Jinxi water town, the sleeping maiden

Jinxi water town is surrounded by five lakes. [Photo/travel.sina.com.cn]

Jinxi, an ancient water town, with its delicate architecture and laid back lifestyle, is a popular tourist site within east China's Jiangsu province. While excessive amounts of tourists and commercialization have become the common plight during the development of several popular water towns in the region, there remains one exception.

Jinxi water town, near Suzhou city, was described by the eminent Chinese writer Shen Congwen as "a sleeping maiden" during his short stay there during the 1970s.

It seems that nothing has changed over the years since Shen's visit. Jinxi water town is still less developed in terms of catering towards tourists, compared with its counterparts located across the province. The only highlight for entertainment is a hostel and tea house run by a young couple who moved to Jinxi for its romantic charm.

Legend has it that a favorite concubine of one of the emperors of the Song dynasty resided here during her last days, and was buried in the lake in Jinxi after she died. The emperor traveled to Jinxi to grieve for her, and built her a stone tomb in the center of the lake. The tombstone is still visible today and is considered by tourists as a symbol of love.

Jinxi is connected by five lakes via the network of waterways running across the small town. There are up to 36 ancient bridges which cross the large number of waterways, and the most ideal way to take in this sleepy little water town is by boat.

Buses regularly depart from Shanghai Gymnasium traffic hub to Jinxi. The entrance ticket for the water town is fifty yuan per person.