The Most Beautiful April Days: Savoring Xinghua, Enjoying Slow Life in the Water City Flower Sea
"Without flowers in spring, without love in life, what kind of world would that be?" Spring has a hundred flowers, winter has snow; the beautiful spring is the perfect time to enjoy flowers. The warm breeze is gentle, and the domestic epidemic has gradually subsided, with work and life returning to normal. Although March's cherry blossoms could only be enjoyed on screens, in albums, or in the neighborhood, thanks to the efforts of countless medical workers, in April we can finally step outside, breathe freely, and not let the wonderful spring go to waste. The star flower of April is the brilliant rapeseed flower sea. Many people don't know that in Xinghua, there is one of the world's 'Four Great Flower Seas' β the 'Thousand-Islet Rapeseed Flowers.' The rapeseed flower sea that conquers the world is right nearby, how could we not go see it? Mr. Oskar and I agreed instantly, and while the sun was just right and the spring breeze not too strong, we set off for Xinghua to enjoy the most beautiful April days!
Tips for Savoring Xinghua
When traveling domestically, Mr. Oskar and I prefer self-driving trips. Bathing in the sun, passing by various street scenes and natural landscapes, we often stumble upon surprises. Currently, the highways are still toll-free, but remember to bring all documents (ID card, driver's license, vehicle registration), wear a mask, and be patient for registration and checks. Before having your temperature taken, remember to turn off the air conditioner in advance, especially if driving into the sun, as it can easily raise body temperature. Cool down beforehand. Xinghua's beauty extends far beyond the flower sea; it is also a famous historical and cultural city with deep heritage. Let's explore Xinghua with Junjun and experience its diverse wonders. All attractions in Xinghua have reopened normally, but mainly for individual visitors, with crowd control measures in place, so there won't be too many tourists. Remember to bring your mask, ID card, and health code for a worry-free trip! Sneak peek at must-visit spots: Xinghua Museum (Zheng Banqiao and Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall), Jindongmen Old Street, Qianduo Scenic Area, Bishui Dongluo, Lizhong Water Forest.
Cultural Xinghua: Strolling Through Old Streets to Discover History and Taste the Original Flavor
From Shanghai to Xinghua's Gongjitai, it took about three and a half hours, and we finally arrived at the hotel before lunch. After checking in, hungry and eager, we couldn't wait to indulge in a feast. To understand a city, start with the taste buds... Xinghua is a famous land of fish and rice, rich in aquatic products, and spring delicacies are especially flavorful. Spring bamboo shoots, wild vegetables, snails... each seasonal treat whets the appetite.
Perhaps due to my habit as an art teacher, what attracts me most to each dish is the color scheme and plating. Chinese cuisine always emphasizes color, aroma, and flavor. Each dish, from the serving vessel to the use of color in garnishes, is carefully and thoughtfully done. Like this small pot of river shrimp, decorated with a black-bottomed cherry blossom plate and strawberries, adds a touch of sweetness. The river shrimp is extremely tender and fresh, leaving an endless aftertaste.
The seemingly simple sliced beef, paired with yellow kumquats and red cherry tomatoes, has more vivid colors, stimulating the appetite and reducing the greasiness. Served on a plate inscribed with 'Invitation to Wine,' a mouthful of meat and a mouthful of wine β bold and carefree.
Spring bamboo shoots are the freshest in season. Whether braised in soup, with meat, or alone, they taste better than meat. Crisp, tender, and juicy, they are also an indispensable delicacy on the tables of Taizhou people.
Coming to Xinghua during the rapeseed flower season, it's a perfect trip to not only feast your eyes on the flower sea but also to savor the flavors on your tongue. Simple ingredients and simple cooking methods best highlight the deliciousness.
'During Qingming, snails are as good as goose' β around Qingming is the best time to eat snails! Plump, tender, and chewy, taking a sip of the soup with the snail meat is so addictive!
Xinghua mixed fish is also a local specialty. With its crisscrossing rivers and scattered lakes, Xinghua is abundant in aquatic products. The high-quality water and soil conditions make the fish exceptionally tender and delicious. Honestly, give me a plate of fish, and I can eat two bowls of rice. How many of you, like me, love mixing fish sauce with rice? Leave a comment to show support!
After a hearty meal, we were fully recharged and ready to digest. Our first stop was the Zheng Banqiao and Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall. Originally, we planned to bring Longlong along to explore history and culture and enjoy the spring flower sea, but his online classes couldn't stop, so we had to leave him at home to do homework. We'll come back on a weekend when we have time. The Zheng Banqiao and Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall is located within the Xinghua Museum. To understand a city, visiting the local museum is definitely a good choice. Although the entrance is unassuming, inside it's a different world. It's more like a garden than a museum. The main building is a three-story imitation antique structure. Outside, there are small bridges, flowing water, winding corridors, floating walkways, rockeries, strange stones, green plants, and flowers β a quiet and beautiful environment.
The museum details the ancient history of Xinghua, recreating its former prosperity through miniature landscapes. Xinghua has a history of over two thousand years. It was called Zhaoyang in ancient times, also known as Chushui. It has always been a land of fish and rice. Surrounded by water on all sides, with inconvenient transportation and a remote location, it became a land of idyllic beauty, giving rise to the saying 'Zhaoyang has always been a good place to avoid war.'
White walls, black tiles, and horse-head walls exude a strong old-time atmosphere, instantly transporting you back to the past. The garden-style design offers scenery at every turn. If I had the chance, I would love to change into Republic-era clothing or Hanfu and take a series of photos β just the thought is exciting! I'll arrange a session with my girlfriends another day.
Xinghua has a rich cultural heritage and has produced many talents, including Shi Nai'an, author of 'Water Margin' (one of China's Four Great Classical Novels), and Zheng Banqiao, leader of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, both world-renowned literati and painters. The museum has permanent exhibitions such as 'The Life and Artistic Achievements of Zheng Banqiao,' 'Historical Relics of Shi Nai'an,' 'Exhibition of Historical Celebrities of Xinghua,' 'Lv Houmin Photography Art Gallery,' and 'Relics Unearthed from Nandang,' which are open year-round. In addition, various temporary exhibitions are held from time to time.
The museum houses many calligraphy and painting works, represented by Zheng Banqiao of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, as well as precious works by many famous scholars from Xinghua, making it one of the museum's highlights. The relics unearthed from the tomb of Shi Nai'an's family are unique to the Xinghua Museum. Here you can fully understand Shi Nai'an's life and see many valuable cultural relics, making it popular among scholars and literati.
The Li Garden Boat Hall inside the museum is said to have been a wealthy merchant's private garden in the past. The interior is exquisitely decorated, and the structure of the building is particularly peculiar. The boat hall overall resembles a large ship. Perhaps because of Xinghua's numerous waterways, it was specially built in the shape of a boat, swaying among flowers and trees on land. One can't help but admire the poetic sensibility of the ancients. Entering the boat, chairs on both sides are symmetrically arranged, and at the end is a full-length mirror, revealing the spacious interior.
Walking south from the Boat Hall along a path, you can see the Qinmin Hall. A plaque reading 'Bright Mirror Hanging High' hangs high inside. Have you seen scenes like this in TV dramas? That's right, this is the restored Xinghua County Office, the former yamen, where Fan Zhongyan is said to have served as county magistrate for three years.
Throughout our visit to the museum, Mr. Oskar's shutter clicked incessantly. The antique buildings, the doorways shaded by green bamboos, the white walls and black tiles with climbing withered vines β all made him unable to stop focusing. You are taking pictures of the beautiful scenery, I am taking pictures of you β you are the most beautiful scene in my lens.
All the attractions in the museum are close to each other. Walking along the blue brick and stone paths, you always encounter surprises. This is probably what 'winding path leading to a secluded spot' means. Although there was a constant stream of visitors, they scattered as they walked, as if the noise was diluted by these paths and walls, leaving behind only quietness tinged with the scent of earth.
Zheng Banqiao's former residence is an ancient blue brick gate building. Inside, it reproduces his living appearance during his lifetime, displaying items he used and his calligraphy and paintings, as well as works by later celebrities from across the country dedicated to Zheng Banqiao. 'A room is elegant not for its size, but for its simplicity; flowers are fragrant not for their number, but for their essence' β as Zheng Banqiao advocated, his former residence, though simple, is not lacking in elegance. Various green plants ensure this refined room never lacks color in any season.
'It is rare to be muddled' is Zheng Banqiao's most classic and enduring saying. These simple four words carry profound meaning, and even today, they remain enlightening. We live busy lives, seeking truth in everything, which exhausts us physically and mentally. It is rare to be muddled. Taking a step back to gain a sense of relief can be a kind of wisdom in dealing with the world. I imagine Longlong would probably wish that Mr. Oskar and I could be a bit 'muddled,' so that tutoring him on his homework would be all harmony and love!
We came across a cherry tree in full bloom, blossoming alone among the green. Perhaps because it was in a secluded spot, it had lost track of time and was still blooming in April β quite rare. The dazzling red blossoms displayed the brilliance of spring. Let's make up for the cherry blossoms we missed this year here! Xinghua Museum (Zheng Banqiao and Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall) Visiting Tips: Address: No.13 Pailou Road, Xinghua City; Official website low to: ; Admission: Free; Opening hours: 8:30-18:00 (summer); 8:30-17:30 (spring, autumn, winter).
After leaving the museum, we continued to wander around. This area belongs to the Jindongmen Old Street district. In ancient times, this was a gathering place for shops, with many stores thriving and full of the hustle and bustle of life. Today, it still retains historic sites and residential buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, which are of great research value. Many local Xinghua people have lived here for generations, so walking through here, you can see the most ordinary residential life in Xinghua. The shops along the street have also been renovated and upgraded, preserving the old while incorporating the new. Amid the white walls and black tiles, beside the blue stone paths, you'll find ancient relics, as well as coffee shops, gift shops, or ordinary stores. Occasionally, around a corner, you might see a vendor selling fresh seasonal produce. The once-bustling commercial street is revitalized.
Traces of history are everywhere on the old street: creaky bicycles, old-style pull-chain streetlights, mottled iron doors and bronze locks β it feels like going back to childhood. Various delicious foods are also hidden in the alleys: tender water caltrops, fragrant wontons cooked over wood fire β let's have a nostalgic afternoon tea!
Many traditional craftsmen still live here, constantly refining and passing down their skills. Plaques on the walls and yellowed old photos silently tell of past glories.
From the side of the former residence, we took a small path into East Outer City Street. At the street entrance, we saw the famous Shangchizhai Pharmacy. Established during the Qing Dynasty, its name comes from the allusion in 'Biography of Bian Que' of the 'Historical Records': 'Drink the water from above the pool, and in thirty days you will know things.' The pharmacy consists of three halls, two wings, and one floor. The front two-story building was for writing prescriptions and dispensing medicine. Various medicine cabinets, bottles, processing tools, high counters, and hanging plaques have all been passed down from the old times. Although electronic scales are now widespread, this pharmacy still uses steelyard scales, which are no less accurate. Today, it remains a trusted Chinese medicine pharmacy for local Xinghua people, and getting prescriptions filled here has become a habit.
At the end of the old street stands the Zhuangyuan Archway, three stories high and magnificent, built to commemorate Li Chunfang, a Junior Preceptor of the Ming Dynasty, over 400 years ago.
Before leaving, Mr. Oskar experienced a traditional shave. In the eyes of the older generation, shaving is not just a cleaning but also a form of relaxation and enjoyment. The barber used skillful techniques not only to shave off stubble but also to remove dead skin from the face. Afterward, Mr. Oskar's face was visibly a shade lighter! It was amazing!
Zhao Haixian's Western-style Building in Shujia Lane on East Outer City Street was built and given by a local salt merchant in gratitude for Zhao Haixian's superb medical skills during the late Qing Dynasty. Climbing up to the building, you can overlook the entire Jindongmen residential area.
After walking for most of the day, we returned to the hotel to rest before dinner. This time we stayed at Xinghua Gongjitai Hotel. The magnificent lobby was a stark contrast to the old street we had just visited; it took a little getting used to.
The guest room was warmly decorated and fully equipped. It offered a view of Xinghua's streetscape, which was especially charming at night. For dinner, we tasted Xinghua's signature Banqiao Banquet at the hotel. As the name suggests, every dish on the banquet is related to Zheng Banqiao. The hotel thoughtfully provided descriptions of each dish and the stories behind them, making the dining experience all the more special.
Zheng Banqiao was also a gourmet. While tasting Huaiyang cuisine, he wrote many poems about food and had great insights. His culinary philosophy aligns with his philosophical and aesthetic views. Whether cold or hot dishes, each is carefully plated with unique color coordination, like a work of art, making it hard to disturb with chopsticks. But does the taste match the appearance? Let's try them with Junjun!
The main platter is the 'Orchid, Bamboo, and Stone' composition, paired with Zheng Banqiao's famous 'Bamboo and Stone.' The simple plating embodies his spirit of 'clearly being an official, diligently serving the people.' The side platters include Banqiao-style cooked shrimp, drunken snails with great flavor, 'muddled' mashed beans, Zhaoyang salted eggs, etc. They are refreshing and appetizing. Fried rice with chrysanthemum and wolfberry tea is also a Xinghua specialty, with a rice fragrance and a light floral aroma, helping to cut grease and nourish health. Four seasoning dishes enrich the layers of flavor in the meal.
In a land of fish and rice, shrimp and crab are indispensable. Xinghua's red crab paired with home-style lobster creates a double dose of umami. The plating is also creative. The Banqiao Banquet at Gongjitai has been continuously improved based on traditional dishes, retaining original flavors while further adapting to modern tastes and incorporating Xinghua characteristics β full marks for creativity and deliciousness!
This lotus duck is served with lotus leaves as a base and lotus flowers as decoration, just like Banqiao's poem: 'Hundreds of miles of lotus fields, thousands of homes by fish and ducks. The boatman poles but cannot push, the pink faces in the water are so lovely.' The clever color matching and dry-ice design give this duck a lotus fragrance. The meat is tender and leaves a sweet aftertaste β I couldn't help eating more than a few pieces.
This dish, 'Mazhen Guai' (麻丫倴ιηΊΏ), also piqued my curiosity. It looks like ordinary steamed egg, but covered with black and white messy threads. After reading the introduction, I learned that Zheng Banqiao had a childhood nickname 'Mazhen' (麻丫倴). After becoming famous, he modestly referred to his works as nothing but Mazhen's needlework. Hence the name. Though it looks ordinary, there's a hidden world inside. What 'secret ingredients' are there? Come and taste it yourself next time! This dinner was both wonderful and long, storing up full energy for tomorrow's flower-viewing trip. Tonight, let us fall asleep with the fragrance of green bamboo and the thought of that golden flower field.
Magnificent Xinghua: Touring the Qianduo Flower Fields, Attending a Spring Feast
The most anticipated part of this trip was, of course, the rapeseed flower fields. I couldn't wait to get going as soon as I woke up. But when in Rome, do as the Romans do. In Xinghua, this fertile land of fish and rice, life is always lived at a slow pace, like in a peach blossom haven. A beautiful day starts with morning tea.
Qingfeng Tea House is a famous local morning tea restaurant in Xinghua, opening at 6 a.m. Compared to our usual hurried breakfast of a bun and a cup of soy milk, Xinghua's morning tea is incredibly rich, equivalent to a lunch configuration: crab roe buns, soup dumplings, Three Delight buns, steamed dumplings, siu mai, boiled dried tofu shreds, scalded dried tofu shreds, various noodles... Sitting in the tea house, enjoying morning tea unhurriedly β this is Xinghua's slow life. Thinking about our busy daily lives, how long has it been since we last had a proper breakfast with our family? Morning tea is about warmth and comfort.
Seeing the crab roe overflowing buns, doesn't it make your mouth water? A delicious breakfast starts a wonderful day! Qingfeng Tea House Tips: Address: 3rd Floor, No.138 Yingzhong Middle Road, Xinghua City; Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 06:00-13:30, 17:00-21:00.
After leisurely enjoying our morning tea, we drove to the Qianduo Scenic Area, one of the world's 'Four Great Flower Seas.' Along the way, the urban scenery gradually gave way to fields and ditches. The warm spring breeze, carrying the fragrance of flowers, brushed against our faces. We vaguely saw a golden glow appearing ahead. Unable to contain our excitement, we peered further into the distance, as if going to meet our long-awaited idol. After checking our tickets and going through various epidemic prevention checks, a feast of flower fields unfolded before our eyes.
'Rivers have countless bends of clear water; fields have no mound without yellow flowers.' Xinghua's rapeseed flower fields are unique due to the extraordinary 'Qiantuo' (thousand islets) landscape: clear waters surround yellow flowers, distinguishing them from ordinary rapeseed fields, creating a unique landscape with world natural and cultural heritage value. Because the raised fields are high, well-drained, and fertile, they are especially suitable for growing fruits and vegetables, earning the saying 'Qianduo rapeseed leads the nation.' Due to the unique geographical conditions, the rapeseed flowers here are particularly lush, with large and dense blooms and a long flowering period. They sway in clusters, creating a magnificent spectacle.
The highest point in the scenic area is a lookout tower in the flower fields. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the entire flower sea. If you want to capture an aerial view of the fields, you must not miss this spot. From above, the raised fields, large and small, stretch endlessly like Chinese characters or a maze β strange and spectacular.
Viewing the rapeseed flower sea on the water can only be experienced in Xinghua's Qianduo. Here, ditches and canals crisscross. In ancient times, it was an important military pass. Today, the waters are rich in fish and shrimp, providing a source of wealth for local farmers. The rise of the Qianduo flower sea has also made this watery area a popular check-in spot. Rent a small boat or take a local dragon boat to travel through the flower fields. The lazy spring sun gently shines, rapeseed flowers brush past, leaving an intoxicating fragrance. Drifting slowly like this, time seems to slow down as well, temporarily forgetting our worries, enjoying the gifts of nature to the fullest.
'Golden yellow fills the eyes for a hundred miles; the spring colors intoxicate a thousand mountains.' Vast stretches of golden yellow, dazzling and brilliant, like the bright spring sun, dispelling the cold and gloom, igniting warmth and hope, bringing infinite vitality.
Holding hands with Mr. Oskar, we strolled through the rapeseed flower fields, as if returning to the innocent romance of our youth β the wild, running days! I said, you are the photographer who understands me best. You said, I am your best model. We talked about the past and future, always having endless topics to discuss. Sometimes we were silent, quietly accompanying each other, feeling the fragrance and sweetness of the flowers.
Mr. Oskar said that rapeseed flowers are not only fragrant but also sweet. When he was a child, he often ate raw rapeseed flowers to suck the nectar. He then asked me to try, so I reluctantly played the bee for a moment. The taste was not bad, but I still prefer the taste of rapeseed flower scrambled eggs.
Took a series of photos in the flower sea. The golden rapeseed fields make the best backdrop. How can the memory of spring be without flowers? I want to remember this fragrance, this golden color, to decorate every spring night's dream. Qianduo Scenic Area Visiting Tips: Address: Qianduo Town, Xinghua City; Ticket price: 90 yuan; Opening hours: 7:00-17:30 (the Rapeseed Flower Festival is held from March to May each year).
After visiting the flower sea, we continued along the waterway to Dongluo Village. This is a characteristic rural village in Xinghua, close to various scenic spots. Many tourists choose to stay in homestays here to experience authentic rural life.
Dongluo Village has an advantageous geographical location, surrounded by two rivers and two lakes. Rows of detached villas, embraced by clear waters, are everywhere adorned by lush flowers and trees, creating a pleasant environment. Living here feels like being isolated from the world. The quiet and comfortable life makes me particularly long for my old age, to watch the sun rise and set here, and to take a leisurely walk on the blue stone paths with Mr. Oskar.
Another tree in full bloom β spring's steps have slowed here too, reluctant to leave. While the flowers are in full bloom, let's use the camera to forever capture this moment of beauty.
The homestays here are mostly detached small villas, perfect for family vacations and relaxation. Outside the door, there are clear waters and blue skies, weeping willows and lush scenery β a very pleasant environment. The interior decoration is antique and elegant, mainly using wooden furniture combined with local characteristics, such as bamboo and linen products. The style is simple and grand, calming the troubled heart and allowing you to enjoy life in its most original form.
The bamboo-woven baskets and bags hanging on the walls are full of rural life. If I had the chance, I would love to roll up my pants legs, catch fish, shrimp, and snails in the river, and sit on a small boat singing while picking water caltrops β just thinking about it makes me happy.
In Bishui Dongluo, there is also a village history museum β Dongluo Qiusu. It is built with blue bricks and small tiles, using the ancient mortise and tenon structure without a single nail, yet it is very stable, truly amazing. The museum records the history of Dongluo Village, displays many local cultural elements, and shows the changes in Xinghua's rural areas over decades. Compared to the present, one can't help but applaud the achievements of rural revitalization.
For lunch, we tasted authentic farmhouse cuisine in Bishui Dongluo: lobster, river fish, high-soup meatballs... Fresh ingredients, simply cooked at home, have the most delicious taste.
After lunch, we continued to stroll in Bishui Dongluo to digest.
The auditorium in Dongluo Village is one of its landmark buildings. Built from the renovation of an old temple, it has a history of over 60 years. It is well-preserved and full of period characteristics. The interior has been modernized with various multimedia equipment. It is an important venue for village lectures, performances, gatherings, and so on.
Bishui Dongluo is a hub for rural tourism in Xinghua. After resting and refreshing here, we set off for another nearby attraction β Lizhong Water Forest.
Dreamlike Xinghua: Entering Lizhong Water Forest, Exploring the Mysterious Mist Forest
'Forest with water, water with fish, forest with birds' β this describes the unique landscape of Lizhong Water Forest. Don't be fooled by the lush woods today. In the early 1980s, this area was a barren beach. Local officials, in order to rationally develop and utilize resources, turned the barren beach into raised fields and planted aquatic tree species such as pond cypress and water fir, creating the vibrant water garden we see today.
The forest area is very large, making it the largest man-made wetland ecological forest in Jiangsu Province. The wooden boardwalks on the water meander through the forest, winding and leading to secluded spots. Occasionally, the planks creak, echoing through the woods, harmonizing with the birds' chirping, adding a special charm. There are wooden tables and chairs along the boardwalks, so you can sit and rest if you get tired. Take a deep breath in the forest and feel the purifying power of this natural oxygen bar.
Walking through the forest, you see straight and towering firs, lined up in rows, magnificent. Various birds frolic in the woods. There are wild ducks in the water, egrets by the shore, and owls, woodpeckers, magpies in the branches. In the crystal-clear water, you can see fish and shrimp swimming freely, full of rustic charm.
Wandering aimlessly, stopping now and then, we watched spring work its magic: the grass gradually turning green, flowers blooming, fallen trees nurturing new life, birds building nests and raising young. The vibrant scene is refreshing, relieving the fatigue of city life. Here, we slow down and enjoy time with our loved ones.
In the Water Forest, there is also a popular photo spot β the Mist Forest Wonderland. Doesn't the name sound dreamy? The scenery here is as dreamy as its name. Under the water firs, phlox subulata (or 'February Orchid') blooms in full glory, covering the green grass with a purple carpet. Bathed in the light that penetrates the dense forest, it glows with a dreamlike color, enchanting and captivating, as if stepping into a fairy tale, waiting for a unicorn to show the way. Every morning and evening, there is also a man-made mist, adding to the forest's mystical allure. We thought we had missed the mist, but we happened to be just in time. In the misty haze, we couldn't see the path clearly. The phlox glimmered with a faint purple, like dancing sprites. Surrounded by the swirling white mist, we felt as if we were in a fairyland, momentarily unable to distinguish reality from a dream. I quickly pressed the shutter to capture this fairy-tale moment with my camera. My girlish heart! As the mist rose and drifted, it settled on every petal of the phlox, leaving me intoxicated and unable to extricate myself.
Besides walking, you can also take a wooden raft to travel through the forest, feeling embraced by the green trees and clear waters. The forest area also provides fishing zones and entertainment areas for tourists, and regularly holds performances such as releasing wild ducks and fishing with cormorants, allowing you to fully experience the characteristics of the water towns. Such scenery is rare in city life. This vivid textbook β if I have the chance, I will bring Longlong to experience it together! Lizhong Water Forest Visiting Tips: Address: East Shunchuan Road, Lizhong Town, Xinghua City; Ticket price: 90 yuan; Opening hours: 08:00-17:00 (the Mist Forest Wonderland has man-made mist twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening).
Ending: Xinghua's Water City Flower Sea Slow Life
Leaving the Water Forest, we drove back to Shanghai. Reflecting on this trip to Xinghua, what impressed me most was the 'slow life' of Xinghua. For people accustomed to fast-paced city life, it is a kind of relaxation, a longing. Whether it was spending an afternoon strolling through the old streets, leisurely enjoying delicious morning tea, wandering freely in the Qianduo flower fields, or having a purple dream in the Water Forest, everything was leisurely and carefree. Xinghua is only a little over three hours' drive from Shanghai. You can spare a weekend, invite a few friends or a family of three, and come here to walk through the old streets, enter the countryside, embrace nature. It's a rare chance to relax and also to be 'muddled'!
