Jinxi: a resting place for souls

Jinxi [Photo from Kunshan Tourism Resort]

A stream runs through the town, with peach and plum trees scattered on both sides. The glow of the sunrise and sunset sprinkles over its surface, making the stream a sparkling brocade; thus comes the name of Jinxi town (in Chinese, Jin means brocade; xi means stream).

Jinxi town is located in Southwest Kunshan City, eight kilometers away from Zhouzhuang. Adjacent to Dianshan Lake in the east, Chenghu Lake in the west as well as Fanqing Lake and Bailian Lake in the north, Jinxi deserves its reputation as a town of lakes and rivers. Jinxi is like a sleeping beauty, hiding in her boudoir for thousands of years, waiting to be found. She reflects the romantic tenderness of Emperor Xiaozong in the Song dynasty to Concubine Chen. She has old kilns which used to be famous nationwide. She has moonlight over the lotus pond. She has the Song of the Homebound Fishermen sung for over a thousand years. Every detail shows her temperament.

Ticket: 65yuan ($11)/person, 100yuan/boat

Transportation:

From the New Kunshan Bus Station to Jinxi: bus No 130

From the Kushan Railway Station to Jinxi: transfer from bus No 3 (inner/outer ring) or No 30 or 33 (east / west ring)or No 11, 188 or 117 at Xinke Station to No 130

From Shanghai to Jinxi: transfer at Huaqiao Station on Shanghai Metro Line 11 to bus No 7