A poet once praised Zhendong Ancient Town with the words, ‘Do not say the flowers of the south are as splendid as brocade, for Zhendong’s watery realm surpasses the south.’ Located in the Lixiahe region of Jiangsu Province, at the junction of the cities of Yancheng, Nantong, and Taizhou, where the Yangtze River system and the Huai River system converge, Zhendong Ancient Town is a renowned historical and cultural town in China.
Surrounded by water on all sides, the town boasts a pleasant environment. Every year, during the Qingming Festival, the town hosts the spectacular ‘Zhendong Boat Festival,’ where numerous types of boats, such as pole boats, rowing boats, flower boats, tribute boats, and women’s boats, stretch across hundreds of square kilometers, attracting tens of thousands of tourists to witness the grandeur of ‘the number one boat gathering in the world. ‘Just beyond the parking lot of the ancient town lies the ticket office, where eight paid scenic spots are included in a 40-yuan combined ticket. To the right of the ticket office is the Dongguan Guiyu scenic spot. Dongguan is a Taoist temple built during the Later Jin Dynasty, housing numerous Buddhist statues. In front of Dongguan lies the Dong Lake, whose clear waters are transparent to the bottom. As the sun sets in the west, one can listen to the evening songs of fishing boats, filling the air with poetic charm.
Heading left from the ticket office leads to the Former Residence of Academicians, a site with a history of over 200 years. The academicians referred to here are brothers Li Deren and Li Deyi. The former residence is imbued with ancient elegance, with pavilions, terraces, and towers scattered throughout, creating a tranquil and refined environment. Exiting the Former Residence of Academicians brings one to the Camellia Garden, which, as early as the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, formed one of the eight scenes of Zhendong: ‘Flower Shadow and Clear Pool.
Next to the Camellia Garden is the Ancient Contract and Deed Museum and the Folk Customs Museum. The Ancient Contract and Deed Museum houses 1,355 historical documents from Zhendong, spanning 487 years, making it an excellent place to understand the history of Zhendong and gain a deeper insight into its role as a crucial gateway between the Jianghuai regions. Walking down the Sports Alley leads to the Green Tree Zen Temple, named after the ancient locust tree.
Fish cakes and shrimp balls made from Zhen Lake fish and shrimp are as white as jade and as red as coral, with an unrivaled color, aroma, and taste, known as the ‘Double Unique Delights of Zhen Lake.’ These can be purchased in the small shops within the ancient town. While enjoying the sights and entertainment, do not forget to taste these fresh delicacies.
The renowned Zhenhu Dang Crab is celebrated for its tender and rich meat, and is considered one of the eight delicacies of Zhenhu, making it an excellent choice for souvenirs.
Opening Hours: The site is open all year round from 08:10 to 17:00. Preferential Policies: Children: Free for children under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.4 meters in height (inclusive). Minors: Half price for minors aged between 6 (exclusive) and 18 (inclusive). Elderly: Free for those aged 70 and above with relevant documents (senior citizens buy a 20 yuan transportation boat ticket); half price for those aged between 60 and 69 with valid documents. Students: Half price for full-time university undergraduate and below students with valid documents. Disabled: Free for those with valid documents. Journalists: Free for journalists on assignment with valid documents. Tour Guides: Free for those with valid documents. Bus Drivers: Free for drivers with valid documents. Military: Free for active-duty military personnel with valid documents. Service Facilities: Stroller Rental: Reference price: free, with a deposit of 500 yuan required; Address: Customer Service Center.
