My first exploration of Anqing

Anqing feels like other riverside cities, clean and moist. It is the birthplace of the Tongcheng School and the 'An' in Anhui refers to this place. It was also one of the earliest foreign trade ports and the first official Westernization project site. After all, my ancestors were once wealthy here, and although it has declined, there is still a sense of confidence. The old neighborhoods at the South Gate still have red brick houses, the streets are old but tidy and not dilapidated, the chubby dogs are as leisurely as their owners, the cats at Yingjiang Temple sit solemnly in front of Buddha, and the white Samoyed at the temple gate is as plump as a gas tank, sitting down when called, a big lump in front of you begging for a pat Opposite Yingjiang Temple is the Yangtze River crossing, where you can take a 3-yuan ferry to the other side. There's also Daobai Lion Ancient Street, whose aesthetics can easily outclass most of China's newly built so-called historical and cultural districts. The shops are mostly related to cultural industries, with various old brand signs and foreign goods store names from the trading port hanging high. The former site of the Great Qing Post Office has been turned into a postal history museum, and the cultural and creative products inside are quite thoughtful. It's worth mentioning that at both ends of the ancient street, there are white walls with poems by Hai Zi, who was from Anqing. Entering from this end is the famous 'Facing the sea, spring blossoms,' and at the other end is dedicated to Anqing: Five-year-old dawn Five-year-old horse You face the river water Sit down Drift everywhere Ask the naive girl Ask the restless aunt in the center of Anqing city About you. Talk about you Maybe a younger sister Maybe an older sister Maybe a marriage Maybe a friendship The modern poetry wall on the ancient street, where commerce and art blend seamlessly! At the exit of Daobai Lion Street, there are several famous century-old brands, all offering food. I bought various sauces from 'Hu Yumei,' and next door, Mailongxiang's pastries were surprisingly delicious and cheap. The old-fashioned cream cakes with solid cream were of excellent texture, and I regretted not buying the two boxes in the shop to take home especially since they were only ten yuan a box, while similar cakes from the bakeries I usually go to are three times the price. This place is a typical underrated city, but it's worth taking a walk and having a look. Oh, and before leaving, I had a very satisfying dinner at Song Hui Cook, which felt like 20 years ago when I first ate at Grandma's Home in Hangzhou. How to put it, the decoration was so unique, the service and environment so good, the dishes were all on point, and the price, how can it be so cheap!