Having lived in Shanghai for nearly a decade, Italian Alessandro Conti visited the water town for the first time recently. He tried on hanfu, a traditional Chinese attire, enjoyed a Kunqu Opera performance and watched demonstrations of local crafts in the pavilion.

　　"I truly felt the deep and lasting historical culture there. If anyone from my Italian family comes to visit me in China, I will definitely bring them here," he said.

　　Jiang Hongwei, manager of a high-end guesthouse transformed from a century-old residence in the town, said that 85 percent of reservations are made by foreign tourists.

　　"We offer visitors an immersive experience of the local lifestyle, including traditional opera performances, tea tasting and boat trips," she said.

　　Zhu Mingya, from the office of ancient town affairs, noted that Zhujiajiao initiated quality enhancement work last year, which included the introduction of an ecological water circulation system.

　　By adopting techniques combining the separation of rainwater and sewage, ecological restoration, and reclaimed water reuse, the project has seen an improvement in water clarity throughout the town.

　　"Now, the water near the banks is very clear, with fish being seen quite often, and visibility in deeper areas reaching 1.5 meters," he said.

　　The project also included efforts to diversify the town's offerings to visitors. Last year, 18 new shops opened, providing intangible cultural heritage crafts, creative cultural products and unique snacks and drinks that appeal to a younger demographic.