I’d like to talk about¹ a small town near Hangzhou called Wuzhen, which I visited a couple of years ago. Although Wuzhen itself is famous for its old canals, traditional houses, and stone bridges, it is also surrounded by a peaceful countryside landscape², with rivers, trees, and rice fields nearby. I went there with two of my university friends during a short autumn break. We had been under quite a lot of pressure from assignments and exams, so we wanted to get away from the city³ for a few days and slow down. We took a high-speed train to Hangzhou and then caught a bus to Wuzhen. The main reason we chose this place was that one of my friends had seen some beautiful photos online and strongly recommended it. We wanted to experience a quieter side of China rather than visit another crowded modern city⁴. While we were there, we wandered along the river, took a small wooden boat through the canals, and tried some local snacks. In the early morning, we also walked beyond the busiest tourist area and saw mist hanging over the water and fields. That was probably the most memorable part of the trip⁵. I feel very warmly about this place because it gave me a real sense of calm. The scenery was beautiful, but what I appreciated most was the slower pace of life. It reminded me that taking a break from a busy routine is not a waste of time; it can actually help people clear their minds and return to their work with more energy⁶.