Anchang, an ancient town 12 kilometers west of the city of Shaoxing in Zhejiang province, with its untouched historical beauty, tranquility and elegance, is a good alternative to those overcrowded destinations. The history of Anchang dates back more than 4,000 years when it was a muddy riverside village where locals made a living fishing and making salt. The local economy improved in 1489 during the Ming Dynasty, when the local government opened a market and promised each investor four baked cakes, a good incentive at the time.