Hairy Crabs at Yang Cheng Lake!

A few weeks ago Bessie at work told me she was going to Jiangsu Province to eat hairy crabs.  Having eaten one in Xintiandi and having thought they were, well ok, I was a little surprised that she’d head that far out to eat them.

 

My friend Icy invited me to join her HK crew on a similar trip out – and with a Sunday free I figured why not.  Just over 20 of us headed out to Jiangsu province – probably about 80 minutes by coach.  We went to Yang Cheng Lake, both famous for its crabs, and the closest of Jiangsu’s lakes to Shanghai.   

 

The crabs were good fun, and tasty.  Not super delicious I’ll admit, but it was a real fun day trip out.  Kinda like going to Brussels to eat mussels.  It’s not exactly that they’re that delicious, but the trip adds the magic.  I don't think I'll both with crabs in Xintiandi again... but give me a two hour coach ride again anytime!
  
On the way back we stopped at a water town to walk off our lunch.  It had 830 years of history apparently.  A pleasant walk for an hour or longer.  We had time to walk away from the touristy areas and check out the streets behind where the villagers lived.  There we could see them playing mahjong, and see some beautiful untouched canals and bridges.  That part especially was beautiful; tranquil; unvisited.  Seeing the villagers ‘punt’ around, it reminded me of the manicured lawns and willow trees of Cambridge.  But somehow this town seemed all the more authentic. 

 

Thanks Icy!