Zhenyuan Ancient Town and Zhusheng Bridge

Some say Zhenyuan is an ink-wash painting, ‘plain yet with unexpected rarities, understated yet with a distinctive charm’, and it has remained well preserved for more than two thousand years. Only by walking through its secluded old lanes can you truly appreciate the town's natural and unpretentious character. The lanes of Zhenyuan are quiet, following the contours of the hills, climbing slopes and winding around corners, a feature that is unique in its own right. On the western side of the old town stands the New Bridge (Xin Daqiao), and on the eastern side, Zhusheng Bridge, the landmark of the ancient city.

For centuries, the ancient city of Zhenyuan has preserved a layout in which land routes and waterways run side by side, with streets in front and the river behind. Residential houses are set in pleasing rhythm, small boats are moored at old wharves with cormorants perched on their prows, and women wash clothes on the stone steps by the river…