The beautiful QianDeng Ancient Town

QianDeng Ancient Town is a quaint town with a long history, and it is also a great destination for weekend trips near Shanghai. We went there by car as a family, and parking in the area was particularly convenient. The ancient town covers a large area, so it's definitely a place that requires a leisurely stroll to fully appreciate.

How extraordinary it is to be rated as the number one water town in the south of the Yangtze River by 'National Geographic'

As one of the six ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River, Zhouzhuang Ancient Town is built along the river, with bridges and streets connected, resembling a natural landscape painting. Imagine walking on the bluestone path with an oil-paper umbrella on a rainy day, watching the small bridges over flowing water and the households, at this moment, you are not just viewing the scenery; you are part of it. It's as if time stands still at this moment, the commercialization of the town is not so intense, what remains is the homely atmosphere of the alleys. If one day you don't feel like going to work, why not take a stroll in this water town of the south of the Yangtze River.

Suzhou, you're not being fair, hiding such a beautiful ancient town | Qiandeng Ancient Town

Qiandeng Ancient Town is located in Kunshan, Jiangsu, originally named "Qiandun", which emerged from the Wu-Yue rivalry. The town is not large, covering only a few square kilometers, but it has a long history of nearly 2500 years. Gu Yanwu, a thinker from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, was born here. Gu Yanwu's former residence is unassuming from the outside, with a quiet and tidy courtyard, but the further inside you go, the more imposing it becomes. The five-entry architectural layout highlights the depth and grandeur of the residence. 🚉 Travel Tips: For self-driving, if there is no overnight plan, you can directly navigate to "Qiandeng Ancient Town Parking Lot". From Kunshan Railway Station (Kunshan Station), take bus 4/117/33 to the South Bus Passenger Station, then transfer to bus 112 to Qiandeng Station From Kunshan South Station, take bus 101 to the South Bus Passenger Station, then transfer to bus 112 to Qiandeng Station 🎫 Ticket: The scenic area is free all year round, but some attractions charge separately 🗓 Itinerary: The ancient town is not large, divided into North Street and South Street, with rivers running through the town, small bridges over flowing water, white walls and black tiles, all showcasing the charm of the Jiangnan region. The old street is lined with shops of various sizes, similar to other ancient towns, offering products including clothing, food, antiques, and cultural playthings. The scenic area is very photogenic, especially suitable for wearing cheongsams and Hanfu. Accommodation A good stay is key to a good time! Qiandeng Ancient Town is famous for its night scene. Although it is not large, you can stay overnight to enjoy the night view and the light show.

Qiandeng Ancient Town: The Sedimentation and Blossoming of Time

Qiandeng Ancient Town, like a dazzling pearl, is embedded in the land of the south of the Yangtze River. Stepping into the ancient town is like traveling through a tunnel of time, returning to the bygone years. The ancient streets are narrow and winding, flanked by well-arranged Ming and Qing dynasty buildings with white walls and black tiles, exuding an antique charm. The town's waterways crisscross, and the rivers are clear to the bottom. Ancient bridges span across them, like beautiful rainbows. Standing on the bridge, looking into the distance, one can't help but feel a sense of tranquility and timelessness. Qiandeng Ancient Town has a rich historical and cultural heritage. Ancient temples, ancestral halls, and old houses bear witness to the vicissitudes of time. Entering these buildings is like hearing the echoes of history and feeling the wisdom and emotions of the ancients. The pace of life in the ancient town is slow and peaceful. The residents still retain their traditional way of life, living their days leisurely and contentedly. Here, you can forget the hustle and bustle of the world, calm your mind, and appreciate the beauty of life. As night falls, the ancient town is brilliantly lit. Lanterns are hung high, illuminating the entire town. At this moment, Qiandeng Ancient Town is like a dreamy world, intoxicating and unforgettable. Qiandeng Ancient Town is a town that carries history and culture, attracting countless visitors with its unique charm. Here, you can savor the flavor of history, feel the beauty of nature, and enjoy a peaceful and pleasant time.

Qiandeng Ancient Town

Qiandeng Ancient Town The first stop of my leisure year card return plan is Qiandeng Ancient Town. The leisure year card is about to expire, and I haven't used it once. So the first stop is Qiandeng Ancient Town. There are not many people in Qiandeng on weekdays, and the attractions feel quite scattered, one here and another there. Summary as follows: Gu Yanwu's former residence is ok Gu Yanwu's former residence is really big, and the garden is also super big, it's quite nice for taking photos. Most of the time was spent walking around inside. However, the road in front of the door is under construction, so you have to take a big detour. Qiandeng Lamp Museum is ok Inside, there are many lamps from different eras, from the Han Dynasty to the Republic of China, really a thousand lamps, it's quite interesting. Those interested can take a look, there is a courtyard inside that is very nice for taking photos. Ancient Opera Stage A place to listen to Kunqu opera, not much to do with 'ancient'. It's nice to go listen when you are tired of walking. Yu's Pawnshop The pawnshop at the entrance is quite interesting, you can see what pawnshops looked like in the past, but the inside is very average, there is a strange stone exhibition and Xu Fu's former residence together. Qinfeng Tower is ok Located in a temple, the temple is very big. It's nice to wander around inside. There is a jade reclining Buddha, with a compassionate appearance, seems to be in the style of the Tang Dynasty. Gu Jian Memorial Hall Gu Jian is the ancestor of Kunqu opera, but the memorial hall is really small. However, what's thoughtful is that there is a sensor for explanations in each exhibition hall. As you approach the door, the introduction starts, and listening to the explanations will give you a better understanding.

Strolling through the ancient town of Qiandeng

Qiandeng ancient town is located at No. 11 Shangshu Road, Qiandeng town, Suzhou city, with its antique buildings that seem to tell stories of a century. Walking on the stone-paved lanes of the ancient town, the shops along the way are full of dazzling crafts; the fragrant snacks, each bite is a memory of childhood, including shredded radish fritters, osmanthus cakes, zongzi, fried stinky tofu, and of course, the Qingtuan for Qingming Festival. The bridge is bustling with people, and the water flows gently beneath, as if one could hear the distant singing. Here, time seems to slow down, allowing one to indulge in this tranquility and beauty. Qiandeng ancient town is a place that has not been fully commercially developed, and every visit brings new discoveries.

Qiandeng Ancient Town, a free mini town in the south of the Yangtze River!

Qiandeng Ancient Town is a small-scale ancient town, but it has everything you need, including private gardens, temples and old residences, arched bridges and canals, narrow alleys, features of the south of the Yangtze River, and delicious snacks. It has been rated as a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. 📍No. 1 Shangshu Road, Qiandeng Town, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province 🎫Tickets: Free, free, free! 🔥Gu Yanwu's Former Residence This is the famous Mr. Tinglin Gu Yanwu's hometown, consisting of ancient Ming and Qing architectural complexes, including the places where he lived, ancestral halls, and the beautiful Gu Garden, as well as the tombs of him and his wife, all of which are here, with a profound cultural heritage. 💡Qiandeng Museum This museum, converted from a Qing Dynasty Li residence, houses thousands of ancient lamps, which perfectly match the name of Qiandeng Ancient Town! Walking through it is like traveling to the ancient world of light and shadow. 🏠Yanfu Zen Temple Hidden in the ancient town is the thousand-year-old Yanfu Zen Temple, with a long history. It once had 1008 Zen rooms and was crowded with monks. Despite the vicissitudes of time, it still stands firm, witnessing the changes of the years. 🌈Travel Experience Notes: Overall, Qiandeng Ancient Town is suitable for a leisurely stroll, but if you make a special long trip here, it might not be worth the ticket price. It's better to include it in your itinerary for a surrounding tour and stop by to experience the unique charm of the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River😊

Kunshan Day Trip | Average cost 100 RMB for a full day of fun

🚗Transportation Tips: For those who drive, it's only an hour's journey from Shanghai, making it easy to reach Kunshan! 📝Itinerary Planning: 🌈Bao Dao You Yi Cun→Hui Ju Temple→Tong Feng Restaurant→Tong Feng Xi Road Rice Cake Shop→Ting Lin Garden→Qiandeng Ancient Town 🎫Ticket Information: 💚Ting Lin Garden only costs 18 RMB, and all other attractions are free of charge! 🌈Bao Dao You Yi Cun💕 This place gathers a variety of Taiwanese snacks. Although some shops are temporarily closed, this small area is still worth a visit. It's right next to Hui Ju Temple, so you can easily stop by without making a special trip. 🌈Hui Ju Temple🙏 Home to the sacred Mazu, a blend of faith and tranquility can be found here. 🍜Tong Feng Restaurant💯 A paradise for noodle lovers! The Da Pai Noodles with Pickled Vegetables come highly recommended, so delicious that you can't get enough! A bowl costs only 15 RMB! 🌈Rice Cake Shop🥰 Sweet rice cakes for just 10 RMB a bag, and the crispy rice puffs are a steal at 2.5 RMB each, definitely worth the value! 🌈Ting Lin Garden🌳 I was hesitant about coming here, but it turned out to be a wonderful surprise! The garden design with lush greenery is incredibly soothing. The tea house, Kunqu Museum, Yufeng Mountain, Lotus Pond, Bamboo Forest, and the century-old Sabina... each spot is perfect for taking photos! 🌈Qiandeng Ancient Town🏮 Filled with a strong sense of daily life and affordable prices, the town takes on a different charm when the lights come on at night. 👭The three of us spent a total of over 300 RMB and had a fulfilling and beautiful day! 💖Come to Kunshan and enjoy this wonderful hundred-yuan day trip experience with us!💖

Shiban Ancient Town

Qiandeng Ancient Town, located at the south of Kunshan in Jiangsu, was formerly known as 'Qiandun'. It has a long history and beautiful scenery. You can take the subway from Shanghai to Kunshan Huaqiao, which is at the border of Shanghai and Jiangsu, and then transfer to a bus to reach Qiandeng. The ancient town has four major attractions: one is the longest stone slab street in Jiangsu Province, two is the Yanfu Zen Temple, three is the birthplace of Kunqu opera, and four is the hometown of Gu Yanwu. In addition, if time permits, you can visit some other scenic spots.

A one-hour drive from Shanghai takes you to an ancient town

I have almost visited all the ancient towns around Shanghai over the years, and I no longer have much expectation for the ancient towns in the Jiangnan area... The Jiangnan ancient towns are almost identical, with residences along the water, small bridges over flowing streams, and charged admission to the former residences of famous people; there's also pig's trotters, and 'sock-bottom' crisp pastries... But occasionally, you can find some differences, such as the Yanshou Zen Temple in Qiandeng ancient town, where the golden buildings under the bright sunshine give an illusion of an autumn that has not yet ended. Then, you can encounter some shadows that still belong to the autumn days inside the temple, sit quietly for a while, or walk through the old streets and alleys, and order a pot of tea by the lakeside... This aimless walking and strolling might just be the standard way to enjoy an ancient town, without expectations, all the surprises become delightful. Qiandeng Ancient Town

You don't have to crowd around during the Spring Festival, go to the super artistic village to drink coffee

There is such a utopian ancient village hidden around Shanghai There are no cheap wholesale small commodities There are no grilled sausages, milk tea and other ancient town snacks There are no commercialized ancient town shops There are only art cafes filled with the aroma of coffee beans and pet-friendly tea shops 📍Detailed address: Xiemabridge, Kunshan It's friendly for self-driving, it takes 1.5 hours from downtown Shanghai to reach this artistic village Navigate to the "Xiemabridge Visitor Center" where you can park for free ⏳Play time: Xiemabridge is not big, you can stroll around for 1.5h. There are not too many attractions, mainly coffee shops and homestays. Few people!! Great for taking photos!! The whole journey is paved with stone slabs, very suitable for bringing the elderly and children to relax The whole journey is pet-friendly, but remember to leash There are aunts selling homegrown vegetables along the way, very fresh 🍽Dining recommendations: 🔸Baisheng Renjia: The per capita cost is not cheap but the taste is very good. 🔸Riverside Coffee: Sells braised pork rice and pasta. 🔸Drinking Tea Bureau: Specializes in tea, drinking tea by the river is absolutely poetic Nearby attractions: Qiandeng Ancient Town If you want to find a less crowded scenic spot for the Spring Festival, Xiemabridge is worth visiting.

Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai Vacation | A review of 18 niche destinations I've visited

1️⃣Fotang Ancient Town | 📍Yiwu The ancient houses, Shuanglin Temple, and Fotang Old Street are the three must-see attractions in Fotang Ancient Town. 2️⃣Dongzha | 📍Wuzhen Dongzha -> Xizha is the usual travel route, you must take a boat ride at Dongzha at night~ 3️⃣Jinxi |📍Suzhou Known as the 'Hometown of China's Folk Museum'. 4️⃣Nanxun | 📍Huzhou Nanxun is actually a very short road, sometimes it's free to visit, it's really worth staying by the water for a night, very atmospheric. 5️⃣Cangqiao Straight Street |📍Shaoxing Shaoxing is actually very popular, but I still think every corner of this place is worth visiting, Cangqiao Straight Street is not long, indeed there are many tourists, but check in, eat stinky tofu, you won't regret it. 6️⃣Moganshan Winter Hot Springs |📍Huzhou Many people like to go to the north for hot springs, but actually the Moganshan hot springs at your doorstep, many homestays have private baths, high cost performance, good environment, imagine, you are soaking in the hot springs in the bamboo forest, while drinking whisky. 7️⃣Xiaohe Straight Street |📍Hangzhou Hangzhou is really a city that can't be played enough in a week, literary and artistic youths suggest going straight to Xiaohe Straight Street, the area around Dadou Road 8️⃣Xiuhu Park |📍Jiaxing Many people's understanding of Jiangnan is water towns, ancient towns, but in Xiuhu Park you can see Jiaxing Grand Theater, and various super cost-effective small coffee shops 9️⃣Qiandao Lake |📍 Hangzhou Speaking of cycling, where is more comfortable and joyful than Qiandao Lake? 🔟Yunhe Terraces |📍 Lishui This place, rated by National Geographic as the last secret of Jiangnan, don't you think you should visit it more often? 1️⃣1️⃣Night West Lake |📍Yangzhou Yangzhou's Slender West Lake and Hangzhou's West Lake look completely different from a visual perspective, Yangzhou's is more delicate and charming, otherwise, why would Qianlong always come here? 1️⃣2️⃣Yuyuan Road |📍Shanghai Don't just think about going to the Bund when you come to Shanghai, Shanghai has many super artistic short streets, such as Yuyuan Road, Western food, coffee all in one, and they are all very delicate and high-end. 1️⃣3️⃣Wulin Night Market |📍 Hangzhou Personally, I think Hefang Street is not as lively as it used to be, it's now very commercialized, compared to that, Wulin is okay 1️⃣4️⃣Sijing Night Market |📍 Shanghai To test if someone is a Shanghainese, just see if they go here 1️⃣5️⃣Qiandeng Ancient Town |📍Suzhou The birthplace of Kunqu Opera~ 1️⃣6️⃣Future City ｜📍Suzhou This building is quite special, it looks like building blocks 1️⃣7️⃣Taihu Hot Springs | 📍Suzhou Take a high-speed train, take a taxi, less than 1 hour, start soaking in the hot springs 1️⃣8️⃣Shaoxing Road |📍Shanghai Leslie Cheung's favorite road before his death, the whole journey is less than 500m

Suzhou, you're not fair, hiding such a beautiful ancient town secretly

Suzhou has a free ancient town in the south of the Yangtze River, which is more tranquil than Zhouzhuang, more leisurely than Wuzhen, and has a history of more than 2500 years. It is the birthplace of Kunqu Opera and the hometown of the patriotic scholar Gu Yanwu. It is Qian Deng ancient town located in Kunshan. This ancient town is very niche, so small that it can be visited in two hours, but its beauty is far from the hustle and bustle. Here, you can stroll on the longest and best-preserved stone road in East China, or you can take a rowing boat and glide over the water surface, experiencing the unique style of the southern water town.

QianDeng Ancient Town·A small ancient town with a history of 2500 years!

Kunshan QianDeng Ancient Town·A small ancient town with a history of 2500 years! QianDeng Ancient Town is very niche, so small that it can be visited in half a day. With a history of more than 2500 years, it is the birthplace of Kunqu Opera, and there is no admission fee, still retaining a strong life atmosphere! Introduction to the scenic area: QianDeng Ancient Town is a famous historical and cultural ancient town with a history of 2500 years. As early as the Neolithic Age, there were ancestors living and multiplying here, creating a brilliant prehistoric civilization. It is also the hometown of the outstanding thinker, litterateur, and patriotic scholar Mr. Gu Yanwu in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. His famous saying "The rise and fall of the world, every man has a responsibility" has always inspired countless benevolent people. QianDeng Ancient Town, a 4A scenic spot, the ancient town is free, and the joint ticket for the scenic spots is 60 yuan. It is decent and worth seeing. Walking through the whole journey, the word 'decent' is the most appropriate. As a Jiangnan ancient town, QianDeng Ancient Town has everything it should have. In terms of landscape, there are bridges, rivers, narrow alleys, and bluestone roads. In terms of culture, there are private gardens, temples, former residences, and folk culture. Compared with the top level in the ancient town, all kinds of landscapes are a bit worse, but because of its low popularity and fewer people, it can bring a good travel experience, and it is very suitable to take time to visit. Main attractions: Yanfu Zen Temple, Gu Yanwu's former residence, QianDeng Pavilion, Gu Jian Memorial Hall, Xu Fu Memorial Hall, etc. Yanfu Zen Temple has the world's largest jade reclining Buddha and the national cultural protection unit Qin Feng Tower, which are very valuable and beautiful for photography. Gu Yanwu's former residence is a group of ancient buildings including the former residence, tomb, ancestral hall, and garden. It is large in scale and is a trump card attraction. I think everyone has heard of Gu Yanwu's saying "The rise and fall of the world, every man has a responsibility". QianDeng Pavilion is an ancient house in the Qing Dynasty. Now it is used as a lamp museum to display more than a thousand lamps from ancient and modern times at home and abroad, which is very shocking, and it is truly a "thousand lamps". Food recommendation: The famous "Eight Eats of QianDeng" are square meat, dried fish, dried shrimp, small rice cakes, crispy cakes, pickled vegetables and green soybeans, dragon's beard noodles, and pickled vegetables. In addition, there are dragon zongzi, zao cake and other local snacks. QianDeng Old Restaurant can taste local specialties. Located in the ancient town scenic area, the environment is quiet and antique. In addition, there is a restaurant opposite the "QianDeng Inn" which is said to be the best restaurant in the ancient town, called "Ao Duck Restaurant". Transportation route: Take bus 107 from Kunshan Railway Station to the bus station, and then take the shuttle bus to QianDeng. After leaving Kunshan Railway Station, walk east along the national highway in front of the station for about 10 minutes. There are many cars at the intersection of Bailu Road that can go to QianDeng, and you can go as soon as you arrive. Note: The ancient town is relatively small, and if you don't buy a ticket to see the attractions, you will finish visiting soon. If you are interested in visiting each attraction one by one, the experience will be quite good, enough to play for more than 3 hours, and it is worth going once

In 2001, Kunqu was listed as one of the first "Masterpieces of Human Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage" by UNESCO and became a world cultural heritage. Kunqu is the oldest opera in China and is known as the ancestor of Bai Opera. Kunqu began in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, and its origin was Qiandeng Town in Kunshan, Jiangsu. In the Jiangnan area where the ancient towns of the water town are located, the reputation of Qiandeng is not too big. This ancient town has a long history of 2,500 years and is located 15 kilometers south of Kunshan City, bordering Shanghai's Qingpu District. After crossing a river, it is the scenic spot of Qiandeng Ancient Town. This scenic spot is free and open, and you can enter and exit at will, but there are several small attractions in the scenic spot that you need to purchase tickets, or you can buy a joint ticket at the entrance of the scenic spot. The ancient town is a quaint stone street, the old house remains intact, such as back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Yu's pawn is an old house built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The entire building has a Ming Dynasty hall, five small halls, six buildings, and double-prepared buildings. "Flat", more than 120 large and small houses, thousands of people called it "family". The pavement's yard is clean and comfortable, like a private garden, which is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the stone street. The Yanfu Temple, adjacent to the pawnshop, is a thousand-year-old temple. Liang Tianjian two years (503 years) was donated by the Qiandeng Township Wang Shushe.

Thousand lights, a dreamy and imaginative name. You don't have to look at the introduction, just the words "Qian Deng Ancient Town" are enough to walk around. Qiandeng Ancient Town is located in Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province. From Kunshan City, there is a direct bus No. 113 to Qiandeng Ancient Town. The journey is about one hour. It is very convenient. I heard that the ancient town was relatively quiet, because there are no famous ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River, so there are not many tourists, and the quaint, commercial development and other characteristics attract countless ancient town enthusiasts to send her arms. In particular, the descriptions that people give to them are even more fascinating. It was completely dumbfounded at the gate! When I arrived, I was on Saturday, and there were more people in the town. I suggest that you stagger the holiday peak.

After the stone arch bridge, it officially entered the ancient town scenic spot. The scenic spot is small, consisting mainly of two commercial streets and some former residences of ancient temples. It took more than one and a half hours for the entire tour. Commercial streets are old-fashioned stone roads. The shops on the roadside are all transformed from the old houses facing the street. They are basically operated by local residents, mainly selling some local snacks and specialties. Brown sugar cake, with sesame and bean paste, it is very fragrant when it is just baked, it is not expensive. The scorpion here is also very delicious. It doesn't have a big head. It doesn't have to be a scorpion at the Dragon Boat Festival. You can eat scorpions all the year round in Jiangnan. This green and very cute little dough is the green group. Because it has wormwood inside, it is green. The youth group of Qiandeng Ancient Town is much smaller than the green group of Wuwu Town, and the color is also more tender. This is two big cakes, all made with glutinous rice, 10 yuan, all just released, very hot. Too big, one can't eat at all. Before eating, the boss must take a knife and cut it. It is recommended that several people eat it better. It is too big to eat. It is very supportive!