Day 1 Hangzhou → Deqing → Hangzhou
08:00
Go to Huanglong Seafood Stall to sign in and gather
08:30
Depart for Deqing - Xinshi Town by bus, the tour leader will tell you about the precautions
09:45
Arriving at Xinshi Ancient Town, one of the seven ancient towns of Jiangnan, it is also the largest water transport terminal on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. "The houses are shaded by willows on both sides, and as soon as you step out the door, you can board a boat." CCTV's Spring Festival Gala was also filmed here. "The beauty of ancient times, the beauty of a water town." With crisscrossing streams and ponds running through the streets and alongside the market, bridges spanning the streams, lush trees lining the ponds, and a constant stream of boats on the river, Xinshi Ancient Town has been a prosperous place since ancient times.
Enjoy a bowl of Xinshi's signature mutton noodles, Wang Fukang tea cakes, Xinshi duck noodles... The turtle stew at the Laozhai Tucai Teahouse is another highlight. This relatively unknown town hides a wealth of authentic local delicacies that have captivated CCTV, drawing countless foodies back again and again. We strolled and photographed the area, a scene steeped in the undeniable charm of the ancient town, a place steeped in history and millennia of history. The town boasts a wealth of local delicacies, as well as unique shops selling gourds and tortoise shell paintings.
The mutton noodles are a typical soy sauce flavor from the Huzhou and Shanghai areas. If you don't like this flavor, there are many other delicious options.
12:45
Proceed to Qianyuan Town, the old city of Deqing, and arrive in about half an hour.
Starting at Yubunong, we visited the Town History Museum, the Chengguan Memory Museum (free for individual visitors), and the Town Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum to learn about Deqing's history. We then strolled through the streets and alleys, stopping at the Coin Collection Hall to admire the dazzling array of Chinese coins from throughout history. The museum also features several interactive games that you'll surely enjoy! Our final stop at the History Museum was the Deqing City Wall Museum (note: the museum is currently closed for maintenance, with an unspecified opening date). This is also the starting point of Deqing's old city wall. The model of the wall inside the museum seems to evoke the image of the old city wall itself.
3:00 PM
After climbing up the newly built city wall, we headed all the way to South Street and started the second half of the approximately 2-kilometer stroll along the old street.
Since the relocation of Deqing County to Wukang, Qianyuan Town seems frozen in the 1990s. There are no urban glass curtain walls, no high-rise buildings, and no constant stream of traffic. Here, you can experience pure tranquility and comfort. Along the banks of the Old Street, you'll see a patchwork of old houses. Despite their age, these houses still stand firm, bearing witness to the transformation of the Old Street.
Note: While Deqing Old Town may seem run-down and unmaintained, and perhaps still retains some of the "market-side" feel of a riverside market, it also retains its unique, pristine character. The second half of the walk is more suitable for tourists who enjoy exploring the old streets of a small town. If you're not interested in strolling through the old town, you can return to explore the museum.
4:00 PM
After strolling through the old town, we drove to Moganshan-Yucun Scenic Area to see the different customs of the Republic of China!
The Yu Village scenic area, bathed in the setting sun, feels like a trip back to a nostalgic Republican-era TV drama. The hundreds-meter-long Republican-style street, shaded by sycamore trees, evokes a rich cultural atmosphere. The clock tower in Yu Village Square is a landmark and also serves as a library. Pigeons occasionally circle above the clock tower, and you can even feed the doves in the square. The Yu Village Planetarium, the Centennial Railway Station, the Republican-era Library, the Baiyun Art Museum, various handicraft shops, and popular cafes await exploration.
7:00 PM
After eating and drinking, return to Hangzhou!
8:00 PM
Back at the Huanglong Sports Center, our exploration of Deqing ended. We were reluctant to leave and kissed goodbye with tears in our eyes.
