Flowing through Heqiao

We’re in Heqiao (河桥镇), a village in Eastern Zhejiang. Technically, it’s still part of Hangzhou, but it’s so far out it’s much nearer to Anhui.

It’s a stunning old village. There are some newly built attractions aimed at attracing new crowds, but they are rusty and closed. Everyone here is coming for the old buildings.
There’s a river that flows alongside of the town, and a narrow wooden bridge that connects the few houses on the other side.
Part of the river has been diverted so that water flows underneath the houses. In the main alley, you can see multiple planks which, when removed, give quick and easy access to constantly flowing water. During the whole day, there are aunties washing their clothes or vegetables with it.
The majority of the village still consists of old houses, with some old shops. Barbers, wood cutters, basketries — some with in front a shop selling hot dogs or orange juice to tourists. There’s an old Christian church, but it seems out of service as there are no benches inside it. Several houses have old slogans on them, but they’re extremely hard to read, although one is legible: “Long live the great leader, Chairman Mao (伟大的领袖,毛主席万岁)”

This village has roots in the Song Dynasty (1127-1279), and for centuries, water and people have flowed through here. Farmers, merchants, villagers, Christian missionaries, and Japanese soldiers during the Sino-Japanese War, and who knows what more. Now it’s our turn.

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