Huanggang Jiaose – Where Choosing a Destination Becomes a Meeting of Fate

Huanggang Jiaose – Where Choosing a Destination Becomes a Meeting of Fate

Some travelers seek the bustle of crowded streets, finding joy in the clamor of life. I am different – I cherish tranquility, shy away from noise, crowds, and haste. On my journeys, whenever possible, I gravitate toward serene places. Even in popular spots like Suzhou or Zhujiajiao, I am willing to pay a little extra, wake early, or sleep less, just to gain comfort and inner peace.

So, among countless options, I didn’t go to the famed Jiaose; I stopped at Huanggang Jiaose – a small riverside village where the wind whispers and life flows unhurriedly.

Huanggang Jiaose is peaceful in a way that feels almost surreal. You can stroll past five drum towers, walk the long street without brushing shoulders with anyone, without being swept by the crowd. Snap a photo of a drum tower, and only the tower appears. Shoot the street, and your lens captures only the old-tiled roofs, moss-covered walls, and the gentle smiles of villagers. At the inn, the hostess lights up at seeing only two guests, chatting as if with old friends. Children play freely on the street, evoking memories of our own carefree, safe childhoods.

Though small, the village has a viewing platform. Cross the lotus pond, watch water buffalo grazing leisurely, and climb a ten-minute slope up the hill to see Huanggang Jiaose spread beneath your eyes. Halfway up, a voice reaches me – a young man is singing live in the pavilion, and even the mountains seem to listen.

As dusk falls, we stop at a roadside eatery: fried rice with egg, stir-fried beef with red bell peppers, and tomato egg soup. Hot, hearty, flavorful, all for just 60 yuan for two. I laugh, telling my companion, “Elsewhere, the beef alone would cost this much.”

Huanggang Jiaose – neither noisy nor rushed. Only the wind brushing over ancient rooftops, slow footsteps on stone streets, and the feeling of discovering a gentle pause amid the rush of life.

Check in: China

Post by Hami Nguyen | Sep 19, 2025