Living amidst a millennium of Confucianism, exploring the city on foot

I spent three days at the Nan Kong Grand Hotel on Butterfly Road in Quzhou, and finally understood why people say, "Staying here is like having Quzhou in your pocket"—red walls, ancient pagodas, a thousand years of Confucianism, and delicious street food, all within a half-hour walking radius. Stay | A garden where you fall asleep to the Analects Pushing open the wooden door of Nan Kong Grand Hotel, I was immediately struck by the elegance of the new Chinese style: a dry landscape garden shaded by pine and cypress trees in the lobby, gold-stamped excerpts from the Analects on the bedside lampshades, and even the staff greeted guests with an ancient bow. My 41㎡ room had a private balcony overlooking the landscape. Sipping a pot of Yulu tea while watching the bamboo shadows sway in the courtyard, I felt like a scholar who had traveled through time. The best surprise was that the hotel was a 3-minute walk from Mazhandi Food Street. When the spicy duck heads made me sweat, I could rush back to my room and cool down with the smart toilet. Explore | A cultural map connected by footsteps 1. Confucius Southern Sect Family Temple (5-minute walk) The only two Confucius family temples in the country lived up to their reputation. A 10-yuan ticket got me a mini Analects. The red walls in the morning were especially picturesque, with sunlight filtering through the 700-year-old ginkgo tree, scattering gold leaf on the stone slabs. 2. Shuiting Gate (15-minute walk) During the day, the Tianwang Pagoda resembles a silent elder. For 49 yuan, you can climb the tower and see the jade-like Xin'an Lake nestled in the city. But I recommend coming in the evening! When the city walls light up, the Wu Opera begins on the ancient stage. Buy a cup of crystal cake and stroll through the cultural and creative shops. At 8 o'clock sharp, rush to the pier for a boat tour. The light show on both sides of the river tells the story of the Southern Confucius, and the evening breeze is filled with the gentleness of Jiangnan. 3. Beimen Street (5-minute walk from the Confucius Temple) Strolling out of the side gate of the Confucius Temple, I unexpectedly stumbled into the past. The bluestone road connects the bell tower and Zhao Bi Ancestral Hall, and the mottled carvings on the lintels of old houses are more vivid than any museum. At the alley entrance, decorated with red lanterns, I bought a freshly baked "Dong Baba baked cake." The slightly burnt flatbread was filled with spicy meat sauce, and I had to eat it while it was hot, even if it burned my hands. Eat | 24 hours of spicy food Waking up to the hotel breakfast every day was a joy: the aroma of rice from Longyou rice cakes mixed with osmanthus honey, and the toppings for Changshan tribute noodles changed daily. But the real battle was at Mazhandi: • Lao Pei duck heads' spicy aroma wafts through the streets. I recommend starting with mild spicy; • Quzhou baked cakes should be ordered with both preserved vegetables and fresh meat. The thin and crispy crust will burst with juice; • The mint flavor of crystal cakes is a spicy antidote, and adding coconut makes it even chewier; Tips | Must-haves for lazy people 1. You can get a map at the hotel reception, which even clearly marks the ancient wells in the alleys; 2. Go to Fushan Park in the early morning to see locals practicing Tai Chi, which is more authentic than any tourist attraction; 3. Remember to book the Xin'an Lake cruise one day in advance. The window seats offer the best view of the show; 4. If you're afraid of spicy food, remember to bring stomach medicine. Quzhou cuisine will make you suffer and enjoy at the same time. This trip was like opening a set of nesting dolls: the hotel was the exquisite lacquerware shell, the walkable attractions were the carved inner layers, and the moment of squatting in the alley eating duck heads was the candy hidden deep inside.