Shanghai Daily News

For city dwellers, a day in an ancient watertown offers a chance to escape the concrete jungle for adventure and some much needed peace and quiet. Fengjing Watertown in Jinshan District is an ideal location to experience a bit of culture in a tranquil setting.

Unlike some other watertowns which have become popular tourist destinations in Shanghai, Fengjing is still a living town and retains its purity. Daily life goes on with the same customs and conventions of hundreds of years ago. Fengjing, however, is not only a typical watertown, but also a place rich in culture for visitors to explore.

Hong Sheng Huo Gallery

The town owes its reputation as the birthplace of the famed Jinshan Peasant Painting. Such art has won praise for its creative designs and vibrant colors that vividly depict the daily life of working people.

An old family, surnamed Chen, is famous for its skills in the art. At their store, Hong Sheng Huo Gallery, visitors can view their art as well as those of others and watch local artisans at work.

Not surprisingly, purchasing souvenirs poses no problem. The most expensive piece is priced at 12,000 yuan (about US$1,500).

Address: 105 Heping Street

Tel: 13761823566

Prices: 20 to 12,000 yuan

Mao Zedong Badge Collection

While no one knows exactly how many badges of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China, were produced, estimates range between 2.5 billion and 5 billion with almost a million variations.

This exhibit features badges which have rarely been seen in recent years, particularly among young people. The hall showcases a series of Mao badges from Miu Shifang who donated a third of his large collection.

An ivory badge in the shape of a grain of rice, adorned with an impressive 100 poems of Mao, is the highlight of the collection.

Address: 89 Xinfeng Road

Tel: 5735-5555

Dingcong Display Hall

Ding Cong, one of the country's best cartoonists, is a native son of Fengjing. This museum exhibits Ding's works. The artist is best known for his black humor cartoons that satirize politics and society. On display are pictures of Ding and some of his famous sarcastic works, illustrations and portraits. A reading room has recently been added to the museum housing nearly 2,000 books from his personal collection.

Address: 89 Xinfeng Road

Tel: 5735-5555

Dining "In Our Home"

As its name implies, "In Our Home" provides Fengjing home-style dishes in an environment where visitors will feel like they are dining in a farmer's home. The two-story building was constructed alongside an impressive 268-meter corridor. Visitors can enjoy this harmonious picture of tiny bridges, sparkling streams and happy families when eating.

Ding Shi hooves, also known as pig's feet and one of the Fengjing specialties, is famous nationwide. It is cooked with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine and sugar for a strong flavour that is seasoned with cinnamon, lilac and ginger.

Recommended dishes: Pickled bean curd and rice cake.

Address: 89 Xinfeng Road

Tel: 5735-5555

Price: 40 yuan per person

Jinshan Peasant Painting Village

The charming and colorfully-painted exterior walls of the farm houses makes the village an attractive place to relax. Strong color and clear lines set off the human portraits and the motion of the animals. The vivid pictures depict colorful daily village life and joyful labor scenes.

Workshops featuring folk artists have been set up so visitors can get a close-up look at the painting action. Next to the workshops, a two-story house provides home-cooked dishes. For visitors wanting to experience what it is like live in a rural setting, the village will launch "One night in a farmer's house" attraction in future.

Date: Opening April 28

Address: Zhonghong Town, Jinshan District, 10 minutes' drive from Fengjing Town

Tel: 5735-5555