Embark on a day trip to the historic town of Jinze with Maxime Tondeur from ExploreBeyond China. From our meeting point, we will take a bus to Jinze to explore its charming canal-side life, untouched by mass tourism. As we delve into the town’s imperial origins and its revolutionary past as a working water town, we will gain a deeper understanding of its unique heritage. 

During our morning walk, we will cross an unconventional bridge, uncover foreign influences in the Jiangnan region, step into a Qing-era merchant’s house, admire 1950s architecture, and learn why this canal town has remained less developed than other touristy water towns. 

Afterwards, we will visit the Jin Ze Art Centre (JZAC) for a simple yet delicious bowl of beef or vegetable noodles. Following lunch, Harrison Sainze, the curator of JZAC, will offer us a private guided talk about the centre’s mission to document and preserve China’s traditional arts and…