Jiaxing through a lens

Editor's note: We have asked expats living in Zhejiang to share their stories about the province's cities where they live and work. David Colman is a 53-year-old photographer from England who moved to Jiaxing in August 2020.

I have many photographer friends and together we walk around experiencing China. On a recent day trip to Shanghai I said to the guys "next time you should come to Jiaxing", and they all gave the same reply "been there already, nothing much to see".

Now I know this is not true but it made me think, maybe I should share what Jiaxing has with photographers like me and with anyone with an interest in exploring.

Let's start with the obvious, the Yuehe River, or the Moon River. It is the most popular but in my opinion you need to see it three ways. First, very early as the sun comes up, light shining through the street, nobody around and the shops closed. Next is night time, everywhere open and all lit up; at that time it's colorful and vibrant. But, the best time is when the Sunday morning summer antique market is on – people are buzzing around looking for bargains among the many stalls.

The next place is Jiaxing Botanical Garden. There are three separate parts and each seems to have different flora, so you can go all year around for different colors in this peaceful place. Be sure to take your macro lens for close up images and your long lens for the many colorful kites aloft.

There are too many parks to list them all. I will however mention my favourite walk. Start at Three Towers Park or Santan Park which is a must in autumn, and then walk along the greenway by the side of the canal. You'll pass three temples which are worth a look in before you arrive at Fanlihu Park or Fanli Lake Park. Bring some food and drink so you can sit and chill in the quiet.

Also don't forget Lanxiu Park. It's next to Nanhu Lake and worth seeing for the Wu Temple, which you can enter and climb to the top of for a city view.

Trains? Well, you have to see both of them. A bit far out is Beichen Road, where you will find a locomotive and a few carriages abandoned and left to the elements; I'm told it's popular for model shoots and selfies. The other is in the center of town and if you can find it you'll not fail to note the metal sculptures that look like they are from a Transformers film.

Jiaxing Happy World is what we in the west deem an old-fashioned fun fair. It is not pristine or new; it is old and colorful and has tons of character. I could happily spend all day there taking photos of the rides and games.

The abbey? Yes, there is an abbey in the city. Vincent Abbey is only a 10 minute walk away from the Yuehe River and worth a look. Inside is a small museum which depicts the canals around Jiaxing in some interesting old photographs. When you walk out of the abbey along the tree lined road turn right and a few minutes later you'll come to a bridge with a story of Jiaxing on the floor and a painted sky on the ceiling.

Among the numerous old buildings and areas to wander around in, Meiwan Street is good and easy to get to as it's in the center of town. If you fancy a longer trip, two buses will get you out to Xincheng where you can see old style buildings that I was told were for movie sets, designed to look like 1980s China. Not sure if it's true but well worth a day trip to see them.

Weather permitting I am out almost every day walking with my camera. I often just follow my nose, walking wherever I wish, just looking for interesting things. Photographers never know what they will find in these circumstances and we trust to luck. Without exception everyone I have met has been friendly, always speak even if it's just to say hello, some like to ask where I am from, other want to see what I am photographing.

I may not speak the language well but even just pointing to my camera gets a nod or thumbs up. There is always a smile for this crazy foreigner walking around, a genuine curiosity about what he is doing. There's always a welcoming feeling in the city.

Nothing much to see in Jiaxing? I totally disagree.