I prefer this hidden gem of an ancient town to Zhouzhuang!

The luckiest thing to happen to me in 2025! I discovered this hidden gem of a Jiangnan water town, Lili Ancient Town. I would call it the most beautiful water town in Jiangnan! It has a history of over 2,500 years, and it still retains its original appearance, with ancient houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the smoke and fire of small bridges and flowing water, and more than 100 crisscrossing alleys... The ancient town is not very commercialized, and you won't find any of the usual tourist snacks like fried squid, stinky tofu, or grilled meat skewers. Instead, you'll find authentic local specialties run by local residents, such as tofu pudding, oil cakes, rice wine, and fresh meat wontons... This is probably why I prefer it here. It gives me a more authentic Jiangnan experience! I stayed in the ancient town for three days, but I still wanted more. The ancient town is not big, and I walked back and forth, but I could always find something new! 🔁 If you don't have much time, follow this route to see the essence of Lili: Visitor Center ➡️ Liuyue Museum ➡️ Straw Hat Girl ➡️ Tea Sound ➡️ China Tin Museum ➡️ Liu Yazi Memorial Hall ➡️ Western Art Museum ➡️ Nanshe Yaji (Former Nanshe Communication Office) ➡️ "Let's Walk the Catwalk" Photo Exhibition ➡️ Datong Stationery Store ➡️ Prosperity Bookstore ➡️ Ancient Town Boat Tour This route goes from east to west, and you can cross the bridge and return at the end of the ancient town. ▪️ Liuyue Museum: A foreigner collected over 100,000 traditional Chinese folk artifacts, which is amazing. ▪️ Straw Hat Girl: A creative design store with a homestay and cafe in the back, perfect for afternoon tea. ▪️ Tea Sound: The teapots and coffee cups are very unique, and there is a storytelling performance at 10 am every day. ▪️ China Tin Museum: Tin crafts, beautiful and exquisite. ▪️ Liu Yazi Memorial Hall: You can learn about the rich life and literary achievements of this literary giant. ▪️ Western Art Museum: A Chinese person collected European royal art, and the facade looks small, but it is full of surprises, with five courtyards, each with its own surprises. ▪️ Nanshe Yaji: The former Nanshe Communication Office, now a gathering place for literati and scholars in the ancient town, where you can buy many literary works. ▪️ "Let's Walk the Catwalk" Photo Exhibition: A photo exhibition created by Lili Ancient Town, featuring cute cats in the ancient town, perfectly showcasing the relaxed atmosphere of the ancient town. ▪️ Datong Stationery Store: A cultural and creative store at the end of the ancient town, where you can have someone write a letter for you, experiencing the Chinese romance of "slow cars, slow letters, and a lifetime of love for one person." ▪️ Prosperity Bookstore: A bookstore created from the former residence of Jin Yucheng, the author of "Prosperity," designed by Jin Yucheng himself, with many film and television peripherals and books related to "Prosperity," as well as Jin's paintings. 🎫 Tickets: The ancient town is free 🆓, but some museums charge a fee. 🍲 Food recommendations: Fresh meat wontons, sausage, braised pork, Su-style noodles, oil cakes... There are many local specialties in the ancient town, and I will recommend more in the next article, including specialty foods and cafes.