Night falls, three spectacular shows take the stage! How wonderful is Shajiabang after dark?

In the lovely spring scenery of Jiangnan, night is falling. Walking along Hengjing Old Street in Shajiabang Scenic Area, gazing at the whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs illuminated by lights, I marvel at how the tourism in my hometown Changshu has reached a new level.

Hengjing Old Street has never been so lively at night. As a major event in Changshu, on the evening of March 6th, I was fortunate to witness the lighting ceremony of 'Illuminating Hengjing, Brightening the Future' — the 2021 Shajiabang 'Hengjing Sleepless Night' and the opening of the 4th Shajiabang Wetland Blue Flower Festival.

Changshu Shajiabang Reed Marsh Scenic Area is a national 5A-level tourist destination and one of the largest ecological wetlands in East China. The four-color tourism — 'Red Educational Tour' themed on revolutionary traditions, 'Green Eco Tour' focusing on sightseeing and leisure, 'Golden Gourmet Tour' featuring local aquatic delicacies, and 'Film & Culture Tour' highlighting the ancient town culture — has long been acclaimed.

I visit Shajiabang Scenic Area several times each year, experiencing its different moods through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. I've grown familiar with every blade of grass, every tree, and every flower here.

Whenever friends come to my hometown, I always recommend Shajiabang Scenic Area, where you can find the authentic Jiangnan. Hengjing Old Street, the reed maze, hand-rowed boats, and Jiangnan-style guesthouses... all leave my friends longing to return.

Now, with 'Hengjing Sleepless Night,' Shajiabang Scenic Area gives you even more reasons to stay a few more nights.

'Spend a night to discover a story, meet a bygone era on an old street.' The newly created 'Hengjing Sleepless Night' combines immersive performances, folk arts, light-and-shadow technology, street sightseeing, nighttime boat rides, costume dress-up interactions, and more, offering visitors a multi-layered, three-dimensional night tour experience.

The sky was still a deep blue as the lanterns began to glow. Full of anticipation, I arrived early at Hengjing Old Street.

Hengjing Old Street was reconstructed for the filming of the TV drama 'Shajiabang.' It preserves the old appearances of rural architecture, absorbs the essence of Jiangnan ancient towns, and recreates the street life of the 1930s and 1940s, awakening memories of 'the hometown of one's dreams.'

The essence of Jiangnan needs to be savored slowly. Here you'll find the Diao Family Courtyard, the Weng Family Distillery, a blacksmith's shop, blue calico fabric, the old street post office, and most famously, Aqing's Wife's Chunlai Tea House — the very scene described as: 'Build a seven-star stove, boil water from three rivers in a copper kettle, set out an eight-immortal table, and welcome guests from all around.'

Visitors stroll in twos and threes along the old street. Young couples smile into camera lenses; children pester their fathers to buy cotton candy; older visitors sigh over the passage of time; by the old houses lining the river, someone leans on the railing, lost in thought....

There are also local delicacies like tofu pudding, wrinkled-silk wontons, folded dried tofu, and Shajiabang braised chicken, just waiting for foodies to discover one by one.

Shajiabang's Hengjing Old Street lit up at night feels completely different from daytime — radiant and enchanting. Though not long, this Hengjing Old Street is a condensed version of Jiangnan.

There are two guesthouses inside Shajiabang Scenic Area: Jiangnan Luhua Bay and Jiuzhu Guesthouse. One is right on Hengjing Old Street, the other across the river, both very close. I suggest you stay overnight; after watching the 'Hengjing Sleepless Night' performances, you can simply stroll back to your room.

The 'Hengjing Sleepless Night' program consists of three parts: 'Iron Flower Loyal Hearts,' 'Reed Swamp Night,' and 'Secret War: Shajiabang.' Let me give you a taste of how wonderful Shajiabang's nights are now!

I once saw a 'datiehua' (iron flower) performance in Jincheng, Shanxi, and it remains vivid in my memory. Datiehua, a national intangible cultural heritage, is a traditional folk fireworks display from the Henan-Shanxi region, originating in the Northern Song Dynasty, flourishing in the Ming and Qing dynasties, with a history of over a thousand years.

I never expected such a spectacular performance in my hometown's Shajiabang, Changshu — it truly impressed me. I silently resolved to bring my parents to experience it.

The brilliant iron flowers lit up the night sky, as transient as fireworks. Combined with the setting of the Reed Marsh Theater, it created a unique beauty. People took out their phones and cameras to capture this dreamlike moment and share it with friends, yet it felt impossible to truly capture the feeling through the lens.

A Jiangnan dream, dancing iron flowers, beautiful stories... The performance ended, and everyone felt they hadn't had enough.

Travel through time and step into the story — that's the overall feeling I got from 'Reed Swamp Night.' This immersive performance makes you forget who you are, as if you've returned to bygone days.

Guard post at the gate, red shadows lurking, deep affection, a battle of wits, a wedding procession... Through one story after another, you feel the tales that history hasn't forgotten, the deep bond between soldiers and civilians, the joy of a traditional wedding.

At the Chunlai Tea House by night, you can sip a pot of tea while listening to the storytellers on stage — an uncle and auntie vividly recounting tales of Shajiabang.

As the night deepens, at the Hengjing Theater not far from Hengjing Old Street, another grand finale is about to begin. The half-hour performance 'Secret War: Shajiabang' is captivating every minute, with an impressive cast that dazzles the eyes. The costumes, lighting, and actors are all highly professional.

Music, dance, acrobatics, light and shadow... combined with a concise yet wonderful story, unfold gracefully. You simply must experience it for yourself.

Meanwhile, the 4th Shajiabang Wetland Blue Flower Festival has also kicked off. Shajiabang Scenic Area has launched various 'blue flower' themed activities and culinary products. 'Admire the blue flowers, savor spring banquets, tour Hengjing, stay at a guesthouse' — the overall experience at Shajiabang Scenic Area is getting better and better!

Enjoy the 'Water Blue Flower Field,' watch 'Hengjing Sleepless Night' — come to Shajiabang Scenic Area in Changshu, Jiangsu, to experience the authentic Jiangnan, and feel the splendid day and night of Shajiabang's every moment!

About the author: Ruoyousuosi CS, a Jiangnan girl, a global traveler. Click 'Follow' above to share travel and life tidbits with you.