The food and the people are what make this Jiangnan town so healing

The scenes depicted by Lu Xun in "Blessing" can still be seen in the old town of Shaoxing today. In Jiangnan, the preparation of ingredients for the winter solstice in Anchang Ancient Town, Shaoxing, has already begun. For the people of Shaoxing, quail, duck, pig's head, bream, and even radish... there is no ingredient that cannot be marinated before eating. In the prosperous Jiangnan region, marinating and pickling are the most common traditional methods of preserving meat. Dried fish is as indispensable on the dining table in Shaoxing during the twelfth lunar month as yellow rice wine. It is made by marinating and drying a huge local fish called "snail green." Not much salt is needed, but wine is essential. The fish is salty and fresh, and after being exposed to the sun for more than ten days, the dried fish takes on a charming burgundy color. When you have some free time, cut off a small piece of the fish, which looks like a flower cake, and you will see the white fat and red meat, with a faint, unique texture of oil in the soft and glutinous fish. Place the dried fish on a blue and white plate, spray it with white wine, and steam it in a bamboo steamer for a quarter of an hour without any seasoning. The whole house will be filled with a fresh aroma. With a gentle flick of the chopsticks, the fish meat falls off the bones like lotus petals, leaving a fragrant taste in your mouth. A small piece of steamed dried fish, a bowl of yellow rice wine, and a small plate of fried peanuts are enough to while away a warm winter afternoon... The bustling streets and alleys are full of life, with misty corridors and stone alleys, where you can watch the sunset and see time flow by, savoring the taste of the city, the food, and the people. ... 👉 Choose a sunny winter day to visit, as each household will hang their marinated goods outside to dry, while there will be fewer on cloudy days. The photos will also look better with sunlight. 👉 It is not recommended to visit during the Lunar New Year Festival or on weekends, as there will be many people. Also, do not be tempted by cheap prices and buy marinated goods that are particularly low in price. 👉 The best lighting is in the morning, with backlighting and side backlighting being the best. A focal length of 70-200 is the most commonly used. 👉 It is best to walk along the riverside corridor, eating and sightseeing along the way. You can also experience a ride on a black awning boat. The paid venues in the ancient town are not highly recommended. However, the old alleys and old stage doors in the town are worth exploring, as they offer an authentic taste of old Shaoxing.