Jinze Ancient Town is not just about the scenery

Jinze is located in the southwestern part of Qingpu District, and it is the most southwestern town of Qingpu District. Jinze Town is 22 kilometers away from Qingpu city center and 66 kilometers away from the center of Shanghai. To the north, it is adjacent to Dianshan Lake, to the east it borders Xicen Town, to the west it is next to Shangta Town, and to the south, it is bordered by the Taipu River and Da Shun Town of Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province. To the west, it follows National Highway 318 and borders Lüxu Town of Wujiang City, Jiangsu Province. A north-south flowing river, the Shihe, runs through the town, with many tributaries converging. The total area is 26.44 square kilometers, with lakes and ponds scattered throughout, and a network of rivers and ports crisscrossing, making it a typical Jiangnan region known for its fish and rice. Jinze Town has a long history, established before the year 960 AD (early Song Dynasty), with a saying that it flourished in the Song and Yuan dynasties. Legend has it that in ancient times, a farmer found a stone as precious as gold, hence the name 'Gold Stone' was once used. It is also said that this place, being a water town and producing fish and rice comparable to gold, was thus named 'Jinze'. A road named Jinxi Road divides the old street into a southern and a northern district. After visiting the southern district, we crossed the road to the northern district. Most people head straight to the southern district when they visit the ancient town, so here you meet more of the original residents of the town. Xu's Hall and Wang's Residence are century-old houses in the ancient town and are cultural preservation units. Visitors can enter and visit for free. The buildings are increasingly dilapidated, and the interiors are filled with old items in disarray. Only from the stone door frames and the brick and tile of the eaves can one still discern some of the former grandeur. Compared to the hustle and bustle of the city center, this place is particularly tranquil. Every house and tile, every bridge and waterway, every flower and tree, all embody a rich and simple ancient charm, as if they are part of a leisurely and pleasant ancient town landscape painting.