In autumn, take a trip to the "Time Ancient Town," now a hidden gem!

Do you like "commercial ports"? In ancient times, transporting goods was mainly done by water. Over time, the convenience of boats attracted many merchants traveling north and south, gradually developing into important commercial ports. At one point, these key water transport hubs were bustling with boats docking like ants, quite a sight to behold! So the question is, where should you go to visit commercial port-type attractions? Uncle Shuai suggests heading to the "Time Ancient Town," once an important commercial port in central Zhejiang and now a treasure trove, full of heritage and highlights. If you like it, come and explore! We’re talking about Fotang Ancient Town in Zhejiang. Thanks to the water transport advantage of the Yiwu River, it became a local economic and transportation center, earning the nickname "Little Lanxi." During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, Yiwu county magistrate Yang Chunchang wrote in the "Wan Shan Bridge Record" that Fotang Town was "a hub where merchants and carts converge, connecting neighboring counties." This shows that Fotang Ancient Town was already famous over 220 years ago. An interesting fact is that the origin of Fotang Ancient Town is related to "Damo" (Bodhidharma). On March 14, 521 AD, during the Liang Dynasty, Damo went out to attend a vegetarian gathering but was caught in a sudden flood. He then threw an iron fish-shaped bell (a ritual instrument made of iron shaped like a fish) into the air, which turned into a wooden boat that floated into the river to help all the people in distress. To thank Damo for his great kindness in saving lives, the locals built a Duqing Temple for worship. Inside the temple is a couplet: "Buddha’s light shines through the ages, the hall’s candle glows illuminating all directions." The first characters of the couplet’s lines were taken as the place name "Fotang," and Duqing Temple is also called the Ancient Fotang. To this day, Fotang Ancient Town still exists and has become the "Time Ancient Town"! When you arrive at the ancient town, you’ll see "time" everywhere—the sound of bells from "exchanging chicken feathers for sugar," old craftsmen weaving bamboo baskets, the aroma of tea mixed with chatter in teahouses, wooden window frames of old houses exuding a sense of life, and the Wanshan Floating Bridge spanning the Yiwu River—all these details are full of heritage and instantly catch your eye! Once you start exploring, you can follow this route: Fotang Ancient Town Old Street - Ground Parking Lot — Fotang Ancient Town Visitor Center — Shilu Ancestral Hall — Fotang Town Mao Family Mansion — Shicaotang — Pan Garden — Fotang Ancient Town Old Street — Fotang Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall — Wanlan Pavilion — Wanshan Floating Bridge — Wanshan Pavilion — Return to Wanlan Pavilion — Fotang Wu Residence (Wu Qi Ji’s Former Residence) — Yiwu Wedding Customs Museum — Dongfeng River (Puchuan Water Street) — Zhang Sanmao Hall — Shibajian — Fotang Town Bamianting Ruins — Fotang Ancient Town Visitor Center Key spots to check out: Shilu Ancestral Hall, a low-key yet luxurious ancestral hall that many visitors miss, holding the stories of local celebrities! Fotang Town Mao Family Mansion, a famous mansion built in 1918 by wealthy brothers Mao Xiangfa and Mao Xiangrong, featuring a unique layout with 24 large rooms, and a popular local tourist attraction. Fotang Ancient Town Old Street, the most must-visit area of the town, with bluestone roads and century-old shops that make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. Every corner is full of historical charm and stories, perfect for wearing Hanfu, taking silhouette photos, sitting in teahouses, listening to Yue opera, and experiencing the ultimate Jiangnan nightlife! Fotang Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall, where you can closely admire the exquisite skills of craftsmen and feel the local dedication and love for traditional culture. Wanshan Floating Bridge, the most famous photo spot, with many boats placed under the floating bridge, one next to another, both ends curved upward, creating a unique shape. There’s also a light show at night, making it very photogenic! Yiwu Wedding Customs Museum, showcasing Yiwu’s wedding culture and customs in a comprehensive and enjoyable way! After a full tour, you’ll find traces of "time" everywhere—the antique old streets, winding bluestone paths, well-arranged ancient buildings, gentle and elegant Jiangnan style, historically significant old docks, and the gently swaying black-awning boats—all creating a dreamlike scene, as if you’re inside a traditional ink painting! Unlike other ancient towns, the best choice in Fotang Ancient Town is to find a teahouse, grab a window seat, and enjoy a meal and tea with a few friends while watching people pass by outside, fully savoring life! When you get hungry, try delicious local specialties like "Fotang Qianzhang Noodles," "Donghe Meat Pie," "Brown Sugar Twists," and "Maci"—truly tasty and unique! Uncle Shuai thinks Fotang Ancient Town truly deserves the title "Time Ancient Town." It’s like a thick history book, a melodious poem, and a colorful painting, always showcasing the charm of Jiangnan water towns. You can quietly take a "time travel" trip here! If you have more time, you can also experience local folk culture, intangible cultural heritage markets, immersive performances, a feast of flavors, and ancient town night tours—surely not disappointing. Transportation: By car: Navigate to "Fotang Ancient Town Old Street - Ground Parking Lot," with plenty of parking spaces. By bus: Take the train to "Yiwu Station," then transfer to bus routes [Yiwu 805 → Yiwu 318, about 2 hours] or take a 40-minute taxi ride. Practical information for Zhejiang Fotang Ancient Town: Free admission, open all day, located about 250 meters northwest of Fotang Comprehensive Market on Jiangdong Road, Yiwu City, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province. Self-driving is recommended. So, are you interested in Zhejiang Fotang Ancient Town? Feel free to leave a comment and discuss!