Located 60 kilometers west of Jingxian county in fabulous southern Anhui province, the 1000-year-old town of Zhaji has 189 preserved ancient structures of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911).

Zhaji town receives more than 15,000 tourists every year, including artists coming to sketch the fascinating scenery of this ancient town.

Established during the Sui and Tang dynasties (AD 581-907), the town has a rich history of more than one thousand years. Walking alone the time-honored lane, visitors can appreciate the quaint yet lively architectural cultures of Anhui province: glazed-tile-roofed cottages, exquisite arch bridges, and well-preserved ancestral temples.

In addition to the traditional man-made scenery, Zhaji also offers an abundance of beautiful natural scenes: brooks warble over the pebbled bed with majestic trees decorating the picturesque landscape; various flowers bloom on the riverbank. No wonder the town is favored by numerous painters and visitors.

By Chen Zhilin (chinadaily.com.cn)