Compared to Wuzhen, I love this lesser-known ancient town even more, and I'm truly afraid it

Who says all Jiangnan water towns look the same? Puyuan Ancient Town is so breathtakingly beautiful it leaves you speechless, like a three-dimensional ink painting that has traveled through time from the Southern Song Dynasty, stunning the senses! With the thousand-year-old Grand Canal flowing gently by, Puyuan Ancient Town quietly weaves its unique Southern Song charm through moss-covered bluestone paths and the lively silhouettes of upturned eaves. This understated gem hidden in Tongxiang, Jiaxing might just be the most authentic and enchanting version of Jiangnan water towns—the ultimate answer to what makes them so special! ------ 📍Location: Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town, Tongxiang, Jiaxing 🚇Transportation Guide 🚅By High-Speed Rail: After arriving at Jiaxing South Station or Tongxiang Station, a taxi ride will get you to the ancient town in under 30 minutes. 🚗By Car: The scenic area has reasonably priced parking—¥10 for 6 hours or ¥15 for 9 hours—so you can explore worry-free. 🌟For first-time visitors, follow this carefully curated route for an unforgettable Puyuan experience: Visitor Center ➠ Siwan Street ➠ Shufang Zen Garden ➠ Fushan Temple ➠ Pufu (Treasure Hall) ➠ Guanwang Temple ➠ Yunxiang Yichang ➠ "Cat in the Box" Limited-Time Experience Zone ➠ Puyuan Guild Hall (Puku) ➠ Yue Family Three Jinshi Residence (Puppet Show) ➠ Wool Workshop ➠ Louxia Street (Food Street) ➠ Beigeng Tower 📝Every corner of Puyuan holds unique charm and stories: ✔️If you love ancient culture, don’t miss the incense-making experience at Puxiang Hall. Grinding spices and shaping incense becomes a meditative journey, leaving you serene and immersed in your own little world. Lighting your handmade incense fills the air with tranquility. ✔️Shufang Zen Garden: Its waterside landscape is dreamlike! Winding bridges and white walls with black tiles reflect on shimmering water, creating a stunning scene. When mist rises, strolling here feels like stepping into a fairy tale—every photo looks like a soft-filtered masterpiece. ✔️Fushan Temple: This thousand-year-old temple, embodying Southern Song heritage, stuns with its mortise-and-tenon structure. Every detail showcases ancient craftsmanship, making you marvel at history’s brilliance. ✔️The "Rain Listening House" next to Xide Coffee offers unexpected romance. Even on sunny days, you can experience the poetic ambiance of "listening to rain," as if time slows to heal weary souls. ✔️Puyuan’s Umbrella Alleys blend classic and modern vibes perfectly. Puchuan’s alley, draped with oil-paper umbrellas, feels timeless, while Beiheng Street’s aurora-colored umbrellas add a trendy twist—a striking contrast. ✔️The town’s cultural richness shines too. The Treasure Hall displays artifacts from Puyuan’s golden ages (Song to Qing dynasties). Yunxiang Yichang showcases elegant Puyuan silk garments, highlighting Jiangnan’s textile legacy. The Puyuan Guild Hall revives its mercantile glory with "Puyin" (silver) and "Puchou" (silk) exhibits, echoing its past prosperity. ✔️Don’t forget Sanhua Miao Miao House on Candle Street—high-five the adorable cats for pure joy! ✔️End your day with a floral boat ride from Puyuan Pier. As night falls and lanterns glow, the riverside transforms into an ink-wash painting you’ll never want to leave. 📌 Tips ✔️Hanfu Rental: Siwan Street’s Song-style Hanfu shop offers full styling to transport you back in time. ✔️Boat Ride Must: Shared boats cost just tens of yuan per person—great value! For privacy, chartering one, though pricier, is worth every penny. ✔️Timing Hack: Dawn and dusk turn the town into a photographer’s paradise, with soft light and crowd-free scenes for postcard-perfect shots.