Encountering Luzhi | Misty rain drifts into Luzhi, and early autumn brings a refreshing coolness.-Luzhi Tourism_Luzhi Ancient Town 4A-level Tourist Scenic Area

　　On a rainy day, the ancient town of Luzhi takes on an especially timeless and tranquil air. Strolling through Baosheng Temple, the dark‑gray tiles and the bright yellow walls stand in stark contrast, while raindrops cascade down the eaves, carrying with them more than fifteen centuries of history.

Entering through the temple gate, one passes the Head Gate and the Hall of the Heavenly Kings to reach the Museum of Antiquities. Rain has dampened the Tang‑era stelae, Song‑era pedestal stones, flagpole brackets, and the great iron bell in the garden; standing beneath the gateway with an umbrella, listening to the patter of rain, one seems to hear the echoes of history stirred up by the droplets.

Within the Baosheng Temple Museum of Ancient Artifacts, a sculpted arhat by the Tang‑dynasty master Yang Huizhi is set amid surging seas of clouds and cavernous grottoes, rendered with lifelike realism. Pausing to admire this three‑dimensional landscape‑and‑figure masterpiece, one cannot help but marvel at the extraordinary skill of ancient sculptors.

The lush trees within the temple, drenched by the rain, seem even more verdant and vibrant; in the western courtyard, a thousand-year-old ginkgo stands tall and proud, shedding a poetic aura in the downpour, bearing witness to the passage of millennia.

Rain falls into the old alleyways, and a fresh, verdant hue emerges.

Wandering through the rainy alley, seeking lilacs.

　　On a rainy day, the ancient town of Luzhi takes on an especially timeless and tranquil air. Raindrops cascade from the eaves like beads strung together, pattering into the river to create a gentle, rhythmic melody. Umbrellas in hand, one strolls through Luzhi’s old streets and narrow alleys, savoring the cool, refreshing embrace of the misty rain.

The damp, verdant flagstones wind and stretch, flanked by brightly lit little shops; the Jiangnan landscape, freshly washed, gleams with vibrant greenery, and the trumpet creeper blooms unabashedly in the rain, bringing to life a quintessential scene of misty, drizzling Jiangnan.

Luzhi radish paste boasts a lingering, fragrant aroma, while the Qinji Liquor Shop exudes a subtly intoxicating charm. Step into any shop at random, and you’ll discover the gentle, unhurried rhythm of life on a rainy day.

In the hazy rain-soaked alley, a woman from the water towns of Luzhi approaches, her crisp, serene blue‑lotus blouse and her graceful, delicate figure evoking the image of the lilac‑like maiden in Dai Wangshu’s poetry.

Rain falls into the city river, ripples spreading in delicate threads.

A Boat Ride in Misty Rain, Savoring a Culinary Feast Aboard

　　A gentle drizzle falls into the city river, stirring up ripples that spread outward. At such a moment, one can set sail on a hand‑rowed boat, drifting along the waterway and savoring the refined charm of “a painted boat, listening to the rain as one sleeps.”

The gentle patter of rain falls upon the eaves of waterside homes, where dark-tiled roofs and white walls blur into a hazy, dreamlike haze—like a sumi‑e painting whose shades of ink are perfectly balanced. In the distance, a stone arch bridge is softly mirrored in the water, while the rhythmic creak of oars mingles with the murmuring stream to weave a melody born of the rain.

@Photography Ji Dongyu

　　When you visit the ancient town of Luzhi, how could you miss a sumptuous boat banquet? Luzhi’s boat feasts showcase the local culinary ethos of “eating seasonally,” featuring fresh vegetables and seasonal delicacies like river shrimp and whitebait, all meticulously prepared. Settling into a gently swaying hand‑rowed boat, you can savor exquisite dishes while taking in the scenic views—truly the essence of Luzhi’s timeless charm.

@Photography Liu Zhen

　　After the meal, I rinsed my mouth with a cup of clear tea and, upon closer inspection, discovered that the patterns on the teaware were actually the mooring stones of the river wharf—unwittingly evoking the rich, quintessential charm of the water towns.

Rain falls into the heart of the lotus pond, while a gentle breeze carries its fragrance.

Large pearls and small pearls fall onto a jade plate.

　　Though the lotus’s fragrance has faded, its emerald leaves remain; only the lotus leaves are left to listen to the patter of rain. At such a moment, savoring the lotus is like beholding a poetic scene: “large and small pearls tumbling upon a jade platter.”

Stepping onto the damp wooden boardwalk, I ventured deeper into the lotus pond. On the emerald‑green leaves, droplets of crystal‑clear water had gathered; a gentle breeze swept through, setting the leaves trembling, as if, with the slightest carelessness, those pearl‑like beads would cascade into the pool like a delicate stream, vanishing without a trace.

Beside the lotus pond, water chestnuts and red water caltrops are bountiful once again this season. Sweet soup with osmanthus-infused water chestnuts, stir-fried water caltrops with water chestnuts, and shrimp with water caltrops—each dish offers a crisp, tender texture and a sweet, lingering flavor that leaves you wanting more.

An early autumn rainy day

Go to Luzhi.

Sit in quiet contemplation, listening to the rain; admire the lotus and savor the autumn.

Encountering the serenity and freedom of Jiangnan.

#Friendly Reminder#

　　1. Due to the impact of the typhoon, please stay informed about the latest typhoon forecasts and warnings issued by meteorological authorities when planning your trip, and adjust your travel plans and itinerary accordingly to ensure a safe journey.

　　2. As autumn sets in, the mornings and evenings are noticeably cooler—remember to dress warmly to stay protected from the chill.

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