Looking for an off-the-beaten-path Jiangnan water town with real stories? Puyuan will give you a completely different experience. Rooted in Tongxiang since the Southern Song Dynasty, it offers a unique way to explore. Just wander freely through its houses, courtyards, streets and scenes to discover charms hidden for a thousand years. The Pu Merchants' Guild Hall is the heart of the town's trading culture. In the past, Puyuan's silk industry thrived, drawing merchants from all over and witnessing the peak of the Puyuan silk trade. Today, the guild hall still stands quietly, telling the story of a thousand years of commerce. Shufang Zen Temple is a rare peaceful retreat in the ancient town, blending Zen culture with elegant Jiangnan style. Far from the noisy streets, the atmosphere here is relaxed and serene, free from worldly distractions. With its gentle, calm vibe, it's a great place to rest your mind and let time drift by. Beigeng Tower is the highest point in the ancient town. In ancient times, it served as a watchtower to protect the town, silently keeping it safe year after year. Now it's the best spot to overlook the whole town and take in the entire water town. At dawn or dusk, you can quietly admire the gentle, timeless beauty of this Jiangnan ancient town. If you visit Puyuan in spring, don't miss the wisteria near Beigeng Tower. Long vines cover the corridor, with clusters of purple flowers hanging down in lush abundance. A faint floral scent drifts across Puyuan, and walking under the wisteria feels like stepping into a purple dream, full of spring vibes. Fushan Temple is Puyuan's oldest temple, dating back a thousand years. Two Southern Song ginkgo trees inside are still thriving. In autumn, their brilliant golden leaves make Fushan Temple home to Puyuan's most iconic thousand-year-old scene, steeped in history. Siwan Street, right next to Fushan Temple, is a unique lane where Zen peace meets everyday life. Quiet and soothing, it combines the serenity of the old temple with the gentle charm of water town streets—truly atmospheric and full of character. Lazhu Street, also known as Water Street, is the liveliest old street in the ancient town. Since ancient times, it has been a hub for folk trade and handicrafts. Bustling and vibrant, it captures the simplest, warmest daily life of Puyuan's locals. All of Puyuan is filled with a calm gentleness shaped by time, letting visitors immerse themselves in the unique Jiangnan heritage and soft charm of this water town.