2h Drive from Nanjing｜Living in Tang Bohu's Landscape Painting

Summer travel means crowds everywhere, which really dampens the experience. For this weekend staycation, we drove 2 hours to the MGallery by Sofitel in Dangkou Ancient Town, Wuxi. Escape the city without leaving it behind, avoiding the bustling crowds. In this little town, we experienced the secluded life of Jiangnan. Dangkou Ancient Town was the retirement residence of Grand Tutor Hua (from "Flirting Scholar" where Tang Bohu courts Qiuxiang). Interestingly, Grand Tutor Hua isn't the villain we might assume—he carried forward the Hua family's "filial piety and righteousness" culture, which nurtured many cultural luminaries from Dangkou, like scientist Hua Hengfang and lyricist Wang Zi ("Ode to the Motherland"). Seems like Stephen Chow owes Grand Tutor Hua an apology! 😆 The town isn't overly commercialized, miraculously preserving the tranquil charm of a Jiangnan water town. Strolling here is incredibly soothing. We even bumped into kids at a summer camp, adding lively energy to the trip. The hotel blends seamlessly with the ancient town, a perfect example of commercial harmony with heritage. We stayed in a Wood & Stone Deluxe Room— Chinese-style design with understated luxury in the details. The bluestone floors bear traces of history, while the Dyson hairdryer on the vanity brings modern convenience. At dusk, the sky blazed with sunset hues, casting a magical glow over the room. Sipping tea on the balcony, admiring the view— pure bliss. Dinner was at the hotel’s Canju Lou Chinese restaurant, where the menu caters to diverse palates without the overpowering sweetness of Wuxi cuisine. The delicate tableware exudes Jiangnan elegance. No trip is complete without a nightcap— we tried the hotel’s signature "Ink & Books" cocktail, its ink-black hue a nod to scholarly refinement. The hotel is photogenic everywhere. For a peaceful weekend, just stay here and soak in Jiangnan’s charm for two days.