Zhangjiashe village, surrounded by tranquil waters, offers picturesque views and a unique pastoral lifestyle.

Standing quietly to the southeast of the water town of Jinxi and resting on the eastern banks of Wubao Lake, Zhangjiashe village has a long and colorful history.

With rivers and streams crisscrossing the area around Zhangjiashe, richly endowed by nature, the land of plenty is widely recognized as a natural military stronghold and was once stationed by General Zhang Zhao, who commanded the armies of Sun Quan, founder of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220-280).

Although the great man passed away after being defeated by enemy troops, the village still took its name from him as a memorial.

Aside from the tranquil waters and picturesque views, Zhangjiashe is now decorated with both ancient and modern houses. Walking along the black bricks and white tiles, you can soak up the unique folk culture of this lively village.

Xuanjuan, a traditional art form combining story-telling and ballad singing, is a cultural treasure of Zhangjiashe village.

One particular folk tradition is xuanjuan, an art form combining story-telling and ballad singing, which usually depicts the special local pastoral lifestyle. The xuanjuan master Wang Bingzhong, a Zhangjiashe native, is the most famed inheritor of this splendid artistic style.

The local residents are also keen on Peking Opera – enjoying opera shows during various temple fairs, with drums sounding strong and old, and gongs clear and crisp.