Shimen enchants with delights for all the senses

On a rainy fall day, when the small water town of Shimen is filled with the sweet fragrance of Osmanthus flowers, it is exhilarating to take a walk in the quiet area, where famous writer, cartoonist and artist Feng Zikai once lived.

It takes 40 minutes to drive from Wuzhen to Shimen, an escape from the buzz of big cities, with almost no tourist in sight.

Walking on the Muchang Bridge is like walking into an old picture. The river connects to the Shimen bend, which is part of Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and the houses on both banks have black roofs and white walls mottled by the humid climate.