Refusing to be in a crowded place, I experienced the lively Chinese New Year in the less-known Mingshui Ancient Town!

Just a 3-hour drive from Handan, I spent a lively Chinese New Year here in Zhangqiu Mingshui Ancient Town of Jinan! If you think Jiangnan is too far away, then the scenery of Mingshui Ancient Town with its small bridges, flowing water, grey walls, and black tiles can truly satisfy all our fantasies about the water towns of Jiangnan. Moreover, it has the reputation of being the 'Spring City', and it also has the culture and elegance of Li Qingzhao's former residence. If you don't want to travel long distances, then go to Mingshui Ancient Town for a poetic and picturesque Dragon New Year! . 🏯 What to do in Mingshui Ancient Town? ▪️ Jinan is known as the 'Spring City', and Mingshui Ancient Town is home to the Baimei Spring, Meihua Spring, Shuyu Spring, and Mo Spring, which are among the 72 famous springs of Jinan. The springs gush forth vigorously despite the sub-zero temperatures. ▪️ The ancient Longquan Temple, with its red walls, old trees, and green bamboo, is full of Zen, and you can also hang a wishing plaque to pray for yourself and your family. ▪️ The cloth workshop, with NPC immersive performances at set times, is super photogenic. ▪️ The Spring Show performance, which combines song and dance performances with fountain shows, is super exciting every night at 19:00. There are also ever-changing drone performances in the night sky that you really shouldn't miss! ▪️ Rowing boats, sitting in the boat and looking at the simple folk houses on both sides, the creaking rowing boat is the best way to taste the water city. ▪️ DIY immersive experience, there are many shops in the ancient town where you can do DIY handcrafts, paint your own fan, make your own dragon lantern, and those who like DIY should not miss it. ▪️ Enjoying lanterns and releasing river lanterns, the New Year's limited edition for the Dragon New Year, the ancient town becomes dazzling at night, with fire trees and silver flowers and fish lanterns swaying, super dreamy. You can also go to the lantern shop to get a river lantern and make a wish. ▪️ Hanfu makeover, the most suitable for the ancient town is of course Hanfu. You must go to the Baijintang on the second floor of the ancient town's wharf cafe to experience a Hanfu makeover. There are hundreds of sets of clothes, all styles are available, and the makeup artist is very skilled, meeting my many requirements, and the style I got is 💯. . 🍝 What to eat in the ancient town? Don't miss the New Year's Eve dinner at Rui Fuxiang Restaurant during the New Year, it's delicious and well-presented. . 🏨 Where to stay in the ancient town? Shuangquan Hotel, which is operated by the ancient town itself, is located in the ancient town, making it convenient for eating, drinking, and playing. The rooms have a sense of design, a rich buffet breakfast, and the lobby bar has a tea-boiling afternoon tea with a full atmosphere. . ❗️ Travel tips: 📍 Address: Mingshui Ancient Town, Zhangqiu, Jinan 🚄 Transportation: High-speed rail to Zhangqiu Station, a 10-minute drive from the station to the ancient town 🚗 Self-driving: If driving from Jinan, it takes 1 hour, and from Handan, it takes 3 hours to reach the ancient town. Guests of the hotel in the ancient town can park their cars for free at the tourist center parking lot