Jinxi Ancient Town is located by the Dianshan Lake in the southern suburbs of Kunshan, a Jiangnan water town with a thousand-year history. Although the town is not large, attractions like the picturesque Gu Lian Bridge and the mysterious Chen Fei Water Tomb draw visitors eager to explore. Various folk museums are worth visiting, and traditional snack shops line the old streets. These museums include the Ancient Brick and Tile Museum displaying antiques, the Zisha Pavilion, and the Potware Pavilion, as well as a Cultural Revolution collection exhibition hall for visitors to reminisce about history. Traditional snacks on the old street include Jinxi specialties such as sock-bottom pastries, Changlong mooncakes, and begonia cakes, as well as lotus seed cakes and braised meat and trotters, which are characteristic of Jiangnan cuisine. Walking along the waterways to the end of the old street, a broad view unfolds with a pond filled with rowing boats in front of the Lian Chi Chan Yuan and Wen Chang Pavilion, which were first built during the Southern Song Dynasty, and are still popular with worshippers. Near the temple on the lake surface, during summer, the lush green lotus flowers reflect off the ancient Gu Lian Bridge, creating a very aesthetically pleasing scene, making it a popular spot for photography. The lake also contains the Chen Fei Water Tomb, the tomb of the beloved concubine of Emperor Xiaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty, which is said to always be visible above the water level regardless of water level changes, making it a famous scenic spot. Although Jinxi has the common waterways, stone bridges, and long corridors of Jiangnan ancient towns and is not as famous as nearby Zhouzhuang and Tongli, it is quieter, with a more vibrant and simple life atmosphere. Walking by the waterways, one often sees local elders sitting in the corridors, drinking tea and chatting, presenting a leisurely urban scene. Operating hours are from April 1st to October 31st from 08:00 to 17:00; from November 1st to March 31st from 08:00 to 16:30. Concessions: Children: Children aged 6 (inclusive) or under 1.4 meters (inclusive) in height with valid identification are admitted free of charge; minors aged 6 (exclusive) to 18 (inclusive) with valid identification are eligible for half-price tickets. Students: Full-time undergraduate and below students with valid identification are eligible for half-price tickets. Elderly: Elderly aged 70 (inclusive) and above with valid identification are admitted free of charge; those aged 60 (inclusive) to 70 (exclusive) with valid identification are eligible for half-price tickets. Military personnel: Active military personnel and retired military officers with valid identification are admitted free of charge. Disabled individuals: Disabled individuals and one accompanying caregiver for severely disabled individuals with valid identification are admitted free of charge. Concessions for designated groups: Individuals with the ‘People’s Republic of China Veterans’ Preference Card’ or ‘People’s Republic of China Martyrs, Military Personnel Who Died in Service, and Deceased Military Personnel’s Dependents Preference Card’ (excluding garden within the garden, paid attractions within the garden, and night tours) are admitted free of charge. Blood donation volunteers: Individuals in Jiangsu Province who have received national awards for voluntary blood donation, voluntary hematopoietic stem cell donation, and lifelong honorary awards for voluntary blood donation services are admitted free of charge. Honorary citizens: Friends of Kunshan and Honorary Citizens of Kunshan City with relevant valid documents enjoy free personal admission tickets (excluding boat tour projects). Additional notes: 1. All situations involving age verification require actual age in full years, and verification includes the day, month, and year.
2. Special individuals who enjoy free or discounted admission tickets for the scenic area must present valid identification documents upon entering the attraction. Service facilities include a parking lot: **Jinxiu Tourism Service Center Parking Lot** with a reference price of ¥10 per hour; located at Jinxiu Ancient Town Tourism Service Center with a capacity of 100 spaces. WIFI: Account: ksly; Password: No password required; Coverage: Throughout the entire ancient town. Mobile phone charging: The scenic area provides mobile power bank rental services at the Tourism Service Center and the ticket office for individual tourists. Luggage storage: Reference price: Free; Address: – Guided tours: The scenic area’s tourism service center offers manual guide services. Fee: 80 yuan per visit. Transportation within the park: Reference price: 130 yuan per person for a boat; Address: Jinxiu Town Wenchang Road ticket office for individual tourists; Maximum of 6 people per boat, operating on Jinxiu River. Baby carriage rental: Reference price: Free, with a deposit of 500 yuan per carriage; Address: – Restrooms: Multiple restrooms are available within the Jinxiu Ancient Town scenic area, located at various points including the Tourism Service Center parking lot, inside the Tourism Service Center, Jinxiu Cultural Square, opposite Zhangsheng Art Museum, Jinxiu Fu Xi Li, Jinxiu Yanyue Building, across from Hongmu Bridge, Xuanjuan Pavilion, Nantang Bridge, Yaohutou, west side of Nandajie, north side of Yueqing Bookstore, and marked with prominent signs. Convenience stores: Convenience stores are located within the scenic area, with specific locations based on the scenic area map. Essential tips: 1. Jinxiu has fewer tourists compared to Zhouzhuang and Tongli, but it is still recommended to visit on weekdays to better experience the simplicity beyond the commercial atmosphere. 2. A complimentary water town boat song is included with the water alley rowing boat ride; subsequent songs can be chosen freely, not mandatory, and priced at 10 yuan per song. Remember the boat number when boarding. 3. There are many local restaurants within the scenic area, generally not expensive, and various restaurants are also available outside the scenic area.
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