Jiaxing: Water Country in Northern Zhejiang: Water Country in Northern Zhejiang

Author: Xu Yan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Jiaxing, since the Tang and Song dynasties, has been an important foreign trade port in southeastern coastal China, known as the "land of fish and rice and the house of silk." The city's territory has historically belonged to the Wu-Yue region, a water-rich land with fertile soil and refined customs. The people are kind and gentle. The customs formed over thousands of years are distinctly Jiangnan, especially the rice culture and sericulture traditions that emerged from productive activities, showcasing remarkable local characteristics. Every aspect of Jiaxing—its waters, mountains, emotions, and scenery—embodies beauty. The misty South Lake, with its spectacular rosy clouds, and the revolutionary red boat that set sail, have written a glorious chapter in Chinese history; the Qianjiang tidal bore in Haining, with its overwhelming power, is hailed as a "world wonder"; the ancient town of Xitang, with its long covered walkways and narrow alleys, smooth stone slabs, and countless bridges, immerses visitors in a historical scroll; the North and South Lakes, where the mountains and seas converge, offer a breathtaking "sight of the sun and moon shining together," captivating all who see it; the National Forest Park of Jiulong Mountain, with its lush green peaks and endless blue seas, presents boundless beauty; the 7,000-year-old Majiabang culture, a historic and dazzling ancient civilization, takes you to another world; the modern literary giant Mao Dun, the artist Feng Zikai, the representative poet of the "New Moon School" Xu Zhimo, and the profound scholar of traditional Chinese culture Wang Guowei, among many others, have left their homes in Jiaxing, like diamonds embedded in the beautiful land of Jiaxing; the Jiaxing (a type of water chestnut), zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), juanli (a type of plum), Hangbai chrysanthemum, and blue-and-white cloth are famous both at home and abroad; leather, wool sweaters, and silk clothing are popular in various regions. Jiaxing is rich in resources and people, with the Jiaxing, zongzi, Hangbai chrysanthemum, blue-and-white cloth, Pinghu pickled eggs, Xiaqiao mustard, and Fenhu sweet wine all renowned far and wide.