A Slow Life in the Secluded Jiangnan, Small Joys of Earthly Happiness — A Travelogue of Yangzhou and Taizhou

📍 Queenstown · 👁 2296 reads · ❤️ 1 likes

Is it the tranquility and dreaminess of "Misty rain in Jiangnan, a light boat rippling on the waves,"

Or the hazy beauty of "Mist veils the cold river, moonlight sands the shore, mooring at night by Qinhuai River near the tavern,"

Or the spring scenery of "Fair southern shore, with scenes I much adore. At sunrise riverside flowers redder than fire, in spring green river waves grow as blue as sapphire."

In any case, one must go to Jiangnan, to see the old streets and alleys, the green bricks and grey tiles, all etched with the long passage of time.

I originally had no intention of going to Jiangnan, but Jiangnan found its way into my heart. Taking advantage of a business trip, and following the repeated invitations of friends, accompanied by the autumn sun, we finally went to the Jiangnan that had "entered my heart" and experienced the different charms of two small Jiangnan cities — Yangzhou and Taizhou. Yangzhou, a city living in Chinese poetry, every brick and tile exudes the flavor of Jiangnan. Sunlight filters through the tender leaves of willows, scattering on the ancient canal, sparkling and shimmering, while the long river of history still tells tales of a thousand years. Taizhou, a low-key and happy small city, borders Yangzhou to the west and the Yangtze River to the south. Every river flows with the poetry of life.

DAY1: Chengdu → Taizhou

After school on Friday, taking Peach Sister with me, we caught the afternoon flight from Shuangliu Airport to Yangzhou Taizhou Airport. As the airport name suggests, Yangzhou and Taizhou are indeed very close. Our first stop was a friend's home in Taizhou.

Since we needed to travel for several days, we had to arrange for our little family member — Little Cola — in advance. Early in the morning, we sent him to a friend's house. The little guy lived up to expectations, eating and sleeping well through four happy days.

DAY2: Taizhou

Yuxing Morning Tea + Taizhou Ancient Street + Bathing Culture Experience

Taizhou's happiness does not stem from its history, but from its slow pace and lifestyle. The locals have a saying: "In the morning, the skin wraps water; in the evening, water wraps the skin."

The so-called "morning skin wraps water" refers to having Taizhou morning tea. Since the Jianghuai region is rich in waterways, producing abundant river and river delicacies, one can enjoy such exquisite flavors as Qinhu Eight Delicacies, Red Paste Hairy Crab, Sizzling Eel Shreds, Shepherd's Purse Pufferfish, Crab Roe Soup Dumplings, and Shrimp Dumplings. Truly a breakfast of paradise!

As for Taizhou's "evening water wraps the skin," it means you must go for a scrub bath in the evening. As a small city with a thriving bathing culture, the full-service experience of soaking, scrubbing, massage, and late-night snacks left us comfortable down to every strand of hair.

DAY3: Taizhou → Yangzhou

Slender West Lake + Huaiyang Cuisine + China Grand Canal Museum

Early in the morning, we drove an hour to our second destination — Yangzhou.

"Of all the moonlight on earth, two parts are claimed by Yangzhou," Li Bai captured the charm and tenderness of Yangzhou city and the lingering romance of Jiangnan scenery. The slow-paced life echoes San Mao's words: "This is where you have set your mortal heart; this is a dream you can never reach."

At noon, my sister treated us to Huaiyang cuisine. As one of the four great traditional Chinese cuisines, it has a unique flavor suitable for both north and south, with distinctive features of "harmony, refinement, freshness, and novelty." The combination of dish presentation and color strives for excellence in color, aroma, taste, and form, offering a dual pleasure for the eyes and palate.

Mr. Feng Tang said,

"The height of a city's soul is reflected in its museums."

To understand a city, one should start from a museum 💛🧡.

The China Grand Canal Museum is an absolute must-visit in Yangzhou!

Grand in scale, immersive experience, the collision of tradition and technology, dreamlike and enchanting. It is hailed as the "Encyclopedia of the Grand Canal of China."

DAY4: Taizhou → Chengdu

Morning Tea + Buying Crabs at the Crab Pond + Return Trip

Memories of Yangzhou and Taizhou: "Life is long, so live slowly. Eat a bowl of worldly food, steal half a day of leisure."

In today's fast-paced society, slow living has become a luxury. Everyone hurries through their days, oscillating between involution and lying flat, draining themselves. Why not occasionally set aside "the rush of life" and experience "the slow pace of Yangzhou"?

Perhaps what moves us is not the scenery, but this touch of worldly flavor, or the people we hold dear.

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