Jiangsu's Spiritually Rich Ancient Towns: A Treasure of Historical Sites

As a town situated in the central part of Jiangsu province, less than 50 kilometers east of Yangzhou, Xuhuatai also boasts a history of over two thousand years as a cultural ancient town.

Xuhuatai has also given rise to numerous outstanding figures from all walks of life, such as Shi Nai'an and Zheng Banqiao. Fan Zhongyuan once served as an official here, further enhancing the town's renown.

Despite being a small city in Jiangsu, Xuhuatai is home to many renowned residences and memorial halls, and these sites are generally free to visit.

Due to the proximity of the venues, visitors can easily complete the main tour on foot. All the residences and memorial halls are small and compact, unlike grand and imposing structures.

The Gong Ji Tai and Ba Zi Qiao Culture Square are Xuhuatai's primary cultural landmarks and tourist attractions. The original status of the pagodas and guildhalls is unclear – whether they are original or rebuilt is unknown. A distance of approximately 1 kilometer separates Gong Ji Tai from the Xuhuatai Museum, and further exploration of the old street, Four Lion Towers, Wang Residence, and Scholar's Lane, all within a radius of 1 kilometer.

Walking through the ancient lanes, one finds a relative lack of noisy tourists. Perhaps those who enjoy flocking to China for tourism may not be aware of Xuhuatai, only familiar with Suzhou and Zhouzhuang.

In fact, Xuhuatai's lake area is expansive and meandering, with a network of waterways, combining the scenery of a typical Jiangnan water town with its cultural heritage as a famous city. The area is relatively small, but contains numerous historical sites.

If you are traveling to the north of the Yangtze River, Xuhuatai is a historic city you absolutely shouldn't miss! Xuhuatai is located less than 50 kilometers from Dongtai City, and currently, Dongtai Station is the nearest railway station.

Many renovated 'old streets' resemble filming locations for exterior shots, but they are nonetheless contributing to the creation of simulated historical districts. Skilled artisans and small-scale manufacturers, with an average age of half a century, maintain a sense of the past.

Those seeking nostalgic experiences can visit traditional Chinese medicine shops and barbershops in Xuhuatai to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the past. Xuhuatai is not a hot tourist destination, but it is undoubtedly a cultural ancient city!