A True Jiangnan Local’s Perspective｜After Visiting Numerous Ancient Towns, the Real Experience of Comfort and Numbness

As a native of Jiangnan, my feelings toward ancient towns are really complicated—I can be completely immersed in the comfort of "small bridges, flowing water, and people’s homes," but after visiting too many, I also fall into aesthetic numbness. After all, most ancient towns have bluestone roads, white walls, and black tiles. Occasionally, when walking into a small alley in Xitang, I momentarily feel like I’ve traveled back to Dangkou. This sense of "familiarity" is so real! But I have to say, every ancient town has its own unique little quirks. Xitang just happens to hit the spot for me! Unlike some ancient towns that are overly commercialized, it’s especially charming to visit on a rainy day—the fine raindrops hit the blue tiles, dripping down from the eaves, and the covered corridors in the alleys shield you from the wind and rain. Walking slowly, you won’t get wet at all. Listening to the sound of rain mixed with the rowing oars, you instantly understand the romance of "misty rain in Jiangnan." Xitang on a sunny day has a different kind of charm. Sunlight filters through the leaves and shines on the river, sparkling and reflecting the waterside houses. The sweet aroma of gorgon fruit cake and malt flatbread wafts from the shops along the road. Occasionally stopping to buy some and eating while strolling, a sense of comfort naturally arises. But if you visit several ancient towns in a row, you’ll notice similar shops and similar scenery, which inevitably feels boring. Sometimes, walking in the alleys, you might even forget which ancient town you’re in. Perhaps the charm of Jiangnan’s ancient towns lies not in "novelty," but in "healing." When you’re tired or upset, just pick any less crowded ancient town to stay for half a day, sit by the river watching boats pass by, listen to the elderly chatting about daily life, and all your fatigue will be soothed by the slow pace of time. And those subtle differences—Xitang’s covered corridors, Wuzhen’s water pavilions, Nanxun’s library—are the surprises you can only slowly discover when you calm down. 📍Jiangnan Local’s Private Tips for Visiting Ancient Towns - Avoid pitfalls: On weekends and holidays, try to choose less popular ancient towns (like Lili, Qiandeng). Fewer people means more charm and avoids commercial crowds; - How to enjoy: Don’t rush through the sights. Find a riverside teahouse to sit in for an afternoon, or rent a rowing boat for a slow tour to truly feel the authentic vibe of the ancient town; - Food: Prioritize small local shops favored by elderly locals. Xitang’s steamed pork, gorgon fruit cake, Lili’s spicy feet, and fried dough sticks are all authentic flavors; - Best time: Visiting Xitang and Wuzhen on rainy days is perfect. The covered corridors shelter you from the rain without affecting your visit, and you can take stunning misty rain photos. As a Jiangnan local, although I sometimes feel numb to the similarities among ancient towns, I am always moved by a moment of tenderness—maybe a rainy day stroll in Xitang, or a bird’s chirp in an ancient town early in the morning. This poetry hidden in everyday life is probably why Jiangnan’s ancient towns are so irresistible.