Slow Talk in Fuli | Stroll through the downtown streets and discover timeless, picturesque scenery.-Luzhi Tourism_Luzhi Ancient Town 4A-level Tourist Scenic Area

　　Located in the heart of Luzhi Ancient Town, on the west side of Zhongshi Street and running north–south, it stretches from the southern abutment of Zhongmei Bridge in the north to Jinli Bridge in the south. This stretch serves as the town’s commercial, dining, and market district. North of Sanyuan Bridge, shops line both sides of the street in neat rows, with stalls seamlessly connected; south of the bridge, only the shops on the west side remain contiguous. Spanning the upper and lower sections of Tangxiang, the ancient stone bridges—listed from north to south—are HuanYu Bridge, Zhong’an Bridge, Sanyuan Bridge, and Jinli Bridge.

The corridor pavilion is steeped in poetic charm.

Wooden beams and dark-tiled roofs—every scene is a poem.

　　In 1998, along the river in Zhongshi Street, a covered walkway stretching over 150 meters was constructed, featuring the Wuwang Pier and a series of verandas. With its wooden beams and dark-tiled roofs, this arcade has earned the reputation of keeping visitors’ shoes dry on rainy days, while also nurturing the joyful childhoods of local children and painting a vivid picture of everyday life in this waterside town.

Inside the covered arcade, the shops along the central market street are packed with stalls, their air thick with the aroma of food and smoke; outside the arcade, on the rippling waters of the Zhongshi River, the rhythmic creaking of oars cuts through the stillness.

　　Many visitors strolling through this place like to pause beneath the covered walkways, savor the delicacies of the water town, or rest for a while on the balustrades, watching the comings and goings of passersby, listening to the gentle murmur of the river, and fully immersing themselves in the tranquil, leisurely pace of life in this waterside village.

Jinli Bridge stands at the eastern end of Shangtang Street, where it meets Zhongshi Street, forming a quintessential landmark of the ancient town alongside the teahouse to its south. The bridge’s name, “Jinli,” conveys the wish for abundant wealth and prosperity, embodying the local residents’ aspiration for a bountiful harvest and a thriving community.

Jinli Bridge

　　Sanyuan Bridge spans the Zhongshi River, and from its vantage point, one can take in the entire panorama of Zhongshi Street. Beyond the picturesque scenes of quaint little bridges and flowing streams, Sanyuan Bridge and Wan’an Bridge together form a landscape of “three steps, two bridges,” evoking the poetic charm unique to the water towns of Jiangnan.

Left: Wan’an Bridge, Right: Sanyuan Bridge

The ancient house holds the passage of time.

A family that accumulates good deeds will surely enjoy lasting blessings.

　　At No. 6 Zhongshijie stands the Xiao Residence, the best-preserved Qing‑dynasty private house still standing in Luzhi Ancient Town. Originally built in the fifteenth year of the Guangxu era by Yang Huishan, a martial scholar, the residence was later sold to the prominent local family of Xiao Bingli, hence its name, the Xiao Residence.

The Xiao Residence is a quintessential example of traditional Jiangnan water‑town vernacular architecture, with a compact layout, ingenious spatial organization, and exquisite carvings. Originally comprising five sequential courtyards—namely the gatehouse, tea hall, upper hall, side wing, and dining hall—the complex now retains three. Arranged from outside to inside, each successive courtyard rises higher than the last, symbolizing “progress at every step,” thereby fully embodying the distinctive artistic style of Suzhou‑style architecture.

In front of the tea hall at the Xiao Residence stands a brick-carved gatehouse, its lintel inscribed with “Ji Shan Yu Qing,” a phrase drawn from Ouyang Xiu’s Song‑dynasty work: “A family that accumulates goodness will surely enjoy lasting blessings”—that is, a household that cultivates virtue and performs good deeds will see its benevolence extend to future generations. Above the gatehouse, another brick-carved plaque bears the inscription “Yan Yi Yi Mou,” which conveys the admonition to thoughtfully plan for one’s descendants, carrying a profound and cautionary meaning.

Xiao’s Residence is the ancestral home of Berlin Film Festival Best Actress Xiao Fangfang, showcasing her upbringing and her cinematic accolades. The museum’s treasured archives, photographs, posters, and awards were all personally donated by Xiao Fangfang herself.

Address: No. 6, Zhongshi Street, Luzhi Ancient Town

The old street is warm with the glow of everyday life.

Savoring the old street, where the warmth of everyday life lingers.

　　Qiu Xiang Haitang Cake, located at No. 40 Zhongshi Street, is a popular online‑famous snack shop in Luzhi Ancient Town. Its golden, crispy‑baked Haitang cakes are not only a cherished childhood memory for many locals but also draw countless tourists who come specifically to savor them.

Haitang cake was first created during the Qing Dynasty and derives its name from its resemblance to a begonia flower. To make it, sweet, fragrant red bean paste is folded into a snow-white glutinous rice cake, then topped with a glistening sugar glaze and baked until perfectly shiny.

With one bite, you’re first greeted by the delicate fragrance of glutinous rice, followed by the rich, sweet aroma of red bean paste that slowly spreads. Pick up a piece of Haitang cake, savor it as you stroll, and fully relish this moment of pure delight.

Address: No. 40, Zhongshi Street, Luzhi Ancient Town

Strolling through the downtown area

The authentic, unadulterated life of Jiangnan

Laying out before my eyes, one by one.

Unconsciously

And then I ran straight into the lively, down-to-earth charm of Luzhi.

The Luzhi Ancient Town Scenic Area Conducts a Joint Safety Production Inspection.

Diligently implement optimization initiatives to comprehensively enhance service quality.