A hidden gem of an ancient town that's even more beautiful than Wuzhen can be reached within an hour's drive

I was once enchanted by the charm of Wuzhen's water town, but unexpectedly, deep in Tongxiang, there lies a secluded and stylish ancient town of Puyuan 🍃. Just an hour and a half drive from Shanghai, and you can easily arrive at this tranquil and beautiful paradise! 🎁 During the Lantern Festival, I was fortunate to witness the ancient town's unique iron flower artistry dazzlingly bloom 💥. Arriving leisurely at four in the afternoon, avoiding the peak of the crowds, I experienced the winter ancient town's otherworldly serenity and tranquility. The grand ticket hall is an eye-opener, and even in winter, the scenery here is still vibrant and full of ancient charm 🌿🌺. Stepping into the ancient town, the thousand-year-old Fushan Temple and Fushan Pagoda showcase a Kyoto-like style, with the deep and secluded ancient temple housing two millennium-old ginkgo trees that will surely turn golden in autumn, making for an excellent photography spot 📸. A meal of authentic Quzhou stir-fried dishes, spicy and fragrant, allows the taste buds to experience a feast in the ancient town 🍲. Despite being in a tourist area, the prices are reasonable, and the value for money is quite high. As night falls, the ancient town becomes even more softly enchanting. Under the eaves of old houses, lights flicker, and warm strings of lamps hang on both sides of the stone-paved roads. Strolling through, it's as if you're in a painting where times intersect. The sound of the erhu and the night watchman's call add a touch of quaint tranquility. Especially not to be missed are the ancient-style boat performances that traverse time, and the iron flower show exclusive to the Spring Festival, dreamlike and fantastic 🌟. Looking for a quiet and leisurely place to escape the hustle and bustle on the weekend? Then, I sincerely recommend Puyuan Ancient Town. Compared to Wuzhen and Xitang, it presents a different kind of charm, and there's currently a half-price promotion going on. I hope that the iron flower performance will be available again in the future, so that we can explore the beauty of this secret paradise with our families when spring blossoms 💕.