The myriad forms of life in the south of the Yangtze River: Keqiao Ancient Town

Located in Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, Keqiao Ancient Town has a long history and was once a key town along the ancient canal in eastern Zhejiang. The Ke River flows through the town's streets and rivers, and the town is named after the bridge, which is also named after the water. Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the types of businesses in the ancient town of Keqiao have been relatively complete, with over a hundred shops. Among the many types of shops in Keqiao Ancient Town, the most famous is the dyeing workshop. Keqiao has always been particularly good at dyeing and textile development, among which Dachang Dyeing Workshop is the largest and most famous one in Keqiao. Its traditional dyeing uses plant dyes like gardenia, and only later began to add some modern mineral chemical dyes. The dyed cloth will be starched and bleached by the river, and then hung up to dry on the high racks on the shore. The dyed cloth fluttering in the wind has also become a beautiful scenery in Keqiao Ancient Town over time. Keqiao dried tofu is also known as 'vegetarian ham', it is tough but not hard, has a tea aroma, and has a long aftertaste, so Shaoxing people say 'fresh jiji' (meaning particularly fresh) when eating dried tofu. In the past, there were many such 'water workshops' in Keqiao Ancient Town, and people passing through Keqiao would get off the boat or car to buy some to take home for tasting. Don't look at it as just a small piece of dried tofu, its production process is very complex, and each step is strict and scientific. The old masters who make Keqiao dried tofu are skilled and meticulous, wrapping the taste of the water town into the small dried tofu, and also passing on the craftsmanship spirit contained in the traditional food making skills. Keqiao Ancient Town Scenic Area