[Photo/www.baidu.com]

2pm

Saunter along the river in the old town of Xinshi for a laid-back afternoon. Xinshi — literally new town in English — actually has a history of more than 2,000 years. As if forgotten by time, the old town poses a strong contrast to the new town bustling with traffic. You can enjoy its black-tiled houses along the canal, mottled white walls clad with ivy, stone bridges and cobblestone alleys, and seniors napping under sunshades. Many of the antique pieces of furniture, flagstones and door planks in the renowned water town of Wuzhen are said to be bought from here. Though a bit simple and plain compared with other meticulously dressed water towns, Xinshi is more quaint and tranquil since most of the residents are seniors. Take a seat at a teahouse and have a bite of the local tea snack. Don’t forget to try the tender and chewy stir-fried mutton. If time permits, be an early bird and have a mouth-watering bowl of lamb noodles when the noodle stalls just open in the morning.

6pm

Sitting in downtown Wukang, Yuyingfang offers a range of dining choices, from local specialties to popular Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine to Korean barbecue and bibimbap and Western food. The area also has cafés, bakeries, teahouses and bars.

8am

Embark on a cruise on the enchanting Xiazhu Lake. Covering a vast area of over 35 square kilometers, the lake not only graces the view but nurtures diversified species, one of which is crested ibis. Spring is the best time to spot the elegant birds that are in breeding season in April and May. As the boat steadily cuts through the water, a number of egret fledglings can be spotted staggering back onto the bank, or spreading their wings to soar high. The admission charge is 80 yuan, which includes the boat trip. Boats stop and set out at three islets.

11:30am

Have a picnic on one islet with an ocean of reeds in Xiazhu Lake and take a last minute to enjoy the beauty of Deqing. The high-speed train station is just opposite the entrance of the lake zone, about 10 minutes’ drive.

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