Jinxi Water Town, China

After the most extraordinary adventure across China, our final days softened into something quieter in Jinxi. We stayed with family, settling into the gentle rhythm of a water town that has endured for over 2,500 years. Less visited than its neighbouring towns, Jinxi is peaceful, unhurried and has the charming energy of a countryside village.

Mornings began simply, with slow walks through the town as it came to life. Many of the old stone bridges here date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Jinxi is sometimes called the “Museum of Bridges,” and it’s easy to see why.

We took a boat out along the waterways, which feels less like an activity and more like a necessary way of understanding the town. The canals open up differently from the water, revealing a softer, more continuous view of daily life. Our boat was guided by a local woman who sang traditional folk songs as we moved along.

In the afternoon, we drank tea in the temple with my mother-in-law and her close friends. It was so touching to glimpse the peace of their daily life and routine.

Evenings also drew us back to a small restaurant where my father-in-law spends most of his days. He refers to the owner simply as “brother” and we were welcomed like family. There, we were served meal after meal of extraordinary generosity. It was clear they had gone all out for our arrival. Glossy braised pork, deeply savoury duck, delicate fish soups, and spicy seafood. It was, without exaggeration, some of the best food I ate in China.

There was something fitting about ending the journey here. After the scale and intensity of the cities, Jinxi offered a slower and peaceful end to a wonderful odyssey.