watching the Qiantang River tide, and a famous land of fish and rice in history. It is the hometown of many meat dumplings such as "Wufangzhai" and the cradle of Jiangnan cuisine. It is a vast world worth exploring with your taste buds.
Nestled between Shanghai and Hangzhou, this city seems overshadowed by these two metropolises. Its smaller towns are also incredibly famous: Wuzhen, one of the most renowned Jiangnan water towns, is the permanent venue for the Internet Conference and hosts the Wuzhen Theater Festival; while Haining's Yanguan is the perfect spot for viewing the annual Qiantang River tide, always bustling with people around the Mid-Autumn Festival. These towns often steal the spotlight, so much so that this treasured city, with its stunning scenery and culinary treasures, has rarely received much attention.
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Jiaxing, known as the "Land of Fish and Rice" and the "Home of Silk," has been a major economic center since ancient times due to its abundant resources. The city boasts the quaint Wuzhen and Xitang towns, the Nanbei Lakes, a blend of mountains, sea, and lakes, the West Gardens, a Jiangnan aristocratic estate, the picturesque Jiulong Mountain, and the alleyways of the Misty Rain Tower. Every step offers a unique scene, showcasing the graceful charm of Jiangnan and the allure of its waterside towns. Jiaxing has been a city of exceptional talent and has produced numerous celebrities, particularly those who hold significant positions in Chinese history. Shen Junru, Wang Guowei, Mao Dun, Xu Zhimo, Feng Zikai, and Jin Yong all hold high esteem. Jiaxing is also home to numerous ancient silk towns, such as Xitang in Jiashan and Wuzhen in Tongxiang. Strolling through the streets of these historic towns, you can experience the unique charm of Jiangnan waterside towns.
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When you arrive in Jiaxing, you must first see the "Red Boat." The streets along the way are clean and tidy, leading to the gate of the South Lake Scenic Area. After passing through the lush Huijing Garden, you will arrive at the pier for taking a boat to the lake island.
While boating on the lake, the warm sunlight pours onto the water, and the shimmering silk curtain rises and falls. The buildings on both sides of the river hide behind you one after another, and the wind blowing towards you with moisture is comfortable and gentle.
After the boat docks, ascend the steps and you'll find the Misty Rain Tower. This ancient Jiangnan-style building, named after the Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu's poem, "Four hundred and eighty temples of the Southern Dynasties, countless pavilions shrouded in mist and rain," evokes the poetic and picturesque scene of drizzling rain and misty rain over South Lake. Climbing the Misty Rain Tower offers a panoramic view of the beautiful South Lake.
The three characters "Yanyu Tower" (Misty Rain Tower) on the plaque in front of the building were written by Dong Biwu. Couplets, plaques, and stone carvings placed throughout the courtyard are masterpieces of calligraphy by generations of literati and poets. Su Shi also penned a poem here: "Hearing the sounds of Nanhu Lake, the lotus blossoms spread like brocade. How can a night of rain leave only the vast expanse of water?" In these 20 words, the waters of Nanhu Lake and its rain are captured in a poetic and picturesque landscape painting.
The First National Congress memorial ship is now placed on the lake side of Yanyu Tower.
Take a ferry to Haogu Pagoda, where the statue of Wu Zixu stands majestically in the main hall of Wu Xiang Temple. Today, this place has become a festival venue for locals to commemorate Wu Zixu and celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival.
Unlike the traditional Dragon Boat Festival, which commemorates Qu Yuan, Jiaxing celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival in honor of Wu Zixu, a renowned minister of the State of Wu during the Spring and Autumn Period. Consequently, the Wu Xiang Shrine is a popular spot for worshippers, and the stories of Wu Zixu's life, told in the corridors on either side, have become a prime location for learning about this historical figure.
The Haogu Tower is a pavilion-style building with a winding corridor, a typical Song Dynasty style tower. With seven floors, the tower offers a panoramic view of Nanhu Lake and even the cityscape of Jiaxing.
The vast South Lake is dotted with numerous small islands, connected by stone bridges. Houses stand shoulder to shoulder, their gray tiles connected, hidden among tall, lush green trees.
The main building of the memorial hall is a majestic "工"-shaped building with 56 eaves columns around it. On the high lintel are inlaid seven golden characters "Nanhu Revolutionary Memorial Hall" written by Mr. Xiaoping.
The entire museum exhibition hall has three floors, of which the first and second floors are the "Creation of the World" unit, which consists of three parts: "Exploring the Road to National Salvation", "The Founding of the Communist Party of China" and "Introduction to the Life Stories of Thirteen Representatives". It systematically introduces the groundbreaking historical facts of the Chinese people's continuous exploration and struggle for the road to national salvation since the Opium War in 1840, as well as the spread of Marxism in China, the establishment of communist groups and the founding of the Communist Party of China.
The museum houses a large collection of authentic historical relics: items used in the late Qing Dynasty, unequal treaties signed by the Qing government, weapons used in wars, items used by some important figures, manuscripts, etc., all of which are displayed one by one.
The museum also restores many historical events in real scenes - Lin Zexu's destruction of opium in Humen, Chen Wangdao's translation of "The Communist Manifesto", the group sculpture of representatives of the First Congress of the Communist Party of China, the prototype of the First Red Boat, etc., so that you can feel the occurrence of historical events in an immersive way.
It takes about 2 hours to visit the entire memorial. During these 2 hours, it is like completing a re-reading of China's modern history.
Jiaxing is the birthplace of the Majiabang culture of the Neolithic Age. 7,000 years ago, our ancestors were engaged in farming, animal husbandry, fishing and hunting here.
The Majiabang culture, a Neolithic culture in China's lower Yangtze River region, is estimated to have existed between 7000 and 5000 BCE. Residents primarily practiced rice farming, and unearthed rice grains, rice kernels, and rice straw from numerous sites indicate widespread cultivation of both indica and japonica rice varieties. Agricultural tools included perforated axes, bone hoes, wooden shovels, and pottery pestles. They also raised livestock such as dogs, pigs, and water buffalo.
The Majiabang Cultural Museum, located in the suburbs of Jiaxing, travels through a time tunnel of nearly 10,000 years and returns to the mysterious and distant Neolithic Age.
This is an archaeological site museum based on the Majiabang site, and also an archaeological cultural museum with the Majiabang culture in the Taihu Lake area as its theme.
The basic exhibit in the museum is "The Source of Jiangnan Culture", which directly defines the important position of Majiabang culture in the prehistoric civilization of Jiangnan.
The exhibition hall is divided into four parts: Blooming Flowers, Age of Innocence, Full of Vitality, and Passing on the Torch. It tells how the Majiabang culture was named, how humans lived for 7,000 years, and displays the living environment and food of the Majiabang people, comprehensively reflecting the Neolithic Majiabang culture in the Taihu Lake area.
The pottery, bronze and jade artifacts unearthed from the site all demonstrate the highly developed craftsmanship and social living standards at that time.
The unearthed animal bones indicate that people at that time had already completed the initial domestication of some animals.
Even early water chestnuts were unearthed at the site, which shows that people had already started eating water chestnuts in the lake more than 7,000 years ago.
The museum itself is also a work of architectural art. Its design draws on the original residential landscape of the settlement and the courtyard layout of Jiangnan. Through the reconstructed interpretation of "settlement and courtyard," it establishes a tacit understanding across time and space with a distant civilization.
The exterior walls are mainly in terracotta color, which shows the characteristics of the main means of production in the Neolithic Age and is also full of historical charm.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the museum, you can see the Majiabang Ruins Park under construction. An eye-catching dome seems to connect history and the present time and space, reminding people - look up at the stars, and don't forget to look back at the road you came.
This once quaint village, a century-old hometown, has been transformed through the "One Village, One Product" initiative of the new rural areas. Today, villagers have built high-end villas while preserving the charm of the ancient Jiangnan water village. The village has also become a popular destination for sightseeing, leisure, and vacations.
In Panjiagang, Jiaxing, a "beautiful new countryside", you can enjoy the beautiful ecological harmony between man and nature of "returning to the countryside" while fully enjoying the refinement and convenience of modern life.
The village is surrounded by small bridges and flowing water, and various flowers and plants are planted in front of and behind the houses. The ecological environment is excellent. The scenery changes throughout the year, and you can feel the charm of nature at any time.
If you want to stay in the village, there are many high-quality homestays, farmhouses, restaurants, etc. that can meet various needs. You can stay here with your family for a few days, or experience farming life and mulberry silk culture. You can also go to nearby Xinkeng Ancient Town, Wuzhen, etc., which are all very convenient.
If you want to trace the past and think about the present, this village has the ruins of the Tang Dynasty top scholar's mansion converted into Lingsu Temple, as well as well-preserved thousand-year-old catalpa trees, ancient wells from the Song Dynasty, century-old beech trees, the former residence of Li Chaosheng from the Qing Dynasty, and the modern old educated youth museum and other historical relics.
There are no commercial attractions, but if you walk around the village, you will inadvertently discover the marks of time.
In this village imbued with the red spirit, you can feel the slow pace of time and return to the true taste of life.
The First National Congress of the Communist Party of China was moved to the Red Boat on Nanhu Lake. This was arranged by Wang Huiwu, the wife of Li Dazhao, the Shanghai CCP representative. Wang Huiwu, who had studied at Jiaxing Women's Normal School, was very familiar with Jiaxing and Nanhu Lake.
Wang Huiwu's former residence, located on Guanhou Street in Wuzhen's Xizha district, has been converted into a memorial hall. Display panels, images, and artifacts within the hall introduce visitors to this little-known historical figure. While key figures from the early years of the Communist Party of China have long been familiar to the public, this unsung, behind-the-scenes worker has now entered the public eye.
In front of the huge screen "Nanhu Scenery" standing by the door, there is a group sculpture "Nanhu Red Boat and Wang Huiwu". Closely attached to the red boat is a Jiangnan girl with short hair, wearing a large-collared dress, a black short skirt, milky white socks and black cloth shoes. This is the young Wang Huiwu.
The memorial hall still houses the women's magazine "Women's Voice" that Wang Huiwu was once responsible for, the certificates and seals she used, and some precious old photos.
The moonlight poured down, the reflection of the river was hazy, and the outlines of the white walls and gray tiles appeared in the light.
Today, Wuzhen has become a focal point among many water towns. Apart from its beautiful scenery, the more important reason is that it is the permanent venue for the World Internet Conference.
The Wuzhen International Internet Exhibition Center was completed in 2016. Located northwest of Wuzhen's Xizha Scenic Area, within the Wucun Scenic Area, the center is open to the public and also serves as a venue for the Wuzhen Theater Festival.
To get there from Xizha, you need to purchase a separate ticket to Wucun Village. It is about a 1km walk away. Security checks are required to enter the convention and exhibition center. Liquids and lighters are not allowed. Admission is free and you can use the free audio guide.
The convention center was designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winner and professor at the China Academy of Art, Wang Shu. The design concept is based on simplicity, environmental protection, and intelligence, and the architectural style fully incorporates internet elements, traditional Chinese culture, and the characteristics of the Jiangnan water village. The overall "U"-shaped layout symbolizes the open, inclusive, interconnected, and shared internet spirit embodied by Wuzhen as the permanent host of the World Internet Conference.
Directly in front of the prologue hall is the ink and color painting on paper "Clear Wind" painted by Wuzhen celebrity Mr. Mu Xin in 1999. National flags of various countries are neatly arranged under the frame, making it look particularly imposing.
The main venue of the Internet Conference uses a large amount of red copper as a decorative material. The overall color tone is Internet blue, and the peony flowers show a luxurious and elegant atmosphere.
Walking out of the door on the other side of Wuzhen Hall, there are two works of art hanging on the wall.
One of them, "Wuhu Iron Painting", is a kind of arts and crafts originated from the Song Dynasty. It uses hammer as pen, iron as ink, anvil as paper, and forged iron as painting. It is an exquisite work of art that is a masterpiece of nature.
The second work, “Thousands of Threads”, uses mulberry silk interwoven on plexiglass, forming an intricate network image that echoes the concept of the contemporary Internet.
As a land of fish and rice, there is never a shortage of delicious food. Jiaxing is actually a "treasure" food destination.
Needless to say, in Jiaxing, you can find zongzi everywhere. Whether it's the world-renowned Wufangzhai, the locally renowned Zhenzhen Lao Lao, or simply a small shop near home, Jiaxing residents have a zongzi they call their own.
Meat dumplings are the most iconic of Jiaxing's zongzi, representing the local flavor. They're made by cutting large chunks of lean pork hind leg meat into large pieces and marinating them overnight in soy sauce, rice wine, and other ingredients. Once the meat is fully flavored, the sauce is poured out, mixed with glutinous rice, and then wrapped into dumplings. Once cooked, the steam from the pot, accompanied by the aroma of the meat dumplings, rises from the door, tempting hungry passersby.
Peeling back the leaves reveals the dark, glossy glutinous rice, the juices from the meat melding with the rice. Meat within the rice, rice within the meat, the aroma rising to life in a state of perfect harmony that can only be achieved with freshly-cooked zongzi. This is probably why eating zongzi in Jiaxing is a must.
Youdun is not uncommon in the Jiangnan area. Legend has it that Emperor Qianlong accidentally ate it and named it when he visited the south of the Yangtze River. Now it has become a very representative snack.
Jiaxing snack shops often offer these wontons, often filled with meat, shrimp, and shredded radish, for a savory, fresh flavor. In the early mornings of late autumn in Jiangnan, where the chill is already palpable, a bowl of wontons and a fried dumpling are enough to warm and soothe you all morning.
Braised mutton noodles are a major specialty of Wuzhen. When walking in Wuzhen, if you come across an extremely busy and crowded area where you can't find a seat, that's probably the mutton noodle restaurant.
As the weather cools down, the people of Wuzhen love nothing more than a bowl of steaming, warming, and nourishing mutton noodles. The mutton is chopped into chunks weighing 200 to 300 grams, tied with string or straw, and simmered in a large pot or clay pot with soy sauce, sugar, MSG, and other flavor-removing ingredients. This noodle dish is also known as "crisp mutton noodles."
In the restaurant, you can choose from different parts of the lamb. True regulars have different preferences: some like the fat and lean parts of the lamb; some prefer the tender and juicy legs; some appreciate the plump and fragrant tail; some are particular about the neck, while others prefer the hooves and offal. A bowl of broth-filled lamb, paired with a bowl of freshly cooked vegetarian noodles, is a feast for the senses.
Many people don’t know Xucun when it comes to it, but almost everyone knows Haining Leather City. Haining is a prefecture-level city within the jurisdiction of Jiaxing, and Xucun is a town within it.
There are several crab noodle restaurants in Xucun, most of which are hidden in the city. They are open from dusk to dawn every day, and their most signature dish is crab noodles.
Large, fresh swimming crabs are cut into large pieces and placed in a pot to create a broth. The cooked noodles are then dipped into the broth and removed. This way, each noodle is evenly coated with the delicious broth, and topped with large pieces of crab, it's so tempting to eat it right away.
The noodles are incredibly fragrant and the crab meat is so tender and chewy that you'll want to savor every drop of the broth. The portions aren't large, so you can try their other varieties: kidney noodles, eel noodles, fish head noodles, brain noodles... This is a delight for noodle lovers.
According to research, people at the Majiabang site more than 7,000 years ago were already eating water chestnuts.
Nanhu water chestnuts are a specialty of Jiaxing. They are round and have no corners. Their skin is emerald green and their ends are smooth. They have thin skin, tender meat, rich juice, sweetness, crispness and fragrance. Therefore, they always attract many people to come here for them.
Locals enjoy water chestnuts in a simple way: fresh and tender, they can be eaten raw, cooked in rice, or made into pastries. Peeled water chestnuts are stir-fried in oil and topped with a handful of chopped scallions—Zou Daxian's simple stir-fried Nanhu water chestnuts are a near-must-order at every table.
Only those who truly understand this city know how unique the charm of this small riverside town is.
It is the misty Nanhu Lake, and it is also the poetic Yuehe River in the south of the Yangtze River; the Neolithic culture of the Jiangnan region originated from it, and the great journey of the Communist Party of China was also born from it; literati and poets described it with poetic and picturesque beauty, and revolutionary pioneers embraced it with their childlike hearts.
From the banks of West Lake to South Lake, from the Qiantang River to the banks of the Moon River, let's travel to Jiaxing, into its streets and alleys, to encounter a heart of pure sincerity. This sincerity is faith, hope, and the unwavering righteousness of the vast universe, a heart that remains forever steadfast and ever fresh through the passage of time.
