Don’t just know Wuzhen! The rustic charm of Anchang Ancient Town makes you want to stay

Who says all Jiangnan ancient towns are the same? Without the noise of over-commercialization, the whole street filled with the aroma of cured meats, the weathered bluestone slabs, and elderly people chatting leisurely by the bridge… This unadorned rustic feeling makes you want to linger🏘️ Here’s a personally tested guide～ 🚶‍♀️How to explore the ancient town? ✔️ Walk through the "Sausage Corridor": The main street of the ancient town is hung with bright red sausages and marinated ducks, shiny and super tempting! Sunshine filters through the eaves onto the cured meats, every snap is full of rich life vibes📸 Remember to ask the shop owner for a sample, salty and fragrant with a hint of wine, absolutely amazing～ ✔️ Take a ride on a black-awning boat: About 100 yuan per boat (can share), the boatman rows through stone bridges, watching the white walls and black tiles on both sides slowly recede, much quieter than Wuzhen～ Passing by waterside homes, you can even see grandmas picking vegetables at the door, so full of life atmosphere🌿 ✔️ Visit "Suikang Qianzhuang": The old money exchange site in the ancient town, where you can see the counters and ledgers from back in the day, instantly transported back to the Republic of China era～ The nearby folk culture museum is also worth a visit, with old Shaoxing bridal sedan chairs, wine jars, spinning wheels… all traces of time⏳ 🍜Must-try food list! ✅ Anchang Sausage: Just pick any old shop, recommended to get some with a bit of fat, steamed to release a rich aroma! Vacuum packaging available for takeaway～ ✅ Yellow Wine Popsicle: A must-try! Light yellow wine flavor plus creamy taste, sweet but not greasy, super refreshing in summer🍦 ✅ Marinated Duck: Even more flavorful than sausage, firm meat texture, perfect with a bowl of plain porridge～ You can buy half to eat on the spot or take home ✅ Pulled White Sugar: An old grandpa makes it fresh at the old street entrance, pulled long and crystal clear white sugar, a sweet nostalgic treat🍬 ✅ Renchang Soy Sauce: A century-old brand! You can buy a bottle of original brewed soy sauce, especially fragrant for cooking, many locals come here to get soy sauce～ 🏡Where to stay for the vibe? If you want to experience the slow life of the ancient town, we recommend staying at a waterside guesthouse! ✔️ Inns renovated from old houses: Wooden-structured rooms, open the window to river views, wake up in the morning to birdsong and water sounds～ At night, sit on the balcony and enjoy the breeze, listening to the distant sound of oars, so cozy🌙 ✔️ Budget-friendly option on the outskirts of the ancient town: Cheaper prices, 10 minutes walk to the town, perfect for budget travelers～ 💡Helpful Tips: ❶ The ancient town is free! Only a few small attractions (like the money exchange and folk museum) charge admission, combined ticket is 35 yuan, very cost-effective～ ❷ Best season: December to January! Every household hangs cured meats, the New Year atmosphere is strong, and you can see the lively scenes of sausage stuffing and making preserved goods🏮 ❸ Wear light-colored clothes for photos: White, cream, light blue match perfectly with the bluestone slabs and red lanterns of the ancient town, photo success rate up～ ❹ Avoid weekends! Very few people on weekdays, you can enjoy the tranquility of the ancient town alone, no one will photobomb your shots～ Stayed in Anchang for two days, no rush to any itinerary, just slowly strolling the old streets, eating snacks, watching boats come and go… This undisturbed rustic feeling is what a Jiangnan ancient town should be like～ Next time I want to stay for a week!❤️