As two paddle boats glided slowly along the canal, the classic aria from ”The Orchid Pavilion Preface” echoed across the watertown, transporting French tourist Pierre into what seemed like a Jiangnan daydream in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. "Chinese opera is breathtaking! I must share everything here with my family and friends so they too can experience the charm of Chinese culture," he exclaimed excitedly.

This was part of the "The Best Jiangnan · Elegance in Harmony" musical flash mob held at the weekend in Zhujiajiao, designed to weave together cultural, commercial, agricultural, and tourism elements through immersive performances, creating a uniquely Jiangnan-style "warm and happy home."

From the "First Bridge of Shanghai" to the premier Jiangnan teahouse, every bluestone brick and ink-black tile in Zhujiajiao holds profound historical significance.

During the event, the Wuxi Chinese Orchestra performed the neo-folk composition ”Beethoven's Code” at the Water Music Hall, drawing gasps of admiration from visitors along the banks. Meanwhile, excerpts from Yue Opera's ”Butterfly Lovers” blended seamlessly with the bustling market atmosphere at Zhushi Bazaar, where operatic vocals intertwined with vendors' calls and tourists' laughter, breathing new life into ancient art forms. This innovative approach—breaking free from traditional "proscenium stage" constraints—truly brought art into people's daily lives.

By crafting immersive spaces where visitors can "listen, watch, shop, and savor," this millennia-old watertown is evolving from conventional sightseeing to premium cultural tourism. With pingtan storytelling in teahouses and opera songs under the misty arched bridges, the ancient town has transformed into an open-air theater, spawning numerous cross-border consumption opportunities.

Aboard these boats of Jiangnan elegance, the watertown has also become a floating global cultural salon. Like Pierre, many foreign tourists found themselves enchanted by the flash mob, pausing by the waterways and bridges to take in the scenes.

According to a Qingpu District official, Zhujiajiao is positioning itself as Shanghai's premier ancient town destination for international visitors, hoping to serve as a vibrant window for sharing China's culture with the world.