In Huzhou, I finally understood the concept of a slow life

In everyone's heart, there might be a utopia. North of Zhejiang, there is an ancient city in Jiangnan, known as the 'land of fish and rice,' which is Huzhou. It is not as bustling and prominent as Hangzhou, but it has its own unique and serene beauty. Huzhou is the utopia in the heart of the literary giant Su Shi. He wrote, 'Yuhang is naturally a haven of mountains and waters, but I have heard that Wuxing is even more serene and beautiful.' Su Shi's words reveal the picturesque scenery of Huzhou, a place he sought for half his life for its tranquility. In Huzhou, there is an ancient town called Nanxun, rich in history and culture, but not as famous as Wuzhen. Here, you can see the white walls and black tiles of the Jiangnan water town. People sit leisurely by the roadside on bluestone slabs, sipping smoked bean tea and tasting double-poured noodles with fried fish and crispy meat toppings. The oars of the rowboats occasionally break the calm surface of the water, creating ripples that seem like remnants of ancient times. In the small shops along the street, you can see the handmade Huzhou brushes, which require over 120 processes to complete. No wonder Huzhou brushes, along with Huizhou ink, Xuan paper, and Duan inkstone, are known as the 'Four Treasures of the Study.' The enthusiastic shop owner invites you to try the brush, and with a swift stroke, leaves behind beautiful calligraphy, making you marvel at the ink and wash heritage of Huzhou. In Huzhou, there is also a mountain scene that should not be missed. Mogan Mountain, with its lush forests and bamboo groves, heals Jiangnan. Here, you can find vast and continuous bamboo seas. Climbing the mountain and looking into the distance, the echoes of bird songs create an ethereal and serene atmosphere.