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| Longmen Ancient Town is located on the south bank of Fuchun River, in Fuyang District, Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang Province. [VCG] |
Longmen Ancient Town is located on the south bank of Fuchun River, in Fuyang District, Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang Province. With its long history and profound cultural heritage, Longmen is one of the well-preserved ancient towns that feature the architecture of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1616-1911) dynasties in the Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River) region.
Longmen, the hometown of Sun Quan (182-252, the founder and first emperor of the Wu Dynasty [222-280]), one of the Three Kingdoms and the largest settlement of Sun's descendants, retains its strong clan atmosphere and unique folk customs. As such, the ancient town has the reputation of being a "living fossil of Jiangnan clan culture."
In recent years, the local government has advanced the ancient town's revitalization plan, which has included restoring and protecting historic architecture, while improving the environment, business forms and tourists' experiences. This has not only enabled locals to start businesses, but has also attracted many entrepreneurs from other regions.
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| Jian Liqun, a master of tea arts from Southeast China's Fujian Province |
While walking along the cobblestone path by the stream, tourists inevitably get drawn into the quaint store, Tea Aroma House. It was founded by Jian Liqun, a master of tea arts from Southeast China's Fujian Province.
The shop exudes simplicity and tranquility. Customers can enjoy brewing tea by a stove, arranging flowers and/or making handicrafts. The shop also organizes team-building and -training activities, such as tea-art classes and incense workshops. Classical charm and modern aesthetics blend together, creating an unexpected delight for visitors.
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| Tea Aroma House exudes simplicity and tranquility. Customers can enjoy brewing tea by a stove, arranging flowers and/or making handicrafts. |
"Longmen has given me the confidence to start my business. I want to contribute my strength to the revitalization of this ancient town," Jian says. As a member of the Longmen branch of Fuyang New Social Stratum Association, she remembers the help she received from the local government, and the villagers, as she began her entrepreneurial journey.
Jian cares about the village's women, especially the other women shop owners, and she is determined to use her knowledge and skills to help promote common prosperity in the rural communities.
She has participated in public-welfare, live-streaming activities, organized by Hangzhou and Fuyang women's federations, to help villagers sell agricultural and specialty products. A women's micro home (grassroots organization of the women's federation) has been established in Jian's store to better serve and connect with local women.
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| Gutong Bakery, established by a couple in 2017, is a popular store in Longmen. |
Gutong Bakery, established by a couple in 2017, is another widely popular store in the town. By following the "Gutong Bakery" signs, posted on the old walls along the cobblestone alleys, one will eventually arrive at a courtyard at a quiet corner. The words on the wooden gate read, "A bakery filled with happiness."
A cabinet, facing the courtyard, is filled with an array of bread, including toast, ciabatta, brioche, bagels and pretzels. Every detail in the bakery — from the aroma of baking, and the pleasant music, to the warm yellow lighting — embodies the sense of happiness.
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| Gu Zehui (left), Tong Zhenjie and their son |
The bakery's name, Gutong, reflects the couple's heartfelt affection. The name is derived from Gu, the surname of the husband, Gu Zehui, and Tong, surname of the wife, Tong Zhenjie. Gu Tong is also the name of their son.
The couple, who yearned for the rural life, quit their urban jobs, moved to the ancient town and immersed themselves in the relaxed, and delightful, life in the countryside.
Gu makes and Tong promotes the bread. She has shot and posted short videos — about their daily routines, entrepreneurial stories and bread-making process — on various short-video platforms, including RedNote and Douyin. The videos have increased the tucked-away bakery's awareness among netizens.
The baking can sometimes be more tiring than the work they performed in their previous jobs. Nevertheless, the couple finds joy in operating the bakery. In their free time, they sip tea and read in their courtyard, or they stroll by the fields and streams, always letting nature soothe their souls.
During the past several years, the bakery has grown from a husband-and-wife operation into a team of more than 10 people. A large portion of their loyal, online clientele lives in first-tier cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Many longtime customers have told them, "What we buy is not just your bread, but also our longing for the happy life you represent."
When asked about the future, Tong says she hopes to "go with the flow." She says, "Rather than chasing specific goals, I prefer to follow my inner feelings. Over the years, in Longmen, I've gained growth and happiness, and, moreover, a sustainable career that I love. Work is never just about rushing forward; it's a journey, to enjoy the scenery along the way."
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| Edgarscott DUPONT (left), Yang Yi and their son |
Like Gutong Bakery, the founder of Le Café Bleu is also a couple. The husband, Edgarscott DUPONT, is from France. His wife, Yang Yi, is a native of Hangzhou.
They opened the cafe in 2023. The cafe, which blends authentic French flavor and Chinese taste, has emerged as a beloved hotspot among tourists.
The couple, who had lived in France, moved to China in 2019. They shared a dream of opening a cafe. In the summer of that year, DUPONT visited Longmen for the first time.
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| Le Café Bleu, opened in 2023, has emerged as a beloved hotspot among tourists in Longmen. |
"I grew up in a small town in Provence, France. Compared with the hustle of the city, I've always preferred the tranquility and simplicity of village life. Longmen is quite similar to my hometown, and I feel at home here," he says.
The couple's "sincere love" for Longmen convinced them to settle down, and pursue their dream of opening a cafe, in the ancient town.
The cafe's name was inspired by France's classic blue cheese. DUPONT makes all of the blue cheese displayed in the cafe's cabinet. "I want more Chinese people to taste the authentic flavor of France," he says.
The collision of Chinese and French flavors is delightfully surprising. The cafe offers classics, like latte and mocha, as well as DUPONT's original blend of Americano.
Yang has incorporated Longmen specialties — fermented rice wine, osmanthus and ginger — into the coffee, yogurt and desserts. The end result? The fusion of Chinese and French flavors that dance on the palate. The couple's handmade yogurt and homemade ice cream sell particularly well.
"Many young people dream of big cities. But we chose Longmen. It's a lifestyle that stays true to our hearts. The slow pace of life and the warmhearted, friendly villagers have made the ancient town a haven, where the soul finds gentle nourishment," Yang says. "We are especially happy to do our part in advancing all-around rural revitalization."
While blending into the community, the couple wants the cafe to be a bridge for cultural exchanges between China and France. In the future, they plan to revitalize nearby vacant houses, and to host cultural exchanges, to allow the romantic French charm and the profound heritage of the ancient town to spark more exciting possibilities.
Photos from Interviewees
(Women of China English Monthly December 2025)
Editor: Wang Shasha
